Chapter 55: Boss’ Order I can’t believe he just left me like that! After I said the words he needed to hear. Unbelieveable. That nasty piece of walking ice! Everything that breathes inside him is made of it! I fucking messed up. I shouldn’t have caved. I ceased pacing and sat back down when my head spun and a small migraine formed. I looked at the clock on the wall. It was late, and I was not a bit sleepy. I’m frustrated to the brim, and staying here all by myself wasn’t helping. Tori had to leave for something important and told me she would be back first thing in the morning. I rose to my feet and walked to the frameless floor mirror to adjust my glasses and my long-sleeved pajama shirt. I walked to the door and opened it, poking my head first to look. "Where are the men?" I said, stepping out fully to observe the plain corridor. "Guarding the premise." I jumped at the voice and turned to my left to see a man in a red suit, legs crossed, and a cigar between his lips. Red suit? He must be the one Tori mentioned. "You’re in a hospital, you’re not supposed to smoke." He pointed to the sign, and I caught sight of a skull tattoo on his hand with amazing detail. "The picture shows a cigarette, I’m having something better, and I’ve already done my rounds on the balcony." I scoffed. "All still the same." He adjusted to face me, his arm swinging to the back of the seat, and I caught sight of a bar code tattoo on his cheek as well as a little writing I can’t make out from here. There was a large snake tattoo that covered a side of his neck, reaching his jaw. He had a piercing just above his eyebrow and ear gauges. Okay, this dude screams danger? Does he work for Ares? "I was wondering why the boss walked out drenched from head to toe..." he commented, taking in my wet hair, and a blush covered my cheeks. "I know why now." I cleared my throat. "Um, who are you?" "Nico." "Nico. Do you work for Ares?" "Yes." He must be part of the security detail then. "Okay... I’m Cat—" "I know you, milady. So let’s pause with the introduction there." I fixed him with a questioning look. "But we just met." He smirked broadly, making me uncomfortable. "Um... I’m gonna just go, so enjoy chewing on your joint and hope that a nurse doesn’t spot you and give you an earful. By the way, I mean I’m telling." I walked. "Sorry, milady, but I can’t let you leave your room." I halted my steps and faced him. "Excuse me?" "Boss orders." I folded my arms, feeling my anger rise to the surface. "That’s none of my business." "Aww man! Don’t make it harder for me," he whined. "I’m gonna get fired." I couldn’t tell if he was apprehensive or making a joke, but I figured it was the latter, given the wide grin plastered on his face like a clown. "I need to see Reed. So how about you follow me and still do your job?" "Reed?" He rose to his feet, running a hand through his shoulder-length dark hair. "I don’t think that’s such a good idea." "You’re getting on my nerves," I said, already annoyed. First, he stopped me, told me I can’t leave my room, and now this? Nico placed his palms together to beseech. "Apologies, milady." "I’m going, and you’re not stopping me." "Do you even know which room he’s in?" I paused before pinning him with a look. "Why don’t you tell me?" "I would but... I got orders." "Enough with the orders, okay? I don’t care what orders; you’re not stopping me from seeing Reed." He came towards me slowly, but I stood still. Not my best choice to tick off someone like this, but at this point I don’t fucking care. "I’m not authorized to use force, but I can throw you over my shoulder and take you back inside your room." I gasped. He laughed, walking back to his seat. "Nighty night, milady." I took off my plush slipper and swung it right at his head. "What the—" I bolted to the next corridor and found a door. Without thinking, I opened it and rushed in. Jesus! What is that dude’s problem? "Catherine?" I gasped and found Reed. I tipped my head when I caught him on the floor, like he was in the middle of a push-up. He stood, and I’m blessed with a sweaty, muscular bare chest gaping right at me. "Um!" I looked to the ceiling. "Shit!" he cursed, and I heard a rustle. "I was looking for you, and it appears I found you. How lucky I am," I said nervously, throwing a peek over my shoulder to see that he was in the middle of wearing a shirt, rolling the fabric down to cover his toned abs. Recently, I’ve been blessed with bodies that could kill. As Tori would always say, appreciating goodies can never go wrong. "A little over the top to be working out whilst recovering." I faced him, noting the bandage around his head and the plaster on his cheek. "It’s suffocating just lying on that bed doing nothing," he admitted. "Finally, someone who understands," I said, amused. He scratched the back of his head. "W-What are you doing here, Mrs. King?" "Mrs. King? You just called me Catherine." "A mistake." "I don’t mind if you call me Catherine," I muttered, coming closer. "You saved my life." "I was just doing my job." I shook my head. "I may not have remembered it completely, but in that split second, I froze. I-I had time to move and—" "Hey, don’t—" "I did, Reed, I did," I said softly, raising my shoulders a bit. "But I didn’t." "Anyone in your situation would respond the same way you did." His words were calming, but they didn’t stop me from eating myself from the inside out because I didn’t react quickly enough. "You took the wheels... Just in time to avoid a full hit." "I was doing my—" "Job... I get it." He released a heavy sigh, dropping his gaze, and I caressed the plaster across his cheek.