Page 182 of Claimed At First Sight

“Not quite. Only a small part of one.”

She doesn’t look any more reassured.

I’d better not tell her that there are quite a few trees on the terrace that might become flying objects.

A second piece of debris skitters across the glass before disappearing into the snow, and Mia flinches.

“The windows are fine,” I tell her.

She spins around to face me. “How do you know?”

“They were designed to withstand conditions far worse. This building was engineered with storms in mind.”

Mia turns back to the windows. “So we’re safe?”

I settle my hands on her shoulders. “Yes, we are.”

She exhales slowly, though I can tell it hasn’t entirely convinced her.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this out of my depth before.”

Her voice is quiet enough that I almost miss it.

I glance at her. “You’re doing well.”

She lets out a humorless huff. “I nearly had a heart attack when the building moved.”

“Yet you’re still standing here. You’re okay.”

I draw her against me and press a kiss to the top of her head.

She looks back at the storm. “I don’t want fear dictating my decisions.”

Most people retreat the moment something makes them uncomfortable. Mia doesn’t. Even scared, she’s still standing at the window. I understand that instinct. More than that, I admire it.

Mia shivers against me. Only then do I realize how cold she is. I take her hand. Her fingers are freezing.

“We don’t have to stay here,” I say quietly. “There are empty service apartments on the lower floors. We can stay there tonight if you’d like.”

Chapter Fifty

Mialina

Istare at him, not sure what to make of the offer.

I want to say yes. I really, really do. Anything to escape this swaying.

Every time the tower moves, even by the tiniest bit, my stomach drops and my heart forgets how to beat for a second.

My imagination, meanwhile, has taken off to new heights. It’s already progressed from this is unsettling to this is how people end up in newspaper headlines.

My rational mind keeps reminding me that skyscrapers are designed for this. Maximo has assured me that the building is doing what it’s supposed to, and that everything is completely normal.

Unfortunately, my rational mind has been thoroughly outvoted.

“Mia?” Maximo’s voice pulls me back. I hadn’t even realized I’d been standing there in silence.

God, I wish my hands would stop shaking.