Each morning the dread I feel going to work for a boss I hate gets worse. I wake up later and later each day, unable to muster any drive to make it to work on time, looking my absolute best.

When I admitted out loud to Liam, that I wanted to save enough money to start my own boutique marketing company, the dread of my real job became worse. The night I told Liam about my dream, we talked until the sun rose. I told him every one of my plans.

He made me scream his name over and over, telling me it was a turn on to think of me as a boss. I thought back to that night, twirling my hair around my finger.

“You could quit,” Liam says. I look over at him. He’s leaning against the doorjamb of his closet.

“I can’t quit.”

“Why not?”

“I kind of like having a place to live. Food to eat.” I sigh. “I also need to sustain my addiction to romance novels and clothes. Can’t do that without a job.”

“You could move in with me,” Liam says, shrugging before walking back into his closet.

I get back out of bed, walking over there. “Did you just ask me to move in with you?”

“I gave you the option. If you want to live here and start your company, I’ll support you.”

“No,” I say flatly. I spin on my heel, striding into the bathroom.

He comes to the bathroom door, watching me get ready while buttoning his shirt. I curse my nipples when they turn to stiff peaks at the sight. Every morning when he puts on a suit for work, I have to restrain myself from ripping it off of him. When I arrived late at his house one night to find him in his office, still in a suit and glasses on, I sunk to my knees in front of him, worshiping him. I also rode him in his chair that night.

Damn his suits.

“Why not?” he asks, confused.

“I’m not taking your money, living with you, while I just prance off not making a living. Not going to happen.”

He looks at me, still confused, so I continue. “I’m not going to live with you out of necessity. If I ever live with you it will be because it’s something we both want.”

“I do want it.”

I lay my fingers over his mouth. He kisses the tips of my fingers, smiling behind them. His eyes are playful and shining brightly, devouring my naked body. “I don’t have time for this conversation right now,” I say. “I can’t quit my job.” I lean up on my toes and kiss his lips.

“Fine,” he says. “Just know, that I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want you here.” He slaps my ass and walks out of the room.

I shake my head. I let myself fantasize for a moment. I’d stroll into the office wearing a killer dress and fantastic shoes, slam my notice on my boss’ desk. As I throw colorful language around, I tell her I’m quitting effective immediately and I’m taking Natasha with me. Natasha could help me run the business and my boss would slowly lose her mind without us there. That damn tyrant.

I could come home every day to a sexy man in a suit while I’m still wearing a badass dress and killer shoes. We stay together every day right now, but in this fantasy, ‘I love you’ would be flowing from our lips frequently, my clothes would be in his closet, except it wouldn’t be his closet, it would be our closet.

I sigh, looking at myself in the mirror, wishing that were the reality. I quickly get ready after realizing just how late I’m about to be. Liam and I run out the door at the same time, passionately kissing in the driveway.

“I have a lot of meetings today,” he tells me against my lips. He kisses the tip of my nose. “I may be slow to text. I should be home on time tonight.”

Home. I wish when he said that, it was one place, not a place where we had to decide to go. Each time I look at Liam I have to hold in the words that dance on the tip of my tongue, begging to spill. Fear strangles me, though. I can’t say them first. He’s hinted that he wants to keep me around for a long time, telling me he doesn’t ever want to let me go. I don’t want to assume the wrong thing. We took this relationship at my pace for a long time, and after I spilled my soul to him, I catapulted into love. Now, I want to take this at his pace. I don’t want to scare him away by uttering those words too soon.

We wave at each other as we head in opposite directions. My daydream is long forgotten when I see The Witch’s car in the parking lot. It’s never good when she arrives before Natasha or I. As I head to my office, I prepare for the verbal beating.

“It took you long enough in the bathroom,” The Witch spits at me as I walk past her door. I look at her, confused.

Natasha pipes up behind me. “I told her you were in the bathroom when she came in this morning.”

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry.” I head into our office, climbing into my desk chair. “Thanks, girl, I owe you one,” I whisper.

