Free Losing Control by Summer Mackenzie Page B

happened before, he had never called me into his office, and in fact he hardly ever met people there. If Ryker had to meet someone it was usually in the conference room. Most people knew to stay away when he was locked up in that office of his, because half the time he was in it, he wasn’t a very pleasant person. Naturally, I was concerned that it might be my turn this time, and that he would be rude to me as well. On a day like today, that would be just awful. But the assistant didn’t even respond to my question, she just turned and went back to her desk, leaving me no option but to do as I was asked.
    When I stepped into his office, Thorne was immersed in some files on his desk. There was a pen in his hand and he was actually writing with it, instead of having someone else do it for him.
    “Hi,” I said, wondering if that was the appropriate greeting for the boss.
    Thorne looked up from his papers.
    “Please sit,” he said, in a tone that was clearly business.
    My legs started shaking uncontrollably for no reason at all. My fingers started fidgeting and I had to stop myself. Thorne closed the file and his attention was on me, his eyes calculating, watching my every move. “How’s work?” he asked.
    Small talk? Seriously?
    “Work is great,” I stammered, as if I could say anything else considering how new I was and how that was never the right response to your employer’s generic questioning, he was obviously just trying to be nice. Besides, there was nothing major to complain about.
    “Are you sure?” he said. “Because I doubt any kind of work can be great .”
    That’s when my mind went haywire. Was everything okay? Why was he asking me about work? Did he know something I didn’t? Had someone said something about me? Registered a complaint perhaps? What if that was true? What if he had called me in here to tell me my assistance was no longer required? What if he really didn’t like getting involved with the whole thing with Nick yesterday? I mean, that had to be incredibly unprofessional right?
    “What I mean is,” I began. “Things are good. I think I’m getting along well…unless you’ve heard something?”
    He looked at me for a second, not getting what I was trying to say at first, but then he understood. “No,” he said. “Nothing like that! I’m sorry…there’s nothing to be afraid of. You’re fine…we’re happy with your performance. Really, there is nothing to worry about.”
    Relief swept through me.
    “Glad to hear it,” I said.
    “I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Thorne said. “I hope that guy didn’t bother you again.”
    Oh , I thought.
    That guy , I thought.
    “No,” I said. “I’m fine. It’s fine…I mean Nick; he’s not dangerous or anything. He was just angry and I know he went overboard, but I know him. He’s not going to hurt me, at least not in the way you think.”
    Thorne didn’t seem convinced.
    “Look I can get you help,” he said. “A lawyer… security detail, anything you need. I can talk to some friends of mine at the precinct if you want.”
    “No! That’s fine. Really.”
    “Okay but if it ever gets out of hand, you will tell me right? You have no idea what people are capable of.”
    I wondered if that was supposed to mean something to me. Also, I had to wonder for just a moment whether Thorne was speaking about himself, telling me in a subtle way that I should be careful. Well, he had nothing to worry about.
    “I will, thank you,” I said. “But there’s nothing to worry about.”
    He didn’t look convinced. “One of my friends,” Thorne said. “She was like a sister to me. She used to be in a difficult relationship. The guy started giving her trouble when they separated. I just felt maybe you might be in trouble too.”
    Why was he trying to explain this?
    “I’m sorry about your friend,” I said.
    “Nothing to be sorry about,” he said. “She married this amazing guy last year. They have a baby on the way.