Page 15 of Unlocked

A drawer slamming shut. Hangers rattling.

Her stomach dropped. Someone was in her closet.

She backed away from the door immediately, pulse pounding so hard she was certain it could be heard through the walls.

What the hell was she supposed to do?

She grabbed her phone, fingers slick against the screen. Who did she call? Who could actually help her right now? Not her parents. That was a given. The only security people she knew were from the Society. Better them than anyone else. Ryker Sterling had been at the gala along with Rushton Fletcher.

She was scrolling when another crash sounded, harder this time. Not accidental. Intentional. Like someone was smashing things in her bathroom. Then more thumping as if someone was testing the walls inside her closet.

Shit.

If they found the panel, it was over. Everything she'd spent months building, every thread she'd pulled on from New York to Tokyo, gone.

She sent the SOS text to Ryker and stood perfectly still, barely breathing.

Her phone vibrated in her sweaty palm. On the way. Stay where you are. I'll tell you when I'm on-site.

Relief surged so fast it burned. She swallowed hard, choking back the sob that rose with it. Making noise now would be a mistake. Help was coming. She didn't know if it would arrive in time but if she disappeared, at least someone would know the truth.

She stared at the door. Had they left?

Another thump answered her.

She glanced at her grandfather's picture, throat tight. I tried, Gramps, she thought. I really did. Japan and all. Time stood still. She was frozen in place. And then her phone vibrated.

It's safe to come out.

The words appeared on her screen, and Tatum's whole body went limp. She sagged against the wall, the tension draining out of her all at once and leaving something uncomfortably close to tears in its place. She blinked furiously to stop them. That had been the most terrifying fifteen minutes of her life.

She let out a long breath and straightened. Took a step forward and stumbled because her knees weren't quite cooperating. She took another breath, slower this time, and willed herself back together. It was one thing to call for help when there was an intruder in your apartment. It was an altogether different thing to fall apart in front of whoever had answered her call.

Tatum squared her shoulders and stepped forward in a manner that would have made Bunny proud. She hit the switch, stepped out of the room, and came face to face with Archer Gray.

"Wha…what are you doing here?" she blurted.

Archer cocked an eyebrow. "You put out a distress call."

"Yes, but I texted Ryker."

"Any major incident involving a Society member reaching out to my security is worthy of my attention." He glanced around the closet. "And this is a major incident."

Tatum stopped staring at Archer and took in her surroundings. Her mouth dropped open and her stomach fell with it. She swayed on her feet, and Archer put his arm around her immediately, steadying her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, looking down at her.

She couldn't make a sound. Her entire closet had been demolished. Every piece of clothing she owned was on the floor or hanging by a thread. Even her linens were scattered across the room.

"I…I…" She met Archer's gaze. "What the fuck?"

Archer's mouth curved briefly and then he sobered. "Yes. That is the question."

"Is the whole place like this?" She wasn't sure she wanted the answer.

"I'm afraid so. Do you know who would do this?"

Tatum shook her head. "I have no idea. I just don't get it."