Play with Me (An Empyrean Novel)- Season 1 - Book 5

Part 3

I close my eyes and try to find center.  Work is my solace even if it overwhelms me right now.  All I need is for them to get out and let me do my job.  

Pain radiates up my neck as the headache, which was building moments before, takes hold.  I refuse to rub my temples, not giving them another inch into my world.  I open my eyes, glance down at my desk and center myself.  With the last draw of strength, I smile and stand, pulling myself up to a perfect posture.

"Thank you all for your concern.  This situation is difficult for everyone of us, in different ways.  I never intended to impact you and an apology is far too little too late.  All I can ask is your forgiveness and patience," I say as I plaster on a smile and focus on the deep southern accent indicative of Alexandra. 

"Sit down," Dominick says in a menacing whisper.  He hands Kade and envelope.  

Kade steps forward, places it on my desk and steps back to his original position.  

"Take those before that headache of yours gets worse," Dominick nods to the envelope on my desk.  "We expect you in the studio apartment above the PR firm in an hour.  Failure to make the appointment in the appropriate 'identity' will be met with dire consequences.  Do not push me on this, Alexandra."

Everyone nods in agreement.  I focus a cold glare at Dominick.  Nothing escapes his observation and my frustration grows at the inability to hide the smallest issues.

"Not advisable," he states.  "We'll see you in an hour." 

Without another word, he stands and walks out the door.  The rest of the group follows until it leaves only Samantha.  

"How are you?" Samantha asks, her tone soft and full of concern. 

"I'm fine.  There's a mountain of work but I'll get it done or undone, whichever is more appropriate."

"Why?"

The simple question punches straight into my gut.  It is laced with accusations and betrayal.

"My job is to protect you.  All of you.  No matter the cost," I reply in resignation. 

"That's stupid."

I shake my head.  "It's not.   My personal honor code and duty call me to it."

"Your code is flawed.  It's missing an important piece.  One I am unsure how you've not learned," she whispers. 

"And what is my code missing?"

"Family.  Community.  The acknowledgement of the people around you who care for you.  All of them are smart, intelligent, talented and capable.  It isn't you against the world, Alexandra.  It is all of us pulling together and making it work.  We all have difficulties.  Every person here is full of strengths and weaknesses," Samantha continues.  "How does an amazing dominant and wicked smart business owner, miss such a thing?"

"I see you've been hanging around Dominick too much," I try to joke.

"Yes.  He's worried about you.  We all are but he's especially so."

"He gave up the right to worry about me when I moved to DC." 

"Actually, you gave it back to him when you went to his brownstone for help.  There's more to that man than meets the eye," Samantha says, as she furrows her brow.

"I owe him a debt but I am not his responsibility." 

"First, I don't think he sees it that way.  There's something about the whole thing which feels off." 

Curiosity blooms.  Samantha's knowledge of Dominick runs as deep as mine but he's always been a mystery to me, no matter how close we were. 

"Off... how?"

"I don't know.  There's something he's not saying and the whole thing with Cassandra is just... odd," she says as she stood and shook her head.  "Maybe I'm trying to make something out of nothing." 

Samantha shrugged.  

"An intervention?  Really?" I ask, as Samantha walks toward the door. 

"Yes.   Really," she says over her shoulder as she leaves the office. 

The headache blooms and I idly pick up the envelope as I stare out the window.

"I'm so tired of ambushes," I mutter.