Chapter 2 - THE MAN EVERYONE FEARED
Nobody moved.
For several seconds, the entire ballroom seemed frozen.
Nathaniel stood beside me with one hand resting casually in his trouser pocket.
His other hand remained near my shoulder, the edge of his coat still wrapped around me.
Daniel finally spoke.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
Nathaniel smiled.
It wasn't a friendly smile.
“That's unfortunate.”
Daniel swallowed.
Madeline stepped forward.
“Daniel?”
He looked at her.
“It's not what it looks like.”
I almost laughed.
Those were the exact words every liar used when the truth had already entered the room.
Madeline looked at me.
“Who is she?”
Daniel said nothing.
Nathaniel answered for him.
“Her name is Elena Hart.”
My heart skipped.
He knew my name.
I turned toward him.
“How do you know me?”
“Because I've been watching Blackridge's payroll department for six months.”
My stomach tightened.
“That doesn't answer my question.”
“It will.”
He looked at Daniel.
“You told Elena you were single.”
Daniel's face changed.
Nathaniel continued.
“You told her you were serious.”
Daniel said nothing.
“You kissed her.”
Silence.
Madeline's face went white.
“You kissed her?”
Daniel finally snapped.
“I was going to end it.”
I stared at him.
“End what?”
He looked at me.
“Elena…”
“No.”
My voice shook.
“You don't get to say my name like we're still friends.”
He stepped toward me.
Nathaniel moved slightly.
Not aggressively.
Just enough.
Daniel stopped.
Nathaniel's voice was quiet.
“You will remain where you are.”
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“This is between Elena and me.”
“No.”
Nathaniel looked at him.
“It stopped being between you and Elena the moment you used her access badge to enter restricted Blackridge records.”
My blood ran cold.
I stared at Daniel.
“What?”
He looked away.
Nathaniel continued.
“You didn't court her because you liked her.”
Daniel's silence answered for him.
My chest tightened.
“What did you want?”
Daniel finally looked at me.
“You weren't supposed to know.”
Nathaniel glanced at me.
“Now we're getting somewhere.”
I stepped out from beneath his coat.
“What did he want?”
Nathaniel caught my wrist gently.
“Not here.”
“I want to know.”
Daniel looked frightened.
That frightened me more than anything.
Because Daniel Reeves had never looked afraid of anyone.
Not until tonight.
Nathaniel leaned toward me.
“If you want answers, stay with me.”
“Why?”
“Because the people who hired him know you're standing here.”
I froze.
“What people?”
He didn't answer.
Instead, Nathaniel looked toward Grant Holloway.
“Mr. Holloway.”
Grant stiffened.
“Yes?”
“Your employee has been accessing financial files he wasn't authorized to see.”
Grant's face changed.
“What files?”
Nathaniel named several accounts.
Grant looked at Daniel.
“Is that true?”
Daniel said nothing.
Grant's expression darkened.
“Daniel.”
“I can explain.”
“No,” Nathaniel said. “You can't.”
Two men appeared near the ballroom entrance.
Nathaniel's security.
They didn't carry visible weapons.
They didn't need to.
Everyone knew who they worked for.
Nathaniel looked at me.
“Come with me.”
I shook my head.
“I don't even know you.”
His expression softened slightly.
“That's fair.”
He removed a small black card from his pocket and handed it to me.
“My private number.”
I stared at it.
“Why?”
“Because tonight isn't the first time someone has tried to get close to you.”
My heart pounded.
“What are you saying?”
Nathaniel lowered his voice.
“Your apartment was searched three nights ago.”
I stopped breathing.
“How do you know?”
“Because my men arrived afterward.”
I stared at him.
“You searched my apartment?”
“No.”
He looked directly into my eyes.
“I made sure nobody searched it again.”
I couldn't speak.
Nathaniel glanced toward the doors.
“We need to leave.”
“Why?”
He looked over my shoulder.
I followed his gaze.
A man near the bar was watching me.
The moment our eyes met, he turned away.
May you like
Nathaniel's expression hardened.
“Because the person who has been looking for you just realized I found you first.”
