Page 205 of With Us

“Hey guys!” I heard Dahlia say from the waiting room. Her voice was still off, and she knew it. “Does my voice sound weird? I feel like my voice sounds weird. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy about how it worked out, but notthishappy.”

“It’s just shock and adrenaline,” Dale said.

“That’s what Theo said. He’s in the conference room.”

“The fuck happened?” Gabe asked from the doorway, his eyes travelling across the room.

I shrugged. “This fucker walked in here with a gun pulled, saying something about how killing Ben had been a mistake.”

“And then?”

“And then Dahlia had herself some batting practice.”

“Fuck,” Dale cursed, fighting back a smile.

Gabe didn’t bother and openly grinned. “I can’t fucking wait to tell Tina. She’s not going to believe me.”

“Either of you see Rosa?” I asked.

Their smiles faded, and Dale said, “No. Is she missing?”

“We don’t know. Luc is searching for her.”

“I’m going to get our visitor out. Once we’re gone, I’ll have security lock the building. They’ll tell everyone it is a drill.”

“Good idea.”

As they removed the body, I went to check on Dahlia. “You okay, my gattina?”

She nodded. “I want to help you search for Rosa. I’m worried.”

A door slammed closed. “No need.”

Dahlia

I gasped, jumping up to help. “Oh my God, Rosa!”

Blood dripped down her face, staining her clothes, but she didn’t look hurt.

She looked livid.

I ran into the bathroom and grabbed some paper towels, running them under water. I brought them back out and handed them to her.

“Thanks,” she said, ignoring her bleeding face to blot at her shirt. “This is my favorite fucking blouse.”

“Your face,” Luc said, shaking his head. “Wipe your face.”

“I’m fine. But I really love this blouse.” Giving up, she held the paper towels against her head.

“What happened?”

“These two asswipes—”

“Two?” Luc and Theo asked at the same time.

“Yeah.”

Theo showed her his phone. “This one of them?”

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