When Lex tells me I'm not fired, I see pity in his eyes. I might need the job, but I will not let anyone feel sorry for me. So I take a deep breath and start walking. I swore I wouldn't allow anyone to make me feel as defenseless as Brennan does.

"Hey, sweet ass," I hear someone call out when I step out of the pub. It's Jude, the guy from the table Lex threw out.

"Good night." I walk past him.

"Come on, sweetheart. Don't be coy. Girls like you love men like me. I have the looks and the money."

"Not this girl," I say.

"Come on," Jude grabs my arm.

"Let go of me," I order him, pulling my arm back. But he doesn't let me go. I'm about to say something when I hear his voice.

"You have two seconds to let her go." Lex's voice echoes through the air.

"I told you already stay out of this bro."

Jude doesn't see it, but I do. Lex is holding a gun that, even though it looks like he is slowly raising it to point at Jude, will be quick.

"He is not worth it," I say, prompting Lex to face me. He looks at me confused, and I look at his hand.

"Jude, come on. That is Lex Biagini." One of the other guys says. Jude immediately lets me go. Who is Lex Biagini?

"Gio," Lex calls, staring at me.

"I got it." The man standing beside him says before he starts walking.

"It seems trouble follows you." I turn to leave, but Lex takes my hand.

"I already told you I need to go," I tell him. He puts his gun behind his back.

"I'm taking you home."

"Excuse me? I'm not going anywhere with you." I feel offended by whatever he means with his statement. If he thinks I'm having sex because he helped me with Jude, he would be wrong.

"Would you rather run the risk of being accosted by the asshole again? This is what I fucking get for being nice." He says more to himself.

"Oh, you mean take me home," I say, embarrassed.

"Gio, ensure she gets home safely." He tells the man walking toward us.

"I didn't mean—"

He doesn't let me finish, lets go of my hand, and turns to enter the pub again. I feel so foolish to think that a man like Lex was trying… I sigh. He was trying to be nice. Not everyone is like Brennan.

"Come on, Red. I'll have one of the guys take you home." Gio tells me.

"I don't need anyone taking me home. I'm fine, thank you."

"The boss has given an order." He says as if it's supposed to mean something.

His tone leaves nothing for interpretation. I should be grateful that Lex offered to take me home. It's not like I have money to spare. I nod, and Gio gives instructions to another guy. With the chaos, I didn't realize that men were surrounding us.

"Time to go Red," Gio repeats.

"Okay."

At least I won't have to worry about running into Jude again or wasting the little money I have left.

_____

The Next Morning…

I rush out of my room, exhausted. Last night, I was restless. I wish I could blame it on accepting that I need to find a new job. But the truth is that Lex's deep voice and intense eyes kept me awake. I couldn't stop imagining his hands caressing me or his lips exploring my body. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm acting like a cat in heat.

"Get a grip, Cassie," I order myself.

I'm so distracted that I push the door open to the Motel 6 and hit someone. I looked up and saw that it was Gio. But it can't be. Why would he be here?

"I thought I would have to knock on your door." He greets me with annoyance in the tone of his voice.

"I'm sorry. Is there something you need?"

"Lex is expecting you."

"What?" I ask, confused.

"I told him this was one of his worst ideas yet." Gio laughs under his breath. It's a dark laugh.

"I have to go."

"Yes, we do," he adds.

"I don't mean with you."

"Look, Red, I follow orders. Lex wants to see you in his office. My job is to take you to him."

"Cassie," I say. He looks at me, confused. "My name is Cassie, not Red."

"But Red is so much fun. Lex isn't the patient type. We have to go." I place my hand on my waist.

"I told you I'm not going anywhere."

"I'd rather not carry you to the truck. People are already staring at us."

His words make me look around. A few people are staring. They are looking at me suspiciously. Almost with disgust in their face.

"Who are you?" I can't help but ask.

"Gio Albizi. Time to go." He says like it's supposed to mean something.

Knowing people are staring, I walk toward the truck before us. I don't need people thinking something that isn't true.

"Where am I going exactly? I have class in an hour."

"Don't worry. You won't miss class." Gio answers as we reach the car.

