Turn Over(144)

There were other companies in this building. I think I remembered Mason mentioning law firms, accounting firms, and even an oil company, were co-residents of his. One day he planned to buy the building. For now he was still a tenant. I tapped L for lobby, hoping I would recognize the floor when the elevator deposited me on the level. I rushed from the elevator and headed for the set of revolving doors.

I walked out of the office building not sure which way to go. I fished through my purse looking for my sunglasses. The rays shot around the tall buildings, and for a second I felt so disoriented I considered sitting down to get my bearings, but I couldn’t sit. I couldn’t be still long enough to let it sink in what had happened. If I kept moving, I could keep it away a little while longer. Long enough to get home. I didn’t know my way around Dallas. I held out my hand for a cab. When one pulled up to the curb I hopped in the backseat.

“The airport,” I choked.

“Yes, ma’am.” The driver took off.

I pulled my ticket from my bag. The return flight wasn’t until ten. I had to hope I could fly standby on an earlier flight.

I walked to the ticket counter and handed the woman my voucher. “I was hoping I could fly standby.” I bit hard on my lower lip.

She studied me for a second. “Let me see what we have here.” Her nails clanked on the keyboard.

I waited while she mumbled to herself. “How about the three o’clock?”

I felt the hot tears roll over my cheeks. “Is there anything earlier?” I sniffed. I was not going to break down in the airport. I refused.

“Honey, you all right?” She peered at me.

“I’ll be fine. I just really need to get home.”

“Hold on.” She clanked some more. “The noon flight?”

I nodded. “Yes. Can I do that one?”

“It’s a two hundred dollar change fee.”

I dug through my wallet for the credit card that was an emergency-only backup. This was an emergency. I had to get home. Away from Mason. Away from the super models in PR. Away from Lachlan Corporation, or as Jackie fondly referred to it, Lach Corp.

I handed her the card. “Just get me on the flight please.” At this point I would be willing to pay another hundred dollars to make an earlier plane back to Padre.

It took off in an hour. I returned the card to my wallet after she ran it through the scanner. I heard my phone ring. Mason. I clicked ignore, and shoved the phone in the side pocket of my bag.

“Here you go, honey. I hope everything’s all right.” She handed me a new ticket.

“Thank you.”

I walked toward the security checkpoint and put my bag on the conveyer belt.

“Ma’am, your phone is ringing.” The guard pointed to my bag.

“I can take care of that.” I picked it from my purse and powered it off. I didn’t need to talk to him. I needed to get out of here.





23





Mason





I looked at the phone in my hand. The calls went straight to voicemail. Damn it.

“Mark, what were you thinking taking her to PR?” I yelled. “I told her to stay in my office.”

“She’s on the PR team, sir.”

I threw my hands in the air. I should have told her. “Find out where she went, damn it!” I knew I was yelling and screaming like a dictator, but I felt all the control I had was lost.

“How am I supposed to do that?” Mark was plastered to the wall next to the door.

I sat in the chair. She was gone. No one had seen her in the building, and Jackie and Chelsea said she ran out of their offices like she was being chased.

I didn’t know whether I should stay in the office or go out on the street to search for her. She could be at the airport. She could be in a coffee shop. Hell, she could be anywhere. I picked up the note she had scribbled on my desk. She signed it with three X’s. She had told me once they stood for more than kisses. They were kisses laced with fire.

“I need James Booker on the phone now.” I glared at him.

“Got it.” Mark raced out of the office.

It had been a long time since I had used his services, but this was urgent. Sydney could be anywhere in the city. I couldn’t stay if she had left, and I couldn’t go if she had stayed. I felt caged. Worse, I felt helpless.

The intercom crackled. “Mr. Booker’s on line one.”

I yanked the phone in my hand. “James.”

“Sounds like you have something urgent.” The retired detective had a slow drawl.

“I do.”

“What can I do for you, Mason?”

“Can you meet me at my place? I’m headed over there now.”

“Sure can. See you in twenty minutes.”

I barged past Mark and the rest of the staff. I turned to face him. “If you see her, call me immediately.”