4

The penthouse was quiet when I got there. I walked through and checked everything one more time. I made sure the flowers were fresh and the minibar was stocked and the pillows were fluffed. Everything looked perfect.

I stood in the middle of the room and looked around. My phone buzzed.

I pulled it out. Shane. ‘Need you home early tonight. Ordering pizza.’ – Shane

I stared at the message. Shane never ordered pizza. He always complained about the cost.

I typed back. ‘I will try. Gala prep is busy.’

‘Try harder.’ – Shane

I set the phone down and pressed my palms against the counter and closed my eyes. I was so tired. My head ached and my feet hurt.

I opened my eyes and picked up the phone and went back to work.

The morning passed in a blur of checklists and phone calls. I coordinated with housekeeping and catering and security. I handled a complaint about the noise from the construction next door.

At noon Marcus appeared in the breakroom and handed me a sandwich.

“Adeline,” he said and sat down. “You forgot to eat again.”

I looked at the sandwich. “Thank you.”

“Eat,” he said. “You look like you are going to fall over.”

I unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite. It was turkey and cheese on rye.

“You are a good friend,” I said.

He shrugged. “I try.” He pulled out his own sandwich and we ate without talking much.

After a while he said, “I heard Blackstone is coming tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”

“That is going to be chaos.”

“Probably.”

He nodded and took another bite. “Well, if it gets too crazy, you know where to find me.”

I smiled a little. “I know.”

He finished his sandwich and stood and tossed the wrapper. “I have to get back. Stay safe.”

“I will.”

The afternoon got busier. More calls came in and more checklists. The gala was two days away.

A woman in a sharp blazer found me in the hall. She did not smile.

“Adeline,” she said. “We have a problem.”

I turned. “What kind of problem?”

“The florist sent the wrong arrangements. The centerpieces are not what we ordered.”

I looked at the flowers on the table. They were white roses and eucalyptus and something small and purple.

“They look fine to me,” I said.

“They are not what we ordered. We ordered peonies.” She crossed her arms. “I need you to fix it. I need the right flowers by tomorrow morning.”

I nodded. “I will handle it.”

“See that you do.” She turned and walked away.

I stood there and looked at the flowers. I pulled out my phone and started making calls.

By the time I clocked out I was so tired I could barely stand. Marcus was at his post and he stood when he saw me coming.

“Survived another day,” he said and handed me a cold drink. “For the walk.”

I took it. “Thank you.”

“Get home safe.”

“I will.”

The walk home was cold and dark. I reached my building and climbed the stairs and unlocked the door.

The apartment smelled like pepperoni. Shane was on the couch with a pizza box open on the coffee table and his phone in his hand.

“Late,” he said without looking up.

“I told you I would try.”

“You said you would try. You did not say you would be late.” He set his phone down hard.

I set my bag down and walked to the kitchen. “I am sorry.”

I grabbed a plate and sat down across from him. He watched something on his phone.

I took a slice of pizza and bit into it. It was cold.

“It is cold,” I said.

“Got here an hour ago.”

“You could have waited.”

“I was hungry.” He kept scrolling.

I ate the cold pizza and said nothing.

After a while he looked up. “You are quiet.”

“I am tired.”

“Always tired.” He set his phone down. “Always something.”

He stared at me. “You know, I have been thinking about the money. About how you keep saying it was me who took it.”

“It was you.”

His eyes went flat. “I am warning you.”

“I do not have any money. You took it. You took it and now it is gone.”

He stood up fast. I stood up too. My heart pounded.

“Do not lie to me,” he said and stepped closer.

“I am not lying.”

He grabbed my arm hard and shoved me back until my back hit the wall. His fingers dug in deep.

“Shane please,” I said and tried to pull away.

“Please what?” He shook me once. “I will find out. I always find out.”

He let go of my arm but then grabbed my hair and yanked me toward the bedroom. I stumbled after him. My scalp burned like fire.

“Shane stop,” I said.

He pushed me onto the bed face down. He held me there with all his weight. I felt him pull at my skirt and yank my underwear down hard. The fabric tore.

I tried to push up but he pinned my wrists above my head with one hand. His other hand forced my legs apart.

He forced his cock inside me hard. It burned and stretched me. I cried out loud. He thrust deeper and faster. His hips slapped against my ass.

He grunted heavy in my ear. Sweat dripped from him onto my back. He kept pounding until it felt like he would split me open.

He finished with a groan and pulled out fast. Hot cum leaked down my thighs. He spit on my face. The spit hit my cheek and ran into my mouth.

Then he stood up and left the room. I heard the couch creak as he sat down.

I stayed on the bed and did not move. My body hurt between my legs and my wrists throbbed.