Page 117 of When We Break

“I’ll give you all of the pep talks you need. I’ll have snacks on hand and a Taylor Swift and P!nk playlist already curated for this occasion. We’ve got this, babe.”

“See? You get me, Dani Blackwell.”

Maybe someday, Dani and Bee will be my sisters-in-law. That would beincredible.

“I absolutely get you.”

“Mama, I’m hungry,” Birdie says, slipping her hand into her mother’s.

“I know, pumpkin. We’re going.” Dani kisses my cheek. “See you in the morning. I might FaceTime you later to go over what I’m packing.”

“Do it. I want to see it all, and it’ll keep my mind occupied with something other than being nervous.” I walk them to the door and then sigh when it’s just Riley and me left.

After tonight, my studio will be closed for the next ten days.

We’ll be in London tomorrow, but the performance is five days after that. Mik and I want to make sure we’re through the jet lag and in peak condition before we perform, then we’ll take a couple of days to decompress before we come home.

Although it’s true that I’m nervous, I’m also excited. My parents will meet us there, and I’ll have everyone that I cherish most in this world with me for ten whole days. Not to mention, I get to dance with my partner. The rehearsals have been rigorous, but we’re ready, and I’m so grateful that we have this opportunity to dance together one more time. To finish our career together onourterms.

“It’s going to be fun, Riley, and I promise you’ll have a grand time with Brad and Sadie. You won’t even know that I’m gone.” Riley’s lying on his bed, watching me intently. “Beck should be here shortly. Let’s head to the back and start shutting everything down.”

Riley leaves his bed at my command, and we walk into the back room so I can type some notes on my computer, reply to a couple of emails, and use the bathroom.

With a frown, I check the time. Beck should be here by now.

“He probably lost track of time,” I tell Riley as the bell above the front door dings. “There he is. I’ll be right out!”

I turn to grab my handbag and the light jumper I brought for this evening. The spring days have been warm, but it’s still brisk after the sun goes down.

Suddenly, Riley starts to growl.

“Hey, what’s gotten into you?” I rub his neck, but he doesn’t stop. “It’s just Beckett, baby. Come on, let’s go.”

But when I step around the wall that separates the office from the studio, I stop, and my blood runs cold.

Riley barks.

Lewis’s gaze flicks down to my dog, then back to me. He pastes on a fake, smarmy smile.

“Hello, tiny dancer.”Oh God. How did he find me? Why is he here?

Bile rises in the back of my throat. God, I fecking hate that name.

Riley’s snarling now, gnashing his teeth. I didn’t even have to give him a signal. It’s as if he justknows.

But I do give him the signal to intimidate.

“Shut him up,” Lewis snarls.

I simply shake my head and pray that Beckett’s almost here. Why did I let my guard down? Why didn’t I lock the door behind Dani?

Lewis takes a step forward, and Riley loses his mind. He’s always so mellow and sweet that I forget that he also has this fierce side. He’s so well trained—thank the gods—and knows to protect me with his life if need be.

Come on, Beck. Please get here now. Please.

Suddenly, Lewis takes a gun from his pocket and aims it at my dog, and I shout, “No!”

“If you don’t want me to kill him, shut him the fuck up, Skyla.”

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