Page 101 of The Heiress's First Date

We have an instant to rejoice before the elevator starts to descend.

37

ALEX

Gabe’s ringtone wakes me from a sound sleep, and I pat the nightstand, searching for my phone. Beside me, Katherine doesn’t wake but the chime and my movement obviously disturb her. She nestles closer, arm draped across my chest.

Finally palming my phone, I answer the call, holding it to my ear. “Hey,” I whisper, not bothering to see what time it is.

Outside, the city twinkles, and a shimmering golden glow lights our bedroom. We couldn’t bring ourselves to close the curtains.

“Hey. Sorry to call so early.”

Years ago, I promised him I’d always answer. Three a.m. Whenever. And I’m not going to break it now. He might have chronic insomnia, but he’s not the type to reach out unless it’s important.

I pull the device from my ear and glance at the time at the top of the screen—just after three-thirty.

“What’s up?”

I slide out from under Katherine slowly, careful not to jostle her, and head for the living room.

“There was a massive flood in the building. Everyone’s been evacuated.”

I blink and run a hand over my face. What the hell is he talking about? A tidal wave? And which building?

I stare at the phone again, trying to figure out if this is all a bizarre dream. But I highly doubt I’d leave Katherine to answer a phone call in my dreams. We have much better things to do.

“Say that again.”

“Our apartment building. It flooded.”

“How? Is everyone okay?”

I pull the phone away again and switch to speakerphone so I can check my messages. There’s a handful from Gabe’s security team saying something about water coming down the elevator shaft. A picture of water spraying from the gaps in the doors. The next one says they’re evacuating the parking garage and the apartments.

I shoot back a quick text, asking them to keep me up to date.

“We’re fine,” he says. “I don’t think anyone’s hurt or anything. It’s just a mess.”

I grapple with what he’s saying, fighting the grogginess of sleep. I need to get in touch with my team. But first, I shoot off another text to a friend who does a bit of investigative work on the side. I want to know everything the building supervisors aren’t going to tell us.

Alex: Need you to look into something for me. Flooding at my apartment building. Let me know if you find anything suspicious.

I shoot over my address. The whole thing could be completely innocent, but after the last week, and with at least three high-profile people living in the same building, I’m not going to risk getting caught with my pants down. I need to know if there’s something nefarious going on. I seriously wouldn’t put it past Lucinda Winthrope to hire a crony to do her dirty work. Hell, she probably keeps one on staff.

“Anyway, I just wanted to let you know so you didn’t hear about it from the news or something. I got us a place to stay while that gets sorted.” His voice softens. Why does he sound so tender? “A brownstone so King doesn’t have to deal with an elevator.”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll text you the address and any updates.”

“We’re coming home today,” I tell him.

“Good.” His voice drops. “I think King could use a dose of Katherine.”

Can’t we all? “What happened?”

“He gets claustrophobic in elevators. Had a panic attack when it got stuck.”

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