Page 165 of My Heart Still Beats
Braden rubs his forehead. “Tessa didn’t come in to work this morning.”
My heart drops. “What?”
“She didn’t report to work, and she didn’t call in.”
“I’ve got security on her. I ordered it yesterday.”
“Good thinking, but I bet they haven’t deployed anyone yet.”
“Fuck.” I stand. “I’m going over to her place.”
“I’m right behind you,” he says, “and I’m calling the cops.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
Tessa
I’m not sure how long I sit, huddled with Rita. I almost called Ben five different times, but what if Garrett wasn’t bluffing? I’m about to finally hit send when someone knocks again.
Rita scurries out of my arms, barking, as she runs toward the door.
My heart feels like a herd of wildebeests is stampeding over my chest. I gulp as I rise, walk to the door, and look through the peephole.
I heave a sigh of relief. It’s my neighbor, Laura Templeton, holding a bouquet of flowers.
“Hi, Laura,” I say through the door, hoping my voice doesn’t shake. “I’m not decent. What’s up?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Tessa, but I heard about your father. I just wanted to drop these flowers by. I’ll just leave them here in the hallway.”
“That’s kind of you. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to call me. I can pick up groceries for you. Anything at all.”
“I appreciate that.” I pause a moment. “Actually, Laura, is anyone else out there in the hallway or the stairwell? Two men?”
Laura looks side to side as I watch through the peephole. “Not that I saw. Were you expecting someone?”
“Yeah,” I lie. “Thanks, Laura. I really appreciate the thought.”
I watch out the peephole until Laura is out of my view. She lives one floor down, which means she took the stairs.
Thank God. That means they’re gone.
I have to get to work. It’s only my third full day, and I’m already late. But first I have to warn Ben.
I doubt Garrett and that horrid altar boy could truly have anything that could threaten Ben, but I can’t take the chance. Once I talk to him and he assures me they’re bluffing, I can call the police and have those two psychos arrested.
Rita scurries around my legs. She probably has to go out. I grab her leash and fasten it to her collar.
My heart thuds as I unlock my deadbolt. I look up and down the hallway.
They aren’t still here, are they? Laura would have seen them in the stairwell. I probably should have called 911, but I couldn’t take that chance. I’ll protect Ben at all costs.
I walk toward the stairwell—
And Rita begins yapping like a rabid dog.
“We knew you’d have to come out sooner or later,” Garrett snarls, grabbing me.
