Page 20 of Theirs to Hunt
I stare at the screen.
My stomach knots.
This wasn’t supposed to happen yet.
Bobbie, still holding a paintbrush, tilts her head.
“You okay?”
I hold out the phone.
She winces.
“You think this is random?”
“I mean… maybe?” I mutter.
“The big boss is in town. He’s been rolling out top-down changes at every branch. But a meeting with twelve hours’ notice? Unless we’re all fired, what could be this urgent?”
Bobbie raises a brow.
“His name’s not Brooks,” I add quickly.
“No one in upper management even has a name close.”
I try for a smile and glance at the wall.
“Honestly, it’s just a bad week to be sick. I guess I go back tomorrow.”
Bobbie looks at the wall, trying to salvage something.
“We got the room done, at least.”
I sigh, but the knot in my stomach tightens.
Tomorrow, I’ll be back in the building.
Back where they can track me, watch me, close the distance.
I was hoping for another day or two of space.
Planning.
But maybe I’m being naïve.
If they know where I work, they already know where I live.
Chapter twenty
Reagan, Tuesday 09:45 a.m.
The elevator doors slide open, announcing a moment I’m not quite ready for. Of course Jeff is in there. Marketing Jeff. Creepy Jeff. The guy who still has a badge, apparently rewarded for leering.
Today, he’s smirking. All knowing and smug. It makes me want to hit the emergency stop and start swinging.
“Reagan,” he says, stepping aside. A gentleman-shaped red flag. “Didn’t expect to see you here this week.”
I step in, arms crossed. “Guess we’re both full of surprises.”