“Have your man candy visit with cookies again and we’ll call it even.”

I hold a hand over my mouth to suppress my laughter.

Liam visited my office one time, bringing treats for the entire floor. He even charmed The Witch into eating one. After he swaggered out of my office, she was tolerable for the rest of the day. Each lady fawned over him. I couldn’t blame them. I did the same. There was nothing like seeing muscles and a firm male butt encased in a suit. I fan myself thinking about him.

“Let’s do lunch today,” Natasha whispers over her shoulder.

* * *

“I’m so full,” Natasha says, holding her stomach.

I laugh. “You always eat too many egg rolls.”

“I can’t resist them, they’re so good.”

Natasha and I like to go to the Chinese place next door. It is one of the only restaurants in the area that we can make it to and back in our allotted lunch time. Each of us are leaning against a wall in the elevator as we ascend to our floor.

“The stomachache is so worth it,” Natasha says, still rubbing her stomach.

I laugh again, standing up straight when the elevator dings for our floor. I stride out, Natasha on my heels. We turn toward our office when the receptionist calls out, “I put a delivery on your desk. That man of yours spoils you, child.”

“Thank you, Patty,” I call over my shoulder. My steps pick up their pace a bit. I’m excited to see what Liam sent this time. I’ve tried to explain my boss doesn’t like it, but anytime he sends me something or calls me at the office during the day, my heart races like he’s standing in front of me. Butterflies fill my tummy when I realize he sent something because he’s thinking about me.

The wall facing the hallway of our office is glass. I smile, searching my desk through the glass as we approach, looking for what he sent. When I see the filled vase, my smile falls away and bile fills my throat. I stop, staring at my desk through the window. Natasha runs into my back.

“What are you doing?” she asks. She peeks around my shoulder. “Oh, my gosh! Those are beautiful!”

I’m shaking my head, swallowing repeatedly, trying to keep the bile down. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop the tears that are filling my eyes. Natasha gives me a little shove. I move robotically to our office, and as soon as I’m in the doorway, the pungent smell hits my nostrils, making my stomach roll. I close my eyes, praying I can hold it together.

I grab the blood-red roses off my desk and turn back out of the room. “Tell The Witch I got sick and had to leave immediately.”

Natasha looks at me, confused. “Is everything okay?”

I don’t answer her as I run out of the office and back to the elevator. On the descent, I see the small, white envelop peeking out of the blood-red roses. With a shaking hand, I grab the card, flipping it over.

I’ll see you soon.

* * *

When I reach the parking lot, I race to the bushes at the edge of the lot. I vomit, unable to stop the rolling of my stomach.

Aiden.

He always loved giving me roses, even though I never liked them. The red roses sitting on my parents’ counter is one of the last things I remember before he knocked me unconscious and kidnapped me. I’ve never been able to stand the smell or sight of them since.

I’ll see you soon.

He found me. He’s coming. How is he out of prison? I was supposed to be notified of any changes. I was supposed to be notified if he was up for parole. I get sick again in the bushes. My hand is still clutching the vase. When I stand back up, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. The hair on the back of my neck rises. I close my eyes, trying to get the feeling that he’s here watching me, to pass. This can’t be happening.

I look around the parking lot. I stride toward the dumpster, determined. I launch the vase filled with the roses over the top and into the dumpster. Fuck you, Aiden. You’ll see me soon? I’ll be fucking waiting. I’m bouncing back and forth between fear, confusion, and rage. I run to my car, scanning the parking lot the entire time.

As soon as I speed out of the parking lot, I call Liam. His phone goes to voicemail. When the message beeps after prompting to leave a message, I freeze. This isn’t something I can leave on his voicemail. I hang up, remembering that he would be in meetings most of the day. I point my car toward home, hoping to find some clarity and form a plan. I need to figure out what is going on. I need to confirm he was released. I keep the ID number I’ve never been able to memorize with important documents on my desk. That ID number was my unique case number.

