d into black glass. She placed the phone face down on the

nters, heading toward the employee breakroom at the far end of the

hts buzzed softly overhead. She opened the overhead cab

the large commercial espresso machine.

arsh, mechanical screech. The noise completely masked t

g her steaming mug of dark

erfectly still

suit looked entirely out of place against the cheap

the heavy door closed until the metal lock

thy scent of his expensive vetiver cologne cut through th

r until her hips hit the edge of the laminate counter. She grippe

n at her. His dark eyes held zero warmth, zero familiar

in a low, da

e said, the words vibrating in his chest. "

r teeth ached. She stood her g

you, or your new girlfriend," she

aned in closer, his f

, "I will destroy your career. I will ruin your family. Don't think for a second I don't know exactly how much debt your pat

ed to kiss her forehead was now threatening her livelihood. She forced h

t. He adjusted his pristine cuffs, took a step back,

the adrenaline left Chloe's body

numb. She dropped

ens of jagged pieces. Hot, black coffee splashed

ater. Ethan rushed in. He had h

own paper towels from the wall dispenser. He dropped to hi

shocked face. He stood up, gently gripping her e

d the bullpen and pushed open the heavy fir

ng them into the quiet, hollow echo

issue from his pocket. His voic

you?" he asked, his e

tissue tightly. She refused to expla

" she whispered, h

king frustrated. He leaned against the concrete wall and revea

quietly. "He is the newly appointed lead di

er chest felt like it was bound in iron bands. Julian

her shoulder. He didn't pull her into a

back, Chloe. I pr

e wall. She clutched the crumpled tissue in her fist. She realized