Warning

Chapter Ten

Martina’s POV 

The address leads me to a part of the city I’ve never stepped foot in before.

I walk faster, clutching the suitcase in one hand and the card in the other, my eyes scanning every building number I pass. My heels click against the pavement, each step echoing my racing thoughts.

Don’t be late, don’t mess this up.

Finally, I stop.

This is it.

A tall glass building rises in front of me, its reflective surface gleaming under the morning sun. People move in and out of it like they belong—confident, composed, important.

I swallow. Then step inside.

The cool air-conditioning hits me instantly, sending a slight chill through my body. The lobby is massive, spotless, intimidating. My reflection flashes briefly on the marble floor, reminding me again that I don’t quite fit here.

I walk up to the reception desk.

“Good morning,” I say, trying to sound steady. “I’m here to see—” I quickly glance at the card. “—Mr. Collins.”

The receptionist looks up, her expression professional but distant. “Do you have an appointment?”

“I’m here on behalf of Mr. Herrick,” I reply, hoping the name carries weight.

It does.

Her posture shifts slightly.

“Oh. One moment.”

She makes a quick call, her voice low, then hangs up and gestures politely. “You can go up. Third floor, last office on the right.”

“Thank you.”

I nod and turn, heading toward the elevator. My reflection greets me again in the mirrored walls inside, and this time I don’t look away.

You can do this.

The doors slide open.

Third floor.

I step out, my heart pounding louder with every step I take down the quiet hallway. The building is so silent up here, it almost feels like the walls are watching.

Last office, I stop in front of the door.

Take a breath, Then knock.

“Come in.”

The voice is deep.

I push the door open and step inside.

A man sits behind a large desk, flipping through some documents. He looks up the moment I enter, his eyes landing on me—and staying there.

Longer than necessary.

I feel it immediately.

“I’m Martina,” I say quickly, stepping forward and placing the suitcase down carefully. “I’m here on behalf of Mr. Herrick.”

Something flickers across his face.

He leans back in his chair, folding his arms slowly.

“Herrick sent you?” he repeats.

“Yes, sir.”

Silence stretches.

Then—

A slow smile spreads across his lips.

“Well… this is unexpected.”

My fingers tighten slightly at my sides.

“Is there something you’d like me to do?” I ask, keeping my tone professional despite the unease creeping up my spine.

He doesn’t answer immediately.

Instead, his eyes travel over me again—calculating this time.

Uncomfortable.

Then he gestures lazily toward the chair in front of him.

“Sit.”

The word is simple.

But something about the way he says it makes my stomach twist.

Still—

He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk.

“Let’s see,” he says slowly. “What exactly did Herrick send you here to do…”

His smile deepens.

“…and what you’re willing to do to get it done.”

My spine stiffens There it is.

That tone.

That implication.

I keep my face neutral, even as my fingers curl slightly against my palm.

“I’m here to carry out whatever instructions relate to Mr. Herrick’s business,” I say carefully, each word measured. “Nothing more.”

For a second, the man just looks at me.

Then he chuckles.

Low. Amused.

“Straight to the point,” he says, leaning back again. “I like that.”

I don’t respond.

I can feel it—the way the air has shifted, like I’m being tested, weighed, pushed.

He reaches for a file on his desk and taps it lightly.

“Relax,” he adds casually. “This is business.”

My shoulders ease… just a little.

He slides the file across the desk toward me.

“Open it.”

I hesitate for half a second before pulling it closer and flipping it open. Inside are neatly arranged documents—contracts, printed emails, figures I don’t fully understand at first glance.

My eyes scan quickly.

Trying.

Keeping up.

“This is a partnership agreement,” he explains. “Herrick and I have been going back and forth on a few terms.”

I nod slowly, forcing myself to focus.

“Your job,” he continues, “is simple. You take this back to him with my revisions.”

Simple.

I almost let out a breath of relief—

Until he adds—

“But…” My eyes lift, he’s watching me again.

Carefully.

