by Lila Kane
Instead, I left him alone and dressed quickly. I set a note on the kitchen counter in case he woke up.
On the way down to the Commons, I asked Dustin if John had found out anything more about the computer situation in Housing.
“He hasn’t pulled up anything new. You can talk to Powell about it, but I think they’re ready to question the employees if they don’t see a repeat of the code being used.”
In the lobby, we started for the doors when I heard a voice behind me.
“Ms. Evans?”
Dustin and I swiveled at the same time. The guard at the desk held up a silver box. “This was delivered for you but we wouldn’t allow them to bring it up. Would you like me to keep it here until security checks it?”
I swallowed down fear and shook my head. Dustin frowned but didn’t say anything. He scanned the lobby, hand going automatically to the weapon his belt, before returning his attention to the box. With their eyes on me, I lifted the edge of the box. The whole world shrunk around me when I saw what was inside.
A bloodred tie.
My stomach clenched so hard I thought I might throw up. Warning bells went off in my head. Mark wasn’t just trying to scare me anymore, he was sending me a message.
“Ms. Evans?” Dustin asked.
My head snapped up. I made my face blank. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled, and then repeated the apology until I could force myself to lie. “I forgot I ordered this. I was expecting something else.”
“It’s something you ordered?” Dustin asked.
“Of course.”
He looked like he didn’t believe me. Maybe I was a terrible liar. Or maybe he was skilled at reading people. But either way, he didn’t question it. Instead, he held his arm out. “Ready?”
I nodded. We walked in silence into the Commons, with trees rising up around us and the smell of water from the morning misters reaching my nose. It was peaceful, but not enough to still my racing heart.
When my phone rang, I wasn’t even surprised. I answered it, already expecting Mark’s voice.
“Where are you going?”
I swallowed and glanced at Dustin. He gave me a mild look.
“Tell him it’s your sister,” Mark instructed.
“It’s my sister,” I said. Dustin nodded and kept vigilant as we walked.
My fingers curled so tightly on my phone they started to ache. He’d mentioned Jenna. Was she in danger now, too?
“I told you to steer clear of him, and then you have him stay the night? Did he fuck you, Charlotte?”
“I, uh—” I cleared my throat, mind whirling with words to say and not to say. What was I supposed to do? He knew about Finn. “Everything is fine.”
“Is it?” he asked. “Do you think it will still be fine when you tell security what’s going on?”
I fought the urge to look around, to find the cameras he was so obviously looking at to see me. “No,” I whispered. “It’ll be okay. Nothing new to report.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Now, what you’re going to do is pretend like everything is fine.”
“Of course,” I said, nodding. Trying to make it seem believable to Dustin, too.
“And if you want to keep your friends and family safe, you’d better keep that fucker out of this.”
“I…don’t know what you mean.”
Security headquarters came into view and I slowed my pace, trying to buy more time.
Mark’s voice was amused. “You know exactly what I mean, Charlotte. Break it off with him. Tell him it’s over, and then keep your mouth shut about everything else.”
My heart wrenched in my chest. Break it off with Finn? It would crush him. It would crush me. But to keep him and everyone else safe? What other choice did I have?
“I’ll be in touch,” Mark said. “Don’t forget, I see everything. I’m watching.”
As the call went dead on the other line, I whispered, “Bye,” to keep up appearances, even as Mark’s words looped through my mind. I see everything. I’m watching.
Dustin interrupted my thoughts. “Your sister doing okay?”
“Yes. Yes, she’s fine. Just worried.”
He nodded and opened the door for me. Curtis stood at the back of the room, pacing back and forth across the small space. He paused when he saw me and then ended the call he was on.
I clutched the silver box to my chest. I wanted to throw it away. I wanted to burn it. But wasn’t I supposed to try to stay away from suspicion?
“Charlotte,” Curtis said, walking to me. His eyes, like always, held scrutiny. They were too sharp for my liking right now. “Is everything all right?”
“She wanted to speak with you,” Dustin said.
“Of course.” Curtis nodded to a chair. “Have a seat.”
“No thanks. I—uh, this is sort of private.”
Curtis nodded to Dustin and he left us alone. There was one other security guard in the station but he stood at the coffee machine completely oblivious to the conversation.
“It wasn’t anything big, really,” I hedged, squeezing the box tighter.
“Nothing’s too small. Did you have a concern?”
“Mark,” I said, lowering my voice. “Is he…?”
“I’ve had someone keeping an eye on him. He hasn’t left Portland.”
Biting my lip, I debated over the next question. The next step.
“Has he been in contact again?” Curtis asked.
Panic clawed at my chest. We were in the security hub. What were the odds there weren’t cameras in here? There had to be. And that meant Mark could see what was going on. He’d know I was having this conversation. Whoever was helping him, or however he’d done this, gave him access to everyone I was with and most of what I was saying.
“The cameras,” I whispered.
Curtis narrowed his eyes then glanced at the back door when John walked through. He spotted me and joined us.
“Any new activity with the override codes?” Curtis asked.
John shook his head, giving me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, nothing new. But I’m watching.”
