My phone vibrates next to me, and I can all but guarantee it’ll be one of the girls. Or both of them. Lanie, Julia, and I all grew up in the tiny town of Burke Hollow, Vermont. They, and my grandmother, GG, are the only constants in my life. Glancing down, I see I’m right.
Lanie: Kick butt today at work, chica! Luvs!
Julia: She means kick ass and take names. You’ve got this!
Julia: Luvs.
Their confidence in me is comforting, but it doesn’t shake off my nerves.
Lexi: Thanks, guys. Luv you both.
Julia: Just throwing this out there … East is pretty hot! (winky face emoji)
Lanie: They would look so cute together, wouldn’t they?
Jesus Christ.
If they knew what I’ve been through, they would understand. My heart isn’t up for grabs, and it won’t ever be again. My boyfriend finder is broken beyond repair. Or maybe it never worked to begin with, since I’ve only ever chosen losers.
Lexi: Don’t start. That isn’t an option. Not now, not ever. Do you not remember my choice in men almost got me killed?
Lanie: …
Julia: You can’t blame yourself for Miles. You couldn’t have known, but I will say this: both Lanie and I found love when we had sworn it off. You never know when it will strike.
Lexi: I do. Never. Love is a choice, and it’s one I’m choosing not to make again.
Lanie: Oh, Lexi. It’s cute how you think you can control it.
Lexi: Whatever. I have to get going, or I’ll be late. Luvs.
Lanie: Luvs.
Julia: Kick his ass. Then maybe kiss it better! (Winky face kissing emoji) Luvs!
I don’t respond because Julia has no filter. Her responses will only get worse if I encourage her. Instead, I pack up the lunch I made and head out the door, only to run face-first into a human wall.
“Leo,” I grumble. Ashton, the youngest Westbrook, decided I need to have round-the-clock security. Freaking Ash. The only reason I didn’t argue is I’m pretty sure he does some messed-up shit with super-spy Loki.
Leo is my day guy, and his job just got boring as hell. Realizing I never asked him what he would do all day while I sat at a desk, I stare at him.
“Something wrong, Ms. Heart?” His voice always sounds so clinical.
Tilting my head to the side, I observe him. “What are you going to do all day?”
“What I do every day, ma’am. Watch over you.”
“Oh, hell to the no! Do not call me ma’am.” I jab my finger into his chest as I speak. “I’m not old enough for that shit. For the last time, it’s Lexi. Call me Lexi or Lex. Jesus, even ‘girl’ would be better than ma’am.”
He doesn’t answer. The only acknowledgment I get is a quick nod of his head as he steps out of the way so I can lock the door. This is going to be a long day, and I already feel a migraine coming on.
We climb into the car, and the driver takes off. My girls married into some rich ass families, but I begrudgingly admit they’re amazing. I will never say that to Preston, though. I’m having a hard enough time separating them and their money from the wealth and cruelty I knew when I was with Miles.
Leaning back, I close my eyes, but the car pulls to a stop all too quickly, and I hear Leo exit the car.
Well, shit. The commute took less than five minutes. Leo opens my door, and I force myself to exit. I’m not sure what I expected, but the building before me emblazoned with ‘The Westbrook Group’ was not it. Maybe it’s because Preston always presents himself as the playboy. Surely, he’s doing something right if he is keeping a multi-billion dollar cooperation running successfully.
Maybe I’m not giving the guy enough credit. Lanie told me Preston recently rebranded Westbrook Enterprises into The Westbrook Group to better encompass the partnership with his brothers. If they can rebrand something like that, there’s no reason I can’t reinvent myself to be the best damn assistant Easton Westbrook has ever seen. Right?
With Leo shadowing me, I make my way to the security desk and check-in.
“Welcome, Ms. Heart. You’ll be on the twenty-first floor. Your badge will allow entry from the elevator.” The guard is a sweet, older man whose name tag says Sam.
“Thank you, Sam.”
He smiles kindly, and I’m on my way, not at all sure I’m ready to deal with the Westbrook Beast.
The elevator dings as it comes to a stop. Taking a deep breath, I exit the car and glance around, confused. The place is empty and dark. With tentative steps, I inch forward. Ever since Miles held me captive, I’ve struggled with dark, enclosed spaces, and I hate myself for it. I should be stronger, so I force myself forward.
“I’m safe. This place is safe. Leo is right behind me,” I silently chant.
“Ms. Heart?” Leo’s voice calls out from behind, causing my heart to stop.
With a fist on my chest, I turn. At least he appears to feel bad for startling me.
“You are safe, Ms. Heart. They locked this building down tighter than Fort Knox. I believe Mr. Westbrook’s office is to the left.”
“Th-Thank you, Leo.”
He smiles and ushers me forward. As I round the corner, light spills out into the hallway from a single door at the end. Stealing a breath, I force myself forward, not really sure why I’m so nervous. Reaching the open door, I raise my hand to knock when a deep masculine voice cuts me off.
“Glad to see timeliness is a priority. Come in.”
I can’t tell if he’s being an ass or genuinely complimenting me, so I keep the sass to myself. Entering the room, I realize he has yet to look up from his desk. How the hell did he know I was here?
“I have excellent hearing,” he states, finally lifting his gaze to mine, and it knocks the air from my lungs. Fighting to keep my face neutral, I swallow, forcing the trapped air to leave. His voice softens for the briefest moment when he says, “You are always safe here, Ms. Heart.”
“Thank you,” is all I say. I don’t need Easton Westbrook becoming some arrogant Prince Charming. Been there, done that.
He narrows his eyes as he considers me. Then, as quickly as it came, the warmth in his voice evaporates. “I expect a lot from my employees. I’m here every day at five-thirty a.m. working out in the gym because that’s when I work through most of my problems. HR told me I could no longer force my employees to be here that early, but I will require you here by seven a.m. Monday through Friday. We work long hours.”
The way he’s glaring at me, as if I’m a charity case, makes me insane. My inner bitch is rising, and the longer I stare at his stupid, scowling face, the more I want to set her free.
“I’m not afraid of hard work, Easton.” My indignation is showing, and I make no attempt to hide it.
I swear his lip twitches before he locks it down into the firm, straight line I’m thinking is forced.
“Right. I know we are in the precarious situation of having a connection outside of work, Lexi.” He says my name as if testing out a new hot sauce, and it makes me smile. “But Mr. Westbrook will suffice here in the office. I have a laptop and phone for you. A desk will be here in a couple of days, but you’ll sit in that general vicinity.” Easton gestures across the room.
Is he fucking kidding me with the Mr. Westbrook bullshit?