Page 55 of Body and Soul

I took the card with numb fingers, the embossed letters seeming to swim before my eyes. Special Agent Ashley Valentine. The name seared itself into my brain. I nodded jerkily, not trusting my voice.

Valentine straightened, adjusting his tie. “I'll be in touch, Mr. Baker. Thank you for your time.”

I stared at the business card in my hand long after Valentine left, the crisp edges digging into my palm. My mind reeled, thoughts fractured. I couldn't seem to catch my breath, lungs burning with each shallow inhale. The walls of the cramped back room seemed to close in around me, suffocating and oppressive.

I needed air. I needed space. I needed...

Before I even realized what I was doing, I had my phone pressed to my ear, the tinny ring echoing in my skull as I waited with bated breath.Please pick up. Please, please pick up.

Shepherd's voice washed over me, soothing my nerves. “Eli? Is everything all right?”

I slumped against the table, exhaling shakily. “I needed to hear your voice.”

“Eli, what's wrong? You sound shaken. Did something happen?”

I closed my eyes, leaning heavily against the table as I focused on the deep, rich timbre of his voice. The knot in my chestloosened slightly, my breathing evening out. “I had a rough client,” I said, the half-truth bitter on my tongue. “Brought up some old memories. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you at work, I just...”

“You could never bother me, Eli,” Shepherd said firmly. “I'm here for you, always. Do you need me to come get you? I can be there in twenty minutes.”

Temptation tugged at me, urging me to say yes. To let Shepherd sweep in and make everything better, shield me from the world and my own treacherous thoughts. But I couldn't do that to him. Couldn't upend his entire day because I was too weak to handle my own demons.

“No, no, you don't have to do that,” I said, shaking my head even though he couldn't see me. “I'm okay.”

Shepherd was quiet for a moment, and I could picture him so clearly in my mind - brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line as he weighed my words. Trying to decide if he should push or let it be.

“All right,” Shepherd said finally, his tone still laced with concern. “But I want you to promise me something, Eli. If it gets to be too much, if you need to step away or come home early, you'll call me. No questions asked. I'll be there to pick you up. Okay?”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes and I blinked them back furiously, my throat tightening with emotion. “Okay,” I whispered, my voice cracking slightly. “I promise.”

“Good. I'll have my phone on me all day, so call or text whenever you need to. Even if it's just to tell me about the designs you're working on. I'm here for you, whatever you need.”

“I know. Thank you, Sir. For everything.”

“You never have to thank me for looking after you, Eli,” Shepherd said softly. “I’ll see you in a few hours when your shift is over.”

I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat, blinking back the fresh wave of tears that threatened to spill over. “Yeah. See you then.”

After I hung up, I stood there for a minute, clutching the phone like it was a lifeline. Shepherd’s words still echoed in my head, grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected. The knot in my chest had loosened a little more, my breathing steadied. The thought of him coming to rescue me had been tempting—so, so tempting—but I knew I didn’t need it. I could finish this shift. Iwantedto finish it.

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and took a deep breath. Shepherd believed in me, trusted me to handle things even when I doubted myself. I couldn’t fall apart now.

Pushing away from the table, I straightened my shoulders and headed back toward the front of the shop. The familiar buzz of the tattoo gun filled the air as Cherry worked on her latest client, her eyes flicking up to meet mine as I stepped back into the main room.

“Everything okay?” she asked, her voice low enough that it didn’t carry beyond her station.

“I’m good,” I said, managing a small smile, and I got right back to work.

I hung up withEli and stared down at the black spade playing card, turning it over in my fingers, and gazed up at the imposing skyscraper before me. The glass and steel tower stretched endlessly into the clear blue sky, its mirrored surface reflecting the bustling city below. At the top waited Echelon, Columbus's most exclusive and expensive restaurant.

I'd never been, but knew Echelon's reputation—panoramic views, Michelin-starred cuisine, and a clientele of the city's elite.

The doorman nodded as I approached, his white-gloved hand reaching for the door. “Good afternoon, sir.”

I inclined my head in acknowledgment and stepped through into the opulent lobby. My shoes sank into plush crimson carpeting as I took in the soaring ceilings, glittering chandeliers, walls adorned with original artwork. Fresh flowers perfumed the air, an enormous arrangement of white roses and lilies dominating the center of the space.

A marble staircase led left, but my focus was on the gold-trimmed elevators ahead, where an attendant waited.

The attendant smiled. “Good afternoon, sir. Can I see your membership card?”

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