Page 28 of Vows In Corruption

“How about I help with the nerves a bit and walk you up to where Linda is? Wouldn’t want you to chicken out in the elevator.”

This guy is full of surprises, isn’t he?

If I was him, I would have concluded that I was weird and let me walk into the building alone to never speak to me again.

“Why would you do that?” I find the question leaving my mouth without much thought, ignoring the elevator comment.

He gives me a shrug, his hands never leaving his pant pockets. “Because I want to and it saves you from getting lost and me from the meeting I’m supposed to be attending.”

No bullshit answer.

I should say no, that I can find my own way. Especially since I’m sure that meeting he has to attend is important. I mean, he is a Lane after all, I’m sure all the meetings that he attends are important

Yet, I still find myself giving him a nod. “Okay. Lead the way but if I’m late, I will be sure to tell Linda it was your fault.”

He waves toward the entrance of the building, the smirk from earlier still very present. It doesn’t go unnoticed that when he moves, the security guards behind him move too. Interesting.

“You won’t be late, but if you are, have Linda call whoever you are reporting to and tell them it was my fault.”

His fault. There a cockiness to his voice that I like a little too much.

I don’t respond. Instead, I keep quiet and try not to get overwhelmed with everything that is going on as we walk into the building.

There is so many people roaming around as they head to wherever they need to go to start their days. Everyone looks like they are dressed to the nines and so well put together and in an expensive way. For a second it makes me self-conscious about my thrifted outfit.

That self-consciousness continues when everyone within a few feet of me turns to look at me as they walk by.

Do I have something on my face?

It’s not until we reach the security section of the lobby that I realize that people aren’t looking over at me, they are looking at who is walking me up to the eighth floor.

“Good morning gentlemen,” the butterfly causing Bennett says to the security team that is checking everyone’s bags and ID cards. “This is a new Lane employee.” He waves in my direction. “She most likely doesn’t have her credentials just yet, so you can put it down that I’m vouching for her.”

One of the security guys nods and starts typing something on his tablet before turning to look at me. “Can I get a name, miss?”

“Ella Vincent. Or Elizabeth Vincent, if you want my full name.”

When I say my name, it doesn’t go unnoticed that Bennett tenses up ever so slightly. I probably imagined it since he composes himself just as quickly.

My attention goes back to the security guy who gives me a nod and waves us through without searching my bag or even having us walk through the metal detectors.

Apparently when you are Bennett Lane or walking in with him, you get special treatment or something.

Another thing that I notice is that the deeper that we get into the building, the more rigid Mr. Lane gets.

He didn’t smile much outside, but at the very least he didn’t have what looks like a permanent scowl on his face. It’s like this place sucks the life out of him. Though, he does hide the scowl when people greet him or throw a nod his way.

“Do you like working here?” I ask, keeping me the real question I want to ask away from mouth. What he does he do here? The website had no mention of him working here, neither did one of the thousands of articles that have been written about him. They mentioned that he ran another company named Titan, but no mention of working at his family’s company. Which added to my surprised when he approached me down stairs.

A weird look passes across his face but only for a second before it disappears and it’s replaced by a look of indifference.

“Sure.”

Sure? That’s the most shit answer if I’ve heard one.

“That what someone on their first day should be hearing.” I mutter out sarcastically as an elevator dings open and I get into the steel cart.

Bennett follows behind me and presses the button for floor eight before turning to me and facing me head on.

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