Page 55 of Office Affairs

“Did he?” It was the question he’d expect me to ask, and it directed him away from how I knew anything more about the situation. I needed diversion tactics until I knew what to do.

Dad’s sigh sounded like a balloon leaking air. “I don’t think so. Not based on the current circumstances.” He stood and rounded the desk, dropping into the seat beside me. “Look, Sabrina, things have been tough at home. I’ve let a lot of things go.”

I snorted, unable to help myself.

“You said Bailey cut you off from the bank account and the apartment?” This time when his brows furrowed, I read the anger rising to the surface. Dad’s temper was a legendary thing. He held onto his control, but once it blew, everyone within five miles had better watch out.

Dad never held back. He held the longest grudges of anyone, and he knew exactly how to cut the deepest with minimal words. It explained why he ignored a lot of shit to keep from losing it every single day.

Telling him about me and his friends would put me on his shit list for years, maybe even the rest of my life. He loved me, but I had no guarantees he’d ever forgive me for a betrayal that size.

“She’s a menace, to me and to Keith. Always has been. I’m sorry we never got along, but I wish like hell that you’d paid better attention through the years. I love you, but I can’t keep letting her do what she does.” Taking a breath and holding it, I held his hands between mine. “I will never have anything else to do with her. I don’t need money or a place to live. I’ve managed to get by.” Thanks to Russell and Chase, but that was a conversation for later.

“Honey, I’ll fix this.” Dad’s temper shortened with every word I said.

Even as I pressed my lips, determined not to dig myself any deeper, the need to admit everything threatened to overwhelm me. I felt safe in his office, not the same way I felt safe with Chase in his, but safe enough that I thought he’d listen if I told him about Chase losing tech.

We could converse like adults. I could earn his respect like I’d set out to do and prove that I had what it took to earn the Adams name.

“Sir, the men from Grady International are here for their meeting.” Mrs. Appleby’s nasally voice echoed from the intercom. “Shall I send them in?”

29

SABRINA

Fuck. My brain scrambled, churning thoughts together so fast I lost hold of them as soon as they entered my mind. I had to get out of here. My throat worked, and I somehow managed to stand. “I have to go.”

“It’s fine.” Dad waved for me to sit back down. “They won’t be here long.”

Nausea bubbled and rushed up, burning the back of my throat. “No, Dad. I have to go.” A deep, thrumming ache started between my eyes. Don’t puke. Please. I palmed my stomach.

Dad’s eyebrows arched at the motion and something swift and savage raced over his face. He swiveled to face the intercom, then planted his hands on the desk and pressed the button. “Just a minute.”

The whoosh of breath left me lightheaded. Black spots swirled in my vision and I tried to blink them away. Go. Go. Go. My mind hooked on the single word and my heart began to beat in time with the panic.

Dad’s calm exterior belied the way his jaw tensed when he looked at me. “What else do you know about Chase, and why did you ask about the theft?”

My throat convulsed with the necessary answers, but none of them made it past the press of my lips. A keening sound rose in my ears, and my legs shook when I made my way across the room with every intention of grabbing Keith and bolting. Which way? I couldn’t go back out through the main area. Chase was out there. My heartbeat fluttered erratically, sweat slicking my palms and sliding between my shoulder blades. I’d fucked up. Like big time. How was I supposed to know they’d scheduled a meeting today? It wasn’t on any of their calendars.

Dad cut me off, the roughness of his palm scraping across my inner elbow when he grabbed my arm. “Sabrina. Do you know something?”

“Keith, come on. It’s time to go.” I darted around Dad and wrapped my hand around the door handle.

The main door behind me creaked, and the shuffle-slide of shoes on carpet raised the hairs on the back of my neck. My head bowed until my forehead rested on the door. I forced air into my lungs and turned to face the consequences of my actions.

Chase, Russell, and Garrett strolled in like they owned the place. They owned the air in my lungs, and every beat of my heart. They owned me, and all I could do now was pray they’d take the time to listen.

Chase noticed me first. His easy stride faltered, then stopped as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. Russell stopped next, his gaze finding mine and widening a fraction before he widened his stance and moved to stand beside Chase. Garrett took in the room with a predatory glare that staggered into surprise when he spotted me.

The men I loved most all together in the same room, realization crashing into them at the same time.

“Sabrina?” Chase whispered my name into the tense silence, the sound of my name shattering me as I tasted the betrayal he felt. Suspicion crawled over his face, tightening his eyes and creating twin lines between his eyes that I wished I could smooth away. “What are you doing here?”

Okay, simplest answer first. “Visiting my dad.” I motioned weakly at Dad, my arms leaden and uncoordinated. The air thickened throughout the room until I thought I’d choke on it. No one moved for several indeterminable minutes.

Garrett’s hands tightened into fists, the look in his eyes driving a spike through my heart.

Despite the discomfort anchoring my feet to the beige carpet, I took a step toward them and faced Dad. “I’ve been working at Grady International for the last two months.”

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