Bind Me (Private Listing #2)

“I’m fine,” I assure him. I can see the need in him because I feel it too. I want him to hold me and comfort me, keep me safe from all the things that are trying to get me. “I mean, I’m being stalked by at least two parties, but what girl isn’t?”

I give a helpless shrug. Hope puts her arm around my shoulders and tugs me into a side hug.

“One stalker is more than anyone needs,” she says as her forehead touches mine. I’m so grateful for her comfort right now.

The door opens and Coop, Noah, and Blake come in. Their eyes take in Hope and then fall on Seth.

They all come over to the island but no one touches me. I guess our relationship is something we’re hiding from everyone, including my only friend. It shouldn’t sting. I knew that when I agreed to this, but right now, I need my guys to hug me.

“What’s happening?” Blake asks.

“Is everything okay?” Noah’s gaze rakes over me, making sure I’m not injured.

Seth picks up my phone. “She received a new video on her work phone.”

“What video?” Blake nearly snarls the words.

Hope’s eyebrow rises, but she just stuffs her mouth with noodles while watching them.

“We haven’t watched it yet.” Seth rounds the island to stand beside me.

I stick my fork in my noodles, not having taken even a bite. If it’s anything like the last video, my stomach might not be able to handle it. What if he caught Coop fucking me?

I glance at Hope. I guess that’s one way to break it to her I’m fucking the bosses. Or at least one of them.

“Are you ready?” His hand brushes my shoulder for a second.

I’m never going to be ready for this, but I nod.

The guys huddle behind Hope and me. Seth presses play.

The video starts in color. I’m in the back corner, so not when Coop was in there. I pull out a file, set it on the stack, and the lights go out. All is darkness before the camera turns to night mode, showing me in black-and-white.

I back into the corner. My eyes close now. My voice is tinny when I say, “Hello? Coop? Guys?”

My breathing is ragged on the video, but that shuffling noise comes through loud and clear. Fuck. I hoped it was in my mind. That it wasn’t real. I squeeze my eyes shut tighter.

I don’t want to relive this, but it’s impossible not to.

“Yellow!” What I thought was a yell yesterday was more of a whisper shout. Until the next shuffling. I hear the rustling of my dress as I drop to cower in the corner.

“Red! Gold! Gold! Gold!” The shuffling is right on top of me. Fear ripples down my spine as my ear-piercing scream fills the room.

“What the hell is going on in here?”

Now, I open my eyes and the video ends. No one moves. It’s almost like no one is breathing. I can’t look at them. I can’t see the disappointment on their faces. I should have told them yesterday.

“Fuck, that’s messed up.” Hope sets her fork down. “Why did you yell colors? Who was the woman at the end?”

“She said her name is Courtney.” My voice is barely above a whisper. I ignore the color question. Unable to explain that they’re safe words because why would I need safe words in an office where I’m not fucking anyone? Besides, I’m too disappointed in myself to focus on those words.

Honesty, trust. I didn’t tell them about this. I didn’t trust them to believe me.

“That’s weird. She rarely works on weekends.” Hope glances around and clears her throat. “Should I… make myself scarce?”

“Please.” Seth sets my phone down, but I don’t dare meet their eyes.

Hope squeezes my arm, and I give her a reassuring smile. She slips off the stool and heads back to my room. The door shuts. I still haven’t turned on the access code for my door. I like the guys being able to come and go as they please.