Behind the Mask

Chapter 21

Trigger warning: attempted sexual assault

Marissa's POV

Mr. Sterling had just signed the contract addendum and left. I decided to go ahead and finish the copies so I could avoid the office tomorrow. I hummed to myself as I bound the portfolio packets. I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't realized Jackson was in the room until the smell of his cologne alerted me. He put his hands on either side of me forming a cage that pinned me between him and the worktable.

"Where have you been, Rissa?" he murmured against my ear, "Chloe and I miss you."

I tried to push him away, "Jackson, stop." However, my push caused my body to press against his which he took as an invitation.

He pressed his groin against me, his hand grabbing the hem of my dress. I hissed, but he just growled in my ear, "Rissa, I can show you what a real man feels like. I'll make you feel so good that you'll be begging for more."

"Stop!" I yelled and slammed the binder on his hands.

He yelled and raised his hand, "You bitch!"

I cringed waiting for the strike but it didn't come. Instead, I heard Sean's voice, "Marissa? What's going on here?" I opened my eyes and ran to him, as Jackson lowered his hand and smoothed his suit. He gave me a glare and stormed out past us. When he'd left, Sean pulled me against him, "Oh sweetie, are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I need to grab those papers and then can we get the fuck out of here?" I asked, my hands and voice both shaking. Sean took the papers from me and put his other arm around me. I froze in my tracks as I heard Chloe's voice coming from my office.

"Mr. Taylor, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to step out into the lobby. Ms. Ryland does not have the authority to allow you to linger in this office area unattended," she sputtered.

"What the absolute fuck is going on here, Chloe?" I growled. I'm so fucking done with their shit.

"I was just asking Mr. Taylor to wait in the lobby. This isn't protocol, Rissa." Chloe said, trying to act all sweet to my face.

I took step towards her, "I think you might want to speak with your husband about protocol and work-appropriate behavior before chastising our clients and my friends, Mrs. Phelps." Chloe's face paled and she quickly fled the room.

Sean took my arm when I swayed, and sat her down on the couch, "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "If you hadn't walked by when you did..." my voice trailed off. Would he have hit me, raped me? My head was filled with images from my childhood - the parties, the playroom. Was that all my life was going to be - one man after another using me?

"Sweetie, I need you to breathe. Listen to North's heartbeat and breathe for me, Marissa," Sean's voice sounded like it was in a tunnel. I felt warm arms around me and heard the rhythmic thumping of North's heart. My body melted into his and I finally opened my eyes to be greeted with Sean's beautiful green ones looking at me with concern. "Can you hear me?" I nodded but didn't say anything. He held a bottle of water in front of me, "Drink this, sweetie." I took the bottle and let the cool water run down my throat. I just wanted to curl up against North and sleep. I didn't want to face anyone anymore.

"Come on, baby, you can sleep when we get in the car, but we need to get you out of here for now," North said gently. "Can you walk or should I carry you?"

That snapped me back. "I'll walk. I'm sure Chloe is making the rounds already. You two carrying me out of here would only add to the fires I'm going to have to put out."

"You need to call the cops and report the damn bastard," Sean grumbled.

"I'm a lawyer, Sean. It wouldn't stick. I have a previous sexual relationship with both Jackson and Chloe, and they're technically my employees. Legally speaking, I'm screwed," I said with a huff. "But that is tomorrow's headache. For now, I just want to lock up the files and get the hell out of this building."

Sean's POV

We got to the parking garage and I left my car, joining them in North's. I sat in the back while he kept an eye on her.

Group text: Sean: Change in plans. We are headed home - situation at her work. Can someone either cook something or order in for lunch? She needs to eat and then rest.

Owen: I'll order food now. Is she okay? Did her father show up?

Sean: No, that asshat, Phelps tried groping her and she hit him with a stapler of some sort. He was about to hit her when I walked in.

Gabe: What the fuck! Please tell me you killed him.

Sean: I wish, but she looked like she was about to faint, and ended up doing just that when we got back to her office and had to deal with the fucking wife.

Luke: Nate and I are closing up early - she needs us more than I need to sell cupcakes.

Kota: On my way now.

Silas: I'll change her sheets - Gabe, find her something comfortable to wear.

Gabe: Love, just give her one of your shirts. She'll love it and feel better wearing it.

Nate: Owen, shoot me the restaurant info and I'll grab it on the way home. We are locking up now.

Sean: We will be there in about twenty minutes.

I looked up front to see her leaning against North's shoulder, sound asleep, his arm around her shoulders protectively. I smiled to myself. The actions of myself and my husbands told me all I needed to know - we'd made our decision. Now, I just hope she wants us in return.  

Author's Notes: brief, but necessary to set the stage for what is coming...