Page 14

“You need some air and a change of scenery. Grab your other box of puzzles. We will have lunch and you can do your puzzle while I work.”

Her eyes scan mine for a second.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” There’s that vulnerability again.

“I’m sure. Come on,” I say, getting up, and she gets up with me.

“Let me wash my face and I will be right out.”

I nod and leave the room.

Ice is quick to jump up. “What happened? Is she okay?” Concern is written all over him, which surprises me.

“She’ll be fine, but I’m taking her to the office with me, so you are coming with us.”

“Okay. Is that safe?”

“She needs some air, and you can get a breather.”

He nods. I toss the keys at him. Alexis comes out a few minutes later, her face still a bit puffy from all the crying but better. She has changed clothes to dress pants that show her curves and a long sleeve black shirt with her gym shoes. My eyes peruse her body and back to the shoes that don’t match her outfit and her backpack.

“We will get you some shoes.”

She nods. “Can the bag stay?” I ask. She shakes her head. “Okay.” It’s still her hold to normalcy and flight assurance. I take my blazer off and drape it on her. No one will see her, but I’m not taking any chances. “You know what to do,” I say to Ice.

We leave the unit and follow Ice through the back doors. We swap cars and take the pickup truck, putting her in the back tinted cabin. We drive to the building and go under the passageway before taking the elevator back up. She’s quiet through it all. We arrive at my office with her in tow. My PA openly admires her, asshole is not hiding it. I turn a scowl at him. He raises an arched brow at my action, but I’m not backing down. He needs to back off.

“Any messages?” My tone is harsh and very much intended.

“No, boss,” he answers, while keeping his eyes on her. I pull her close to me and head to my office without introducing her.

“You can set up over there.” I point to the two-seater sofa and two individual armrest chairs with a center table, a corner in my office. I never use the space and just this once, I’m glad it’s available to her. She curls up on the sofa and uses one of the pillows as a headrest, my jacket as cover, while clinging to her backpack.

I watch her lying there. It’s clear that she’s mentally tired. I leave her in my office and step out to speak to Grayson.

“Is the sofa delivered yet?” I ask.

“It’s on its way to your unit. I was going to come and ask for access to get in.”

“I’ll have Ice meet the delivery there.”

“Okay, boss.”

“And Grayson, next time you look at her the way you did earlier, I’ll pluck your eyes out of the socket with my fingers, making sure you feel the pain,” I firmly state.

“Sorry, boss, it won’t happen again. Who is she?”

“None of your damn business. Now log into the Amazon account and bring me the iPad.”

I return to my office and find her setting up the puzzle. She’s probably restless.

“What would you like for lunch?” I ask, taking a seat across from her, watching as she turns each piece over.

“A turkey sandwich, chipotle sauce, and no onions would be fine,” she answers without lifting her head from the task.

I go to my desk to call Grayson. He comes in with the iPad, and I instruct him to order her sandwich. Once he’s out, I bring the iPad to her.

“Order your toiletries and a few gym shoes. I’ll have Emily come over with more shoes tomorrow.”