Elena's POV
"Stay a minute."
I'd already gathered my bag, coat half on, the office emptying out around me in that particular hush that settled over the floor once the sun dropped behind the skyline. Damian stood in his doorway, sleeves rolled, tie long gone, looking like a man who'd spent the entire day carrying something heavier than contracts.
"It's after seven," I said. "Ruth left an hour ago."
"I know." He didn't move from the doorway, didn't quite look at me either, his eyes fixed somewhere on the middle distance like he was working up to something. "I'm not asking as your boss."
That got my attention more than anything else could have. I set my bag back down slowly, the strap sliding off my shoulder, and followed him into the office I'd only ever seen through the lens of work… f
