Page 14 of Hunted Hearts
Theo’s gaze was unreadable, but her team, herpeople, were bobbing their heads as if they agreed with his concerns.
She snapped at the tight constriction in her chest. “You’re acting like I’m hiding something.”
Rachel rested a hand on her arm. “We’re not. We’re just trying to keep you safe.”
She tightened her lips. Itwasnothing. Wasn’t it?
Their disbelief got her brain ticking. Had something else happened that night?
Her brows drew together.
Theo spotted her expression before she could wipe it off her face. “Juliette.” Her name came out as a warning.
She scraped her fingers through her hair. “There was something strange.”
Theo’s stare locked on her with an intensity that crawled through her like she touched a live wire. “Tell me.”
God, that voice, so low and rough. It raised a shiver in her. It made her palms hot.
“It was my supplements.”
Everyone stared at her.
She darted her tongue over her dry lips. “I felt awful that night. Sluggish and dazed. I wondered if I was coming down with something, or maybe jetlagged. I was so tired that I cancelled my performance that first night.”
“What supplements?” Theo’s eyes sharpened.
“Supplements to keep me at my peak performance level. I need my brain to be honed and quick. I can’t afford to miss shows. I took my supplements, then felt the opposite of energetic. I wondered if I took my evening meds accidentally…but now I’m not so sure.”
“You have a doctor managing your care?”
“I have regular labs to see where I’m lacking, and a doctor prescribes the supplements.”
“What are you on? Anxiety medication? Sleeping pills?”
Her head snapped up. “No! Ashwagandha. NAC. Adaptogens. Natural stuff.”
His intense gaze grew more intense. “Think, Juliette. Tell me every single thing you did that day.”
She pulled in a breath and released it in a slow trickle. “I met an old friend in the hotel lobby for breakfast. Coffee and croissants.”
Across from her, Harper nodded, confirming that was true.
“When I came back, I noticed the dressing room door was cracked. I didn’t think much of it since old buildings are fussy,and nothing seemed out of place, so I went about my routine. I always take my supplements after I eat.”
“Where were the pills? Did you have to take them out of a bottle or case?”
“No. I lay them out when I brush my teeth so I don’t forget to take them. The morning ones are light pink. They’re for focus and energy. The evening ones are dark pink.”
“Juliette.” He pierced her in his gaze. “This is really important. I need you to try to remember if you laid out the wrong pills.”
“I’ve never done it before or since.” She spread her hands as if she could recapture the memory. “I was in a hurry—I had a thousand things to do before my sound check—so I just took them. But after I got sleepy, I started to question if I took the wrong ones.”
Theo’s face changed. Not a lot, but enough for her to notice. His angular jaw clenched so hard that a bulge appeared in the crease.
And his eyes darkened in a way that made her stomach twist.
Watching his calm shatter was like seeing steel flex under extreme weight.
