Page 22 of Fierce Lies
The rain pounded against the windows of Donati Enterprises, turning the city beyond into a blur of grays and blacks. I rolled my neck, trying to work out the knots that had formed after hours hunched over spreadsheets.
"I think we finally got it," Macey said, tapping her pen against the desk with a satisfied smile. "Damn Linda and her sloppy entries, I swear she just stopped caring in her last few weeks before she left. Good catch, Elena."
I saved the corrected file and closed it. "Thanks. I'm just glad we found it before month-end."
"You and me both." Macey glanced at her watch and winced. "It's nearly eight. I'm sorry to keep you so late."
"Don't worry about it." I stretched my arms above my head. "You said there's overtime, right?"
"Absolutely. Time and a half." She gave me a knowing look. "That's why you didn't complain, isn't it?"
I laughed. "Guilty as charged."
"Smart girl." Macey gathered her things. "Need a ride home? It's coming down in buckets out there."
"I'll be fine. My roommate has my car tonight, but I can catch the bus." I wasn't about to admit to her that I didn't want her seeing where I lived and worrying about me. I'd come to like her over the last few days working under her.
Macey frowned. "You sure?"
"I've got my jacket, and the bus stop has a shelter. Besides, I checked ahead for the times, the next bus is only ten minutes out." I smiled reassuringly. "Go home to your husband. Didn't you say you're leaving town next week?"
Her face brightened. "Wine tour with my daughter. I've been looking forward to it for months."
"Then you definitely don't need to be playing chauffeur tonight."
We walked out together, and Macey locked up behind us. The security guard nodded as we passed through the lobby. Outside, the rain hit like needles, and I pulled my jacket tighter around me.
"Last chance," Macey called over the downpour as she hurried to her car.
"I'm good! Have a great night!"
I jogged to the bus stop, already soaked despite the short distance. The plastic shelter offered minimal protection as wind drove the rain sideways. I checked the schedule posted on the wall—seven minutes until the next bus. Perfect, I wouldn't be stuck in this for too long, and I was looking forward to a semi-warm shower. Although, a nice bath back in my old home would be perfect.
I sighed as I lifted my shoulders, trying to use my jacket collar to block out some of the wind whipping my neck.
I unlocked my phone, shooting a message to my old colleague to see how she was doing since she was renting out my place, wanting to make sure they'd not discovered any issues. My mom and I had always worked to keep our homes in top condition,fixing what we could and hiring contractors for what we couldn't do ourselves.
Fifteen minutes later, I was still waiting for the bus, my teeth chattering. Had I missed it? The next one wouldn't come for another forty minutes. Had the damn thing come early? Hopefully it was just running behind in this weather. I pulled out my phone to check the transit app for an update, but the screen flashed a 2% battery warning before going black.
Story of my life.
"Damn it." I'd forgotten to charge it last night after falling asleep, and I'd told myself I'd do it at work. Too bad Macey had distracted me with talks about her wine tour, and charging it had left my mind.
Headlights cut through the rain, and a sleek black Audi pulled up to the curb. My chest tightened as the driver's door opened, but relief washed over me when Jackson stepped out, not some stranger.
He jogged over, joining me under the shelter. Water dripped from his dark hair onto the shoulders of his black jacket, and my breath caught.
I should not have been so thrilled to see him, and yet…
"Peters. What are you doing out here?"
"Waiting for a bus that apparently doesn't exist." I tried to keep my tone light despite my misery and the flutter in my chest.
"Your car finally died?" His eyes, more black than earthy brown in this light, studied me with concern.
"No, that thing's impossible to kill. My roommate borrowed it for her shift tonight."
"How long have you been waiting?"
