Read Online Protect Me by Jennifer Culbreth - Free Book Online Page B

office.” Trent had a way of appearing out of thin air it seemed. He stared at the two before heading back towards the stairs.
    Oh shit, a sinking feeling in her stomach told her that she was about to get fired. For what, she had no idea.
    “Well, it was nice knowing you girls. I will probably need you for a reference soon.” She threw the bar towel in her hand onto the counter as she made her way around the bar.
    “Let’s pray it’s a promotion!” Judy giggled nervously making Abbi’s stomach sink lower.
    Abbi headed towards the stairs, once she got to them she slowly took them one at a time. It seemed a little ridiculous to draw out the inevitable, but this was only her second night. She really didn’t want to be fired. She made her way to the top of the stairs, taking a deep breath as she glanced back towards Judy, who was now standing beside Ashley giving her two thumbs up. She was going to miss those girls even if she hadn’t known them very long. She walked into the hallway leading to Trent’s office. Stopping just short of the door she saw it was cracked open.  
    As she reached towards the knob, she realized that there was someone else in Trent’s office. She paused listening to the conversation, it didn’t sound like anyone she worked with and even though she couldn’t make out all of the words being exchanged she felt as though the two were arguing. Feeling as though listening was betraying Trent’s confidences she turned to walk back down the hallway, when the floor outside of his office creaked loudly. Oh damnit. Knowing she had been busted she slowly grabbed the handle of the door and peeked her head into his office.
    “Uh, you wanted to see me?” She glanced at Trent whose face was as pale as a ghost.
    “Yeah, baby, why don’t you go over to the employee area and wait for me. This will only take a minute.” He said blasting her a smile before winking at her.
    Not responding she just stepped back and closed the door. Why on earth did he just call her baby? That was a term of endearment used between two people in a committed relationship. Not a nickname used by a boss towards his employee. Screw betrayal, she wanted to know what was going on. Trying her best to avoid the creaky floorboard she stepped closer to Trent’s door and carefully leaned her ear against it. At first she didn’t hear anything, until the muffled voices started again.
    “Listen, cut the bullshit. I was sent here to pick up for Mr. Hernandez and he gave me specific instructions on what I do if you don’t come through.” As if listening through a door wasn’t hard enough, the man’s heavy Hispanic accent didn’t make it any easier.
    “Hey, hey I got it man. You just gotta give me a few minutes. Shit we just closed up.”
    “I shouldn’t have to wait! It should have been ready!” She flinched as the man shouted.
    “Look, chill out. Give me five minutes and you will have your money.” Hearing footsteps coming towards the door, she quickly walked into the employee area just across the hall and jumped down onto the couch. She took a deep breath trying to calm her heartbeat. She did not want Trent to know she had been eavesdropping on his conversation. She wondered briefly who Trent would have owed money to, the bank maybe for mortgage, but she didn’t know of any bankers who collected money in that way. And who was Mr. Hernandez? Quickly she erased the thoughts from her head as she saw Trent walk into the area.
    “Hey, sorry about that, I had an impromptu visit from a business associate.” He looked as though he was trying to be as convincing as she was about having been sitting there the whole time.
    “No biggie.” She said standing. “I guess I will get my stuff, just let me know when I can come by and grab my last check.” She glanced up at him to see his face forming into a confused look.
    “Uh, where do you think you’re going Country?” He tipped his head to the side as a smile developed across his