Page 45 of Illicit Games

The security guard goes into the back with Seth on his heels to check the surveillance footage. Something I should’ve thought of.

My cheeks burn the longer I stand at the entrance like a criminal on trial.

Ten minutes later, Seth returns. Snagging my purse and the shoes I bought from the counter, he storms my way, and clips out, “We can leave.”

“What’s happening?” the girl says.

“Another customer put those in her purse,” I hear the guard explain as we exit the store.

Walking over to the parking lot, Seth opens the door and I slide inside. Once he takes the wheel, I quietly say, “Please don’t tell Kian.”

Our eyes meet in the rearview mirror, and he replies, “I have to report everything to him, Miss Mannan.”

Dejected, I lean my head against the back seat and shut my eyes for the rest of the drive. During the ride, I fall asleep.

When I come to, strong arms are lifting me out of the car. I flutter my eyelids open, trailing my gaze up a throat visible over the open collar and a square jaw. For a second, I think I’m hallucinating until I inhale the familiar woodsy scent and realize Kian is here.

He should be at the office.

“Kian?”

My sleepy voice draws his attention to my face. The crease between his brows disappears. The dark fury he’s shielding takes longer.

“Seth told you,” I state.

A muscle tics in his jaw. “I’m going to handle it.”

“No.” I fist his shirt. “It was a misunderstanding.”

“I saw the footage.” His tone is seething. “They didn’t treat you right, even before the whole thing happened. I am not letting it slide.”

“There’s no point.” The elevator closes once we’re inside. “I honestly want to forget about the whole incident.”

Judgmental people are never worth spending energy on. It shows their upbringing.

“Please, love,” I softly coax when he doesn’t budge. “Let it go.”

“I will once they apologize to you.”

“I don’t want to see them again.”

“Then they’ll write you one,” he says authoritatively. “We’re going to return the heels. I’ll buy you another pair.”

“Okay.” They’re tainted anyways. Exhausted, I rest my face against his chest and let him carry me upstairs.

***

The next morning, I arrive at the conference room on the floor below ours. My gait falters, noticing the meeting has already begun through the glass walls.

Am I late? Pretty sure Kian said it was at ten. I’m ten minutes early.

I quicken my pace.

The meeting was organized by the acquisitions and mergers department. However, it was nowhere in Kian’s calendar when I checked. So, I have no idea what it is about.

Kian sits at the head of the table. Noticing me outside, he invites me inside with a nod. Pushing open the door, I enter the room and take the empty chair on his right.

There are two people from our department, while the other three are new. Two men dressed in crisp suits and a woman in a black formfitting dress sit on the opposite side. She appears tobe the leader. Everyone has a file spread open in front of them, seeming to go over points.