Page 20 of Theirs to Hunt

I stare at the screen.

My stomach knots.

This wasn’t supposed to happen yet.

Bobbie, still holding a paintbrush, tilts her head.

“You okay?”

I hold out the phone.

She winces.

“You think this is random?”

“I mean… maybe?” I mutter.

“The big boss is in town. He’s been rolling out top-down changes at every branch. But a meeting with twelve hours’ notice? Unless we’re all fired, what could be this urgent?”

Bobbie raises a brow.

“His name’s not Brooks,” I add quickly.

“No one in upper management even has a name close.”

I try for a smile and glance at the wall.

“Honestly, it’s just a bad week to be sick. I guess I go back tomorrow.”

Bobbie looks at the wall, trying to salvage something.

“We got the room done, at least.”

I sigh, but the knot in my stomach tightens.

Tomorrow, I’ll be back in the building.

Back where they can track me, watch me, close the distance.

I was hoping for another day or two of space.

Planning.

But maybe I’m being naïve.

If they know where I work, they already know where I live.

Chapter twenty

Reagan, Tuesday 09:45 a.m.

The elevator doors slide open, announcing a moment I’m not quite ready for. Of course Jeff is in there. Marketing Jeff. Creepy Jeff. The guy who still has a badge, apparently rewarded for leering.

Today, he’s smirking. All knowing and smug. It makes me want to hit the emergency stop and start swinging.

“Reagan,” he says, stepping aside. A gentleman-shaped red flag. “Didn’t expect to see you here this week.”

I step in, arms crossed. “Guess we’re both full of surprises.”