Page 118 of Take It Offline

Theypromised.

“When?”

“As soon as possible.”

Fuck. That’s bad. That’s really, really bad.

“Now?”

“If you can come to my office, I’ll let my secretary know to expect you.”

My heart’s beating a mile a minute. Either it’ll jackhammer its way out of my chest or overwork itself into burnout, and right now, I’d welcome either.

I cannot believe they did this.

“Whoa there.” Charlie’s suddenly in front of me, running calming hands over my shoulders. “Breathe.”

It’s all too easy to step into his arms. His heartbeat is strong and steady, same as his breathing. “I have to go. It’s my parents.”

“Everything okay?”

“No” is all I can manage.

He squeezes me a little tighter. “Do you need backup?”

Of course he’d ask.

I press closer, holding tight, trying to absorb a little of his strength. Last time this happened, I faced it alone. I was angry and lost and faced with the reality that my social circle came with a buy-in cost. One I couldn’t afford anymore.

So his presence, his willingness to face it with me? It’s priceless.

I rest my chin on his chest. “A ride would be nice.”

Leading me to the passenger door, he pulls his keys from his pocket. “What the lady wants, she gets.”

God, he’s so good. Ready to help at the drop of a hat. It knocks something loose between my ribs. Four letters, starts withL, difficult to say.

When we arrive at Harvey’s office, I convince Charlie to stay in the car. I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal the full scale ofcatastrophe that is my family’s financial situation. I’m sure he has his suspicions. How could he not? He’s incredibly smart, and I’ve dropped enough details for him to put it together.

I can’t pinpoint the moment having Charlie by my side changed from frustrating to comforting, but knowing he’s waiting for me is half the reason I’m walking steady right now.

Harvey’s office is quiet at this late hour, only adding to my growing dread. I thought we were finally out of the woods. The last time we slipped into the red was awful, and I’m praying this isn’t as bad.

It can’t be, right? Surely they wouldn’t be that cruel.

“How bad is it?” I ask as I enter Harvey’s office. The space is surprisingly modest, considering his rates, but I suspect that’s on purpose. No distractions. For someone as straightforward and formidable as Harvey is, it makes sense. His office doesn’t need to be intimidating. He fills that role himself.

When I met him, I genuinely thought my parents had hired private security. And while he’s a few inches shorter than me, I have no doubt he could easily destroy me in a fight. Honestly? He would probably best Charlie, and that’s saying something.

Harvey stands until I’ve taken a seat, as polite as ever. “Not as bad as last time, but it’s not good.”

Happy birthday to me.

With a long breath in, he slides his glasses on and reaches for a folder.

Oh god. My heart jerks painfully in my chest. The problem’s big enough thatstaplesare involved. Any receipt longer than a single page is bad news. That’s at least an extra zero more than we can afford.

Wordlessly, he passes it to me. There’s probably nothing he can say that will prepare me.

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