Page 5 of When Sinners Rise
I look at the cart as the doors close and notice a blue file. Emblazoned across the top is Fischer, Lyme and Regent: Service Contract. I roll my eyes. Looks like I’m helping Ash after all.
My first stop is Willow’s desk, but she’s not there, and I falter between leaving the boxes for her or others in the department. A sticky note sits on the top, and Willow would only have to do it tomorrow. Besides, it gives me a minute to figure out if I should leave the blue file on her desk or take it to Landon directly. The last thing Ash needs is this file getting more lost than it already was.
After shifting the stack of filing to Martha’s office, I come back to the blue folder. If Willow’s left, he probably won’t be in. Knocking on his door, I hold my breath and wait.
“Come.”Shit.
I keep my head down as I enter. “I think this is for you,” I rush the words as I cross the room to his desk.
“What is it?” I pass it over to him and back away from the desk, already wanting to leave. My senses prickle in the room, and I already feel uncomfortable, even after all this time around him. It’s maddening.
After Naja left, I promised myself I’d never let another man intimidate me again.
Ever.
But I’m nineteen, and despite my intentions and self-defence training, I still can’t shake the way I feel.
“Miri! How did you get this?”
“It was on the top of a stack of files for Martha. I recognised the firm name on the top.” I stop, not wanting to land Ash in any more trouble.
“What?” he snaps. My heart rate ticks up, and my stomach twists. I turn and head for the door as fear engulfs me. “Stop.” But I don’t. The door opens, and I leave. “Miri?”
Don’t stop.
Panic grips me and makes me feel disorientated. It’s Landon. He’s normally brash and cross. A hand catches my arm, triggering my response. I swing and land two jabs to his torso, ready to follow up with a third, but I pull the punch as I register who’s standing in front of me.
My hands fly to my mouth.
He coughs and backs up a step. “Jesus Christ, Miri,” he stammers, wheezing.
“Oh god, Landon. I’m sorry.” I panic further and lean forward, ready to offer help, but something stops me, and I remain standing where I am. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He staggers back to his desk and sits. “You touched me, and I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Fuck me.”
“Excuse me?”
His head rears up, a scowl in place. “No. Christ, no.” He coughs again and points at a cupboard in the corner of the room. “Scotch.”
“What?”
He continues to cough. “The least you can do is get me a bloody drink.”
“Oh, right. Yes.” I zip across the room and pour a glass, bringing it back swiftly. He snatches it from me and downs the whole measure. “I really am sorry.” He leans back and breathes more evenly, tugging at his tie. “Do you need anything? Another drink?”
He chuckles, then laughs. My head tilts at the sound of it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before in person. Through walls, yes, but never in front of me. I stare, amazed, until he looks at me. “What the hell’s the matter with you, Miri? You can’t go around attacking people.”
“I didn’t attack. I defended myself.” Nobody is allowed to touch me without my permission, and Landon should know better.
“That might have been the case had I done anything to you.”
“You touched me.” He opens his mouth to say something but stops. I look at the floor. “Neil said to hit quick and hard and run, and I’ve learned quick and hard. I didn’t run because it was you. Blame Ivy if you want. She was the one who gave Willow his number for me.” I turn for the door again, desperate for this to end.
My encounters with Landon are usually strained, and this one is ten times worse. Men like him don’t consider how their actions can come across. He’s big, intimidating and predatory without even realising. Although, maybe predatory is a step too far.
I turn to leave and nearly reach the door for the second time.
“Have you eaten yet?” he calls.
