Destiny's POV
London was different. The work here was a relentless grind compared to Philadelphia. Everyone seemed to be moving in fast-forward, focused, driven. The intensity was palpable, and I could feel the strain of it pressing on my shoulders. But I knew that by tomorrow, we'd secure the deal. It was right there, within reach.
Still, I couldn't shake my unease. Liam, what had happened to him? Ever since the meeting started, he'd been ice cold. His usual charm had vanished, replaced by this razor sharp temper. He snapped at anyone who dared make the smallest mistake, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. Each second that passed seemed to stoke his anger even more, and I found myself growing anxious whenever his gaze flitted over me and Luke.
Luke. God, that was a whole other story. He'd been my project partner in college, a good friend back then and still, to some degree. Always teasing, always lighthearted. I'd even met his girlfriend, Gabrielle, a few times. They were inseparable, practically a package deal since middle school. Now, they were engaged, and I couldn't be happier for him.
The clock ticked into the evening, and everyone filed out for a break. I wandered to the cafeteria for a coffee, grateful for a moment of quiet. My head was swimming with numbers, projections, and deadlines. I sipped my drink, trying to decompress when a familiar voice broke through the haze.
"I think no one is coming here."
I looked up to find Luke standing beside me, pointing at the seat across. I smiled and gestured for him to sit. "No, go ahead."
He grinned as he settled into the chair. "So, how's Gabriel? Still your girlfriend?" I teased.
Luke's smile widened, and for a moment, he looked boyishly proud. "She's great. But no, she's not my girlfriend anymore."
My mouth dropped open, but before I could react, he wiggled his eyebrows and finished, "She's my fiancée now."
"Really? Congratulations!" I couldn't help but squeal. "When did this happen?"
"Two months ago," he replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "We're getting married in six months. You've got to come. I'll send you the invitation as soon as we have them."
"Looks like someone can't wait to tie the knot," I said playfully, though my heart swelled with happiness for him.
Luke shrugged, though his smile was still in place. "What can I say? Love does that to you." He paused, leaning forward, his expression shifting into something more mischievous. "So, what about you? Any boyfriends in the picture?"
Typical Luke. Back in college, he'd tried setting me up on countless dates, worried I'd end up alone. None of them stuck, and eventually, he gave up asking.
I rolled my eyes. "Nope. And I'm perfectly fine with it."
He leaned in conspiratorially. "You sure about that? What about your boss? He seems decent—and interested."
My heart skipped at his words. Liam? No way. I waved off the suggestion, though my stomach tightened involuntarily. "He's my boss, Luke. And I like to keep things professional."
Luke's eyebrow raised, and his smirk returned. "Mmm-hmm. You'll see. Do you even know why he was so cold in the meeting today?"
I shook my head, feeling a pang of curiosity. "No. Do you?"
Luke laughed softly, shaking his head. "Figure it out yourself, Walker." His grin was infuriating, but before I could press further, he stood up.
"I've got to get back to the office. Work's done here, though. I'm heading out." He grabbed my phone and tapped in his number before handing it back. "Now you can't ignore me. Make sure you answer when I call."
I chuckled, watching him walk off. "Give my best to Gabrielle," I called after him.
After a few more minutes of sipping my coffee in solitude, I gathered myself and headed back to the conference room. The atmosphere had lightened, the tension easing as the day wore on. Liam still kept his face expressionless, but the sharp edge to his demeanor had dulled slightly.
By the time the meeting wrapped up, it was late—too late. I was exhausted, my body begging for rest after hours of concentration. I gathered my things, stifling a yawn as everyone else filed out. God, I was tired. The jet lag from the flight still had a grip on me.
Another yawn escaped me as I pulled my bag onto my shoulder. "Looks like someone's sleepy," a voice said from behind. I turned to see Liam standing near the door, his eyes lingering on me.
I nodded, too weary to be embarrassed. "We'll head to the penthouse soon. You can sleep there," he said, his voice softer than it had been all day. We walked together to the elevator.
As the doors slid open, the elevator filled with a crowd of people from the lower floors, and Liam and I moved to the back. I leaned against the wall, letting my tired mind drift as the elevator began its descent.
Suddenly, my body froze.
I felt it, an unwelcome hand resting on my left butt cheek. My heart slammed in my chest, and my throat closed up in shock. A man in his late thirties stood beside me, his expression blank, as if he wasn't violating me with every passing second.
Panic rushed through me, my breathing quickening as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I turned my head slightly, hoping Liam hadn't noticed. But he did. His eyes, which had been focused on his phone, flicked to my face—and I could tell he saw the fear written there.
"What happened, princess?" His voice was a whisper, yet it held an undercurrent of concern.
I couldn't speak, couldn't explain the horror of the situation. But Liam's gaze followed mine, landing on the man's hand. His entire expression changed in an instant. Fury. Pure, white hot rage.
Without another word, Liam's hand shot out and grabbed the man's wrist, yanking his arm up and twisting it behind his back. The man screamed in pain, his face smashing against the metal wall of the elevator.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, harassing a woman in an elevator?" Liam's voice boomed through the enclosed space, drawing the attention of everyone around us. My chest heaved as I watched the scene unfold, the tension suffocating.
"I—who are you? You can't just, there's no proof!" the man stuttered, trying to wriggle free.
Liam laughed coldly. "I don't need proof. I saw it with my own eyes." His grip tightened on the man's arm, pressing him harder against the wall. "And as for who I am? I'm the CEO of the company you work for."
The man went silent, all traces of defiance draining from his face. "Mr... Collins... I-I didn't know..."
"Well, now you do. And you've got five minutes to get the hell out of this building. You're fired."
Liam released him with a shove, grabbing my hand and leading me out of the elevator as the doors slid open. I barely registered the world around me as he pulled me toward the car.
Once we reached the passenger side, he stopped, his large frame blocking out the city lights behind him. His eyes softened as they scanned my face, and before I knew it, his hand came up to wipe away the tear that had escaped.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, leaning in so his forehead rested against mine. We both closed our eyes, the closeness grounding me. For the first time since that horrible moment, I felt safe.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"It's okay, princess," he said softly. "Rest now. You're exhausted."
I nodded, letting his words wash over me. As he drove us to the penthouse, I stared out the window, lost in thought.
You might think I'm weak, but I'm not. I've never experienced anything like that before being touched like that. It was a violation I couldn't comprehend, and in the moment, I froze. When I worked as a waitress, sure, I'd dealt with rude customers and harsh words. But this? This was different.
Thank God Liam had been there. The anger in his eyes when he saw that man's hand...it was nothing like the frustration I'd seen earlier. It was...protective. Intense. A part of me still felt shaken, but when he pressed his forehead to mine, when he kissed me gently on the forehead, I didn't argue. It calmed me.
My eyes fluttered closed, and I drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
---
When I woke up, sunlight was streaming through the curtains, and my alarm was blaring next to my bed. I sat up groggily, rubbing my eyes. Wait...how did I get here? The last thing I remembered was being in Liam's car.
I frowned, shaking my head, and went to get ready. Half an hour later, I was in the kitchen making breakfast when Liam entered, looking effortlessly put together.
"Morning, princess," he said, flashing me a smile. I hated that nickname. Really, I did.
"Morning. I made breakfast," I replied, handing him a plate. As we sat down, I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer."