Page 39 of Saving Her Heart
"Ms. Greene," Captain Ramirez approaches, his expression grim. "We need to evacuate the building while we investigate."
"All forty units?" My mind races. "Captain, that's over a hundred people. Families. Where are they supposed to go?"
"That's not my?—"
"I'll coordinate it," I interrupt. "But I need two hours to arrange temporary housing."
He looks like he wants to argue, but Jax steps in. "Two hours, Captain. She knows these residents. Let her help them."
The captain nods grudgingly. "Two hours. Then everyone needs to be out."
I dive into crisis mode, phone pressed to my ear as I coordinate with other properties, hotels, and emergency services. Jax stays close, one hand occasionally touching my elbow or shoulder, grounding me when the chaos threatens to overwhelm.
"Fifteen rooms at the Marriott," I tell him between calls. "Eight units available at Building 2. The rest can go to?—"
"Kendall."
I look up from my lists to find Declan holding an evidence bag. Inside is a brick with a note rubber-banded to it.
"This was in your office," he says quietly.
I read the note through the plastic: "YOU'RE NEXT."
The phone slips from my suddenly numb fingers. Jax catches it, his other arm going around my waist.
"That's it," he says. "You're not staying alone. You’re moving, too."
"I have an apartment?—"
"With a door anyone can kick in and windows anyone can break." His jaw is tight, fury radiating from every line of his body. "You're staying with someone. Tonight."
"I can stay at Charli’s?—"
"Charli's in Miami at that food conference, remember? She mentioned it at breakfast."
Right. The breakfast that feels like a lifetime ago instead of this morning.
"Kate and Hudson?—"
"Are also in Miami with Charli."
"Then I'll get a hotel?—"
"Like hell you will." He turns me to face him. "Someone just threatened to burn down a building and left a personal threat in your office. You're not staying in some random hotel where anyone can find you."
"Then where?—"
"My place. Across the hall. Where I can keep you safe."
The logical part of my brain knows he's right. The emotional part—the part still feeling his lips on mine from earlier—knows this is dangerous for entirely different reasons.
"Jax—"
"This isn't negotiable, Kendall. You’re staying with me."
Captain Ramirez approaches before I can argue further. "Ms. Greene, we found something else. Brad Hutchins' truck was spotted on security footage from the gas station across the street. Right around the time the vandalism would have occurred."
"That's proof…"
