Page 86 of Before I Loved You

I nibble on my thumbnail, anxiously watching Greyson’s office door. He’s been in a meeting on the fourth floor for the past hour, and I should have snuck inside his office the second he left, but nerves have been taking over me, leaving me hostage to my desk chair.

But it’s now or never.

I pick up the stack of papers in front of me with shaking fingers, clutching them to my chest, and take a deep breath.

I can do this.

Straightening my shoulders, I stroll toward his office, stopping beside Gianna’s desk. “Has Greyson come back from his meeting? I have some contracts I need him to sign.”

She looks away from her computer and at me with a smile. “No, I don’t believe he has. Shouldn’t be much longer, though, I would imagine.”

I nod. “Would it be okay if I leave these on his desk?”

“Of course.” She motions toward his door. “It’s unlocked.”

“Great.” I throw on a smile and quickly enter, shutting the door behind me. My back rests against his door as my eyes rove around the space, my chest blooming with anxiety.

His office is suffocating. Intimidating.

With its bare walls and dark features throughout, it reminds me of a prison cell. There are no personal touches or something that would give anyone a clue as to who the office belongs to. It’s isolating. And I’m ready to get the hell out of here.

But first…

My eyes scan over his desk, immediately spotting his laptop, and a sense of hope washes over me at having luck on my side for once. Taking a few steps over to his desk, I drop the stack of papers on the corner and pick up the laptop cautiously. Opening it, I quickly see a password is needed to get in, which I figured, but I’m not worried, now knowing what Glen can do. Tucking the laptop under my arm, I turn to leave, placing my hand on the doorknob when I hear voices on the other side of the door.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Oh, Mr. Black. How did the meeting go?” Gianna asks loud enough for me to hear.

Sweat breaks out on my forehead as I bite my bottom lip so hard that a drop of blood hits my tongue. The metallic taste instantly makes my stomach churn.

But I cannot get sick right now. I need to hide. And fast.

Sweat builds on the back of my neck as I look around, immediately realizing there’s no closet to hide inside. I reach for the nearest window, trying with all my strength to shove it open, but it’s stuck.

Without thinking about it, I place the laptop on his desk, exactly as it was before, then walk to the other side, move the desk chair out of the way, and crouch down before the small space. I crawl under and sit, bringing my knees to my chin, and pull the chair toward me just as the door opens.

Holding my breath for dear life, I hear footsteps entering the room, and then my biggest fear comes true as Greyson pulls out the chair and sits in it, letting out a long sigh. He pushes forward, leaving only an inch of space between me and his body. My eyes stare directly at the center of his knee. A tremble explodes inside me, knowing what this man can do and how bad this will be for me if he finds me here.

Suddenly, the desk above me vibrates.

“Hi, Dad.”

He leans back in his chair, kicking his legs to the side.

“Yes, everything is running smoothly. No issues to report.” He sighs. “Okay. Goodbye.”

My breath hitches as he sits up, slamming his phone to his desk. “Fucking imbecile. If he thinks I’m taking over this miserable place, he has another thing coming.”

My heart pounds so loudly beneath my chest that I fear he might hear it.

A soft knock sounds at the door.

“Come in,” Greyson says with irritation sharp in his voice.

“Hi, Mr. Black.” Gianna’s soft voice fills the room. “I don’t mean to bother you, but could you help me with some boxes that were delivered? I figured you would have no problem lifting them.”

She’s helping me.

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