Page 2 of Guarded King

The thought alone has my skin crawling. I can still feel the press of his sweaty hand on my lower back and the damp heat of his breath on my neck when he invited me to finish my work at his apartment over a bottle of wine. When I declined, he didn’t push the issue, just sneered and walked away. But he’s made his displeasure at my rejection known in various subtle ways ever since. And although I’d love to tell him to take his passive-aggressive bullshit—and his job—and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine, I can’t.

I need this job too much, and with Dad’s health issues, we both need the stability.

I can deal with an asshole boss for that.

Except nothing’s looking too stable anymore. Not since the takeover.

Geoff adjusts one cuff, then the other, his movements deliberately exaggerated. “The team from Excelsior will be here at ten. Show them in as soon as they arrive.”

“Yes, sir.”

With a nod, he turns on his heel. In the doorway to his office, he stops and faces me again. “And get my coffee. It should have been on my desk fifteen minutes ago.”

When the door finally clicks shut behind him, I let out a breath, then head to the kitchenette. He has a coffee machine in his office, but he insists I bring him one anyway. I wouldn’t mindso much if he didn’t make me set it directly in front of him, just so he can leer at my breasts.

Today, though, the ball of nerves in my stomach distracts me from my slimy boss. Excelsior Real Estate Holdings recently acquired Talon Developments, which means the job of everyone who works here is on the line. Except for Geoff’s. As CEO, he’s been guaranteed a high-level position after the acquisition. I can only hope they’ll be as generous with the rest of us. And that despite my refusal of hisproposition, Geoff will keep me on as his assistant.

At ten o’clock on the dot, four dour-faced men from Excelsior arrive. Once I’ve shown them to Geoff’s office as instructed, I go back to my desk and distractedly respond to emails while keeping a nervous eye on his door.

It remains closed, taunting me.

Being at the mercy of another person makes me itchy. I’ve worked at Talon since I earned an associate degree in office management three years ago. First for Geoff Sr., a sharp-minded but fair man who was easy to work for, and for the past six months, his far less pleasant son. I only hope loyalty is important to him, the way I’m sure it would have been to his father.

Resisting the urge to bite my nails, I force my attention to my computer screen and try to focus on work.

Half an hour later, the door finally swings open, and Geoff leads his visitors out. He shakes their hands, his smile as smarmy as always, and then the four Excelsior men file out without so much as a glance in my direction.

Geoff, on the other hand, immediately focuses on me. “I need to talk to you in my office, Chloe.”

Stomach churning, I nod and stand, picking up my notepad and pen in the hopes that he just has a task for me. Then I follow him as he returns to his desk.

After I take a seat facing him, he strokes his hand down his tie. “Let me get straight to the point. Excelsior is restructuring the company.”

My throat goes dry, yet I refuse to let go of the hope that I’ll keep my job.

Geoff’s next words pull that rug right out from under me.

“They have their own admin pool, so unfortunately, your position has been made redundant, effective immediately. This is no reflection on your performance, of course. It’s purely a business decision.”

My mind fixates on one word. “Immediately? I…I thought I’d be given some time to…to…”

Geoff’s smile is full of false sympathy. “There’ll be a severance package, of course, because of the abrupt nature of your termination. You’ll receive a week’s salary for every year you’ve been with us, plus compensation for unused vacation days.”

My stomach plummets. Only three weeks’ severance? Finding another job, especially one that matches my current salary, in under a month would be a miracle. Even though my eyes sting, I hold back my tears. I refuse to let him see me lose my composure.

It hurts my pride to ask, but I do it anyway. “Is there a chance of another position within the company? Maybe in the admin pool? M-my dad depends on my income, especially for his medical expenses.”

He leans back in his chair, folding his hands over his paunch. “The pool is full. However, if you ask, I’m sure HR will keep your résumé on file. And, of course, they’ll provide a reference for you. Make sure you stop by to fill out the paperwork for your severance before you leave.”

Jerking into motion, I rise, clutching my notepad and pen in my sweaty hands. Anger mixed with a sickening sense ofvulnerability floods through me. I want to yell at him—demand he be a better person. A betterman. But I still need that reference.

Even so, I can’t bring myself to be professionally pleasant the way I have been for the last six months, so without a word, I turn and leave, closing the door behind me.

My movements are stiff as I return to my desk and pack up my meager belongings. It only takes minutes to erase any evidence that I was ever here. I’ve never realized how few personal items I brought in or how impersonal my desk truly feels.

When my tote is loaded, I give the area a final scan, then take the elevator down to the HR department, where Gwen, a lovely older woman I’ve shared a cup of coffee with on occasion, gives me a sad smile.

“I’m so sorry, Chloe,” she says, clearly already knowing which positions have been slashed. “It’s such a mistake letting you go. You’re one of the hardest workers here.”