Page 34 of The Associate

“I don’t care about that,” she says, reaching out to me, but I step out of her reach. “Please, Mason.”

“Viv, stop.” I look into her eyes but she shows no signs of running. “Why Viv? Why? I am a monster. Why don’t you fear me?”

“Because I know.” She steps towards me again; this time I stay where I am. “I know that you would never do anything to hurt me. I know my father trained you and even as cruel as he is to women, I know you would never be like that.”

“You are really trying my self-control right now, Princess.” I take a deep breath in and release it, trying to recentre myself. “If there wasn’t a camera in here right now, I would be taking you on that bench right there.”

“Then do it.” She stands on her tiptoes and wraps her hand around the back of my neck, pulling my head down, whispering in my ear, “I fucking dare you.”

A growl escapes my throat, but I hold my ground. I’m not going to let her get to me right now. I need to keep my focus on the job at hand; I can’t stray from the path, not until the job is complete.

“You’re no fun.” She steps back from me, turning around and walking out of the gym. The door closing brings me back to reality.What is this woman doing to me?She is going to be the death of me.

* * *

I had spent a few more hours down in the gym after that little episode with Viv. I don’t know what she was trying to accomplish but if it was getting me hard and distracted, then mission accomplished.

I half expected Sal to come down into the gym and ream me himself, because he likes to sit in his office and watch all the cameras to make sure everyone is doing everything he wants, but the rest of my workout was peaceful. Maybe he was away from his desk. I hate there being cameras all around the place, but at least we get our own privacy in our rooms; that is the only agreed-upon area where cameras are not allowed to go.

Walking over to where my towel, shirt and phone are placed, my shirt is the first thing I grab and pull it over my head. When I pick up my phone, the screen lights up. “Fuck,” I mumble at the sight ofBossflashing across my screen.

“Sir,” I answer.

“My office, now.” The call cuts out.

Shit!I am fucking screwed. I have no plans and no reason as to why things happened with Viv in the gym. I knew he had his eyes on that camera, I just fucking knew it.

Collecting my towel, I walk out of the gym and up the stairs to the main foyer. It is like a ghost town up here. There should be more people, it’s only… Wait, what time was it? The clock on the wall reads nine at night. Have I really been in the gym for that long?

I want to just keep walking up the stairs to the second level to shower and change before going to see the boss, but if I do he will have my head on a platter. So I continue towards his office. Past Viv’s room.

Her door is closed, but why did I expect it to be open?

Approaching Sal’s office, I knock on the door. “Enter,” he calls.

I walk into the room. Sal is sitting at his desk, and a look of defeat crosses his features. Sitting in one of the chairs directly in front of him is Viv.

I rub my palms across my face. Can this night get any worse?

“Viper, sit, please.”

I sit in the chair beside Viv’s. “What’s this about?” I question, probably looking as confused as I feel.

“My daughter here tells me she has feelings for you.” He looks at her and she nods, her eyes widening into an innocent stare. “She has told me that ever since she was a little girl, she has had a crush on you.”

I look in her direction. “Oh” is all I can say.

I remember that chance meeting I had with her ten years ago. Since that meeting, she has been on my mind every single day.

“She has also told me” — he clears his throat — “that she thinks it would be a good idea if you and her were to be married because Ricochet is no longer a part of Murwood, which I feel is a good idea. We want Murwood to stay amongst our own.”

A quick inhale, causing me to choke on my spit and start to cough. Viv stands, walking over to the sideboard and pouring a glass of water, bringing it back over to me and sitting again. I nod my thanks as I drink it.

“From that reaction, I assume you were not expecting that comment?” Sal asks, watching me carefully.

“I — uhhh — no, Sir.” I am at a loss for words. Viv sits beside me, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.She been fucking planning this all along.

“Well, I think it is a good idea.” He stands up from behind his desk.

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