Bind Me (Private Listing #2)

“Getting them young and teaching them right. Isn’t that what I always told you?” Heath grins and hits Coop in the shoulder. Blake’s fingers tighten dangerously on his fork.

Seth clears his throat. “Let’s get back to business.”

With the weight of Heath’s stare off me, I focus on taking notes for the meeting. When we all rise to leave, Blake steps behind me and guides me out around Heath, who just laughs.

“He’s a possessive one. Worried I’ll slip her my card, Blake?” Heath’s voice follows us out into the noisy dining room.

“Asshole,” Blake mutters. He finally stops when we are outside of the restaurant, waiting for the car to pull around.

I stand beside him, always aware of his presence but also knowing we’re supposed to be coworkers. His hand settles on the small of my back. I don’t lean into him like I want to because that wouldn’t be appropriate for his assistant to do. His thumb brushing over my ass cheek is barely appropriate, but I ignore it.

When the car finally arrives, I glance up as I step inside and swear I see Valerie across the street. My heart clatters to a stop, and my fingers go to the scarf around my neck. I rush into the car and slide over to see if I can spot her from the safety of the car.

Blake grumbles as he climbs in after me.

I grab his jacket sleeve and tug on it. He finally registers my face. His green eyes narrow on mine.

“Why are you so pale? Are you sick?” He cups my cheek.

I shake my head and force out, “Valerie. I saw her.”

But when I look out the window, I don’t see her at all. I gaze up and down the street, but she isn’t there.

“She was right there. I didn’t notice until I was getting into the car.” The words tumble out of my mouth in a blur. “She was watching me. She looked right at me.”

My body shakes, and Blake draws me into his side, wrapping his arm around me.

Seth opens the door and gets in on the other side. “What happened?”

“Madison thought she saw Valerie,” Blake says against my hair.

“I did see her.” I lift my head to meet their eyes. “It was her. She was there, and then when I looked again, she was gone.”

Seth brushes his hand over my hair and meets my eyes. “We believe you.”

His gaze flicks to Blake. I’m sure Blake shakes his head at Seth to tell him he didn’t see her. I want to believe that they believe me, but I also know trauma does weird things to people. Makes them see and feel things that aren’t there.

But this isn’t that. I’d recognize her dark hair and those soulless eyes anywhere.

When the driver pulls away from the curb, I keep my gaze out the window, watching everyone on the sidewalk. It was her. I know it was. She could be watching me right now and I wouldn’t know it. I can’t feel her gaze on me, and I wouldn’t have known she was there if I hadn’t met her eyes.

After a block of me staring out the window, Seth draws me into his arms and rubs my back.

“The police are doing everything they can to find her and Jeff.” His voice is reassuring, but what he’s saying isn’t necessarily the truth. An assault with an unlawful restraint charge isn’t a high priority for the police, no matter who the victim is or who she knows. I’m well aware of this.

Those two will eventually do something that brings them in, and then they’ll be charged. But until the police catch them, they’re always there. Somewhere, waiting for me to slip up.

* * *

Noah

Seth filled us in about the sighting after lunch. Madison still looks a little shell-shocked an hour later. She works, but it’s like she’s seen a ghost. Her fingers tremble on the keyboard and she keeps looking at the elevator. I’ve been trying to let her be and let her adjust, but this is ridiculous.

She needs to get out of her head. I happen to enjoy getting her out of her head. Maybe a little too much.

When I clear my throat from my doorway, Madison looks up from whatever she’s working on. Her blue eyes meet mine. I nod toward my office for her to join me.

When she rises, I back inside and hold the door open. She walks in with her notepad in hand.