“I’m going to go check on her.” He grabbed his keys from the counter and rushed out, ignoring the laugh from Lucas.
Ginger jumped into the rented SUV and headed toward her job a few miles away. She’d given him the address of the apartment building in downtown. His phone rang through the car stereo system.
“I’m not coming back,” he said as he answered.
“Didn’t think you would.” Lucas’s voice echoed through the SUV. “Wanted to tell you the apartment you were going to has security. You’re going to need my help togetin. Pretty sure the front desk isn’t going to just buzz you up.”
Rose was the only thing on his mind, and he hadn’t considered he wouldn’t be able togetto her. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as he weaved through traffic going way over the speed limit.
“Somethingfeelsoff.”
Lucas cleared his throat. “I hacked the camera. You need togetto her. You’re right, something is off, but I can'tseemuch.”
His stomach dropped. He had stayed back because he couldn't stop thinking about her in a sexual way anditcost her, all because his hormones were acting like he was a damn teenager all over again.
Her work van was parked out front as he drove by and took a spot a few spaces down. “On my way in.”
“I have the cameras of the building up. Walk past the guard and straight for the elevator. I have control of the security system. This building needs a complete overhaul. Anyonecouldaccess these cameras.”
Rose was in potential danger, and he’d put herthere. The man behind the desk didn't even look up from his book as he stormed by.
“I'm at the elevator,” he told Lucas with the phone still against his ear.
The up button illuminated, and the door opened. He stepped inside and hit the close button before someone else stepped on.
“Fuck, I don'tknowwhat floor.”
“Hold up, let me look.” The clicks of Lucas's fingers against the keyboard seemed to last forever. “I got into her work system and found the job.It'sapartment eight zero four. I’ll send the elevator up.”
Before Gingercouldeven hit the button, the eight lit up.
“You controlling the elevator is creepy as fuck.”
“This is easy. One time boss man had me hack the controls of a plane. Now that took some work, this I can do with my eyes closed!”
The elevator dipped before the doors opened and he stepped off and came face to face with the detective from the job he assisted Rose with.
“You're not allowed up here,” he growled and pulled out his phone from his pants pocket.
“Rose texted me and asked me to assist.” The lie fell from his lips easily. “Now if you’ll move to the side, my girlfriend needs me.”
“Girlfriend?” The detective sneered. “She sure doesgetaround.”
“Don't punch him.” He'd forgot the phone was still to his ear until Lucas's voice came overit. “Believe me, I would like nothing better, but we don't need to deal with bailing you out of jail when we don'tknowif Rose's is in trouble.”
The detective’s eyes were bloodshot, and Ginger wondered if he hadn’t slept in days. Ginger ignored him and stepped to the side. The detective reached out and grabbed his arm.
“I told you, you’re not welcome up here. A job site isn't a place to bring your boyfriend. I'm going to have to report this to the brass.” His lips turned up. “She keeps up the way she's acting, and she won't have many future jobs with the station.”
Ginger shook off the man's hand and pushed past him. The fucker didn'tgetthe hint and followed only a couple steps back.
“Lucas, you might need to bail me out, because I'm only a few seconds away from punching him.”
The detective behind him huffed. “Like youcouldevengeta shot off before I laid you out.”
Lucas's voice came through the phone. “You need to hurry. Rose hasn't moved since I was able together camera on.”
“Her camera was off?”