Page 37 of Rush of Jealousy

I do everything I claim to do, except for putting the pills back in my bag. Because I am pretty sure Graham will pounce on me if I try. I slip my phone, recording device, and wire back into the luggage. Then I walk out into the foyer where I find my shoes and dress on the chair. I slide my heels on and hit the call button for the elevator. Graham and Trevor watch my every movement from the sidelines.

When the elevator arrives and the doors open, I step inside. Before I can hit the button for them to shut faster, Trevor is at my side.

I look up at him and groan. Then I snarl at Graham as the doors shut.

“First day on the job and probably have a migraine already, eh?” I ask trying to break the ice—before I completely ditch him once the doors open. When he doesn’t engage, I continue. “Listen, you look like a nice guy. I’m sure you are highly qualified and really good at taking orders from Big Boss Man, but he has pretty much gone off the deep end and is breaking all kinds of stalking laws and well, I don’t need that type of negativity in my life right now. So, when these doors open, I’m going to go about my life as if Graham Hoffman never invaded it. To me, he doesn’t exist anymore. He crossed a line, and I am tired of letting him get his way like a tyrant toddler.”

I think it’s the calm silence that pisses me off the most. Or the fact that when the doors do open, he hovers from a safe distance while I text Zander to come and get me. If Trevor is going to follow my tail, he might as well follow it to some other man’s house—and then report back to his boss.

Prior to snooping through my belongings, Graham had to know I was serious about staying away from him. I am still very much pissed at him. This bodyguard stunt only adds more fuel to the fire. He’s not an only child, yet acts like one. This type of behavior can only be explained by being spoiled during those fundamental years of life. What else would justify why he thinks this is his world, and we all just live in it? With his permission, of course.

I walk outside to wait the rest of the time for Zander and already sense Trevor’s presence. I spin around and put my hands on my hips. “Any chance you can be paid off?”

I see the barest movement of his lips. If I wasn’t looking specifically for a reaction, I may have missed it.

“No, ma’am.”

“How about a quarter million?” It would be the best way I could spend the money Graham tried to bribe me with.

“No, ma’am.”

My mouth gapes. “Not enough? You want more?”

It’s the last question I ask because Trevor has now put himself into super silent mode and refuses to talk to me—even if just to tell me no.

Well, if I am forced to endure this crap, I might as well make the best of it. I pull open my camera app and select some animal filters. I switch it into selfie mode and wait for the app to add cat ears and whiskers to me. Trevor behind me is adorned with some dog ears and a puppy dog nose.

“Selfie time,” I announce and snap a few pictures of us. He looks as thrilled as I would expect of someone who takes his job seriously and has a brat who keeps annoying him. Maybe if I keep this up, he will just quit. There has to be easier jobs than following me around while I harass the shit out of him.

I send the picture to Graham first. And then to Claire. I get Grumpy Man to bite first, which I can’t say is surprising.

Graham: For the love of God, Angie! Please do not distract your bodyguard!

Angie: I am trying to get him to quit. This shall be fun.

Graham: Don’t think I won’t come down there right now and carry you back to my cave.

Angie: Whatevs

Graham: Tying you to my bed is not off the table.

Angie: Kicking you in the balls isn’t either.

Graham: Such a filthy mouth.

I am about to text him back a snappy response when Zander pulls up to the curb and winds down his window.

“Ready to go?” He flashes me a genuine smile.

“More than you know,” I grunt, sliding into the passenger side.

I watch from the window as Trevor pulls out his cell and speaks into the device. I wave at him and mouth, “buh-bye.” I feel immature but hopeful that I can escape his shadow for a few hours.

“Who’s that?” Zander asks.

“Oh, no one important.” I turn my attention back to him. "Where we going?”

“Where do you want to go?”

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