Griffin pushes his hands into his pockets and raises his eyebrow. “Are we? Says who?”
I glance at Evan, expecting him to help, but he seems to be waiting for my answer too. “Well, no onesaid…”
“Right. Evan is working. I could even say I’m working, but you are just here.”
My brows pinch in a heavy frown, and I cross my arms over my chest at Griffin’s words.
Evan turns to stare at Griffin with wary deliberation. “Did you really just say that out loud? Don’t answer, I know what you just fucking said. How are you so fucking stupid?” Evan turns away from Griffin like he’s not expecting an answer and looks at me. “He did not mean that how it sounded, I promise.” He shoots a glare in Griffin’s direction.
“I was trying to make her feel better. I don’t care if I fuck on the job, but she obviously does.” Griffin’s words are quiet, disgruntled.
The word he uses to describe what just happened between us—though accurate—hurts a little to hear. I might be overly emotional, but there’s a lot going on in my life at the moment, and a girl can only handle so much with grace. The hurt swirling in my chest turns to something a little darker, and the first spike of anger I’ve felt toward Griffin in a while rears its head.
“I never thought I was on the clock, but thanks for the reminder, because this isn’t something I would ever say to my boss. You’re an as—j-jerk.” I rein in my words at the last second, because calling someone names isn’t usually my style and it feels petty. Even calling him a jerk feels wrong.
Griffin rocks back on his heels a little, seeming completely unfazed, that is until I see the wicked gleam in his eyes. I swear he gets off on me being angry at him. I look away, because he’s hard to be mad at, especially when he’s staring at me like he wants a repeat of what just happened.
I reach for the door handle and jerk it open. The cool, clean air from the hall makes me realize just how much the room smells like sex. My face goes beet red, but I tip my chin up and walk out of the door. “Since I was just here, now I’m not.”
Evan sends a quick jab into Griffin’s arm before I turn my attention down the hallway. Jon pokes his head out from another room. What is it with this guy and his prairie dog imitation? “Do you need something?” he inquires.
“No, but they asked for you.” I throw him at the guys as a distraction. Jon hustles to get up, and he’s halfway to the door when I open the door to the lobby.
“Ms. Shaw.” Griffin’s voice curls around my name. My back straightens and I freeze, but I don’t turn to look at him.
“You wanted me?” Jon asks eagerly.
I hear a growl from Griffin, then scurried footsteps. “May I ask where you are going?” His tone is more inquisitive than demanding, and that is the only reason I answer.
“I’ll be in the cafeteria or the lounge.” I almost add,I’m not dumb enough to go wandering around by myselfif that’s what you’re worried about, but I don’t.
“Would you allow Evan to escort you?” he requests even softer.
“I need a minute,” is my retort before I open the door and leave the security office behind.
Chapter 13
Griffin
“Iwant to feel sorry for you, but I don’t think you deserve my sympathy. What the hell were you thinking?” Evan shoves my shoulder roughly, and I let him. “Jon!” he bellows.
The worst part is I didn’t even think what I said was wrong until I saw Quinn’s face. Her usually open expression shuttered almost immediately, and she shut me out like she did on the jet after the tea incident. Back then, the fire that burned inside her lashed out, and I half expected her to get in my face and tell me off this time, but all she did was stutter out, “j-jerk.”
“Right here.” The man clambers to get to the open door.
“I want eyes on Quinn Shaw every minute until you see my face, got it?” he demands.
“Got it,” Jon replies quickly.
“Anything happens to her, and it’s your neck,” I mutter darkly, even though it would ultimately be my fault. I would still kill him though. The main office door slams as the man rushes to catch up with Quinn. At least I know he’s taking me seriously.
“Goddammit, Griff.” Evan chucks something he picked up from the desk against the wall. “The moon knows I’m not perfect, but are you trying to sabotage this?”
I want to hit something, but I’m just mad at myself, and I can’t beat my own ass, so I settle on keeping my mouth shut. Debris crunches under Evan’s feet as he makes his way over to the bank of computer monitors. “Help me find her,” he growls.
I scan the monitors quickly, but I don’t need them. Her blood is coursing through my veins, and I know right where she is. “Main floor lobby heading toward the cafeteria.”
Evan does some shit with a computer mouse, and four of the screens in the corner form one picture. When the doors push open, Quinn ducks her head in. She looks around quickly and sees it’s mostly empty. There are only a few people at the tables and some members of the staff milling about. Seeming satisfied, she lowers her gaze, makes her way over to one of the many empty tables in the corner, and takes a seat. The minute she lowers herself into the chair, she plants her elbows on the table and grabs hold of the sides of her head.
