Page 265 of Cross the Line
After a few relayed notes, he hangs up. Time to make a plan.
Last week, we signed a huge contract with a chain of English tea rooms, rebranding and refurbishing across the country. The High Tea Society is synonymous with luxury and celebrities, which means we’re both handling this one. Two minds are better than one. While Summer took it easier, I made a point of getting all the samples ready.
Except—in my rush to get home yesterday—I left the folder at the office. Which wouldn’t be a problem if we didn’t have a client meeting in an hour.
“Shoot!” I grab my makeup bag from the vanity JJ set up for me in the dressing room and snatch a cute sweater from my rail that will look presentable on camera once I brush my hair and swipe lip gloss and mascara.
Blanca and Samson ogle me from their tangle at the foot of the Alaskan king. Before I can bolt, they’re already trotting alongside—tongues lolling, his tail a metronome while she nudges my thigh.
“Whoa,” Kailey nearly jumps out of her skin as I race through the apartment, almost bowling her over when she rounds the corner into me. “Where are you rushing off to?”
“I gotta run to the office,” I trip over the words, shoving my head through the sweater’s neck. “Got some papers to pick up… a meeting to?—”
“A meeting dressed like that? Have you even showered yet?” Her bemusement is a fast-acting steroid to my panic.
I can’t let Summer down. She needs to trust I’ve got this. She needs to focus on herself and the baby…
“Want me to come with?”
“No. No, it’s fine. If I leave now, I’ll make it to the office in time to take the meeting there and be back before Eli and Jayden are home.”
“Okay…” She follows me to the door with Blanca skipping gingerly behind. “Maybe take a breath. You’re flustered and shaking all over…”
“I’m fine,” I tell her, giving Bee a quick fuss. “Can you take Bee and Samson out for me?”
I’m out the door before she finishes her reply. Riding down to the garage, I text Eli and JJ that I’m running to the office—just in case the meeting overruns and I’m not there to greet them.
Traffic isn’t terrible. I make it with time to spare—enough to make coffee, do my makeup, and lay out samples in front of me for the client.
“Breathe, Finley. Freaking breathe…” I chant as the client appears in the virtual room. A whole team of faces stares back. They can probably smell my nerves across the country.
Which is why I’m floored when the call ends and the coordinator messages to say they’re happy and impressed with the vision board and the samples I pulled with Summer’s guidance.
Pheeeew.
I shut down the office, grab my purse, and make sure I have everything before heading out the back door to the alley where I parked. It was the only way to avoid reporters out front.
I’m locking up, typing a reply to the coordinator, when a shadow hulks over me.
The world yanks out from under my feet before I can turn. A big hand slams over my face. In my panic, my phone… my keys… my purse… all hit the ground.
And then, the lights go out.
One blink at a time.
Until it’s just dark.
Cold.
Quiet.
CHAPTER 77
JAYDEN
There’s this odd, unrelenting sensation in the pit of my stomach that I can’t place. I can’t put my finger on what it is. As I watch Eli check his pockets several times over, looking at our belongings in the trunk of his G-Wagen like he’s checking everything is there.
It’s then that it dawns on me. This feeling… like I’ve misplaced something. A sixth sense that tells me something is off.Missing.
