Page 57 of The Road Less Traveled By

I grab the sides of my chair with my fists, my knuckles turning white from how pissed off I am. This kid can barely handle a fake relationship without cheating on someone, and that someone being Bree is making me angrier. This entire thing has only caused her more stress, and she was doing Alex a favor by helping him clean up his image. He can’t clean it up if he keeps seeing other women on the side. Fuck, this is going to be a nightmare. I’m going to have to call Connie and discuss this at some point. If Alex is going to fuck around on Bree, I’m pretty sure that means he broke the contract. If I can get Bree out of this stupid fake relationship and lessen the stress she’s under, I’ll sleep a lot better at night. Well, I’ll sleep a lot better once I can actually sleep in my own bed and not in front of her door.

“I’ll talk to Connie and Bree about it, but if it was up to me, he wouldn't be on the list.”

“Is that all, boss?” Kenner asks, antsy to get back to hispost.

A knock on the door interrupts what I’m about to say. “Come in.”

Bree’s face pokes around the door as she walks halfway into my makeshift office. “Am I interrupting? I can come back later if—”

“They were just leaving, Bree. Come on in.” I turn my attention back to the boys. “You’re dismissed. Keep an eye on your emails for updates.”

I hear a few murmurs as the four of them get up and leave, Bree smiling as she sits in front of me. I try to shift my attention to anything else—my laptop screen, the papers in front of me—but anytime Bree is near, it’s hard to pull focus from her.

She’s like a light in the dark, brightening every room she walks into. And even though she feels dim right now, she still shines.

I should tell her that.But I remain silent, knowing I would be crossing way too many lines.

“Vince?” I shake out of the haze I was in and look at her. “Did you hear what I said?”

“No. Sorry. What did you want to discuss?”

She smiles at me, but if she notices me staring at her, she doesn't say anything. “Connie told me she emailed you about the event I’m throwing, and I was wondering if you had any questions I could answer.”

I lean forward on my desk, silently wishing it wasn't in between us but thankful that it is. I’m slowly losing control, and the last thing I want to do is make her uncomfortable, especially since my job with her is a means to an end. She knows I’m leaving after it’s done, and I know I’ll walk away.

Rule number fucking six.When my job is done here, I’ll walk away like I always do.

But I’m personally attached to Bree. I know that already, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

“Why now? Why is this event happening while he’s still out there?”

“I’ve been wanting to throw an event for the Mental Health Foundation ever since…ever since it happened. It’s an important cause to me, and I think this event could raise a lot of money and publicity for them.”

God, does she even realize how great of a person she is? Despite going through this horrible time, she’s still thinking about other people instead of herself. “You’re a great person, Bree.”

“I’m not throwing it just to get some good karma. Iactuallycare about bringing more awareness to mental health.”

“I know that. Anyone who knows you, understands that, Bree. I’m just worried. You were shot at a few weeks ago. Remember? Ralph is enlisting other people to do his dirty work for him, and I’m nervous with all the publicity that this won't be safe for you.”

Her shoulders tense up. “But you and your team will be working the event.”

“That’s right.”

“So, I’ll be safe.” She smiles at me, her eyes locking with mine.

My heart starts to beat faster, but I disregard that for now. “As safe as you can be.”

“As long as you're around, I’ll always feel safe.”

Her voice is just above a whisper, almost as if she didn't want me to hear it, but I did. Does she really mean that? I knew she felt safe with me because it’s my job to protect her, but thewayshe said it makes me think there’s another meaning behind it. I want to change the subject because we’re floating into dangerous territory, so I do.

“I didn't see your parents on the list of attendees. Do I need to correct that mistake?”

Bree rolls her eyes when I mention them. “It wasn't a mistake. I haven't spoken to them in almost a year.”

“Oh. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

She just shakes her head. “It’s okay. I cut them off around the same time Liv did.”

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