Page 81 of Hating the Boss

“What?” I asked, raising a curious brow.

“Playing hooky from work and getting brunch on that asshole’s company card.”

I laughed. “I like that idea.”

“Good. Mind if I borrow these?” she asked, already pulling the button-down on.

“Go right ahead,” I said.

As Brittany shimmied on my faded pair of jeans, I brushed my hair out and put on some Chapstick. After being decked out in hair and makeup, I just wanted clean and simple for today.

“A bloody Mary will bring me back to life, and we can talk about what you’re going to do next,” said Brittany with an encouraging smile. “What we are going to do next.”

I nodded as I squeezed past her and into my closet, grabbing a pair of black leggings and a long-sleeved Yankees shirt. Pancakes did sound good right now. And bacon. Lots of bacon.

When we were both sure we didn’t need any more trips to the bathroom, we headed out the door of my apartment. As I turned to lock up, I noticed a note taped to the door, just under the peephole. I wondered if Jessica’s nurse had left it for some strange reason. When I plucked it from the door and read the black scrawl of ink, I sucked in a breath.

Stay away from Brad. Or else…

“What the hell?” asked Brittany, reading it.

“What is this?” I whispered, reading it over again to make sure I wasn’t making it up.

“A threat…” murmured Brittany, looking at me worriedly.

I looked down the hall, but there was no sign of anyone. Still, I had an uneasy feeling like someone was watching me.

“Let’s go back inside,” I said quickly, opening the door and gesturing Brittany inside. She looked pale, and I knew it wasn’t from her hangover. It was fear.

“We need to call the police,” she said as I locked the door and slid the deadbolt into place.

I nodded, rummaging through my purse for my phone. My heart was beating fast. I wondered who would leave a note like that. Even worse, I wondered how they knew where I lived. They must have been here recently, too. Jessica or her nurse would have noticed the note on the door when they left. I hated the feeling of knowing whoever had done this was probably still close by.

I pulled my phone from my purse and was about to dial 911, when Brad’s name popped up on the caller ID. I ignored his call, a sudden rage forming in the pit of my stomach. I blamed him. I blamed him for all of this. I was going to tell him that, but first I had to call the cops.

I hit the red button to decline his call. Seconds later a text came through.

Brad: You might be in danger. I’m coming to get you.

Chapter 32 Brad

“Damn it!” I shouted, slamming my phone down on the desk, making the security guards jump slightly. I knew Sarah was mad. She had every right to be. She had been ignoring my calls and texts since last night, but I really needed her to answer right now. I just prayed that she read my text about her being in danger, and would stay put. I had to get to her before Angela did.

“Sir?” said one of the security guards hesitantly.

I held my hand up and shook my head. He snapped his mouth shut.

“Please. I can only take so much incompetence in one day. What were you lazy pieces of shit doing while my office was being ransacked?” I asked, glaring between the two of them.

“We weren’t aware anyone was in the office this early…” said one of the guards with a shrug.

“Your buddy down in the lobby didn’t inform you?” I asked, crossing my arms across my chest.

Before one of them could answer, I heard my father’s booming voice cut through the lull of silence. “What the hell is going on here?”

I quickly turned to find my father with a perplexed look on his face and his hands on his hips. His face was etched with lines as an unpleased expression settled over him. He eyed the security guards and then his scrutinizing gaze fell to me. This was the last thing I needed right now. I sighed frustratedly and ran my hand through my hair, clutching the back of my head.

“Dad…it’s nothing,” I lied, hoping he would let me go without questioning me.