Page 87 of Stitched Up in You
“Rebecca has him, Bernadette. Go now,” Mikael says over the receiver.
Instantly a shot of relief goes off inside me.I did it.
“So nice to meet you,” I say loudly before turning to Frank, “I need to go powder my nose, I’ll be right back,” I tell him, but his grip tightens on my hand as if to keep me by his side.
He sighs wearily, and I bite my lip to keep from smiling at him like a fool.
“I won’t be but a minute,” I promise. His hand goes to my waist as he bends down, taking my mouth in a swift kiss. The cameras go wild and my lips curve against his mouth.
Happiness and a touch of longing floods through my veins.
Frank Stein is about to be off the market for real if I have anything to say about it.
“Be right back,” I toss over my shoulder, my cheeks pinking a bit at the wink Rebecca gives me.
I make my way across the room, smiling at anyone who meets my gaze as I curse the heels on my feet. I can’t wait to take these stupid things off.
“First door on the right, Bernadette. It’s about halfway down the long hallway there,” Mikael says in my ear.
My palms begin to sweat the further I get from Frank. I stop in front of a throng of people talking in the middle of the hallway.
“Excuse me,” I say, smiling to the older woman in front of me, admiring the sparkling tiara she wears on her head.
“Oh, it’s you. When’s the wedding?” she asks, grabbing my arm with her gloved hands.
I shake my head and tug free of her silky grasp, backing away. “We haven’t picked a date yet,” I tell her, the smile falling from my face as whispers pick up in the group, making me feel like an animal on display at the zoo. It’s no wonder Frank never goes to these kinds of things.
I pull away from the crowd, careful to not let anyone grab me again as I make my way down the hallway where I see Bruno standing watch.
I’m glad they picked Bruno instead of Nero for the job, realizing I feel better seeing a familiar friendly face right now.
I can do this. I nod to Bruno as I reach the room, and he lets me inside.
It's small and sparse with nothing in it but a table and my favorite device.
I grin the moment my gaze lands on my laptop as I rush to get my hands on it. “Oh, baby it’s been too long,” I say, squealing a bit as I open it.
“I’m going to assume you’re talking to your laptop,” Mikael mutters as if he’s over my shit already.
“Whatever, Mikael, you know you like me,” I answer back as the sounds of the mayor’s voice echoes from the distant room.
“I’m so glad you could all be here tonight,” the mayor says, the sound so loud, it probably echoes through the whole floor.
I log into my entry application, thanking everything that I don’t have an update waiting for me as I enter the coding necessary to remote key into Mr. Jackman’s cell phone. “Come on, come on,” I say to the laptop, willing the tiny download bar to go faster as the mayor drones on about Frank’s many achievements.
I snort a bit, knowing Frank is probably ready to dig his eyes out with a spoon by now.
“I’m in,” I say, my stomach flip flopping like mad as I give Mikael access to Mr. Jackman’s device and a small point of access to the guy’s company.
“I know. I can see it. Good job, Bernadette, now go save Frank from himself,” Mikael says.
My heart beating like it’s trying to force itself out of my chest, I close the laptop, knowing one of the team will stop by and grab it before we leave and step toward the door.
“Go now, Bruno. All teams have the list,” Mikael says, and the line goes silent.
I step outside into the hallway and find it empty, unsurprised when I don’t see Bruno loitering by the door with the authority Mikael had in his voice.
My heartbeat slows a bit, and I take a deep breath, thankful no one is around as I take a minute to compose myself as my hands tremble.