I pull into the driveway, jumping out of the car, running up the porch. I’m digging for my house keys in my purse. I freeze when my foot kicks something over. Rage and confusion leave my system, only leaving fear. I turn, looking up and down the street. There is not a soul or car in sight, but I feel like I’m being watched again. Tears sting my eyes. I breathe deeply, trying to keep it under control. I lean down, not bothering to pick up the vase or spilling roses. I just want the card.

It’s not very nice to throw away gifts, my love.

I can’t wait to see you. I promise it will be soon.

I run to the railing of our porch, dry heaving over the side. I have nothing left in my stomach. There’s no way I can go inside. He knows where I live. I can’t stand in the open, waiting for the police. I have to get out of here. What if he is in there, waiting for me? I look up and down the street again before racing to my car. I peel out of the driveway, calling Liam again. I slam my hand on the steering wheel when it goes to voicemail again. I calm my breaths and wipe my tears before I call his secretary.

When Rachel answers the phone, I ask, “Is Liam in a meeting?”

“Savannah! How are you girl?”

“I’m okay.” I clear my throat. “Is he in a meeting?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Is he in a meeting?” It is taking every ounce of willpower I possess to hold back the tears that are straining to break free.

“Yes, doll. He is. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Please tell him to call me when he’s out.”

“Sur–” I hang up before I hear the rest of her reply.

I drive toward Harper’s store, needing to warn her and keep her safe. When I turn onto the street, it occurs to me that Aiden could be following me. I could be leading him to one of the most important people in my life. I pass by her store, not even slowing down, hoping he doesn’t know I have a roommate. And, that he knows nothing about her.

I dial Harper’s number, and she answers on the first ring. “Harper,” I cry.

“Savannah? What is it?”

“My ex. He’s out of prison. Don’t go home.”

“What?” she shrieks.

I quickly tell her that he sent me flowers, telling me he’d see me soon.

“I’m going to close for the day. Where are you going? Liam’s?”

“He’s in a meeting. I haven’t been able to tell him yet. I’m going to the gym. Meet me there.”

James is one of the most important people in my life, too, but he’s also one of the bravest I’ve ever met. I don’t fear what could happen to him. James would look death in the eye and death would run the other way.

When I park at the gym, I look at myself in the visor mirror and try to wipe away the mascara coating under my eyes. I take a few deep breaths, looking out the window to scan the lot. I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that I’m being watched.

I run inside the gym. James is standing at the front desk. He looks up when I open the door. His mouth starts to form a smile until he sees my face more clearly. The edges of that smile quickly form into an intense scowl. He marches over to me, nodding toward his office. Tears pool in my eyes as I nod.

I lead the way into his office, James close behind me. He shuts the door firmly behind him. I sit on his brown leather sofa on the opposite side of the room from his desk. He leans against the door.

“Is this about Liam?”

I shake my head, and his tense shoulders sag the tiniest bit. “Talk,” he demands.

“Your way with words is truly amazing,” I say around my tears, trying to keep a remnant of myself. “You should be a poet.”

“Savannah, talk. Now,” he growls.

I nod. “My ex. Aiden. He’s back.” I break down, my head falling to my hands as sobs wrack my body.

James comes to my side, putting an arm around me. “How do you know?”

I tell him everything from both flower deliveries, Liam being in meetings without a phone, and my demand that Harper meet me here. James takes it all in silently. His body is coiled so tightly. “Look at me, Savannah.”

I look up at him.

“Find that rage you found in my ring. We knew this day would come. It’s here. You’re a fucking fighter. Your spine is steel, remember that. Channel that fear and turn it into rage. You can protect yourself. I will protect you. Liam will protect you. Don’t forget who you are. Don’t forget what you found in that ring and what you have with Liam.”

I nod, tears still streaming down my face. James cups my face, wiping them away. He kisses my forehead before standing. “I’m going to wait out front for Harper. I’ll send your girl back here when she gets here. Tell Liam you’re here.”

I pull my phone from my pocket. I send him a text.

Now, I wait.