“Sir, I need to talk to you about something important,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt as I stood in his office doorway, clutching the folder I’d used as an excuse to come in.

He looked up from his desk, those sharp stormy blue eyes locking onto mine, and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Andrea, come in. Close the door.”

I did, feeling the click echo in my chest. My heart pounded as I approached, sitting on the edge of the chair opposite ...