UNSEEN BONDS

Chapter 8: The Ice Beneath the Fire

Nicole was exhausted, having followed a fast-talking marketing lead from department to department. By mid-afternoon, her feet ached, her notes were a mess, and she hadn’t had a real break. She hadn’t seen Brad again.

Until now.

“Meeting room three,” Callie told her. “You’re expected.”

Nicole sighed. Another surprise.

She stepped into the glass-walled conference room and her heart dipped.

Brad sat at the head of the table, already locked in conversation with two senior managers. His eyes flicked to her without emotion.

“You’re late again.”

“I’m…”

“I don’t want to hear it. Sit.”

Nicole sat, hands folded in her lap, boiling inside. Why was he picking at every little thing?

The meeting rolled on, and Nicole said nothing. She barely looked at him, afraid her mouth would betray the fury building inside her. When one of the managers made a snide remark about “rookie energy,” Brad said nothing. He didn’t defend her. Didn’t acknowledge it.

By the end of it, she was holding back tears.

When the room cleared, Brad stayed seated.

“You think this is going to get easier?” he asked without looking up.

Nicole stood. “I think I’ll get better.”

His eyes flicked to her then. Something unreadable swam in them, an emotion he buried before it could surface.

“Make sure you do.”

She turned to go.

“Lane.”

She paused.

“You’ll be staying late tomorrow. There’s a team project you’ll help coordinate.”

Nicole clenched her jaw. “Understood.”

“And Miss Lane?”

She turned again.

“Try not to take anything personally. I don’t coddle my staff.”

Nicole met his gaze. “Good. I don’t need to be coddled.”

Then she walked out before he could reply.

Later That Night

She called Amelia the moment she got home.

“He’s insufferable.”

“Already?” Amelia said. “It’s just day one!”

Nicole sank onto her bed. “He treats me like I’m a nuisance. Like hiring me was a mistake.”

“Is he that bad?”

Nicole let out a bitter laugh. “He doesn’t raise his voice. That would be too simple. No, he just… freezes you. Looks right through you like you’re nothing. And the worst part? I still want to prove him wrong.”

Amelia was silent for a beat. “Nicole… be careful. That kind of man can get into your head.”

“I know,” Nicole whispered. “That’s what scares me.”