Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

Reception says someone’s here to see me. Going down. Won’t leave reception.

I don’t expect a reply. I can see most of them are in video conferences or on their phones. Taking my mobile, I go to the elevator and press the button.

A door opens behind me and Blake steps into his doorway. His fierce gaze is on me while he talks on his phone. He gives me a slight nod, and my chest floods with warmth. Then he puts his fingers to his eyes, telling me he’ll be watching.

Some of the tension leaves me, knowing he’ll still be watching on the camera feeds even if he isn’t with me.

The elevator arrives and I step on. The lobby isn’t as busy this time of day, but I don’t see anyone familiar. I stop next to the receptionist and wait for her to complete her call. I’m not sure what I did to offend her. When she hangs up, she gives me a once-over.

I checked myself in the bathroom before leaving Seth’s office. Nothing is out of place, and I know I look good in whatever he puts me in. So I just give her a smile.

“Over there.” She jerks her head to the left before dismissing me.

Straightening, I head that way. As I round the corner, I spot Robert, my previous neighbor, standing against the wall. His face lights up when he sees me.

He moves forward quickly to intercept me. “Madison. How have you been?”

“I’m good. What are you doing here?” I’m confused. Why would he be here?

He holds out his hand and opens it. My grandma’s bracelet. Fuck, with everything going on, I forgot he was bringing it.

I reach for it and lift it from his hand. “Where did you find this?”

The bracelet isn’t fancy, but it’s something my grandma gave me. Little charms decorate a simple chain. Each one is in its place. I’d thought I lost it in the move.

“The hallway.” Robert moves closer, and I automatically take a step back. He doesn’t appear fazed by it though. “The metal glinted in the light, and I remembered you wearing it. It must have dropped when those men came to move you out.”

“Must have.” But why didn’t I notice it when Blake and I went back to look for it? What seems like ages ago. If it really was in the hallway, I’m sure I would have seen it.

While I’m busy thinking, Robert moves in closer, looking down at the bracelet. “You wore it all the time. Especially with that pretty floral sundress you loved so much.”

Chills creep up my spine and I draw away from Robert. “Why would you mention that dress?”

I back away toward where people are, toward the receptionist. It can’t be a coincidence, but it has to be. The guys said Robert isn’t the stalker.

Robert’s forehead wrinkles as he follows after me. “It’s what you wore when I remember you wearing the bracelet. What’s wrong, Madison?”

A metal trash can blocks my path, and it rattles as I run into it. “I have to go, Robert. Thank you for returning this to me.”

“I saw a woman try to get into your apartment.”

I pause with the trash can between us. It’s distance, but not enough. “A woman?”

He nods and tucks his hands into his pockets. “She came by a few times. Tall brunette. Probably the high heels she wore made her look tall. I didn’t get a good look at her face. She always turned away when I got to my door. I wasn’t sure if you were subletting the apartment or if you had a new roommate after the incident with Valerie.”

Brunette could be anyone, really. Courtney? Even Hope has brown hair.

Robert brushes a hand through his hair. “I thought you might want to know. In case, you didn’t have anyone living there. I never saw them get into the apartment.”

I step forward, grateful for the trash can between us. “If you see this woman again, could you text me?”

His dark eyes light up. “Of course. Do you want me to get her name?”

“No.”

I don’t want to tangle Robert up in this any more than I have to. I’ll actually be glad to have him out of my life. While he seems like a nice guy, he still has that creep factor I can’t shake off. Him “finding” my grandma’s bracelet after I’d been to the apartment complex just seems odd and maybe too coincidental.

“You know, Valerie hasn’t been by in a long time. It’s probably safe for you to come back home.” Robert has hope in his eyes.