Worst. Day. Ever.
The instructor patted the air to quiet the excited candidates. The clamor finally died down, and he continued, “All female recruits will be with our female lead, Major Anne Wilcox. For the males, we’ll be calling off your names, and which of us will be giving you the tour. Everyone will all see the same things today but merely at different times. You will be free to eat lunch wherever you wish, but we want you back in this same spot by two o’clock. Do you understand?”
I muttered, “Yes, sir.”
The rest yelled it.
“Female recruits, go with Major Wilcox.”
The girls started moving through the crowd, myself included. I should have watched where I was walking.
“Shit,” I grumbled as I stumbled into the guy’s back in front of me. I quickly righted myself and pulled my hands out of my pockets, holding them up in the air when he glared. “I’m sorry. Little distracted.”
He sneered. “Watch yourself, Carvene.”
“Gotcha.” I nodded quickly.
I paid attention this time as I maneuvered through the group, a few elbows jutting out and jarring my body just as I stepped by.
The foul play was starting.
Major Wilcox waited at the front of the building until all ten women lined up side-by-side. “Don’t touch anything that you’re not supposed to. Don’t speak to anyone you’re not supposed to. And do not wander off while we’re in here. You follow me, not the other way around. There are cameras everywhere that will be watching your every move.” Her dark eyes peered at each one of us in turn. “Do you have any questions?”
The girl next to me stood with her hands behind her back in full soldier stance. “Yes, ma’am. I have a question.”
Major Wilcox waited, one of her eyebrows lifting.
“Will…um.” The girl rocked back on her heels, then steeled her courage. “Will we get to meet Mr. King today?”
Fuck, I hoped not.
I scratched at my forehead.
Dropped my hand when I realized I was fidgeting.
Major Wilcox stated, “He is in the office today, but he doesn’t speak with recruits, only his top senior staff. He’s an incredibly busy man, and his time is always taken with meetings. Any other questions?”
I nibbled on my bottom lip.
The acid in my stomach was rising.
I prayed I didn’t see him.
No one else spoke up.
She turned and muttered under her breath, “That’s always the only damn question.” Her voice rose so everyone could hear her. “Let’s go, ladies.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The buzzer beeped indicating my body scan was approved, and the guard at the door allowed me entry into the grand lobby of King Corporation. I kept my head down, covertly glancing at each person inside while we waited for everyone to be checked for hidden weapons. They weren’t allowed in this building—a new one for me. Only Corporate Army soldiers were allowed weapons in here.
Major Wilcox had bypassed the scan, her swords in full view. She nodded at the guard, smiling at him. “See you later, George.”
“Later, Anne.”
They were chummy. Good for them.
I kept to the middle of our small group as we walked further into the opulent main entrance. The area was wide and open, the ceiling three stories tall. There were splashes of blue in the elegant ivory tiling. Plants and long blue cushioned benches were placed on the outer edges and the back wall near the elevators. An ivory, half-moon concierge desk sat in the center of the room for anyone with questions, the woman behind the desk dressed in black business attire.
The main floor was simple. And elegant.
Expensive.
It also allowed many, many people to stand and talk with one another. I couldn’t even see everyone the farther we walked, our destination the elevators. A quiet murmuring started around us, though, and the whispers were excited. I didn’t like the anticipation of the crowd’s demeanor.
Major Wilcox turned to face us, stopping our progress, and practically rolled her eyes. “Apparently, we will have a Mr. King sighting.” She tipped her head behind us. “I believe I heard he’s walking through the door now.”
Fuck no.
I quickly ducked out of our group, completely unnoticed with all the tall people standing around. With sweat beading my brow, I weaved as quickly as I could to the back of the room. There had been a restroom sign somewhere along the wall. My eyes darted, scanning as fast as I could.
There it was.
I ducked inside just as two women ran out the door in a hurry. They were certainly Mr. King fans from the way they straightened their skirts and finger-combed their hair in a rush. I shut the door quickly and glanced under the stalls looking for feet.
No one else was in here with me.
I opened the door a crack to peek outside.
The crowd parted, and he was there strolling through the lobby. No one overtly stared at him, all pretending they were still talking with their co-workers. Godric acted as if no one else was around except for the four men he was walking and laughing with. They all wore pristine suits, but those were certainly tailor made because those men were just as muscled as Godric was.
He and his friends were frightening.
And sexy. All of them a treat to the eye.
I ground my teeth together when Major Wilcox pulled the ladies from their ogling and took them to the elevators. The elevator chimed too soon, and they all disappeared inside. What floor they were going to, I hadn’t a damn clue.
But I couldn’t move since Godric’s group had stopped in the middle of the lobby to discuss bullshit for all I knew.
My red brows furrowed as I watched.
Godric paused and sniffed the air.
He blinked ever so slowly and began looking at each person outside of his group. His tawny curls brushed his shoulders as his head turned to the side in his perusal, allowing me a great view of his profile. The bastard was just as striking to look at in the morning light.