His words were like a punch to the gut. I’m watching. He’d said the same thing in the restaurant last night. I see everything. I’m watching. The same thing Mark had just said to me on the phone.
“Charlotte?” Curtis asked.
My smile was more like a grimace. I waved a hand, trying to play it off as something else while my mind reeled. “I probably shouldn’t have had all those drinks at dinner last night.”
John smirked, looking like he believed my lie. “Tell me about it.”
“Okay, well…” I blew out a breath. “I should get back.”
“I’ll walk you,” Curtis said.
“No, really. It’s not necessary. I’m just going back home.”
“Just to be safe.”
I waved at John like it wasn’t a big deal and for a split second considered blurting it all out to Curtis. Mark called me again. And John was in on it. He had to be.
Which made perfect sense. That’s how Mark was keeping tabs on me. That’s how he knew where I was at all times. That’s how he’d scared me with the open apartment door.
But if we stopped John, Mark would know. Something would happen to Jenna. Or my mom. Or Finn.
Oh, God. Finn. What was I going to do?
Curtis touched my elbow. “Ms. Evans. Charlotte.”
I glanced up at him as we walked out of headquarters and into the fresh air of the Commons. “Sorry. I’m…”
“Distracted.” He released me and led us on the path to Housing. “I understand there’s a lot going on. And I understand it’s hard to talk about. But I need to know if something happened.”
I laughed, a strangled noise that made me sound even more suspicious. “Nothing happened. I’m just on edge. I think…I mean, if Mark hasn’t even left Portland, maybe he was just trying to scare me. And he’s done now.”
Curtis pocketed his hands, even while his gaze traveled the path a
nd the rest of the Commons. Always vigilant. “Is that what you think?”
Shrugging, I kept my eyes on the path. “Sure. I mean, if he was going to come here, he would have come already.”
When Curtis didn’t respond, I ventured a glance in his direction. “Right?”
His face was carefully controlled when he answered. “That doesn’t seem to fit his pattern so far.”
My stomach swirled with nerves. I gritted my teeth, wishing he’d let it go. “Maybe he changed his pattern.”
When we reached the Housing Community, Curtis nodded easily. “Maybe he has.”
He refused to leave me before we were at the apartment, but didn’t say anything else until I opened the door. Just before I closed it, his hand came out. He stopped the door with only a crack of space between us.
“My number’s secure, Charlotte. You can call me anytime.”
I flashed a brief smile. “Thanks.”
And shut the door.
Shuffling behind me made me whip around. Finn was shrugging into a T-shirt, his hair ruffled and frustration etched into his features.
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” he asked.
“I wanted you to sleep.”
“What happened?”
I straightened and then realized I still had the box. “Nothing. I just wanted to check in with Curtis.”
“I would have come with you.” He scrubbed his hands over his face, looking like he’d raced out of bed. “Please tell me you at least went with someone.”
I started toward the hallway, needing to get rid of the box. To hide it somewhere until Finn was gone and then I could get rid of it. But Finn stepped in front of me. “What’s that?”
My mouth dropped open. “None of your business.”
He reeled back like I’d slapped him. When he didn’t make another move, I hurried around him and dashed into the bedroom. I kicked the box under the bed and then rummaged through my drawers to make it seem like I was on a mission.
Antagonizing Finn hadn’t been in my plans, but I didn’t know what else to do. I walked into the closet to grab a different shirt and when I stepped back out, Finn was in my doorway.
He had one hand against the doorframe, eyes burning blue as he watched me. “Any new news from Curtis?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. I dropped the shirt on the bed. “Looks like everything is calming down, right?”
He made a noise low in his throat but didn’t comment.
“Maybe it’s over,” I said, infusing a note of hope into my voice.
Again, he said nothing. So, I walked to my dresser to grab a pair of socks. When I swung around, Finn captured me in his arms.
I yanked in a breath of surprise. “Finn.”
“Shh,” he said, brushing my hair back from my cheek. “You don’t have to talk about it.”
“Talk about what?” I asked, feeling the panic rise. “Finn—”
“I know something happened. Last night, I think.”
My laugh came out nervous and I eased back, trying to put some space between us. Frantic to make this go away. “I don’t know what you mean. Yeah, I drank too much, but—”
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”
Swallowing down my frustration, I stepped back and tried a different approach. “Finn, I’m tired. It was a late night and I just want a shower.”
I saw the struggle on his face. Then he snapped out of it and nodded. “Sure, of course. Want some company?”
Yes. But this wasn’t going the direction I needed it to. I needed more distance between me and Finn, not reasons for him to stay.
“Actually…” I sighed. “I could really use some time to think.”
“Makes sense. How about I fix some breakfast and—”
“I’m not hungry.” When I saw the flash of hurt in his eyes, I almost changed my mind. But I forced myself to act breezy and finish the first part of what I’d set out to do. “Why don’t you head on home? Take a shower. Relax. We’ll see each other at work tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” he repeated, like he’d never heard the word before.
I nodded. “Right. Back to work. One week before the gala.”
