Page 59 of Beautiful Betrayal

“He needed to know that I take your safety seriously,” Blake says. “I told him a personal story that shook him. One I’m not telling you now, but I’ll summarize. He trusts me now. You can, too.”

We round the corner and I punch the elevator button. “Grayson doesn’t get rattled,” I say. “What the heck kind of story was it?”

“A necessary one,” he says. “And from my read on Grayson, he doesn’t get rattled unless it’s over you, which could be said of me with Kara.”

The elevator opens and my chance to find out more does as well. We step inside and it begins; the day I pretend to be oblivious to all of Ri’s bad deeds even as they work to destroy the man I love. The idea that I may have helped him by distracting Grayson grinds through me and by the time I exit the elevator and head for the exit, that’s all I can think about.

The walk to the subway is short. I enter and hurry to the bathroom, and because it’s busy, I dump my wig and coat in abathroom stall, because that’s the only way I won’t be seen doing it. Once I leave my disguise behind, I rush out of the bathroom and toward the stairs leading to my train. I don’t see Blake again, but I can feel his energy nearby, which is far more comforting than I realized it would be considering this is my normal route to work. It’s safe, or rather it always felt as safe as you can be in New York City.

The ride is short and crowded. Once the train arrives at my stop, I exit the car, and then the tunnel, and check my watch. I have just enough time to make my normal coffee run and get to my desk and “normal” seems like a smart move today. I’m just paying for my coffee when I wonder how Blake dealt with anyone following me from my apartment, but I assume they have a plan. The fake me probably changed clothes and hair like I just did.

With my white mocha in hand, I finish my short walk to work, enter the corporate offices for the Montgomery firm and wave to the security guard Josh, as I always do. All normal things. This is a normal day, I tell myself. Just be normal. The lecture doesn’t work. Nerves assail me but I refocus on this day being just like any other. As Grayson pointed out, I have a client who needs me. I’ll use my energy to process her case. I step onto the elevator and end up chatting with a co-worker which while awkward at first, helps me settle into a calmer spot.

Soon, I’m inside the main offices, walking toward my own when I spy Kara. She’s at a desk in the cubicle area, not far from my office, and talking to my supervisor, Kevin Murphy. All is well. I’m safe. Grayson will know that I’m safe. Ri could come at me here and never get to touch me though I doubt he’d come at me. I mean, why would he?

I enter my office, put my things away and my phone buzzes immediately. “Mia?”

At the sound of Ri’s secretary’s voice, my lips tighten. I punch the button on my speaker. “Yes, Tabitha?”

“Ri’s confirming that you’re on your way to his office?”

I curl my fingers into my palm. “I am,” I say, and releasing the button, I grab my phone, stuff it in my skirt pocket and then round my desk to walk toward my door.

I’m about to exit when my boss steps in my path. “How’s your case looking? I know you’re passionate about this one.”

Kevin’ s a tall, dark, and good-looking guy that might be a hottie to some, but for me, he has always had this big brother quality that feels safe and friendly. He cares about people. He loves the legal system. He’s the one who’s made it possible for me to pretend I don’t work for Ri. “It’s shaping up well,” I say, “but I have to be in Ri’s office now. Tabitha just called my desk to make sure I’m on the way.”

“Again,” he states with obvious disapproval.

“Yes. Again. You should know that he found out that I am looking for a job.”

He blanches. “A job? Mia, why? You’re successful here. Is it money? Do I need to fight for a raise?”

“No,” I say, “but thank you. It’s personal.”

“It’s because of Ri,” he says, and it’s not a question. “He’s always coming at you. I knew that was going to get old for you.”

“It’s complicated. I’ll update you on my status after I talk to him but thank you for caring.”

“Caring and doing something to help are two different things. I can’t help you with Ri but I wish I could. I’ll try though. Let me know and I’ll try.” Words that could cost him his job and I won’t let that happen. I do, however, let him walk away. He’s better off staying away, too.

I watch him depart and Kara glances in my direction but doesn’t acknowledge me. I cut down the hallway, turn a corner, and then enter Ri’s private space through glass doors that leadme directly to Tabitha’s desk. “He’s waiting on you,” she says, shoving her long red hair from her beautiful blue eyes. She’s pretty, and I’ve often thought her to be involved with Ri, and yet he keeps coming at me, but then, really he’s coming at Grayson through me.

I nod and walk around her desk and stop at Ri’s door where I knock. “Come in!” he shouts.

I mentally steel myself for this encounter and enter to find him standing with his back to me at the window to the right of his massive black oval desk. “Shut the door,” he says without turning.

Shut the door.

I do not want to shut the door and yet it’s not an unreasonable request. I have to shut the door.

I shut the door and just like that, I’m alone with Ri. No, I’m alone with the devil himself.

Chapter thirty-eight

Mia

Ri turns to face me the minute the door shuts, running a hand through his blond sleek hair. “Really, Mia? I helped you in a time of need and you’re looking for a job?”

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