Chapter 5 - Caught in the Crosshairs
“What are you doing?” Reed’s voice was a low, dangerous whisper that scraped against my nerves.
I froze, paralyzed by the sheer terror radiating from him. My mind raced wildly, desperately searching for a lie that wouldn't get me fired, or worse, thrown into the Chicago River.
“I—I was restocking the cleaning cart, Mr. Callaway,” I stammered, pointing a trembling finger at the rolling cart beside me. “The bottle slipped. I’m so sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you.”
Reed stepped out of the office, closing the heavy door slightly behind him, though not completely. He towered over me, his gaze narrowing as he studied my pale face, searching for any sign of deception.
“You dropped a bottle,” he repeated skeptically, his eyes dropping to the scattered papers on his desk visible through the crack, then back to my panicked expression. “Or were you looking for something else, Maya?”
“No, sir! I swear, I wasn't looking at anything,” I lied, my voice shaking uncontrollably. “I’m just trying to do my job so I can pay my rent.”
The mention of rent seemed to register something in his expression—a brief flicker of cold calculation. He knew how hard it was for people at the bottom to survive in this city; everyone did. But Reed Callaway didn't strike me as a man given to charity.
“You’re a single mother, aren't you?” he asked suddenly, catching me completely off guard.
My blood ran cold. “How did you—?”
“It's my job to know everyone who works in this building,” Reed cut in smoothly, stepping closer until I could smell the subtle, expensive scent of sandalwood and winter air on his coat. “And you’ve been looking exhausted for weeks. Working double shifts, dodging bill collectors on your break, and...” He paused, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “Hiding an eight-month-old baby in my supply room two days ago.”
My knees nearly buckled. The world seemed to spin on its axis. He knew. He had known the entire time.
“Please,” I whispered, tears finally spilling over my eyelashes, a desperate mother stripped of all armor. “Please don't fire me. I have nowhere else to go. I needed the money, and my babysitter canceled, and—and I swear she was quiet, she didn't bother anyone—”
“Shut up, Maya,” Reed commanded softly.
I snapped my mouth shut, trembling violently as I awaited my execution.
May you like
Instead of calling security or throwing me out into the snow, Reed reached into his inner suit pocket, pulled out a crisp, heavy business card, and pressed it firmly into my numb hand.
“Be at this address tomorrow morning at eight sharp,” Reed said, his voice hard as iron. “We need to talk about an arrangement.”
