I groan.I hate it when he calls me Miss Adams and he knows it.It makes me feel old.“Summer,” I remind him.“I hope the door opens constantly and brings in hot air.”
The doors close on his laughter, and I step back against the far wall, closing my eyes for a brief moment.I’m worried about what I’ll be walking into today.Working from home comes with cons too.I have no idea what I’ve missed.I can’t read people very well if I’m not near them.Since Saturday, I haven’t stopped fretting about Katherine and if she knows I’m Malia’s cousin, where I live, or that we are somewhat acquainted with the Hayes family.
Would she keep me close so I don’t see what she has planned for my family?Would I be able to act normal or would I give myself away?
All these thoughts run through my mind as I reach my floor.The hallway is empty, which is normal since we usually have meetings at this time.I already know from Sandra that those aren’t happening this morning though.These hallways should be bustling with people.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I make my way down to Katherine’s office instead of heading straight for mine.I pass by the cubicle station, where nearly two dozen staff members work, and again, the place is deserted.If I didn’t know any better, I would think it’s Saturday afternoon because it’s the only time I ever see this floor empty.But even then, there is always a random colleague lagging behind.
A deep voice vibrates through the air, seeming louder in this empty space.If fear wasn’t clouding my senses, I would have screamed, maybe made some sort of noise.Instead, it freezes me momentarily.
My heart rate speeds up as I take a step toward the sound of the man, ignoring the internal alarms going off inside me telling me to leave.
The voices grow clearer when I reach the far corridor that leads to Katherine’s main office.Aside from the reception desk outside the front of her door, the rest of the building that side is her office, providing me no cover if I go further.I risk being seen if I do.
“Was the package delivered to Windmere Grove as planned?”a deep voice asks, sounding threatening and dark.It wasn’t the same voice that I heard before.This one is harder, more formidable, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
Windmere Grove...Why does the street name seem so familiar?
I peek around the corner, and I swear my heart is racing so hard, I’m scared they’ll hear it.The door to Katherine’s office is just up ahead, and it’s open.I see the stiletto of her shoe near her desk.Behind her, the floor-to-ceiling window casts bright light into the room.I’ve only ever been in it a handful of times.The layout is simple: a few shelves that hold nothing of sentiment or use, a half-moon white sofa, and an oak table that separates it from two cream chairs.A mini bar is really the only other thing on display.The door to the right of her leads to a full bathroom, and in there is another door leading to a closest.To the left of her, nearer to the sofa, a door leads to a small kitchenette, and if the rumours are true, she has a personal chef she uses when needed.
By the looks of it, there is someone standing near the bathroom side of the room, which tells me this isn’t work related.They would be hosted on the half-moon sofa, though only if they were someone she wanted to impress or talk into something.Others find their meetings held in the conference room.
“Yes, the package was delivered,” a rough voice replies.Leather squeaks as they step into view, and my breath catches in my throat.I clutch my bag in my hand until my knuckles turn white.
Although it was dark the other night, I would recognise that scar anywhere.Only now, the discoloured scar looks harrowing and makes the man wearing it seem even more dangerous—something he didn’t need help with in the first place.His dark eyebrows dip down, and I notice the right one has a scar running through it, leaving it bare.His top lip has another scar running through it, and the skin of his weathered face clearly hasn’t seen skincare.
Despite the humid air, a chill runs over me at seeing the man who only days ago, tried to break into my home.
Reid was right; that break-in did have something to do with Katherine.I knew it was highly possible, but then Malia told me a little about her past and a part of me worried it was something to do with that.
Now I know for certain, which brings me to the realisation I can no longer work here, not even under false pretences.
I can’t risk it, not even for knowledge that would give us the upper hand.
“My associate let me know the Hayes brothers left twenty minutes ago, so the fireworks will go off as planned in thirty minutes,” the rough voice announces.
“I want them to burn.All of them,” the darker voice warns.The cruelty in his tone has me unconsciously taking a step back.
“Consider it already done,” Scar Face replies.
Oh crap.Oh crap.Oh crap.
My heart races at his promise.Before I can hear another word, I take another step back, glancing down at my watch.Thirty minutes.
As quietly as I can in my panic, I creep my way back to the lift, all the while checking I haven’t been seen.
I jab the call button a little too harshly when I reach the lift.
I have to get out of here.
It might take a minute, but it feels like hours when the lift finally arrives.
As the doors close behind me, the name of the street finally registers.It becomes so clear I can practically hear Reid’s voice in my head.
It’s Liam’s home, the guy who is helping with security and erasing my cousins’ past as much as he can.
I glance at the floor numbers as they lower, mumbling, “Come on.Come on.”
