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I scrolled to the financial columns next. I noted one of the headlines was some speculation about my pending moves in the Baltics and whether I’d acquire the financial organization I’d been sniffing around. It was a planted story that I couldn’t help but be amused by.

I closed the financial tabs and turned off my computer for the night. The debate to stay up and head into the office at my usual time versus getting some sleep and maybe working from home waged in my head for a couple of minutes before I came to a decision. In an unlikely turn of events, I decided to try to get some sleep. I wasn’t much good to anyone, even myself, if exhaustion set in and I started making silly mistakes.

I cut the lights in my office before heading to my bedroom. A quick email to Nancy before setting my phone down would mean at the very least my morning would be completely open for me to get some rest. When I finally slid between the sheets, my eyes started to droop even though my brain was still trying to comprehend what was going on with Sutton. The last thing I remembered before sleep claimed me was the taste of her lips and the sound of her gasps in my ear as I’d taken her against that wall. It wasn’t a memory I would soon forget and an experience I was eager to take part in again.

17

SUTTON

Stepping into my office in the early-morning hours as the incoming leader of Prescott Vantage was a wild feeling. I’d decided to keep my office as of now because the last thing I wanted to deal with during this whole transition was moving spaces. The client files were still stacked on the corner of my desk in order of priority. My coffee mug sat clean and inverted on its saucer. Everything in its place, orderly and controlled—the opposite of what my life had become over the weekend.

I set my bag down and powered on my desktop instead of my laptop. I immediately noticed the changes. New software prompts appeared, asking me to log in through the Ashcroft Group portal. I had to deal with updated password requirements. I navigated through each prompt, but the feeling was surreal.

When I finished jumping through those hoops, I found my files intact but reorganized under a new folder structure. Someone from the transition team had been through apparently and had no issue with reading my personal work files. The reorganization of my office files felt like yet another invasion of privacy, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. Ashcroft Group had demonstrated repeatedly that boundaries meant nothing to them and I’m sure it was a direct order from their CEO. Next, I opened the organizational chart and studied the updated reporting lines. My name sat at the top of Prescott Vantage’s division, with a direct line to Cain’s office at Ashcroft Group headquarters in New York. I wasn’t surprised to see that there were no intermediaries between us although, given the circumstances, I wish there were.

I printed the chart and pinned it to the wall beside my desk as a reminder to myself until things were more settled. I continued to familiarize myself with where the things on my computer now were and made a mental note to send Cain a rather harsh message about how this was unnecessary and was taking up way too much time that could be used to do more productive things. About two hours later, I heard a soft knock on my office door. When the door opened, Erica appeared in my doorway with a fresh cup of coffee in hand. “Good morning, Sutton. You look like you’ve been here for hours already.”

“I have. Some habits don’t change even when leadership does,” I replied, accepting the coffee gratefully. “What’s my schedule looking like today?”

“Staff meeting at nine, a client call at ten, lunch with the transition team at noon.” She hesitated before adding, “And Mr. Ashcroft has requested a video conference later this week.”

Damnit. It had been so nice not having to deal with him temporarily. “Did he specify what about?”

“No, he didn’t. It came through his assistant Nancy about fifteen minutes ago.”

Another power move to keep me guessing, I was sure. That seemed to be Cain’s MO and for now, I was willing to play along. “I’ll fit it into my schedule. Double-check my Thursday afternoon and if it looks good, let Nancy know I’m available Thursday after two.”

“Will do.” Erica lingered in the doorway for a moment before she spoke again. “Sutton, is everything alright? You seem… tense.”

I forced a smile. “Just adjusting to the new normal as we navigate this transition. There’s a lot to process.” I couldn’t tell if Erica saw through my façade, but I wasn’t about to confide in her about what had happened in New York. “It’s nothing that a strong cup of coffee can’t fix,” I said, gesturing to the cup she’d brought me. “Thanks for this, by the way.”

She nodded but didn’t look entirely convinced. “The team is nervous about the all-hands meeting. Rumors are flying about potential layoffs.”

“Tell them I’ll address that directly,” I replied. I was grateful for the shift to business concerns versus the other things running through my mind. “I negotiated staff retention for at least eighteen months as part of my agreement with Ashcroft Group.”

Erica’s eyebrows shot up. “You did? That’s… wonderful!”

“It was non-negotiable.” I turned back to my computer screen, signaling that our conversation needed to wrap up. “I’ll see you at the staff meeting.”

As soon as Erica closed my office door behind her, I let my body slump forward to relieve the tension in it. The weight of everything that had happened over the last several weeks, especially the New York City events, pressed down on me. I’d spent the entire flight back to D.C. sitting as far from Cain as possible in his private jet, pretending to work while my mind replayed Saturday night on a loop. Thoughts about whether I should quit this job and run as far as I could away from Cain were a part of that loop, but would take more time to execute because there was no doubt in my mind he would come after me.

I shook my head, trying to forget all of the other bullshit and just focus on work. That was the only way forward as of right now.

I pulled up the client list and began reviewing accounts that might need immediate attention during the transition. Halfway through, my phone vibrated. I hesitated before picking it up because I was afraid it might be Cain.

Thankfully it wasn’t.

Cassie

Lunch this week? Need to hear ALL about NYC.

I stared at Cassie’s text and while I was happy to have the momentary distraction from the chaos my life had become, the thought of explaining any part of what happened in New York made my stomach flip out. What would I even say? “Hey, Cassie, guess what? My new boss murdered someone in front of me, then we had sex against a wall while a man bled out three feet away. Oh, and the coffee’s great at The Pierre.”

What if you come over to my place tonight? We can debrief over a bottle of wine.

I stared at the screen, wondering how much I should tell my best friend. Despite telling myself I was being paranoid, after everything that had happened I didn’t think anyone would blame me.

Perfect. I’ll bring the good stuff. 8:30pm? That gives you some time because we know you never leave the office when normal people do.