Page 121 of Pietro
"No. Arguments." He heads toward his office, pausing at the door. "And eat something. Giulia packed lunch. It's in the kitchen."
The door closes with finality. I stare at it for a moment, then turn back to my computer. The Morrison numbers still swim, but at least now I can blame it on the kiss instead of fear.
My desk phone rings, the sharp trill cutting through the quiet.
"Mr. Sartori's office."
"Ms. Kelly?" The receptionist from the lobby sounds uncertain. "There's a package here for you, but the courier says he needs your signature specifically. He won't leave it with security."
I frown. "A package? I haven't ordered anything."
"He says it's from..." Papers rustle. "O'Sullivan Imports? Said you'd know what it was about."
My blood turns to ice. O'Sullivan Imports doesn't exist. It's a message. From Connor or Declan.
"Ms. Kelly? Should I send him away?"
"No." The word comes out steady somehow. "No, I'll come down."
"Are you sure? Security could?—"
"It's fine. I'll be right there."
I hang up before she can protest further. My hands shake as I save the Morrison file. If I interrupt Pietro to tell himabout the package, he'll lock down the building. Overreact. Make everything worse.
Besides, we're in the middle of the Sartori building. The lobby has metal detectors, armed guards, cameras everywhere. Whoever this courier is, he can't hurt me here.
I grab my keycard and head for the elevator. The executive floor is quiet. Liam must be out coordinating the search for Declan. The elevator arrives immediately, empty.
I step inside and press L for the lobby. The doors slide closed, sealing me in the mirrored box.
PIETRO
My phone rings, cutting through the financial reports I'm reviewing. The number shows internal—lobby extension.
"Mr. Sartori?" The receptionist's voice wavers. "Mr. Blackwood left instructions that I should inform you about anything involving you or Ms. Kelly."
My hand tightens on the phone. "What about Ms. Kelly?"
"A courier arrived with a package from O'Sullivan Imports. He insisted on Ms. Kelly's signature specifically. I called her about it, and she said she'd come down, but I thought you should know?—"
I'm already moving, phone dropping as I burst from my office. Nora's desk sits empty, computer still glowing, her coffee growing cold.
"Nora!" My voice echoes through the executive floor. Nothing.
I slam through the stairwell door, taking the steps three at a time while yanking out my cell. "Security, lock down the lobby. Now. No one in or out?—"
Thirty-five floors. My shoulder crashes into walls as I round each landing, dress shoes sliding on concrete. Twenty-eight. Twenty. My lungs burn but I push harder.
Fifteen floors. Ten. My phone buzzes—security trying to respond—but I can't stop to answer.
Five floors. The lobby door appears below.
I burst through it just as glass explodes.
Gunshots crack through the air. The lobby erupts in screams. A black sedan tears away from the curb, tires smoking. I draw my weapon, firing at the vehicle, but a security guard slams into me.
"Get down!"
