"Is this about the Forrester deal?" he asked.
He waited for her answer as if he had all the time in the world. Selina was struck by the innate confidence in who he was. He worked in the mailroom, and delivered packages to the high executives of Inferno. He admitted he had no high ambitions, and no family. Yet, Daniel Stark didn't need to please anyone else. The way he walked, spoke and conducted himself every moment was a tribute to a strong man - a man who knew exactly who he was and what he wanted. The mystery nibbled at her subconscious and teased her to solve the puzzle.
Selina ached for his opinion. She wondered if she could word her dilemma in a way that wouldn't cause him to call the psychiatric ward. "I hit a wall," Selina admitted. "And I'm not sure how to proceed."
He nodded and crossed his arms in front of his muscled chest. "How about you talk and I listen? Maybe I'll see the missing piece."
Selina struggled to make sense of her thoughts. "I've told you how bad I want that promotion. My boss basically informed me if I close the Forrester deal, I gain the promotion. I choke, I stay put for the next few years and hope for another opportunity. Problem is, I discovered something about Forrester. Something almost impossible for me to overlook, let alone be able to work with."
"Is it a problem you can take to the higher ups?" Daniel asked shrewdly. "If it's something that skates on illegal, you can show just cause of why you couldn't close the deal, and that wouldn't affect your promotion."
"I have no proof," she said. "His word against mine. This is something only I know and can't forget."
"What if you walk away?"
She sighed and rubbed her neck muscles. "If I walk away, I can put Tom in lead and he may close the deal. But Forrester would be our big client, and unless I move off the team, I'd still have to deal with him. Come in contact. I don't know if it will work."
"Can you transfer to another team?"
"Not if I want to save my career and what I've been working for."
Daniel's eyes glittered. "Is there a way to fight him?"
"I don't think so," she said softly. "I need to make a decision today."
A few beats of silence passed as he concentrated. Maybe he would tell her what to do. Daniel may not know any details, but she almost craved someone to make the choice for her.
"If you've run out of time, go with your gut."
She blinked. "That's it? Go with my gut? My gut is confused and doesn't know what the hell to do."
Daniel tossed her a grin like they were conversing about a ballgame rather than her entire career. "Yes it does. You just need to listen to it."
Selina let out an impatient breath. "What if my gut is wrong, genius?"
His face lit up with an inner knowledge and confidence that touched a chord deep inside. "It's never wrong. It's just a choice. Decide what you can live with. There's no right or wrong path. There usually never is, because life is rarely in black and white. Only gray areas. What choice will keep you up at night, sick, regretful? Once you know that, you pick the other one."
The philosophy struck her with its utter simplicity. Daniel was right. There was no right or wrong choice, only her choice. She hated all of her options, but had learned in life there were no guarantees of any path chosen.
Selina shook her head and laughed. "You're amazing. You work in the frickin' mailroom, and you know more about life than any man I've ever met. Who are you?"
Grief carved out his face as he fought the demons. "Do you really want to know?"
Electricity sizzled and jumped between them. The easy banter changed into something deeper, as his eyes burned with a sensual demand she knew and recognized. So familiar. "Yes."
He nodded, as if he had made his final decision. "Then invite me to dinner."
Heat tingled down her spine. A throbbing ache pulsed between her thighs as she realized he was ready to make a move and deepen their relationship. Was she ready? She was in love with Dante. Had given her body to him completely a few nights ago. But Dante wasn't real. Daniel stood before her, flesh and blood, ready to make a leap into the unknown. He had more courage than her superhero in many ways. Could she take the jump with him?
"Come to dinner." The invitation ripped from her throat in a husky whisper. Her heart pounded so loud she swore he heard, especially when a slight smile curved his lips.
"I'll be there at seven."
He rose from the chair and walked out of her office without a backward glance.
Selina's hands trembled as she grasped the contract. She closed her eyes to steady her breath, then reached for the phone. "Tom, come into my office. I have news."
She replaced the receiver.
It was done.
Selina let herself into her apartment and kicked off her heels, wincing at the pain in her arches. She shrugged out of her jacket and hung it neatly in the closet. Then made her way into the kitchen to pour a much-needed glass of wine.
Tom was now lead and would take care of Forrester. She explained as much as she could to her co-worker, even hinting that Forrester had made inappropriate moves, but closing the deal was paramount to Inferno. Tom had even fought with her on the decision, proving himself a loyal teammate, but she knew she had no other options. She refused to work with Forrester, and stepped off the team.
As the promotion slipped away, the knowledge that she'd chosen correctly settled in her gut. If she was demoted, so be it. She planned on speaking to her boss in the morning and giving him as much information as possible. Maybe he'd understand. Maybe he wouldn't.
She had played her hand the best she could.
Her step lightened as she hummed under her breath and uncorked a bottle of Pinot Grigio. The night of the attack, she believed her life was over. Dante had given her back the freedom to feel safe. Daniel had given her the freedom to choose and be strong enough to deal with the consequences. She shook her head as she thought about the two incredible men who had changed the woman she was.
A noise echoed from the back room.
Selina paused mid-sip and listened. Silence greeted her, but a strange fear prickled her nerve endings. She tried to force herself to relax, but suddenly the apartment felt dangerous. Almost as if she wasn't the only one in her own house.
Feeling ridiculous, she moved towards the living room to pick up her phone. Maybe if she had the receiver in hand ready to dial someone, she'd feel better. Selina scooped it up and carried it back in the kitchen, smirking at her uneasiness. How many times had she watched horror films and yelled for the lead actress to get the phone? Damned if she'd act stupid in her own life. Of course, she still had moments of fear and jumpiness from the attack. Maybe they'd never truly go away.
A squeak. Was that a footstep?
Hell, she'd had enough. Who cares if she lost her pride? She was starting to freak out and her gut squeezed. Selina hit the dial tone and began to press 911, not caring as long as she had the ability to get the police there in an instant.
No dial tone.
Dread slithered and struck. For a moment she froze, unable to move. Her ears drummed with a strange roaring. Her cell phone. In her purse. Move her mind screamed. Move now!
Selina ran toward the door.
Forrester stepped in front of her.
A scream ripped from her mouth. He moved quickly and the trauma of her past attack caused her bones to rattle like a skeleton as terror nailed her to the floor. He spun her around and held a knife to her neck, his breath hot and rancid as it blew across her cheek. "So you wanna play games?" he crooned, tightening his hold. "I like games. Especially the ones we're going to play tonight."
A sob tore out of her throat. A fast whirlwind of images flew past her vision. Men ripping at her clothes. The icy pavement underneath. Dante saving her. Dante promising once marked they can no longer hurt another woman.
"No," she whimpered. The blade near the sensitive skin of her throat kept her still. Her gaze skittered across the kitchen for a weapon. Butcher block too far away. Cell phone tucked in her purse. Dishtowel, spoons, a napkin.
The bottle of wine.
"Thought you could outsmart me by putting Tom in charge? No one says no to me, bitch. I'm gonna show you tonight I'm in control."
"They'll lock you up." Her words squeaked from her mouth. "You'll have nothing. You're too well known to get away with this. Everyone will know."
"Not this time. Have you forgotten what money can buy, little girl? Friends. Witnesses. Your doorman is gone, and the security tape is already being shipped my way. No one will know I was here. Not to mention my buddy who will swear under oath we got drunk over a competitive game of poker." Terror launched through her and a sob escaped her lips. "That's right, this time no asshole is going to show up to stop me. Now be good and I won't hurt you. Too much."