Page 86 of Saved By the Boss

The email is long, detailed, and as I read, my blood runs cold. It’s everything Jade’s been running from, laid out in black and white. Names, places, threats. It’s enough to get a DA to convict everyone involved. If she’s sending this to me, something’s wrong. This feels like a backup plan, a last resort.

I look up at Patrick, my jaw tightening. “You said you’ll always back me up.”

“I meant it,” he says, his tone firm. “Why?”

“There’s a woman,” I say slowly, my blood running cold in my veins. “I care about her a lot and I think she might be in trouble. Serious trouble. Will you help me?”

I slide the phone across the table toward him, meeting his gaze. He looks down and I wait impatiently for him to read themessage. He whistles low and slides the phone back to me.

“Well, you’ve definitely got a thing for a damsel in distress,” he says, though there’s no levity in his tone.

“Patrick,” I start, my panic rising.

“Declan,” he mimics. “I was serious. I’ve got your back.”

He stands up with authority, gaining the attention of his men. “Lets go.” He commands.

25

Jade

When I wake up, all I notice is the cold. It seeps into my bones, biting and unforgiving. My skin prickles against the chill of the hard floor beneath me. Then I feel the ache in my arms. They’re pulled behind me at an angle that feels unnatural, stiff and sore. I try to move, but all I can feel is the coarse bite of rope against my skin. I hiss against the pain and drop them into a slightly more comfortable position.

My head pounds like a drum, the sharp, rhythmic throbbing making it hard to think. I blink a few times, but my vision is blurry, the dim light around me swimming in and out of focus. It takes me a moment to piece together where I am. It’s much easier to figure out where I’m not. I’m not in my cabin, that much is obvious. The smell is different. It’s damp and musty, like concrete and sawdust. It’s somewhat familiar, but I can’t place it with the way my head is pounding and my vision is blurring.

I turn my head slightly, trying to get my bearings, when I hear a faint, shallow breath close by. My muscles tense, every instinct screaming at me to stay still. Maybe if my attacker thinks I’mstill unconscious, they’ll leave me alone. But my curiosity gets the better of me. I twist as much as I can manage, ignoring the burn in my shoulders, and that’s when I see a sight that turns my stomach.

Tawny is slumped on the ground a few feet away, her blonde hair falling loose over her face. She’s still wearing her work uniform. Her hands are tied behind her too, and there’s a faint bruise blooming across her cheek.

She shouldn’t be here, and I suddenly realize that she only is because of me. I called her, I sent her that email. I marked her as a target when all I wanted to do was leave her out of it and make sure she’d be safe. How could I be so stupid? My eyes fill with unshed tears that I can’t wipe away.

She notices me staring and her head snaps up, her wide eyes locking onto mine. Relief floods her face, but she shakes her head, motioning for me to stay quiet.

I nod weakly, my throat too dry to speak anyway.

She scoots closer, her movements slow and deliberate, like she’s trying not to draw attention to herself. When she’s close enough, she leans in, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Don’t make any noise,” she warns, her tone deadly serious. “They might hear us.”

I swallow hard, my mouth dry as sandpaper. “I’m so sorry, Tawny,” my voice cracks and I clear my throat, trying again. “This is all my fault. I never wanted you involved in this. This is my mess, not yours.”

The tears fall freely now and I let them. I try to keep my sobs muffled, though, not wanting to bring any attention from ourkidnappers. It’s the last thing we need.

Tawny’s face darkens, and she glances toward the stairs at the far end of the room.

“It’s going to be okay,” she whispers. “We’ll get out of this together.”

I can only shake my head and try to swallow back my gasps of fear.

“Why are you here?” I manage, keeping my voice as quiet as possible.

“I came to the hardware store looking for you,” she explains. “After you called me so freaked out, I thought maybe you’d be there. But then this guy showed up.” Her voice wavers slightly, but she takes a steadying breath. “He said he was looking for you. He knew my name, he told me he was a friend of yours, but I immediately didn’t trust him, especially after what you told me. I swear to God, I didn’t tell them anything!” Her voice breaks, and she looks down, her hands clenching into fists behind her.

“I know you didn’t,” I say as soothingly as I can manage. “This isn’t your mess.”

“I’m sorry, Jade. I didn’t know they’d find you anyway. I didn’t know—”

I shake my head quickly, my own fear momentarily eclipsed by hers.

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