Suddenly, this man started to feel unsafe. Like maybe Nick wasn’t the person he pretended to be.

Warren never made me feel like that.

Yes, he was a monster in his own way, but this guy… was slimy.

Warren was right.

I had only a few options, and none of them looked good. Running toward a likely empty company wouldn’t do unless Warren somehow miraculously appeared in the lobby.

Maybe I can just wait it out.

He’s creepy, but we’re right by his company. I just hope he doesn’t get too confident.

I offered him a forced smile.

“Of course. Understandable.”

I hope Warren is waiting for me up there.

For the first time, I realized that Warren was my safe space. I just needed to get to him.

I picked up the pace.

“In a hurry?” Nick asked, and a chill ran up my spine.

“Cold,” I said, barely looking at him.

“Here, you can have my jacket⁠—”

I turned and raised my hand before he could place it over me.

“No need. The office is right there; we just have to hurry a litt⁠—”

He swung the article of clothing around us and placed it on my shoulders. The smell of his overbearing cologne caused my nose to itch.

“Uh… Okay, I guess.”

I refused to say thank you, but I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t want to cause a fight—not when I was outdoors and alone with him.

“No problem,” he said with another smile, totally ignoring that I wasn’t at all grateful for what he did. “It’s a company one anyway.”

I turned back to the office, moving even faster, and this time he didn’t say anything. When we got to the building and he offered to get the door, I rushed forward.

“No, thanks, I got it,” I told him quickly before slipping into the building. Only then did I realize I was still fucked because I had to take the elevator up with him. The walk there was silent with only our shoes squeaking against the newly cleaned linoleum.

Trying to create some distance, I took off the jacket and attempted to give it back to him, but he merely shook his head and kept his hands in his pockets.

“That’s for you.”

I gritted my teeth.

Just survive the elevator ride, then find Warren.

When the doors opened, something told me not to get on. He entered first and turned with a raised eyebrow when he realized I wasn’t moving.

I swallowed the knot in my throat. My nails dug into my palms.

Against my better judgment, I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

I scooted to the edge of the elevator. My heart was racing in my chest. My hands were slick with sweat. My whole body was telling me to watch out, warning me about what was coming.