The Stand-In(78)

Thirty


He’s here.

Todd the asshole boss. Todd who somehow continues to make my life hell. I don’t understand why he’s here until I see his blond friend from the art gallery smiling and air-kissing the hell out of the room.

“You’d rather what?” Sam sees me shiver. “You’re cold. The wind’s picking up. Shall we go in?”

“I like it out here.” I can’t stay on the balcony all night but I need a few minutes to collect myself. Dealing with Todd will require a plan. A solid plan that I currently do not have.

Sam runs his hand down the goose bumps on my arm but says, “Whatever you want.”

The balcony is separated from the main event space by a wall of windows, but it’s darker outside than in, so I know I’m not visible to the crowd. I keep my breath controlled and even, forcing my body to calm itself even though my palms are so damp that Sam makes a face when he touches my hand. “About Robin,” he says before he squints through the windows. “Oh, can you give me a moment? That’s my old friend Dmitri. I haven’t seen him in years.” He gestures to a man inside wearing a bow tie.

I nod to Sam to show he can go off and talk with his friend—and regret it instantly.

Because Todd comes out to the balcony seconds after Sam exits to check the space for someone worthy to talk to. I’ve no place to hide.

He recognizes me instantly and strides over. “Gracie, all alone out here. You’re looking good.” How did I never notice he looked like a wolf with his shaggy hair and the wide mouth filled with big teeth? He’s a wolf and I’m a lamb. “That long hair. I approve.”

He knows that under this perfect makeup and styled hair and expensive Chanel getup, I’m only Gracie.

“You should have dressed like this for work,” he says.

He shifts closer, too quick for me to back up. So I don’t. I stand my ground even though it means he’s near. I don’t grant him the power to make me move, and that small, unintended gesture reminds that I’m not a lamb at all. I won’t be the same vulnerable Gracie who left his office a month ago. That distance has given me enough space that I can keep my head even though my teeth are about to start chattering.

I channel Fangli, with no smile and astonishment he would be so rude as to approach me. “Excuse me. Who are you?”

His fingers slip down to encircle my wrist tightly enough to press the bracelets into my skin. “Come off it, Gracie. I don’t know what game you’re playing but I always knew there was a bad girl under those thick sweaters and submissive look.”

He’s so fucking gross. Why didn’t I see this before? How did I let this piece of shit beat me down so badly? I feel the weight of the wig on my head, the delicate straps of the leather heels cutting into my ankles. He might treat me like Gracie, but I’m Fangli here.

“I’m talking to you, Gracie.” Todd gives me a little tug when I don’t answer, and I shift my gaze down to where his hand encircles my wrist. Fangli wouldn’t put up with this treatment. Neither would Anjali, although she’d probably opt for breaking Todd’s nose.

I won’t put up with it either.

I flick his hand off. “I don’t care,” I say. It comes out in a scalpel-sharp voice I recognize from one of Fangli’s dramatic roles.

“What did you say?” He leans in too close but I don’t move. Instead I keep silent and stare him down.

And I see what I missed for so long.

Standing in front of me on the dim balcony, Todd is nothing but an empty man-shaped shadow surrounded by the lights shining from thousands of windows in the city skyline. With the filter of fear stripped away, I recognize him for what he is: a mediocre and blustering bully who I despise. I take a deep breath and let all my fear go, because he’s not worth it.

I don’t need to answer him.

I turn to leave Todd stewing in his impotent rage on the pretty balcony but although I’m done with him, Todd doesn’t think he’s done with me. I feel a heavy hand land on my shoulder just as I spot Sam stepping through the doorway, a frown growing between his brows.

Twisting back sharply enough to knock his hand aside, I give Todd my most unimpressed look. Sam’s beside me now and his presence bolsters my confidence. I can almost feel the strain he’s under to keep cool but he waits for me to handle the situation.

Todd glares at me. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull here, but it doesn’t matter how you dress yourself up—you’re the same boring girl you always were. You should be grateful I even bothered to look at you.”

“No.” I glare back. “No, that’s not something to be grateful for at all.”

God, that feels good. Over his shoulder, I see the woman who welcomed us watching with a dark look on her face. She’s speaking into her walkie-talkie. A security guard materializes beside her seconds later and they both walk over to us, expressions hard and eyes trained on Todd.

Todd sees her and glances over at me with a look of almost hilariously misplaced triumph. “Get her out of here,” he says, pointing at me as they approach. “She doesn’t belong here.”

The security guard doesn’t even hesitate. “Let’s go, sir.”

I take in that beautiful moment as Todd smirks at me, right before he understands what’s going on. Then he looks between me and the guard. “What?”