“There’s one condition.”

Of course there is.

“What condition?” I ask.

He smiles slightly, tapping his fingers against the desk.

“I don’t finalize anything without assurance,” he says. “Herrick knows that.”

My grip tightens on the file.

“What kind of assurance?”

Instead of answering directly, he leans forward again, his gaze locking onto mine.

“Stay,” he says.

My heart skips.

“Sir?”

“Have lunch with me,” he clarifies, his tone light—but his eyes aren’t. “We talk. We get comfortable. Then I sign.”

The meaning sits there.

Clear.

Heavy.

Unavoidable.

My stomach twists.

“I’m not authorized to—” I start.

“Then call him,” he interrupts smoothly. “Ask your boss if this deal is worth an hour of your time.”

Silence fills the room.

I stare at the file in front of me, my thoughts spinning.

One hour.

For a signature.

For something that clearly matters to Herrick.

My first assignment.

My first mistake… or my first success.

My fingers tighten around the edge of the file.

If I refuse… I could fail or better still lose the job.

Lose everything I just got.

If I agree…

My chest tightens.

I don’t even want to finish that thought.

The man leans back, completely relaxed, like he already knows I’m trapped.

“Clock’s ticking,” he says lightly.

I inhale slowly. Then exhale.

And finally

I reach for my phone.

“Fine,” I say quietly. “I’ll call him.”

My fingers tighten slightly around my phone as I dial his number.

It rings once.

Twice

Then he picks up.

Almost immediately.

Like he’s been expecting it.

“Why are you calling?” Herrick’s voice comes through—cold, sharp, impatient.

I swallow, straightening unconsciously. “Sir… I’m with Mr. Collins. He—he says he won’t finalize the agreement unless I stay for lunch with him.”

There’s a brief silence on the line.

Then—

A sharp hiss of annoyance.

“I didn’t send you there to have lunch,” Herrick snaps. “Or to keep anyone company.”

My grip tightens on the phone.

“Start coming back,” he continues, his tone final. “I don’t think I need his help anymore.”

The words settle heavily.

Just like that.

Decision made.

“Okay, sir,” I reply quietly.

The call ends.

I lower the phone slowly, my heartbeat still uneven, but there’s also something else now—

Relief.

I don’t have to stay.

I don’t have to play along.

I push the chair back and stand up, holding the file firmly.

“I’ll be leaving now,” I say, keeping my voice steady.

The room goes still.

Too still.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Mr. Collins’ voice cuts through the silence, no longer amused.

I let out a small scoff, unable to hold it back this time.

“My boss says I don’t have to stay,” I reply, meeting his gaze directly.

For a split second, something dark flickers in his eyes.

Then he leans back slowly, his expression shifting into something colder.

“And you think I’ll just let you walk out of here like that?” he asks.

The air changes instantly.

My fingers tighten around the file, my pulse quickening as a sudden unease creeps up my spine.

I turn quickly, my heart already racing, and head straight for the door.

Every step feels too loud, too fast.

I just need to get out.

I reach for the handle—

But before my fingers can even touch it, a hand slams against the door, blocking it shut.

My breath catches. Slowly, I turn.

Mr. Collins is standing right behind me.

Too close, Way too close.

The playful amusement from earlier is gone. What’s left on his face now is something darker. Something that makes my stomach twist.

“Let me go,” I say, my voice firmer this time, even though my pulse is pounding wildly. “I’m not here for this.”

For a moment, he just stares at me.

Then, without warning, he lifts his hand.

My body tenses instantly.

His fingers hover near my face… then lightly brush against my cheek.

I freeze.

Disgust shoots through me, sharp and immediate.

I jerk back, my eyes flashing. “Don’t touch me—”

Before I can finish—

The door suddenly swings open.

Hard.

The force of it makes both of us turn.

And then I see him.

My breath stops.

Of all people—

Him?

What the hell is he doing here?

And why now… of all times?

My heart slams violently against my chest as shock floods through me.

What the fuck.