Knots Between Us

Chapter Eight

Sebastian had made it nearly impossible for Emma not to want to do him bodily harm, but she kept her composure. So far, all she’d seen of him was arrogance and selfishness. He seemed to take delight in giving her the most absurd, menial tasks—like he stayed up all night brainstorming new ways to make her life miserable.

And as usual, she was left with piles of real work that had to be done on top of it all. Which meant coming in earlier and staying later than everyone else.

It was on one of those late nights that Emma stumbled onto something she hadn’t expected. Passing the supply closet, she heard soft, muffled sobs. Frowning, she pushed the door open and found Andrea curled on the floor, her face blotchy from crying.

Emma knelt down immediately. “Andrea… what happened?”

Andrea shook her head, panicked. “It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t look like nothing.” Emma kept her voice gentle, but her chest tightened. “You should go to the hospital. Just in case.”

Andrea frantically refused. “No! I can’t. Please.”

It took time, but Emma finally coaxed her out. She helped Andrea home and stayed until she cried herself to sleep. By the time Emma returned to her own apartment, it was nearly four in the morning. She lay awake, tossing and turning, haunted by Andrea’s tears.

Finally, with a frustrated sigh, she gave up on sleep and sat at her desk. She pulled out the sketches for the São Paulo project and lost herself in lines and angles until exhaustion pulled her under.

The pounding on her door woke her. Bleary-eyed, she stumbled to answer it and found Rory, Jake, and Connor standing there, faces etched with concern.

“Where the hell have you been?” Connor snapped.

Emma blinked at his tone, then narrowed her eyes.

“We called. We texted,” Jake said softly. “We were worried.”

“I’m a big girl, Jake,” she replied curtly. “Sorry I worried you, but I don’t think I owe anyone an explanation about where I go.” Her gaze landed squarely on Connor, whose expression twisted into hurt and anger.

“Yeah,” he muttered, turning away. “Sorry for caring.”

Emma winced as guilt stabbed through her. She had aimed her frustration at the wrong person. With a sigh, she closed the door and leaned back against it, exhaustion heavy on her shoulders.

A rushed shower and quick swipe of mascara and lip gloss later, she stuffed her work into her bag and hurried out.

Sebastian’s eyes kept drifting to Emma’s empty desk. He tried to focus on Mr. Yang’s report, but his irritation grew. She was late. Was she with Connor? The thought made his jaw clench.

He would have words with her.

The elevator dinged and Connor stormed out, with Emma trailing behind, clearly trying to catch him. Her hand lifted as if to stop him, then fell when he brushed past her without a glance. Sebastian’s jaw tightened further.

He forced his attention back to Yang. “Everything looks good. When will you be presenting to the Tokyo board members?”

The team broke away, but Yang lingered.

“Was there something else?” Sebastian asked, impatient.

Yang hesitated. “I don’t know if I should bring this up…”

“I don’t like riddles, Mr. Yang. Speak.”

Yang shifted. “It’s about Andrea—Lanie’s assistant. I’ve had her run small errands for me, with Lanie’s permission. Yesterday, she… came on to me. Rather boldly. When I refused, she got angry. Threatened me.”

Sebastian’s expression was unreadable. “I see.”

“I don’t want to cause trouble. She’s from a small town, probably thought she could… start something to advance herself. But I thought you should know.”

Sebastian nodded curtly. “You were right to tell me. Inform Lanie as well. This behavior is unacceptable.”

Yang thanked him and left.

Sebastian reached for the phone to summon Emma but stopped when he saw her desk still empty. Annoyance burned hot. She better not be with Connor.

When he finally found her, she was buried in the files from yesterday, muttering curses under her breath. He felt a flash of satisfaction and returned to his office.

Emma finally located the last file when the supply closet door burst open. Andrea stumbled in, pale and frantic.

“Andrea!” Emma rushed to her, steadying her as she collapsed against the wall, breathing hard.

“What happened?”

Andrea slid down to the floor, tears streaming. “You were right. He won’t leave me alone.”

Emma’s stomach turned cold. “Who?”

“Mr. Yang.” Andrea sobbed into her hands. “He said if I don’t do what he wants, he’ll fire me. He’ll make sure no one else will hire me. Emma, I don’t know what to do.”

Emma hugged her, fury boiling beneath her skin. “We have to tell Sebastian.”

Andrea’s head snapped up. “No! He’ll never believe me. He’ll fire me before I even finish explaining.”

Emma cupped her shoulder firmly. “Do you want Yang to keep cornering you? You’re braver than this, Andrea. We’ll tell him. Together.”

Andrea hesitated, then nodded shakily.

Emma knocked softly on Sebastian’s office door, clutching the file.

“Finally.” He held out his hand without looking up.

She didn’t move. He glanced up, frowning when he saw her pale, nervous expression.

“What?”

“I—” she faltered, biting her lip.

“WHAT?” His bark made her jump.

“Mr. Yang forced himself on Andrea yesterday,” she blurted in a rush.

Sebastian stared. “That’s a serious accusation.”

“Andrea told me everything. I—”

He cut her off with a raised hand and picked up the phone. “Where is Ms. Blake?”

“She’s outside,” Emma whispered.

Sebastian opened the door and called Andrea in. She stood beside Emma, trembling, then told her story in a halting voice—from the first advance to his threats the night before.

The office was silent. Sebastian leaned back, face unreadable.

Then his verdict fell like a hammer. “You’re fired, Ms. Blake.”

Andrea gasped, breaking into sobs.

“What?!” Emma’s voice cracked.

“Yang already informed me. Pack your things. Security will escort you out.”

Andrea bolted, weeping. Emma tried to follow, but Sebastian slammed the door shut, blocking her path. She stumbled against his chest, glaring up at him.

“I don’t recall dismissing you, Ms. Rhodes.” His grip on her elbows tightened.

“She needs me,” Emma snapped.

“What you need is to stop meddling and focus on your work. Don’t go around accusing people of crimes they didn’t commit.”

“I wasn’t accusing—I was telling the truth.”

“Careful,” he warned, voice sharp. “Keep this up and I’ll fire you.”

“Go ahead.” Her voice rang with defiance.

Something flickered in his eyes. Fire, challenge. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Be careful, Emma. You’re treading on thin ice.”

“I’d rather be fired than work for a man who protects a predator. For all I know, you’re no better than him.” She turned toward the door—only for his hand to slam it shut again.

Emma froze as his breath brushed her neck. Slowly, she turned, finding herself caged between the door and his towering frame. His jaw was tight, eyes blazing.

“Say that again,” he seethed.

Emma swallowed hard. “I didn’t—”

“You didn’t what?” His grip tightened painfully on her arms.

“You’re hurting me,” she gasped.

“Good. Because you hurt me,” he shot back.

Her tears welled. At the sight of them, something in Sebastian cracked. He released her suddenly, cursing under his breath. He stalked back to his desk and slammed his fist against it.

“Goddamn it, Emma.”

Her voice was barely a whisper. “I saw him.”

Sebastian’s head lifted.

“The night it happened,” she said, trembling. “I saw Yang leaving the supply closet. Fixing his clothes. Andrea was inside. He forced her.”

Sebastian stared at her, chest tight. He didn’t know why, but her tears unsettled him more than anything else ever had.

Emma wiped her cheeks with a trembling hand. “Believe me or not—it’s the truth, Mr. Rask.”

With that, she left him in silence, his thoughts storming.