distance between them. The maliciou

re," she hissed, her voice a low

ging into her palms. The nausea was bac

, the words tasting like ash in her

e contorted with fury. With a deliberate, almost

out, landing directly on th

dles stabbing into her skin. A dark brown stain bloomed o

ack. A few executives winced, bu

e dripping with fake sympathy. A crue

blister beginning to form. The physical pain sliced through t

away the coffee. S

ed her l

and loud, a crack of thunder i

. A bright red handprint bloomed

Everyone stared, mouths agape, at the quiet

und of outrage. She lunged at Ciara,

y doors to Jordon's office were t

ercloud. His presence was a physical

ing her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. He sa

he dark coffee soaking Ciara's right hand. A sudden, sharp pang tightened his chest, an instinct to reach out and inspect the burn. Yet, surrounded by his top executive

s a winter sky,

, dangerous growl. "This is a place of business. We don't air

the hot coffee. She looked at him, searching his fac

d nothin

d her back. A single tear escaped, tracing a path down

word. She didn'

her lips. She took a step back,

e a stranger you never want to see again. Th

on for the lobby, and the doors closed, shutting out the whispers, the

range, unfamiliar tightness gripped his chest. His gaze fel

ff

ld metal wall. She pressed a hand to her lower abdom

rriage

-