Hadley checked a few more messages and emails. Bram had left a few hours ago to join Killian.
Soon, the Secura office was almost empty. Maudie appeared in the doorway, looking tense and tired.
“Halle… Can you check on him?”
The woman’s tone was worried. Hadley had only ever heard Maudie snarky.
“He’s had a rough day,” Maudie said.
“You’re worried about him.”
The young woman looked self-conscious. “I’m his assistant, so it’s my job to worry.” She paused. “You’ll ensure he leaves soon?”
“I will. Good night, Maudie.”
“He’s in conference room two. Everyone else is gone.”
Hadley nodded and shut down her laptop. Then she went in search of Bennett.
There was silence in the office, and lights were either off, or dimmed. She paused at the conference room door.
Bennett sat in a chair at the head of the table. He looked rumpled, and he’d clearly run his hands through his hair numerous times. He was staring at the floor.
She hated seeing him so tired and stressed.
“Hey.”
His head lifted. “Ms. Atwood.”
“There’s no one left in the office.”
“Ms. Lockwood, then.”
“Rough day?”
He gave an unhappy laugh. “You could say that.”
“This will pass,” she said. “The communications team has been working overtime fighting fires today.”
“No one cares about the truth, Hadley. Especially when the lies are much more interesting, and stir up anger and outrage.”
She walked over to him and stood in front of him, pressing her hands to his shoulders. “It will pass.”
“But it’ll leave a stain.”
“This is Westley taking more shots at you. You do good work, Bennett. Don’t forget that.”
He nodded. “It’s just been a shitty day.”
She ran a hand over his stubble covered jaw. “Why don’t I see if I can make it a little better?”
She felt a spark of shock at just how much she wanted to comfort him. To help him carry this weight.
His hands lifted to her hips. “Hadley—”
“It’s okay, Bennett. Just stop thinking for a bit.” She tipped his head back and kissed him.
His mouth moved under hers, then suddenly he surged up and lifted her off her feet. He set her on the conference table.