Page 60 of Chandelier Enthralled
My face flushed. I hated myself for thinking it.
There was truth in his words.
Maybe Cameron was right, maybe I didn’t belong in the world where others refused to see me as their equals or even refused to give me a chance.
He snarled. “Want some tea?”
Only this guy could make a pleasant offer sound sinister.
I blinked at him. “You researching me is creepy.”
“This is a newsroom.”
“Do you normally dig around on new hires?”
“You are the story.”
I shook my head. “Don’t go there.”
“Your family’s famous.”
“That has nothing to do with you.” And honestly, this was a bad move on his part. One more word and I’d consider going to HR for bullying. Only, they’d probably fire him, and I’d never get over the guilt.
“Your brother is involved in some very interesting endeavors.”
Here it comes, that strange feeling of vulnerability. That awful sense that the world knew you when you hardly knew yourself. I’d been kept out of the news for the most part, but there was always someone excavating to gain leverage. I’d been protected from it—to a point.
But here I was, front and center, so that I, too, could experience the world like everyone else. Even if that was the lie, I told myself.
“You’ve gone quiet,” he said, jabbing a finger at me.
“Honestly, I don’t talk to the press.” I raised my hand up to placate him. “Ironic, I know, that I want to work in this field. But please, respect my boundaries.”
The sweet scent of doughnuts lingered in the air, but it quickly turned nauseating, souring the moment. I hated the thought that he knew anything about me. This creepy man, dripping with jealousy, unsettled me.
I let out a frustrated huff.
“Being a Cole got you the job. But now you must prove yourself.”
“You knew who I was the day I arrived. How?”
He hated me before he’d even met me.
He stepped closer, close enough to touch me. “Your family’s the story. Which makes you the story now.”
How dare Chad threaten my family.
I turned to leave.
“A journalist was on a story that involved a member of your family,” said Chad. “Then he turned up dead.”
My heart twisted to think he’d believe we had anything to do with this. His comment was not even deserving of a response. “I have to get back to my desk.”
“Cameron Cole moves in the same circles.”
A silent panic constricted my chest. “What circles?”
“The same circles as criminals.”
