Page 117 of Ruling Scar
Ivan whirls around and I’m caught in a prism I don’t understand. The phone remains in my palm and I think I hear Ads’ voice. The bodyguard’s shoulder brushes mine and I feel the jerk of his body at the same time I register the gunshot.
“Lennie!” Adeline screeches.
The phone tumbles, bits of the screen crumbling on the pavement.
Leopold grabs my elbow, dragging me against his chest. He takes my body, but I swear my soul is left behind, and before I realize it everything goes dark.
CHAPTER 27
Elijah
Roma shows up around lunchtime and doesn’t go away. I’m not opposed to spending quality time with my brother, but he’ll need to learn to keep his thoughts to himself.
He reads over my shoulder and makes a face. “Really? Sexting at work?”
I elbow him and wait for my Leonora to respond.
“You are so whipped,” Roma whispers under his breath.
“Says the man pussy whipped by a woman he can’t even think about without releasing a shaky breath.”
“You’re a dick,” Roma says at the end of a shaky breath.
“No risk, no reward.” I type out another text, smiling. If Roma wants to get his girl, he’s going to have to make a move at some point.
“Let’s go get lunch,” he grumbles.
We’re halfway down the block to Roma’s favorite sub shop when my phone lights up with multiple notifications. I swipe away from Adeline’s call, read a text from my father, and then answer when a number I recently programmed in my phone calls.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Hi, this is Janis Matthews from Mental Matters. I have you down as Leonora Akatov’s emergency contact.”
Roma peers over curiously.
“Yes,” I say, glancing at my watch. I hacked into Leonora’s patient portal and updated her contacts. Her appointment should nearly be over by now.
“Lennie didn’t make her appointment and I haven’t been able to get a hold of her. Do you know if she’s all right?”
I stop walking, Roma frowning as he leans closer to hear the call.
“She didn’t make it to her appointment?” I repeat. There’s a text on my phone telling me she was on her way.
“If you hear from her will you please let me know,” Janis Matthews requests.
“Yes, of course. Thank you for calling.” I can’t believe I remain polite with the way my heart hammers. I bring up Ivan’s number, calling. No answer.
Roma’s phone lights up and he brings it up to his ear. “Hey, Ads.”
I pull up Ivan’s location. It’s a block away from Janis’s office.
“No, Lennie’s not with us,” Roma says before I pull the phone away from him.
“What’s going on Adeline?” I ask.
“Why is my sister’s phone floating in the harbor?” she asks.
“What?” The phone is too hot against my ear, digging into the flesh.
