Do you understand me?” I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached, and I swallowed every word I wanted to say.

“It won’t happen again, sir,” I told him.

He turned on his heel and left without another word, his expensive shoes clicking away down the corridor.

I waited until the sound of them had faded entirely, until I was certain he was well gone, and only then did Raymond let his performance drop.

His eye opened and found me, sharp and urgent.

“Do not tell him a single thing,” he said, forcing the words out.