Page 35 of Property of Yak

It’s weird how things can change so quickly. Last week, I would have been focused on work and not the man who has become my savior and a secret I’m not sure I can keep. He haunts both my dreams and conscious thoughts.

I should heed his warning. Run to my father and tell him I messed up and need protection. I could run away and live somewhere else.

The thought makes me sick, though. I don’t want to leave Jameson. Or I guess Yak, as he told me I need to call him when we aren’t alone.

I should be worried this is a trauma bond. Like in the movie Speed. They develop romantic feelings for one another because of the intense situation they are forced to endure together.

I don’t care what it is. The way my stomach flutters when he is around is more than I have felt for another man in my entire life. It’s what poets write about. The feelings of being so infatuated with another person that you can’t think straight.

I’m there right now. I don’t know if he feels the same, but I am willing to ride this crazy ride to the end.

Besides, he told me he wants to protect me, so who am I to protest?

“Julie, can I see you in my office?” Henry says as he pops his head out of said office.

“Sure.” I grab a notebook and a pen and head inside.

Once the door is closed, Henry gestures to the seat in front of his desk as he takes his chair.

“What can I do for you?” I ask.

He smiles kindly. “It’s not what you can do for me, but what I am going to do for you.”

“Okay…” I trail off.

“We have a mutual friend. He says you might be into some trouble in relation to your connection with him. I don’t want you walking to your car alone anymore. In fact, I’m hiring security for the building, so they will walk you to your car.”

“Wait, what?” I gasp, feeling completely caught off guard.

“I should already have security on board. We work with criminals. While I choose to believe our clients are all innocent until proven guilty, some of them could be dangerous. Honestly, it was an oversight on my part. One that I am rectifying.”

I shake my head. “So, you’re telling me because Ja…I mean, Yak talked to you, I now have a personal bodyguard at work? One that you are paying for?”

He frowns. “We shouldn’t discuss who our mutual friend is. Not here in the office. Never know who you can trust, but no. It’s not a personal bodyguard. It’s security for the building to protect all of the employees.”

“Are you going to make Lisa get walked to her car?” I quirk an eyebrow.

He laughs. “I told him you were spirited. Yes, Julie. Lisa and even Michael will be walked to their cars as well. If you all leave together, you can even walk with each other. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like special treatment made to look like it’s for the good of everyone,” I mutter.

“It was something I hadn’t considered before, and we are now implementing it. I am only telling you in private so you are aware. I will be telling the office by the end of the day.” His tone loses its friendliness as he slips back into the asshole boss I know.

“Understood.” I swallow hard before standing to leave.

“This is a good thing, Julie,” he says as I start to leave.

I don’t respond. How can I?

“Everything okay?” Lisa asks as I drop my stuff off at my desk.

“Yep. I just need some air. I’ll be right back.”

She nods as I head toward the front door. I need to get out of here. My skin feels like it’s tight as my blood pumps through my body. I can’t believe Yak did this. He called my boss and demanded a security guard for me.

What the fiddlesticks?

I fully plan on calling him as soon as I’m outside, but I stop short when I see a man at the front reception. He’s talking to the receptionist so he hasn’t seen me, but I recognize him. He’s the same man who let us through the gate last night at the party.