All Chapters of Counterbalance: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Peyton typed notes on her device as the magazine rep chattered through her phone earpiece. She'd put in several calls to GQ early in her time at the company, but they'd blown her off. Apparently, a couple years and building Xavier's image had done wonders. Not only were they interested, but the promotion they were proposing could kick-start a whole new rash of donations for his charity.She bit her lip. "When were you looking to do an interview?"Daniel made a whining sound like he was thinking too hard. He had a loud voice, and though she'd never met him face-to-face, he had aw-shucks written all over him. "The sooner the better. I was looking to have this done for next month's issue. Initially, we were seeking January, but with the big veterans benefit weekend coming up in October, I shifted things around. How's next week?""Let me check." She paged through Xavier's appointment itinerary. "Tuesday looks good. How much time do you want and are you in need of photos?""We'd do our

Hands on his hips, Xavier rode the elevator to his floor with two officers, two security guards, Joseph, and Peyton in tow. What a clusterfuck. It was bad enough to learn she'd gotten a threatening email from within his company, but to learn that threat had come from his own secretary of four years was pure, unadulterated shit. No signs. No signals. Nothing to indicate the woman was a lunatic.He thought of all the times Peyton and Fern had been alone in the office, all the opportunities she'd had to hurt Peyton. Nauseous, he closed his eyes for a beat.Concern clenched his gut. The police would, no doubt, not be able to hold Fern on much. She had no criminal record and the email could be passed off as a joke. Which meant, if she really wanted to, Fern could have the freedom to go after Peyton. The fact she hadn't done anything so far but send an email was of little solace.The elevator stopped and the doors swished open. At seeing the entourage, Fern rose to her feet from behind her

After that bone-melting kiss, Xavier walked her to the bookcase in his office, punched a code into the side panel, and a section of the wall opened inward to reveal his apartment. She stepped inside with him and the door closed behind them.She knew he didn't use the apartment often, just for late nights at the office, and she'd been inside maybe a handful of times. That she was aware, only a few people knew it existed. It had its own private elevator that went straight to the parking garage and a back staircase for emergencies.The space was an open floor plan, about fifteen hundred square feet, and clinically decorated. Bamboo hardwood, white walls, and gray leather furniture. Black tables accompanied the pieces. No art on the walls, but the living room had floor-to-ceiling windows that faced the Financial District.He walked into the kitchen, which was separated from the living room by an island. White cabinets and gray tile. He had an array of expensive machines she wondered if

An hour before they were supposed to be at the breast cancer awareness fundraiser, Xavier glanced at the note taped to Peyton's apartment door and frowned. What the hell was she doing on the roof?Turning for the stairs, he checked his phone. Nothing. Shouldn't she be getting ready?They'd had a hellacious week, and even though his new receptionist was working out, orientating Jackie took time. And the press was still a nightmare. Plus, he and Peyton had been forced to fill out police reports and statements. He was still pissed she'd dropped the assault charge. She'd been convinced Fern would walk away and leave them alone. Xavier wasn't as confident. He kept a bodyguard on her when she went to and from work, but conceded to stopping overnights.Reaching the door to the roof, he shoved through and halted at the female grunt that raked his ears. Panicked, he walked around a ventilation unit and found Peyton pinned to the ground, Joseph on top of her with a Fuck him. A gun at her head

Peyton shoved the dregs of unconsciousness aside and opened her eyes. Panic and confusion followed as her heartbeat tripped. Aside from Xavier kneeling in front of her, she didn't recognize a thing. Last she remembered, they were in the limo after the benefit."Where am I?"He rubbed his jaw as if suddenly nervous. "My house. I was going to let you sleep, but you have your contacts in and" He gestured toward her dress. Rising, he moved to a dresser.She glanced around. They weren't just at his house, but in his bedroom. Or a guestroom. Maroon and cream striped wallpaper. Four-poster king-size bed with an etched, inlaid design. Matching mahogany dressers. Thick beige carpet. Heavy burgundy drapes covered what looked to be a patio door. A stack of computer manuals and mysteries laid on the nightstand next to a lamp. The place was the size of her entire apartment."How did I get here?"His spine stiffened in the process of rooting through a drawer. "I carried you.""You" Of course,