Page 50 of Nowhere to Hide
“The Kendrick Group?” I angled toward Stone. Shock ricocheted through me based on what he looked like and the men I’d been aware of thanks to my job. Former job.
“You know of them?”
“Just by reputation. A lot of my work is with New York and Boston based clients.” I sighed. “Or it was. I recently left my firm.”
Left.
Such an innocuous term.
Shoved out with an appalling lack of concern or loyalty. I’d known my best friend had been looking to climb her way in the company ranks, I just didn’t think it would include my fiancé’s bedroom and boardroom.
“Miss Barlow?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t catch that.”
“I asked if that helped you make a decision.”
I was about to reply when Locke walked over to me and handed me his phone.
I frowned, but took it. “Hello?”
“Priscilla Barlow?”
“Yes. To whom am I speaking?”
“I’m Nyx—sorry, Nina Kendrick. I was thrown off with the call from Locke.”
“Why?”
The silence on the other end of the line had me zeroing in on Locke.
“Locke is one of my best friends.” I looked down at my hands on my blankets. I was already shredding the cotton threads again. “I know he’s a stranger to you. He’s been through a lot, but he’ll take good care of you. I work in our cybercrimes division at The Kendrick Group. With your permission, I’m going to do a little digging and see if anyone is trying to figure out who you are.”
“Yes, please. I didn’t think of that.”
“That’s why I have such a busy job. These days I’m needed more than ever.”
“I can also supply you with people who have worked with Locke. Testimonials if you will. He’s really good at his job. He might sound a little intense right now, but he only has your best interests in mind. And selfishly, this is the first time he’s checked in with me in almost a year. If he wants to help you, I’m going to find every way to make sure both of you are safe.”
“A year?”
Locke shoved his hands into his pockets, his eyes burning into mine as I spoke to Nina.
“Yes. He’s damn good at his job. You’ll be safe with him. He’s grieving. That’s all I can say.”
“Thank you for talking to me.”
“I’m sorry about what happened to you, but I’m glad it was Locke who found you. Selfishly, we want him back and maybe helping you will nudge him back to us.”
Unsure what to say to that, I swallowed hard. My throat still fiery and tight. “Thank you. I’ll give you back to him.”
“No. Thank you. More than you could ever know.”
I held out the phone to Locke who took it and moved back to the window, speaking low.
Before I could absorb that, the doctor came back in.
Locke hung up and walked to the far side of my bed. His reassuring presence calmed me more than I wanted to own up to.
