Page 50 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

No.

Yes…

No way. Not Grandfather.

I start walking again. If I remain standing still a minute longer, I run the risk of being late, and I’m never late for anything, even my demise.

The VTI Toweris a contemporary skyscraper built ten years ago, replacing the old Google building, which kept its art deco architectural style for over a century. Wired for Internet speed, nanotech products, accelerated telecommunications, and robotics capacity, VTI’s headquarters is the company’s crown jewel. Through the revolving doors I go, and I just may be the first Grove to ever legally step into enemy territory.

I’m instantly blown away by the atmosphere. All I’ve learned about the Valentines has been dark and heavy, yet the inside of the building projects the opposite. The light is clean and inviting. The temperature is perfectly warm. It reminds me of what it feels like to kiss Hercules. I’ll never forget his sensual lips on mine or his silky tongue in my mouth.Never.

I take my phone out of my saddlebag to reference Lake’s instructions. Behind the secured entry point, ten elevators are set in a semicircle. Once I locate the elevators that lead to VTI, I shuffle with other people across a glossy cement floor. My head feels floaty as I wait in a fast-moving line behind employees flashing their badges at a security guard before passing through the gate rail.

When it’s my turn and I say that I’m a new hire with VTI, I know it’s too late to turn back.

“Name?” he asks in a lackluster tone.

My real name comes to mind. “Lark Davenport,” I reply with ease. I spent hours looking at the mirror last night, repeating my fake name until the reflection staring back at me became her.

The security guard runs his pointer down a pad.

“Lark Davenport?” a guy says from behind me.

“Here you are,” the guard says just as I turn to see who called me.

I don’t know who I’m looking for until a slender man with a cordial smile waves. “I’m Mason Harper,” he says.

My boss.I force myself not to panic.Can I do this? I can do this.

“Your temporary badge?” the guard says. When I face him again, he’s handing me a badge and is already directing his attention to whoever’s behind me as if he’s eager to keep the line moving.

After walking past the bar, I do what’s appropriate and step aside to wait for Mason, arms folded and battling my nerves. I wish I hadn’t said my name so loudly. It would have been nice to have a little more time before beginning the performance of my life. Now, I’m sweating underneath my skirt, tights, and blouse. However, outwardly, I’m sure I appear composed.

“Hey,” Mason says as he clears the bar. “It’s you in the flesh.”

With a leather bag attached to the strap hanging over his shoulder, he shoves his hands into the pockets of his black peacoat. He’s younger than I imagined. He has a gorgeous head of brown hair and wears black-rimmed glasses over his electric blue eyes, which roam my face.

I wave my hands. “It’s me.”

“It’s nice to finally put a face to your voice and résumé.” He starts walking, and I instinctually follow. “The team’s excited you’re starting today. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

“Well, I’m here to work.” My words come out in a chirp.

“Normally, we don’t hire so fast, but you passed the job-knowledge test with flying colors. No one’s ever gotten a hundred percent.” He looks down as he chuckles. “You even corrected one of our questions.”

That was a stroke of luck. I probably shouldn't have done it, but I couldn't resist. “Sorry about that. I promise I’m not know-it-all Nelly.”

He chuckles as his open gaze searches my face again. I wonder what he’s looking for. Normally, I would ask, but the first rule of infiltrating a company is talk little and listen a lot.

We make it to the elevators, and Mason waves me over to stand closer to him. He puts a hand against the side of his mouth and leans over to whisper, “Every morning, this is war. Don’t hesitate, or you’ll be left waiting.”

I chuckle as I take note of the intense expressions surrounding me. We’re in the second layer of people and to the far left. We could so easily be pushed out of the way. Since I’m on the inside, it’s up to me to absorb the bumps and pushes and clear space for me and Mason. I give him a thumbs-up. When he winks, I wonder if he’s testing me, trying to figure out how resilient I am.

The elevator doors slide open, and we immediately go into action. Feet shifting, not giving up ground, we make it inside and are moving to the rear of the elevator. Once the car is full and the doors slide close, I turn to Mason, who whispers, “Good job.”

The girl in front of me turns to look at us. I cast another genuine smile at him. My smile wants to falter, but I don’t let it. He’s too nice. They’re probably all nice people, which makes what I plan to do a million times worse.

Mason’s cordial expression changes abruptly as he leans forward and looks past me. “Slumming it?”