Page 109 of On Edge

By the time the inner doors ping open, my ears have popped, and I feel a little lightheaded, but Troy steadies me, leading me down a glass walkway. At the end, there is a landing pad with a waiting helicopter.

I stare at the helicopter, then back at Troy. “You’re not coming?”

“No.” He’s already checking his phone, jaw tight. On the way over here, I saw his screen on his car dashboard light up with an urgent message from Mundel.

We’ve found her…

That was all I got to read before Troy swiped it off the control panel.

Who has he found?

Whoever Mundel was referring to has his full attention.

“Craig will fly you back to Grayfleet.” His tone suggests no argument. It’s the same voice he uses to dismiss Mundel, Kathy, or end business calls.

“I can manage the boat myself?—”

“No.” His eyes cut to me briefly before returning to his phone. “The boat will take too long.”

The dismissal stings more than it should. Of course, he has more important things to do than escort me home like some child.

We’ve found her…

I want to ask him outright, but I can’t. How can I? I’m not his real fiancée. I’m a problem he has to deal with.

My throat feels thick and scratchy. “Okay.” I turn toward the helicopter, but his hand catches my elbow, firm enough to stop me.

“Stay off the terrace. It’s not safe.”

I pull my arm free, but his grip tightens fractionally before he releases me. “I know the rules.”

“I’m serious, Sage. Don’t go exploring while I’m gone.”

I bite my lips. “Will you be back for the wedding?” I don’t even know why I’m asking that.

“Of course.” He’s already stepping back, putting distance between us. “I usually let Kathy know.”

Then his mind is elsewhere. I’m not expecting an apology for abandoning me at a helipad. But the way he orders me about like I’m part of his entourage, and that infuriating arrogance he has that I’ll obey, pisses me off.

He treats me like his pet dog.

He’ll be getting me a bloody collar next.

Strangely, that makes my inside curl, and I hurry to get into the aircraft before I can decipher why. The rotors are already spinning up as I climb into the helicopter, not wanting to look back.

But then I do, through the glass, I catch one last glimpse of Troy, already walking toward the elevator, phone pressed to his ear, as Craig hands me a headset, and we lift off.

He doesn’t even glance up, and I hate that I’m alone in watching him go. My chest aches, and I don’t care to understand the feeling.

The city spreads below us, beautiful in the fall with the orange foliage dotted about. I lean back in my seat and shut my eyes to it, not wanting to see how pretty it is anymore. The sound of the rotors drowns out the mixed-up feelings I can’t seem to shake off.

Whoever it is that Mundel found, they matter more than me.

24

SAGE

Troy has been gone for two days. Without him, Grayfleet Hall feels colder, darker, and the corridors seem to stretch longer, even with the fires going. The east wing, whenever I leave my room, breathes its secrets at me through keyholes and cobwebs in dusty corners. It’s Halloween, and for once, this house doesn’t need decorating.