Another pained expression crossed his face and it echoed in my heart. I’d gotten a beautiful dress, one I knew Finn would love. One I knew he’d love to see me in and one I was eager for him to take me out of. And now…
I bit the inside of my cheek. I couldn’t think about that. I had to think about the bigger picture. Everyone’s safety. Including Finn’s. Once I bought myself some time, once Mark thought I’d done what he wanted, then I could think about the truth. Then I could talk to Finn or Curtis and get their help.
Finn ran a hand through his hair. I’d never seen him look so vulnerable. But he didn’t look defeated, just baffled. “You’re scared,” he said.
“I need space. Please, Finn. Please. Just go home. Okay? I’ll see you later.”
He opened his mouth like he was going to argue again, but then shut it and nodded. “Space. Sure. I’ll take a shower and give you space.”
“Good. Thank you.”
He angled for the door and then turned back. “I’ll give you a call later this afternoon.”
“No, Finn—”
“Yes, Charlotte. Because space? Really? You’re feeding me bullshit and I guess you need time to sort it through.”
“Finn,” I said, surprised. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. He saw right through what I was saying.
“You said you trusted me and now you’re lying to me. So take some space, and I’ll talk to you later.”
Before I could tell him not to bother, he walked down the hall. I heard the front door open and then close with a small bang. Shit. He didn’t believe me.
I sat on the bed and sniffled. He didn’t believe me and now he was going to call me later and I’d have to avoid him. Or try again. Or…do something even worse. Lie better. So he had no choice but to believe me.
And I had to make sure Mark believed it, too.
Curling up on the bed, I pulled the blanket over my legs as the first sob slipped out. Then the dam broke and I cried into my pillow.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Finn kept his word and didn’t call until later that afternoon. I’d showered, changed, and steeled myself for what needed to be done.
He seemed surprised when I asked him to meet me down in the Commons but agreed readily. When I stepped out of my apartment and saw Curtis there, I jumped back, slapping a hand to my chest.
“Sorry, Ms. Evans,” he said. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
It was back to Ms. Evans again. Probably because I was so cold with him this afternoon. “It’s fine. I was expecting Dustin. Or…no one?”
He barely smiled. “Better to be safe than sorry.”
He walked me to the elevator and I felt compelled to say, “I’m just going down to the Commons to talk with Finn. You know, if you…need to be somewhere else.”
“Nothing comes to mind. I’ll stick with you.”
“I don’t—” The elevator doors opened and I broke off, flustered.
I didn’t want him to see or hear my talk with Finn. I didn’t want to do it anyway but I had to. And if Curtis was there? What if they didn’t believe me? Or…maybe they would. Maybe it would be just enough for Mark, Finn, and Curtis to give me space until I could figure out the next step.
My heart wrenched. As much as I didn’t want them to believe me and my hurtful words, I needed them to.
Curtis tucked his hands behind his back as we rode down. I fiddled with the strap of my purse and waited. Just before we got off, I glanced at him.
“Could you promise me something?”
He looked over as the elevators doors opened. “Yes.”
“Will you please make sure my family and Paige and Finn are safe? No matter what happens.”
He didn’t blink. Didn’t even question the suddenness of the request. He just dipped his head in a nod. “No matter w
hat happens.”
My heart beat faster and faster as we walked. Through the doors to the Commons, down the path where a coffee kiosk and bistro chairs sat, to Finn standing and waiting.
I resisted the urge to scan the area for cameras. I knew they were there. I knew Mark could see. And so could Curtis and the half-dozen other people enjoying a walk or an afternoon latte.
Finn killed me with his smile. He took my hand before I could protest and rubbed his thumb on my knuckles. With a nod at Curtis, he turned me toward the kiosk.
“Coffee?” he asked.
I glanced back and saw Curtis had found a space just past a few tables where he could watch the kiosk, us, and the other paths in the Commons all at the same time. He caught my eye just briefly and it hit me hard.
He knew. He knew I was lying. But he was going to let me do this anyway.
If I could count on him to keep his mouth shut, then this might just work.
“I’m…” I looked up at Finn and then away when I saw the hopeful look in his eyes. “No coffee, thanks. Let’s just talk.”
I walked to the nearest table and sat. He seemed surprised but didn’t say a word as he joined me. I wanted to stand up and pace. That’s what I normally did. But this had to be quick and direct. I couldn’t get distracted or it might all fall apart.
“I shouldn’t have said what I did before in your apartment,” Finn began.
I waved my hand. “It’s not a big deal.”
He reached out, caught my fingers before I could evade and held my hand on top of the table. “No, it is a big deal. I was…upset. But I know you’re dealing with a lot and it’s hard finding a balance. So, I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry, too. I was so sorry. I wished I could tell him that. That I could whisper to him it was all a ruse and he had to go along with it to keep safe. But I had to make him believe it.
I gave him a small smile but pulled my hand back. His sigh reached my ears.
“You see what a mess this has become,” I told him.
“A mess.” He repeated the word like it tasted bad in his mouth.
I nodded. “Trying to have a relationship after all that’s happened. After what’s still happening. It doesn’t make sense.”
Finn straightened in his seat, arms folding across his chest. Defensive. “What are you saying?”
