Page 46 of Manhattan State of Mind

That wouldn’t be enough. Too slow. Too damn slow.

I run a hand roughly through my hair. “I don’t know. I gotta think this through.”

“Remember, JP, I’m here for you. You’ll get Lucy back. I know it.”

“Thanks, Mags. Tell the kiddos their favorite uncle misses them.”

Without a clear strategy in mind, I hang up and cross the expanse of the open office floor plan. As I near Lucy’s desk, my protective instincts kick in when I hear the tension in her voice.

Her fists are firmly placed on her hips as she squares up against Data Guy. “Just listen to me, Dwayne—seriously, put that thing away!”

I suppress a smirk. She’s ready to explode on him.

“What’s the issue here?” I demand.

They swivel toward me, obviously taken aback by my abrupt entrance.

I snatch the sign from Dwayne’s hand and glance at it. The words on it make my blood boil: Lucy has amnesia. Please be patient and handle with care.

“What the hell is this?”

His mouth opens and closes. “I’m the Health and Safety Officer, Mr. Wolfe,” he stammers. “We’re supposed to highlight potential risks in the office.”

My nostrils flare. “Lucy is not a risk,” I snap, casting the sign onto a nearby desk. “Get rid of this.”

I shake my head in disbelief. We hire some strange people around here.

The immediate silence in the office is deafening.

Lucy and Data Guy look frozen, as though deciding whether it’s safe to bolt.

“Can I get rid of this sign on my desk, too?” Lucy’s blond friend, Matty, pipes up.

I read the blue note taped to his workstation:This desk has been declared a safety hazard by the Health and Safety Officer.

Against my will, I let out a deep, rumbling laugh. Jesus Christ, this department.

“Yes, if you get rid of those cereal boxes.”

Turning to Lucy, I lower my voice and say, “could you come to my office, please?”

She looks up at me with those captivating baby blues and I swear she can see the wildness burning behind my gaze. The memories of her body writhing beneath me flood back like a tidal wave; her breathy moans as I tasted her orgasm.

I almost let slip a term of endearment, stopping just in time.

“Of course, Mr. Wolfe.”

I motion for her to lead the way. As she somewhat awkwardly heads down the aisle, I find it hard to look away.

Can’t she see how utterly undone I am?

I close the office door with a click, sealing us off.

THIRTEEN

JP

Lucy stands uneasily, gazing around like it’s her first time in here.