Page 45 of Emperor of Corruption
Maybe it’s best that he’s gone.
I wait for the sound of the front door to slam shut, but instead, I hear footsteps. My trembling intensifies as Killian appears in the doorway. He’s completely put together, tie straight and posture regal, while I’m falling apart at the seams. I can feel every thread of who I am unraveling, forming a pile of useless knots on the floor.
He holds a suitcase in his hands. My breaths stutter as he approaches the bed, props the suitcase on the side of my mattress, and opens it. He begins gathering the whips and toys, neatly folding them inside. I squeeze my eyes shut and bury my head in my knees. I’m glad he’s taking the mementos of what I endured with him tonight. Now, if only he could also take the memories from my brain, I might actually be able to live with myself.
“Would you like anything?” he asks, closing the suitcase and peering at me. “Tea? A snack?”
I want a hug and a shoulder to cry on; I just don’t want it from you. “I’d like you to leave,” I whisper.
Killian nods thoughtfully. He steps back, picking up the suitcase. “I’ll see you on Saturday. Five thousand words, Lyra. I look forward to reading them.”
The battle to get out of bed the following morning is nearly unbearable. I almost,almostcall in a sick day, but I can’t afford to slack off—not right now. I force myself to go through my morning routine, feeling like I’m a zombie. It’s Friday. I have exactly thirty hours to pull together five thousand words for Killian, not to mention the work I’ll need to do in the office. I have to review several pieces fromjunior staff writers, re-review three articles I wrote last month for final adjustments, and deal with a whole bunch of administrative bullshit.
I have never felt less excited to go into the office. I have never dreaded it more. It’s possible that Killian’s already released the video he made last night, and that anxiety causes my heart to race like I’m running a marathon as I navigate through NYC’s subway system to get to work.
My first step into the office feels like a step on a plank hovering over the deep ocean. I don’t know whether or not I’ll survive this day. I don’t know how to move on from what Killian’s done to me. Ican’tmove on—not until these disastrous eight weeks are up.
Annalise is standing at the elevator. Blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail, grey eyes sparkling, body clad in a sensible work dress that does nothing to detract from her otherworldly beauty.
“Hey,” she greets me with a smile. “Are we still on for drinks tonight?”
I nearly drop to my knees in relief. If Killian had released the tape and circulated it around The Empire Journal, I would be getting a much different greeting from Anna.
When Annalise arches an eyebrow at me, I realize I’m yet to answer her question. I clear my throat. “I’m so sorry—”
“If you’re canceling again, I’ll bepissed,” Anna says, frowning. Even the downturn of her lips and crease between her brows doesn’t make her any less pretty.
“Anna, it’s not that I don’twantto. Mr. King…”ah, fuck, what do I say?I can’t admit that I saw him last night, because she’ll want details, and talking about what happened will send me hurtling into a panic attack. “Mr. King wants a 5k word sample of my work tomorrow during our interview. I got the email about it last night.”
“Oh, shit,” Annalise says sympathetically. “I’m sorry. Yeah, C-suite guys can be a little ridiculous in situations like this. Do you need help brainstorming or a second pair of eyes as you work?”
The elevator arrives, and we both step in. She hits the button for our floor, while I lean against one of the railings hugging the wall, trying to regulate my breathing. “No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Thank you, though. King has just made a ton of unreasonable demands, and I’m scrambling to keep up.”
Anna’s eyes sharpen on me, gaining the hawklike quality that tells me I’ve slipped up. She must’ve heard something in my tone.Fuck.
“What do you mean?” she demands. “Are you okay, Ly? Do you need help?”
I try to laugh it off, though I think my giggle is more shrill than convincing. “I’m good. It’s just… I’ve dealt with high-profile people, but no one as high profile as Killian. I’m still trying to figure out how to handle him best, how to appease him without earning his wrath.”
There. That sounds semi-normal.
Anna’s still frowning when the elevator doors open. “Alright,” she says, but I can hear the doubt in her tone. “Hey, if anything ever happens, you know you can tell me, right? I’ve got your back, no matter what.”
I smile warmly at her, giving her arm a squeeze. “I do.”I wish I could tell you everything. “Thanks, Anna. I’m good.”
She examines me for several moments as we step out of the elevator, then finally gives me a single reluctant nod. “As long as you’re sure.”
We part ways, each heading toward our respective office. I stop in my tracks when I pass Sarah, who offers me a completely out-of-character beam.
“Lyra,” she says. “Just the woman I’ve been looking for.”
Um…what?We haven’t really spoken since the day she made it clear I have no say in the Killian situation. I’ve been avoiding her to give her time to cool down… either she’s cooled down completely, or something’s going on here.
“Killian King reached out to me last night,” she says animatedly.
My heart sinks. I doubt he reached out about the sex tape—otherwise, her greeting to me would come in the form of firing me. No, something else is afoot here, and I’m not sure what it is.
“He sent an email detailing your stellar performance this far. Said he’s never worked with a more enthusiastic journalist, someone who’s committed to putting their best foot forward.”
