Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
“We were getting coffee when this guy comes in, yelling about how his friend is dying.” Sadie opened the door and pointed to the small hallway to the left.
He moved quickly, feeling curious eyes on him. He hoped these people were more interested in getting home than figuring out why he was carrying a passed out woman away from the incoming sirens.
Tucker jogged ahead, turning the corner and checking out the hall. He’d kept a cool head to this point. Cooler than Brody’s. “We’re clear. Let’s go.”
“You can continue,” he said to Sadie. She was the only one right now who could tell him what had happened. Steph had been all alone with no one but a receptionist to defend her. That was going to change.
Sadie strode forward toward the big industrial-looking lift. “I was paying for the coffee when I heard the commotion. I had my hands full when I saw Steph running out with the man. She’s a doctor. I get it, but I didn’t think that was entirely safe and when I saw her go into that creepy alleyway, I knew I had to follow her.”
“Or you could have called on the people who know what they’re doing,” Tucker replied.
Sadie waved that piece of advice off as she punched in the code that opened the lift doors. “That would have wasted valuable time. Also, I know procedures. The guards informed Remy, who’s in charge of actual building security for the company. Remy must have called Li. So I would have wasted a phone call.”
The doors opened and he swept Steph inside. She was limp in his arms. Were they sure she didn’t need a doctor?
Her eyes fluttered open. “What happened? Where…? Brody?”
Sadie pushed the button and the lift started to rise. “You’re on your way back up to the McKay-Taggart office. You thought you were going to save a man, but he turned out to be a massive tool. He pulled a gun on you. I had to leave a full tray of coffee behind, but I was carrying the last two when I followed you. It was a good thing, too. I threw both scalding cups of coffee in his face and we got away. You passed out when you saw this big guy. There. You’re all updated.”
Tucker frowned. “You threw coffee at that man?”
“Well, I didn’t have time to get to my pistol, so I used what I had,” she replied. “And that is the last time I don’t grab my purse. Everyone told me when I hit the big city there would be plenty of times to use my gun. It’s pink. Goes with everything.”
Tucker took a step back.
Steph started wriggling, as though trying to find her balance. “Where did he go? Did he get away? He said there was a car waiting for me.”
It nearly sent a shudder through him. They’d had a car waiting, and if Sadie hadn’t been incredibly brave, Stephanie would have been tossed in a trunk and would be speeding away to god only knew where.
He could have lost her and all because he was a stubborn wanker.
“Just relax,” he ordered. It was past time that he took charge. “You can tell us the whole story when we get upstairs. I’m sure Big Tag and O’Donnell will want to hear about it, too.”
“Li? Does Li know?” Steph asked. “We don’t have to tell him. He would worry.”
“Oh, he knows. You’ll be lucky if I don’t tell him you thought he didn’t need to know. He’s down there right now, taking care of the problem,” Brody explained.
She tried to sit up. “But he could get hurt.”
He tightened his arms around her, gently easing her back down. “He’s a big boy. He can handle himself and he’s got plenty of backup. You are another thing entirely, and we’re going to have a long talk about your behavior when all this is over.”
“You can let me down now.” She’d gone still and now the confusion seemed to flee, replaced with that stubborn look she often got when she wouldn’t be moved on something. “I can walk on my own.”
“You’re hurt. You nearly got shot. We have to take a look at your arm when we get upstairs.” He didn’t want to let her go. He had no idea how long it would take to get her back into his arms again, so he was going to enjoy the brief moments he had. “And you passed out.”
“Well, I had a shock to the system,” she shot back. “Sometimes that’s the body and the brain’s way of saying they’ve had enough and need to recuperate. But I’m fine now. Though I am wondering why you’re here. Shouldn’t you be in London?”
“I called your phone and some bastard answered,” he replied. She should know how dangerous the situation was and that he was fully intent on taking care of it for her. “He wouldn’t give me his name, but I suspect he’s this ‘boss’ person you told Li about.”