Samantha's POV
After days of dreading this conversation, it seemed as though the ground was collapsing under me now it was occurring. I was at a loss sitting across from Adrian in his office, with the truth about Jared suddenly out in the open right front. His response matched my own—shock, wrath, will. But something else simmered under the surface, something that terrified me more than Jared's threats.
Adrian had trouble trusting right away. He surrounded himself with walls only allowing a small number of guests in. Having worked my way into that inner circle for years, I could feel myself being driven to the margins once more in a few short seconds.
I watched him walk the room, clearly frustrated. The quiet between us was weighty, and I could feel my own guilt weighing down on me.
