Page 82 of Body

“Mr. Porter and Mr. Davis briefed me on the situation. You tell me what time you need to be somewhere, and I will be ready at reception. I’m not leaving the premises. I will be doing rounds the first few days, checking the area ensuring that people can’t come and go unannounced.”

The information is mind boggling and annoying. I decide it’s best not to fight it. Hopefully my secret admirer orstalker,as Chase puts it, gets caught quickly. Honestly, the whole thing seems utterly ridiculous. I keep thinking that if it was Justin he would have already shown his cards. He was never a patient man. He took what he wanted when he wanted. Nothing would stand in his way, though a Rambo clone could definitely thwart his attempts.

“Okay, well, pick me up at 11:45. I’ll be meeting the girls for lunch.” I tell him.

“A Ms. De La Torre, a Ms. Simmons and a Ms. Bennett,” he reads from a clipboard he set in the passenger seat.

“Those are the ones,” I say and open the car door.

He jumps out, comes around and opens it the rest of the way. His eyes scan the area. “Ma’am, please don’t get out of the car until I’ve assessed the location’s safety. I will always open your door, not to mention my Mama would take a switch to my hide if I didn’t open the door for a lady, even if it wasn’t my job.” He smiles. I like my Rambo more and more. He’s sweet, nothing like the stuffy, stuck up, suit wearing, linebacker Jack.

Austin walks me in and as I’m about to say goodbye, we’re buzzed through the glass doors to my office. My promotion came complete with a small office about half the size of Taye’s but situated right next to his. “I can find my way.” I laugh.

“Ma’am, I’d like to see where you sit, your surroundings and such so that I may commit it to memory.” He’s so serious. His eyes scan the halls, take in each name on the doors. Overall he looks pretty scary. Then again, Chase would only hire someone who was well trained with the proper credentials. Probably makes double my salary, too.

As I lead the way to my office I decide to test him. “So, what’s my middle name?”

“Grace,” he answers.

“And the middle names of my best friends?” I toy with him.

“Bree Elizabeth, Kathleen Michelle, and Ms. De La Torre doesn’t have one,” he rattles off without spending a moment to think about it.

“Damn, you’re good,” I say, shocked. The guy has done his homework.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” he says shyly, a bit of pink dotting his cheeks. A Rambo look-a-like that blushes. This is my life.

“So one more thing.” He nods as we continue walking toward my office. “Would you take a bullet for me?” I ask.

“Yes. No questions asked,” he says flatly.

“Seriously? Why?” I’m flabbergasted by his answer.

“My job is to protect you and if that means taking a bullet, I will. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.” We reach the door to my office.

I’m genuinely surprised by his admission. I wonder who he took a bullet for. Was it during his time as a soldier? Was it while serving as a bodyguard for someone else? Where did he get shot? A million questions run through my mind as I open the door and stop dead in my tracks. Two dozen red roses sit dead center in the middle of my desk like a homing beacon to Hell. Austin senses my unease and pulls me behind him, his right hand going to the gun holster at his hip. I had no idea the man was even carrying a weapon. He looks around the room.

“Those shouldn’t be here.” I point to the roses. He nods and pulls his phone out and presses one button and brings it to his ear.

“Mr. Porter, we have a problem,” he says. “She received more flowers, this time at work.” His lips are drawn tight and he pulls at the card. He opens it without asking. I could complain but I’m too scared and choose to let him handle it and stand utterly silent. “She’s right here. I’d rather not read this in her presence,” he says into the phone. I pull the card from his fingers lightning fast. He scowls.

“It was addressed to me; I have every right to know what it says, Austin,” I snap at him. He has the good manners to look apologetic.

Gillian,

You can’t hide from me. I know where you work. I know where you live. If I don’t have you soon, I’ll make sure no one does.

You’re mine…Bitch!

I fall into my office chair and put my face into my hands. Austin reads the card to Jack over the phone.

“I understand. I’ll bring her to him now.” He hangs up the phone. “We have to leave, now.” Jack will handle the situation but Mr. Davis wants to see you at Davis Industries now.”

I nod, feeling completely numb. “Do you want to grab anything, Ms. Callahan? You won’t be coming back to work for a while.” I close my eyes and take a calming breath. I gather up my laptop and grab the ten donor prospects files I was working on and a few project briefs. Everything else I can have messengered later. I’m sure Chase will call Mr. Hawthorne and explain the situation and my need to work remotely for the time being.

Austin ushers me quickly to the car and settles me in. The ride to Chase’s office goes by in a blur. It’s as if I’m stuck in a walking coma. Before I can grasp where I am the elevator dings and Austin leads me down the hallway to Chase’s office. I walk alongside him blindly, not saying anything. His hand is firm on my bicep as he leads me to an office I’ve been to a million times already. Not like I need to be escorted, but if I’m being honest, the hand holding onto me keeps me up and moving forward. I just need to see Chase. My rock. I see Dana jump up from her desk and run to the door and open it for us.

“She’s here, Chase,” she says as I’m guided through the doorway.

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