If I were braver, I probably would tell Gio to inform Lex I'm not interested in anything he wants to discuss. I don't know anything about Lex. For all I know, he wants… No, he isn't Brennan. No one is like Brennan.

As Gio drives, I look out the window. As people walk on the sidewalks, I can't help but feel slightly defeated.

Perhaps Brennan was right, even if I didn't want to admit it. Chicago is harder than I realize. I might have to return to Arkansas.

No, I won't let myself go there. I won't let Brennan control me.

It's about thirty minutes before we reach a stunning skyscraper downtown.

"You can get out," Gio says, holding my door open.

I'm so stunned by the building that it takes me a moment to realize that he has exited the truck. I swallow and slide out of the truck.

This place screams wealth. But why wouldn't it? Lex owns Grappa.

"He doesn't like to be kept waiting," Gio says, prompting me to walk.

Gio isn't rude, but he seems annoyed. Is he annoyed because Lex told him to bring me here? Why am I here? The questions swim, making me feel overwhelmed. I can already feel my cheeks flushing.

"Are you all right?" Gio asks when we get in the elevator.

"I'm fine," I tell him.

He shrugs his shoulders and presses the thirty-sixth floor. As the elevator ascends, my stomach fills with butterflies. The closer we get to the thirty-sixth floor, the hotter I feel. I'm grateful once the elevator door opens as brisk, cold air fills the elevator.

"Lex isn't too happy with you. He said you should have been here already." A beautiful woman behind a front desk says, looking at Gio flirting.

"Not my fault. Where is he?"

"Waiting for the two of you in his office." She looks at me. "Good luck. Perhaps you will last longer than the last."She adds, laughing.

"Ignore Stacy." He starts walking, but I don't move.

"What is she talking about?"

"Just walk," Gio says, dismissing my question and walking again.

I'm left with no choice but to follow him. Despite a part of me wanting to leave, I'm too curious. Why would Lex want to see me? What was the woman referring to?

Thankfully, it won't take long for me to get answers because we reach an office. The walls are made out of glass. Even though his back is to us and standing by the window, I know it's Lex.

"Leave us." Lex orders without turning to face us.

"Good luck, Red." Gio laughs before giving me a slight push inside the office.

"Cassie Walker, take a seat."

"How do you know my name?" I slowly walk inside the office.

"I ask the questions. Take a seat." He repeats this time, facing me.

Lex is more stunning than I noticed last night. He is wearing a tailored suit with a five o'clock shadow. Something about how he looks at me tells me I need to do as he has ordered.

"You need a job, and I have an opening." He says as he walks over to his desk.

"I don't need a job."

"I was there when you were fired. When I told you you weren't fired, you didn't want your job back. Your bank account only has enough to pay for the motel room for a few nights."

"How do you know that?" I feel a trace of here. "Who do you think you are?" I stand quickly, which immediately is a mistake. I have to grab the chair because I get lightheaded.

"What’s wrong?" Lex asks with anger in his tone.

"I need to get out of here." I try to take a step, but I can't move. Before I know it, Lex is standing before me.

"Fuck, you’re hot."

"Who do you think you are?" I repeat.

"Gio," Lex calls out.

"What?" Gio walks into the office.

"Cassie needs a doctor." He holds me in place.

"I don't need a doctor, and you need to let me go," I say seconds before I stomp on his foot.

"This is the shit I'm talking about. I don't know why I intervened." He says under his breath. Then he picks me up.

"What are you doing?" I try to wiggle out of his arms.

"You’re fucking burning up." He screams at me, freezing me in his arms. "I'm taking her to the bedroom down the hall. I want the doctor here, NOW." He adds.

"I would know if I had a fever," I say.

"The same way you barely eat, work two jobs, go to school, and don't take care of yourself. It's so fucking maddening."

How does he know so much about me, and why does he care? I'm so stunned that I don't know what to say. Seconds later, Lex enters a bedroom that smells sweet despite it looking cold.

"I need to go," I tell him as he lays me in bed. Immediately, I sit to get out of bed.

"You aren't fucking going anywhere. You’ll wait for the doctor to examine you."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I demand a third time.

"Your boss."