Page 135 of The Defender

“He doesn’t have cameras inside. Smith is checking the CCTV footage, but that’s not going to help much. There must’ve been over a hundred people coming in and out all night.”

“At least it’s a start,” Brooklyn reasoned. “Sifting through a hundred people is easier than investigating the millions who live in the city.”

“Maybe.” I sank beside her on the sofa, my own exhaustion getting the best of me. My limbs felt like lead, and a migraine had blossomed behind my temple, its dull ache quickly sharpening into a hot, pulsing throb that spread like wildfire through my head.

Life had finally been looking up. Brooklyn and I were together, I got the Zenith deal, and Blackcastle was killing it on the pitch. Then the intruder came swinging back into my life like a fucking wrecking ball, smashing my sense of control into smithereens.

If I ever caught them, I was going to strangle them with my bare hands.

I glanced at the photo again, my anger curdling into fear. The picture itself was innocent, but the warning was implied.Whoever left it was obsessed with me, and I was dating Brooklyn now. What if they considered her a rival or, worse, a threat?

My mind festered with morbid images of her dead and lying in a pool of her own blood.

A cold spike of terror plunged through my gut. It took everything I had not to cocoon her in bubble wrap and spirit her away to a private island where no one could get to us.

“Let’s talk about something else.” I shoved my spiraling thoughts into a box and slammed the lid shut. “How did your interview with the Moores go?”

I’d been so caught up in the intruder’s reappearance that I hadn’t gotten a chance to check in on her day.

“Really well. They basically offered me the job on the spot.”

“That’s great!” At least there was some good news this evening. But before I could celebrate further, I noticed hesitation clouding her eyes. “Thatisa good thing…right?”

“No, it is. I’m excited, but I…there’s a catch.” Brooklyn took a deep breath. “It’s in Chicago.”

The word dripped down my spine like freshly melted ice.Chicago.

My brain struggled to process it. I knew what it was and where it was, but I couldn’t quite connect the dots between her statement and its implications.

I stared at Brooklyn for a second before I found my voice. “I thought it was a remote position.”

“It was, but they changed it to an in-person one because regionals are so close and it’ll make the transition easier.” She looked down and twisted the hem of her sweater around her finger so tightly, the surrounding skin turned white. “I have until Monday night to decide.”

That was in three days.

My stomach caved like I’d been punched in the gut. The intruder had taken the wind out of my sails, but if I hadn’talready been sitting, the possibility of Brooklyn leaving would’ve sent me to my knees.

Her, in Chicago. Me, in London.

Thousands of miles and an ocean between us.

For the second time that day, the world tilted beneath my feet. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I could only imagine an endless stretch of days where I’d wake up without her beside me.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to spring this news on you when it’s already been a shitty day. But you asked and I couldn’t…I didn’t want to keep it a secret from you. Not when the deadline is so close.” Brooklyn glanced up again, her eyes bright with emotion. “I’m sorry,” she repeated, her voice small.

“Don’t be sorry.” I forced a smile. If she was this torn over it, it meant she wanted the job. If she didn’t, Chicago wouldn’t matter—it would be an easy no. “You got a job offer from Derek and Haley fucking Moore. This should be a celebration.”

She didn’t smile back.

“What are you thinking?” I asked. “Let’s talk it out. Pros and cons.”

My response was logical, almost to the point of clinical, but I couldn’t allow my emotions to gain a foothold. The Moores were ahugedeal. Working for them could change her career, and I didn’t want to influence her decision by letting her see how completely wrecked I felt.

If she saw the panic clawing up my throat or sensed the dread wrapping around my chest like a vise, she’d stay forme—and as much as I wanted that, I couldn’t let her dim her future just to keep mine intact.

“Pros and cons,” Brooklyn repeated. She sounded doubtful.

“Yeah. You have a few days to make your decision, so it’ll be helpful to have a sounding board.” If I smiled any harder, my face might crack.