I fiddle with the buttons, putting my fingers between them and teasing that I might just consider tugging and ripping his damn shirt open.
A chuckle leaves him as his smile beams brighter. “Haha, there’s always more shirts. Go?—”
Snap.
Something breaks outside the office window, and I jump back, my eyes going to the glass. Is someone there? Is it that man?
Before I can process what I’m doing, I fling myself back from Easton, my back landing against the wall. My heart is pounding, my breaths rushing in and out of me as panic grips tight.
Oh god, oh god, oh god.
“Hazel, it’s probably nothing.” Easton comes over to me, putting his hands on my arms. “Try to breathe.”
I hear the words he’s saying, but they’re not getting through to my brain. All I can see is that man in the Halloween mask standing over me, his fist reeled back to punch.
I’m going to cry. I’m going to fucking break down and sob.
Shaking my head, I try to force the thoughts away, but it’s not working. I’m not looking at Easton. He’s right in front of me, but I’m staring at nothing, still seeing that damn mask.
Jade. Oh god. Jade is out there alone.
“I-I have to check on Jade. She’s alone. I…”
But I don’t finish, snapping into my body without another word and rushing out of the room to find her.
SIXTEEN
Hazel
The following day, Easton invites me out for a day in town with him and Jade. But I’m too on edge to say yes. I’ve been running over the event from yesterday in my mind again and again.
I’m sure it was nothing. Nothing triggered the security camera or motion detector, and Jade was totally fine when I went to check on her.
Still…
I just need a break. And as much as I’d get one with Easton and Jade today, I also need to think about what was happening in his office.
I’m not sure what to do. Okay, that’s putting it mildly. I’m fucking reeling because half of me wants Easton so badly it hurts, and the other is terrified of getting hurt.
Whether that’s by him or one of Neil’s thugs.
When the house is empty, I pick up my phone from the coffee table and call Olivia.
“Hey, girl. What’s up?”
I smile. Just hearing her voice makes me feel better. “Hey, you want to hang out today?”
“Of course! Meet me for lunch? We can chat for a bit before I’m needed back at the library.”
“Sounds good to me. The same place as always?”
Olivia laughs. “Do you even need to ask?”
Shaking my head to myself, I smile. “No. I’ll meet you there.”
Hanging up, I immediately head up the stairs to shower and get ready. I have a little pocket mace on my keys now, thanks to Easton, and it’s broad daylight.
Between those two things, I should be okay to meet Olivia.
