Empire of Sin (Empire #2) by Rina Kent

“But you can. Anytime, beautiful.”

“Pervert.”

“I won’t deny the charge.”

“The harassment charge, you mean?”

“I beg to differ.”

“Well, isn’t that how harassment in the workplace happens? A higher-up bullies an employee to do their sexual bidding.”

“But does said employee wait for their boss in a dark room while only wearing lace panties and dripping in them with the anticipation of being fucked?”

My cheeks go up in flames at the retelling of one of the times I waited for him in only my panties. I don’t know what came over me then. I just wanted to see that lusty look in his eyes and feel the way he couldn’t seem to get enough of me.

I ended up bent over on the floor and fucked so thoroughly that I couldn’t move.

“I suppose not,” I murmur.

“Does that mean you’re going to show me your tits now? Or your cunt? Maybe both?”

My fingers itch and burn, and I do want it. I want to get naked for him and watch the darkening of his golden eyes.

But before I can get on board with that crazy idea, the door to his office busts open and Daniel strides in.

“Stop sending me blonde fucking hookers, you bloody wanker. There were two of them last night.”

I freeze, but Knox simply smirks. “There will be three today.”

“What the fuck?”

“Four tomorrow. By the weekend, you’ll have an army of them.”

“Do you have a fucking death wish?”

“Apparently, you do. So I’ll kill you slowly with blonde hookers.”

I try to suppress my laughter and that alerts Daniel to my presence, because his head whips in my direction. His eyes narrow on me, then back on Knox. “Wait a minute. Is it because of her?”

Knox purses his lips but says nothing.

Daniel throws his weight on the chair in front of Knox, seemingly a bit calmer. “I see. If you don’t like me making a move on your girl, all you have to do is say so. There’s no need to be a dick.”

My cheeks heat at that. Or, more specifically, the part where he called me Knox’s girl.

I’m not, right?

“I did tell you, but you didn’t listen, so the hookers are your punishment until further notice.”

“Oh, fuck you.” He tilts his head to the side toward me. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind? I’m a way better fuck than he is.”

Knox stands abruptly, so abruptly that I push back against the sofa, startled.

“Repeat that one more time and I’ll beat you the fuck up, then I’ll pay a dozen blonde hookers to wank you in your sleep. Don’t test my fucking patience.”

Instead of being mad, Daniel’s lips pull in a wide grin. “My, my, Van Doren. Isn’t this fucking interesting?”

“Get out.”

“Not when it’s getting juicy. Should I order my best man suit?”

I swallow, my heart hammering at what he’s insinuating. I stand up so fast, the room starts spinning for a bit, but I plant my feet firmly on the ground. “I…I’m going back to the IT department.”

Knox is about to say something, but I can’t listen to him in my disheveled state or with the way my heart threatens to jump out of my ribcage.

And the feeling doesn’t go away for the rest of the day, not when I’m working or having lunch with Gwen and Chris, and definitely not when I go home alone.

Knox sends me a text that he’s having a late work meeting and will go to his apartment tonight before coming over.

So that gives me a long time on my own. Hours, to be specific. I should probably sleep them off until he comes along.

Jeez.

Since when did he become the highlight of my day? As I slip the key into the door of my apartment, I can feel the gloominess of being alone in this place.

Is this even healthy anymore?

Mom used to tell me that love is a game one will always lose and I’m starting to realize exactly what those words mean.

Though, this isn’t love.

No, nope. We’re merely fuck buddies.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

The moment I open the door and step inside, the hairs on my nape stand on end. And it’s not because Knox isn’t here.

It’s something darker, sharper, and much more nefarious.

My blood roars with the need to run, to disappear and never come back.

My feet shift in place and I turn around to do just that, but a hand shoots out from the darkness and slams the door shut.

The faintly accented voice makes my stomach drop. “Long time no see, Anastasia.”





25





ANASTASIA





Everything I’ve worked for crumbles and splinters into a million pieces right before my eyes.

And all I can do is watch.

For a few seconds, anyway, as the reality of being found strikes me to my bones, crushes them, and leaves me with no air.

But the moment I can breathe again, the second oxygen burns my lungs, I lunge toward the door. I just need to run, to hide. If I disappear properly, they won’t be able to find me this time.

They won’t—

A hand wraps around my wrist with brute force and I’m helpless, absolutely powerless when that same force yanks me back.

I stumble and nearly fall on my face, but the same hold keeps me upright with effortless ease. As if this is a normal occurrence for them. Who am I kidding? It is normal.