“The office will be mostly empty,” he said. I could see his eyes roaming over me from the corner of my eye as I watched the little red numbers move way too slowly.

Why is it taking so long?

“Work-life balance seems good,” I muttered.

He cleared his throat.

“It’s what we’re all about.”

Sure you are, fucker.

Just as it dinged and the door started to open, I all but ran out, only stopping to look back when I was at a safe distance.

Nick was still in there, eyebrows raised and hand outstretched as if… As if he was going to grab me and pull me back inside.

My eyes shifted to the see-through conference room, and my heart dropped.

Where the fuck is Warren?

“What’s got you so skittish?” he asked, a bit of taunting in his tone, as he moved toward me

He had been right. The office was completely empty.

Shit, shit, shit.

“Where’s Warren?” I asked, trying to seem composed while the words almost got caught in my throat.

“My assistant texted me a while ago and told me they had just left for dinner,” he said with a coy smile. “After much persuasion.”

Warren is not coming to save me.

I took a step back. Nick had done this on purpose. My hand floundered for my phone.

“Listen, Addi, I have to admit that from the moment I saw you, I⁠—”

“Sorry, one second. I have a call,” I said once I found my phone, but just as soon as I attempted to put it to my ear, his hand was grabbing my wrist hard, stopping me.

My breath caught, and for the first time, true fear raced up my spine.

Warren was right. He was right all along, and I fell for this guy’s bullshit.

“I’ve been very nice to you,” he whispered. “Took you out to dinner and everything. An assistant. Let me ask you, do you want to be something more than that?”

“I’m happy where I am,” I said through gritted teeth. “And I recommend you let go of me before⁠—”

“Before what?” He was goading me, his smile turning more malicious.

He knows I’m afraid, and he’s enjoying it.

I tried to pull my wrist away from him, but he held tight.

“You think this will stop Warren from taking your company from you?” I asked, my voice shaking. His smile faded for a moment when he realized just how much I knew.

“No. But what have I got to lose now? Him showing up here means I’m done for. We all know it. You think my employees weren’t gossiping already? Even if he doesn’t take it, I’m ruined.”

“This will make it worse,” I spat. “You think he’ll let this go?”