Page 87 (2/2)

“Well, nice work on the announce Damon”

“I don’t knohat youin my father’s eyes said otherwise

Dinner was served shortly after that, and I barely touched ers itched to text Ee Her ee, round table didn’t help Anxiety grew and weighed ed on and there was no word from her

“Is everything okay?” Marist asked me in a low voice when dessert was served She was seated beside me “You’ve checked your watch at least ten times in the last ten minutes”

I struggled to find a convincing lie, and so instead I ith the truth “I’m worried about Emery”

She abruptly grabbed Royce’s hand and put it on her belly The baby was kicking, and it was surreal to see the grin break out onto be a father soon Didn’t that scare the shit out of him?

Marist’s attention went back to o check on her”

“Yeah, I think I will” I kept h a swarm of bees were trapped inthe safety threshold we’d set Once dinner was over, the party could rapidly thin out and it would be obvious when I was

My phone vibrated with a text, and I hurried to check the screen

Eht need to leave

My heart dropped to the floor This was her way of telling me she didn’t have the safe unlocked yet

Me: I’m on my way

Maybe I said goodbye to ot up frouy in charge of keeping the guests out of the house remembered me and waved me up the stairs when I asked

I didn’t knohere Emery was, and both bedroouest room to wait for me, but I hoped not If there was any way I could help her—shit—I was going to try

My thought was I’d go straight for Wayne and Serena’s bedroom, and if anyone saw, I could clai for But it didn’t sound like there was anyone on this floor besides us I hurried through the door, shutting it behind me, and then surveyed the room