Relinquish(61)

“There you are.” She smiles, walking into the office.

“I love this desk, and the view is amazing,” I respond, my voice cracking nervously as I point at the windows. My hands are trembling and my heart is sputtering. I never was any good at keeping secrets.

“Yeah, Miller loves it.” She puts her hands on her hips and leans against the doorframe. “I know what you’re thinking.”

I cock my head to the side, confused.

“You think I’m some gold digger, and that I’m only with Miller for his money and power.”

“I—” I’m not sure what to say, because that very thought has crossed my mind.

“You’d be wrong. Just like the rest of the people at this estate. I love Miller.” She smiles, and her eyes fill with tears. The reaction confuses me. “I hate this estate. When he talks about it, or gets involved with it, it makes him a monster. He’s not a monster, though. He’s so sweet and he’s…” She stops and wipes her face.

“He’s different with me. One day… one day, I will get him away from this f*cking place.” She levels me with a serious look. “I’ll do anything to make sure that happens.”

I swallow hard, not sure what to say. The only vibe I get with Miller is evil. But as far as Miller being a monster when it comes to the estate, I’d say his son Landon is just like him.

“You wanna eat? It’s probably getting cold.” She jerks her thumb over her shoulder. This woman is so left and right with her emotions, I can’t keep up.

“Actually, Tara, I’m getting kind of tired. I think I’m going to go lie down before the gala,” I lie, standing up from the desk. I watch my steps, trying to make sure the folder doesn’t fall out of my shorts.

“Oh, yeah? Are you okay?” she questions with concern. I head toward her and nod, keeping my back out of her line of sight.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just a lot of stress from preparing for my first client,” I half-laugh. Tara gives a wide smile and pats my shoulder.

“You’ll do great, I know it. I have a knack for things like that.” She scrunches her nose. Walking back into the bedroom, I head toward the door to leave.

“I’ll see you tonight, Tara.” I close the door behind me and let out the breath I was holding. My back is soaked with a nervous sweat, and my legs feel like jelly with the amount of adrenaline coursing through them. I hurry down the hall, ready to get in my room and see what’s in this file when Miller, Veronica, and a beautiful redhead turn the corner. I panic, my vision blurring from the amount of blood pumping through my body at such a high speed. I pull the file from my shorts and toss it into a plant next to a window, scared Miller might notice the file from my short shirt or something.

I walk quickly, trying to get far from the plant when Miller notices me.

“Charlie?” He furrows his brows.

“Miller,” I croak.

“What are you doing down here?” he continues.

“I was just having lunch with Tara,” I reply, trying to muster a smile.

“Oh,” he mutters, looking me over. His eyes narrow into slits as he drills a hole into me. I look away, breaking the uncomfortable eye contact.

“Well, I gotta go,” I squeak, walking past them quickly. I look over my shoulder, finding Veronica and Miller still watching me, and closely.

Shit, they’re on to me.





EIGHTEEN


CHARLIE


“Charlie?” shrieks from the phone intercom, the voice nearly bursting my eardrum.

“Yeah, Jean?” I reply.

“Landon asked me to call you and inform you that your date will arrive within the hour.”

I roll my eyes. “Thank you, Jean.” I resume my pacing of the bedroom floor.

“I have to get those files,” I mutter to myself. “But how?”

My door opens, stopping me in my mission to distress the carpet.

Jayden walks in and shuts the door behind her. Her short green dress, sequined with pearls, fits her figure flawlessly, and her crazy hair’s still just as wild as I remember. It’s kinky, curled, and sticking out everywhere.

“Jayden!” I yell, flinging myself into her. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tightly.

“Man, I missed you,” she whispers into my neck.

“I’ve missed you, too,” I return.

She pulls from me and looks around my room. “This place, Charlie. It’s—”

“Intense, I know,” I interrupt, shaking my head.

“You hit the jackpot.” She laughs, sitting on my bed.

I smile. It is great, but I’d rather not be owned by the Blackwells.

“You need to get me a job here,” she continues, chuckling.

“You look good,” I change the subject.

She looks down at herself before glancing up at me.

“This dress is stupid-nice. I’ve never had anything like it before. I was scared to wear it at first, but now I may never take it off,” she remarks, her tone serious.

“I know all too well what that’s like,” I murmur, glancing over at the black dress Landon specifically asked for, hanging on the doorknob to the bathroom.

“So, how long do you have to stay here?” Jayden asks, fiddling with her dress.