Page 204 of Ruined Beta

He stops walking and sighs softly, turning away a little.

I feel weird about listening in, so I move on a few steps.

We’re not even past the front of the Anchor West building yet.

Joan’s probably in there wondering when I’ll get back with her Coke.

It’s not going to take their security team too long to wonder why I disappeared around the same time that Harlan and that other guy did. They probably have cameras all over …

Wait! The cameras!

Victor had one in Harlan’s office.

Some of the footage when Harlan arrived might be extremely useful.

It’s not a full plan, but I’m starting to think of some things we could do.

I look back at Seth, and I resolve to speak to Secret later.

Right now, we’ve got a plan to pull together as quickly as possible.

Seth puts his phone back in his pocket and catches up to me.

“Long story short, Secret’s glad we’re okay, but she’s pissed at us both.”

“That’ll pass. We need to see what we have on Harlan. I don’t want to go to the cops if it’s not enough for them to arrest him. We can’t let him get away with his.”

“I don’t think we can let him live, Leanne. He’ll have a grudge against you if you put him in prison.”

God, I didn’t even think about that. I seriously don’t need a rich psychopath gunning for me when I’m trying to settle down and start a family with my new mates.

“That’s a fair point, but I need my mates to help figure this plan through. I have some ideas, but E.A.’s the one who used to know Harlan. I need to know what he thinks.”

Seth nods. “Fine, but as soon as the plan is figured out, and before you go off and do anything else that we can file under crazy, you have to come with me to speak to Secret in person. She deserves to know why you’re doing this.”

“She does,” I agree. “I know. I want to speak to her.”

“Okay, good.” He stops and lets out a sigh.

I look ahead and see Spencer’s worried face in the crowd. He’s heading toward us, and I can tell E.A.’s right behind him. He locks eyes on me and moves into a sprint until he’s standing right in front of me. His hands clasp my arms, and he closes his eyes as he lets out a relieved breath.

“Finally,” he murmurs. “We’ve been so worried.”

“Sorry,” I tell him, feeling more than a little guilty.

“I don’t get how you guys all managed to let her sneak out,” Seth says. “That would never happen in my apartment.”

Spencer frowns at him, and I put my hand against his chest.

He turns back to me.

“Seth’s just being an asshole because Secret’s mad at the both of us right now.”

Spencer gives me a wry smile. “Well, I hate to tell you, but Secret’s not the only one who’s mad at you over this.”

“I know,” I say, looking from him to E.A. “I shouldn’t have snuck out, but I had a feeling that it was something I was meant to do, and if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have a couple of ribbon filled jars in my purse right now, and Harlan wouldn’t be being held captive by Victor Hayes and his team.”

Spencer blinks at me. “What? I mean … What?”

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