Out of the Storm - COMPLETE

Chapter 35

Theo

TURNING TO STARE back at the blond chick, it hits me like a fucking ton of bricks. She's the girl I saw on the elevator. Fuck. She works with Jules? Last night, she'd been heading to the gym as I left. Was she going to meet Charlie? Is she working with him? How did I never think to ask Jules if there were other employees there?

And what the hell is going on with Jules? Maybe because I'm here she's acting like this. I shouldn't have come to her office. Maybe she suspects Anna's involvement. I've got to get out of here.

I give her a curt smile, then walk out. I can't say anything to her. Playing all the conversations back through my mind, I try to put the pieces together, but nothing's making sense.

The elevator opens, and fuck if it's not Charlie this time staring at me. Running my hands through my hair, I grin. "Anna is a hot piece of ass. Do you screw her too? Does your fiancé know?"

He narrows his eyes at me and shakes his head. Glancing down at his fists, they are opening and closing. "What's wrong? You look like you're about to blow a gasket." I pat his shoulder as I brush by him and scoot into the elevator. "Simmer down, buddy. Your secret's safe with me."

He turns around, his fist raised, but I grab it, putting my foot in front of the closing door. My face straightens as I look into his blue, fiery eyes.

"If you ever raise a hand to her..." I bite my tongue. He probably thinks I'm talking about Anna, but I'm so speaking of Jules.

Dropping his fist, I step back, letting the doors close. Our stare never breaks. It's just eventually blacked out by the stainless steel of the elevator doors.

Jabbing my finger into the button for my floor, I fall back against the wall and bury my head in my hands, massaging my temples. Pulling my phone out, I open her contact, but I can't text her when I know he's around. It's too dangerous.

But it's killing me knowing he's with her and so angry. Especially with me. Does he know what I'm up to? I just gave away I was in his office, that I know Anna. But maybe if he thinks I am interested in her, it'll deflect from whatever this is with Jules.

Ding. The doors open, and I exit, walking the short distance to my office. There's a note pinned to my door. It's handwritten. The paper is nothing special, just plain white stuff used in a copier or printer. I know it's not from her. She went straight to her office from the diner. There was no time for anything else.

Ripping it, I scan the words. "Stay the fuck away from her, fucker."

This had to have been from either Charlie or Jake. Charlie did look like he could kill me, and where was he coming from when he got off the elevator. He's the reasonable explanation. It's not like the FBI would leave a note attached to my door. That's not how they operate. But, of course, they also don't usually sexually harass their witnesses, either.

Blowing out a breath, I notice my door is ajar. Dropping the paper, I pull the spare gun I decided to take today from my back and push the piece of heavy wood with my foot. "Gamó." Everything is flipped, turned upside down, in disarray. Son of a bitch. My desk is on its side. There's no way for anyone to be hiding behind it without me seeing them. The only place they could be is behind the door, so I kick it closed, ready to shoot. Nothing. No one. Letting out a sigh, I tuck my gun into my back holster. I can't just leave the paper on the floor outside, though, for anyone to see—to grab. Opening the door, I reach down and take the paper before crumbling it in my hand. I close the door before righting a chair and falling down into it. Pulling my phone, I quickly bring up Jules' number.

Call me. Text me. Come to my office. Go to my apartment. Do whatever you have to do, but get away from skatá prósopo.

My finger hovers over the envelope to send it. Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I contemplate whether I should send it, but I have to. I tap the button.