“Sir, can I ask you for a small favor first?”
The cop stares at me strangely.
Moments later, Elijah holds up the mug shot board with some random number next to Rocky as I take the picture.
I
hit send.
“You’re dead meat.”
It takes not even a minute for my phone to ring, so I press the speaker button when I answer the call.
“What the fuck is my husband doing in jail, Edwards!”
I fall to the floor in hysterics along with Elijah. Unable to breathe from Nikki’s continuous cussing, she finally threatens Elijah that she will tell Adriana everything. It’s contagious. Soon the whole room is laughing, including Rocky.
It will definitely be a night to remember.
***
The next week is mainly spent in meetings and fighting every battle under the sun. Suddenly, work has become insane, and I’m putting in eighteen-hour days if not more. In the past week alone, I flew to Chicago, Boston, and Vancouver. I’m due next week to speak at a conference in Paris. I am reluctant to leave London again, just that nagging feeling that something isn’t right.
On a dreary Friday afternoon, the rain is pouring, covering the skyline. Employees start filing out of the boardroom after a presentation on current market trends. Kate sits across from me, fidgeting with her phone and bouncing her feet under the table. Her eyebrows draw together, and every few seconds, she lifts her eyes to look at me only to drop them again moments later. I sit still, tapping my pen on the desk as I watch her with a tight expression.
“I’m waiting…”
She glances up at me. “I’m sorry, sir, it’s just… nothing.”
“Great, well, nothing means you can get back to your desk and finalize the travel arrangements for Paris.”
Hesitating, I wait as she looks ready to open her mouth, but instead, she walks away, closing the door behind her.
It happens again, twice, then I call her back into my office. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with her? By the fourth time, I’ve had enough.
“Kate, tell me what the hell is wrong that’s making you so unproductive today?”
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Whatever it is, you’ve tried to tell me four times in the past hour. Let me guess, you’re handing in your resignation?”
“Oh no! I enjoy my job… somewhat.”
“Okay, then what? I’m not a mind reader, and you’re wasting my time.”
She shuffles her feet, wringing her palms. With her head bowed, she mumbles something.
“I can’t hear you. Speak up.”
“Charlie’s in the hospital.”
“What?”
“She was admitted a few hours ago. She’s been very ill lately, but then she collapsed and had trouble breathing. Eric called me.”
“And no one thought to call me?”
“Sir, the history, you know—”