Page 20 of Money Reigns
And my breath catches.
Warren Beaumont.
He doesn’t step inside. Doesn’t smile.
Just stands there, tall, dark, imposing, his broad frame nearly eclipsing the hallway light behind him. All sharp lines and colder shadows, he towers in the doorway like a warning dressed in a tailored suit.
His eyes land straight on me.
My whole body tenses.
Brody doesn’t seem to notice the shift in temperature. “War, what’s up?”
Warren’s gaze doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink.
“Didn’t know you had company,” he says coolly.
The words are neutral.The tone?Anything but.
“I was just leaving,” I say, already gathering the remains of my lunch, my voice a little too light.
Warren doesn’t budge. He’s like a skyscraper filling a skyline; bigger than he has any right to be.
His eyes flick to the sandwich wrapper in my hand before landing back on my face. Cold. Calculating.
“Beaumont Enterprises has a very clear HR policy about fraternization during work hours.”
The words hit like a slap.
My throat tightens.
“It was just—lunch,” I fumble, heat blooming in my cheeks.
Brody steps in smoothly, his voice cool but clipped. “I know the rules, War.”
There’s something sharper in his tone now. Not friendly. Not deferential.
Warren’s jaw ticks once.
Brody turns to me, gently herding me toward the door. “See you later, Liv.”
I nod quickly, eyes down, my face hot as I head for the exit.
But Warren still doesn’t move.
He’s just there, filling the doorway like a boulder in my path.
I hesitate, pulse stuttering. He doesn’t say a word.
I have to tilt my head back just to meet his eyes.
His eyes drag over me slowly. Judgmental. Displeased.
I shift awkwardly. “Excuse me.”
He shifts slightly to the side.
I edge around him, my shoulder nearly brushing his chest, my breath catching as I finally clear the doorway.
