It had been almost two weeks since Matthew lost his job, and five days since Benny’s and my relationship had been exposed to the world. Reporters had been following us around ever since. They weren’t able to get into my office, but they had been to Benny’s gym and scared off some of his clients. He’d taken a few days off as we waited for things to calm down.
I’d been contacted for statements and interviews, but I ignored them. I’d accomplished what I wanted when I kissed Benny at the front of the hotel, and I had no interest in putting my personal life any further in the spotlight.
Leon had been suspiciously quiet. Not that I went out of my way to speak with him, but when we’d been in meetings or emailing about work, he’d seemed normal. I’d expected him to be furious. In fact, I knew he had to be. So why wasn’t he showing it?
I tapped my pen against my desk, my eyes looking at my monitor but seeing nothing. Things were too calm.
As if the universe heard my thoughts, the door to my office opened with such force that the crash of it against the wall sent pictures tumbling to the ground.
A head of wild brown hair and eyes ablaze with fury made it three steps into my office before another two intruders were rushing in after her.
“I didn’t steal shit!” Rachel shouted.
One of the men wearing a security uniform grabbed her arm, and she yanked against him. “Let go of me! I didn’t do anythin’!”
“What the fuck is going on?” I asked as I stood.
Before Rachel or security could answer, she’d punched the man holding her arm in the throat.
“That fuckin’ bastard fired me!” she shrieked.
The second guard grabbed her other arm, narrowly dodging another swing.
“Let go of her!” I ordered.
He didn’t listen, and the first guard had recovered enough to grab hold of her free arm again.
“I didn’t fuckin’ do it, Harper! I didn’t steal nothin’. Please!” Fury twisted to desperation as she yanked against the men, but they held her firm.
“I said let go!”
“We’re under direct orders to remove Miss Forrester from the premises,” one of them finally answered me.
“Well, I’m giving you a direct order not to,” I repeated.
“Take it up with your father,” croaked the man who’d been throat punched as he yanked Rachel back toward the door.
“You’re hurtin’ me! Harper!”
I stormed after them.
Doors were opening all along the corridor, people poking their heads out to get a look at what was going on.
“Let her go right now!”
They ignored me, continuing to drag Rachel toward the elevators.
“I’m going to fix this,” I yelled after her.
Ihadto fix this.
The doors closed, and she was gone. I felt the eyes of dozens of employees at my back.
Rage. Guilt. Indignation. They burned up my chest and throat. I hit the button for the elevators.
I was dealing with this, and I was doing itnow.
The door to Leon’s office opened with as much force as mine had when Rachel had burst in, seeking help that I’d failed to give her.
