Chapter 1

**Riley's POV**

I stepped through the crystal clear glass doors of they office building and smiled at the familiar beautiful lobby.

I'd been working here for almost two years now but I still enjoyed the way the lobby looked. At was exactly what I would have chosen in almost every aspect. Even the decorative pillows on the sofas no one ever sat in were something I would have chosen.

I met the gaze of Matt, the security guard behind his desk and he gave me a friendly smile. He was around middle aged and was one of the nicest people I'd ever met. Of course you usually couldn't tell that from looking at him.

He was a stereotypical body guard. Large muscular build, a face that pretty much screamed fuck off, and even the imposing aura surrounding him that scared most people away before he'd even opened his mouth.

Giving him a friendly smile and wave myself I turned and went into the ladies restroom off to one side of the lobby. Stepping into one of the stalls I quickly slipped off my sneakers and socks, swapping them for my black 'office' pumps.

I put my sneakers into a bag and tucked them into my purse before shedding my beat up old trench coat. Beneath it I was dressed in standard office attire. My light blue button up shirt was professional in every sense of the word and my black skirt hit just below my knees with a small cut out showing just a bit of the side of my lower thigh.

I'd never been confident enough to dress more provocatively. I wished I had the confidence to wear something tight or cut in a sensual way but I just wasn't. Folding up the coat I put it away in my large purse as well before removing the holster strapped around my waist.

I was a single young girl in a big city so I had decided when I first moved here to buy a gun. At first I just kept it at home but after getting mugged a few months back I'd started carrying it with me daily. That was also the reason I wore the crappy coat. It did a wonderful job of hiding my nice clothes and my gun and making me look like someone who wouldn't have much to steal.

I knew it was probably overly cautious but I suppose that's just who I am. I slipped my gun and holster into my purse hiding it beneath my coat. Employees weren't exactly supposed to carry weapons after all.

Checking the time on my watch I quickly left the stall and glanced over my reflection in the mirror. Satisfied, I slung my purse over my shoulder and left the bathroom.

Matt glanced up from his desk as I passed and shook his head chuckling.

"I know I see you do that every day but I still can't get over it. You come in here looking like you wandered in of the street, spend 5 minutes in the bathroom, and walk out looking like an entirely new person."

I grinned at him and rolled my eyes.

"Oh please it is not that much of a change. You know I just try and not make myself a target."

He nodded, his smile faltering a little.

"Yes, I know, but its sad you even have to think like that. I'm glad you play it safe but I wish you could walk the streets without worrying about these things."

I nodded. I loved Matt, he always worried about me. In many ways he was more of a father to me than my own ever was.

"Unfortunately it's just how things are. But I've got to head up. You know Mr. Walters doesn't tolerate me being late."

He nodded and waved me on my way, pressing the button to unlock the door. I went through to the elevator, scanning my ID card and heading up to the 18th floor.