Eadric pulled back from the kiss, leaving Amorette to realize that Hunter stood a foot away. She spared him a brief glance before she turned back to Eadric.
“How’s Melodia?”
“They say she’ll be fine. Doon is bringing her here. Just in case.” Eadric stroked a thumb over Amorette’s cheek. “You must be tired. Let’s get you to bed.”
“Um, hello?” Hunter waved a hand. “Literally right here.”
“We’ll talk later.” Eadric tucked Amorette’s arm through his and headed back upstairs.
This time, Amorette didn’t mind holing up in her room quite as much. Especially since everyone and everything seemed to have worked out as best as it could in this situation.
AMORETTE HEARD MELODIA before she even made it below the second floor. Only Melodia would complain about the quality of the food. No one else denied its absolute excellence. Then again, Melodia didn’t care much about what other people thought. She liked to raise trouble.
“How is there not apple juice in this house? Really?”
Amorette laughed as she skipped into the dining room. “I see you’re making a mess of things already, my dear boss.”
“Shut it, Amy. I didn’t sleep much last night and I have a killer headache. Which reminds me...” Melodia narrowed her eyes. “Doon! Where are my painkillers?”
“You already took them.” Doon shuffled into the room from the kitchen.
“I don’t feel like I took them.” Melodia pouted.
Doon rolled his eyes and set a tray of fruit in front of her. “Give them time to kick in, you wuss.”
Melodia arched a brow, but she didn’t argue anymore. Instead, she focused on spearing a piece of orange and shoving it in her mouth.
“What time did you get in last night?”
Amorette spun to see Eadric entering the room. He focused solely on the tie in his hands, as if it would tie itself if he stared hard enough.
“Melodia... Mel, stop it.” Doon hissed from the table.
Amorette peeked back in time to see him struggle to pull the butter knife from the woman’s hand.
“Let me at him. Give me thirty seconds in the ring with him.” Melodia tugged at her arm, but Doon held it tight.
Amorette laughed. “It’s okay, Mel. He was the one who got me out of there. He’s still a good guy.” She bent closer. “And I ditched Malibu Ken for him, so you should be happy. It was your advice.”
“I’m glad you two are together. I’m ticked that I got hit over the head. Since I can’t nail the culprits, he’s the next best thing.” Melodia kicked her chair back and stood.
Doon shot to his feet and wrapped both arms around her to hold her back. “Mel... Mel, calm down. Take a few deep breaths. There’s cake in the kitchen. You like cake, right? Do you want a piece?”
Melodia stopped struggling in his hold. “What kind of cake?”
“I believe it’s chocolate.”
“Cream cheese frosting?”
“As far as I know.”
“Are there nuts?”
“No.”
Melodia pushed Doon off and shoved her curls out of her face. “Fine. Go get me a piece of cake.”
“This isn’t a trick, is it?” Doon pointed a finger at her, clearly suspicious of her easy acquiescence.
Melodia shot him a glare. “Cake, now. Or else.”
“Fair enough.” Doon scurried back to the kitchen.
Amorette skipped to Melodia’s side and wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist. “I’m glad you’re okay, Mel. I don’t know what The Nook would do without its fearless leader.”
“Oh, please, you’d take care of it just fine.” Melodia rolled her eyes, but her lips ticked up at the corners. Deep inside, Melodia wasn’t as bossy as she portrayed herself. Her heart melted with the right incentive.
“We have a lot of cleaning up to do today, are you sure you’re up for it?” Amorette laid her head against Melodia’s shoulder and smiled sweetly. “I can do it on my own.”
Eadric cleared his throat. “The Nook is closed for today. A few of my direct employees will straighten it up.” He took his seat at the head of the table.
Only Amorette noticed his too-stiff demeanor. Something worried him, but she wasn’t sure what that could be. Everyone was safe and sound. He made sure of it last night.
“Why wouldn’t we go in to work?”
“Melodia is still injured and under strict medical surveillance. Head injuries aren’t anything to play with.”
Amorette frowned and dropped into the seat beside him. “Okay, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t go to work. I’m okay.”
Eadric’s tongue snaked out to wet his lips. When he looked up, Amorette half expected his expression to be closed off again. Instead, his eyes softened and his frown turned up into a brief smile. “I would appreciate it if you would stay here today. I’ll leave the guards.”
“Why?”
It didn’t make sense. Out of all the places she could stay, right by his side seemed safest. Amorette would rather be with him than anywhere else in the world.
Eadric cupped her cheek in his hand. “For your safety. There are still many reporters at the Tower. Many strangers going in and out. We don’t want a repeat of last evening. Please, Amorette? Please stay home today. Rest. Relax.”
Part of Amorette bristled at being told what to do. Still, he didn’t command. He asked. As far as improvement went, that’s about all she could ask of Eadric.
To appease his concern, Amorette nodded. “Fine. I’ll stay home today. But only today. Tomorrow, I’m going to work.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday.”
“So?”
“Normal people tend to take Saturdays off from work.”
Amorette shrugged her shoulders and flicked Eadric’s hand away from her cheek. “You have no right to control my schedule.”
“Control your schedule? Is that what I’m trying to do?” Eadric leaned closer, one arm on the table. Their faces inches from each other.
Okay, so maybe saying he had no right was an overstatement. They were in a relationship, after all. And he made a good point about her being in trouble. Frequently, as of late.
“Maybe... we could discuss it?”
“That’s better. Exactly what I was aiming for in the first place.” Eadric smiled and leaned back in his seat. He plucked an orange slice from Melodia’s tray.
“Hey, get your own food!” Melodia slapped at Eadric’s hand. “I’m being a good girl, honestly. This mushiness is killing all of us, but are we saying anything? No. We’re just letting you two lovebirds cheese it up.”
“Melodia, cake.” Doon dropped a plate in front of her.
As quickly as her rant started, Melodia shut up. Within seconds, the only sound coming from Melodia’s seat was the clink of her fork against her plate.
“Trouble at nine o’clock.” Doon jutted his chin that direction as he dropped into his chair.
Eadric turned to look. Amorette followed suit.
Hunter stood with his arms folded, eyes shooting flames in Eadric’s direction. He didn’t spare Amorette a glance, but she knew he spoke to her when he opened his mouth. “Can we talk for a minute?”
“Sure.” Amorette stood from the table.
Eadric’s fingers wrapped around her wrist.
Amorette turned to look at him. A reassuring smile eased the strain on his face, but she saw the concern still in his eyes. With a gentle tug, Amorette pulled away to trail Hunter out into the living room.
Hunter stopped once they reached the stairs. “So... you and Eadric.”
“Yeah.” Amorette nodded. “For a while now.”
“The whole thing at the Tower last night... they tried using you to get to him?”
“That’s what I heard.” Amorette didn’t like the stiff way Hunter stood or the way his eyes looked everywhere but at her. “Look, Hunter. I’m... Well, I’m not sorry I’m dating Eadric. But I am sorry if I hurt you.”
“Me? Hurt?
” Hunter snorted a laugh. “Why would I be hurt? No. It’s okay. I’m okay. I just... you know I don’t like that guy. It’s tough seeing my best friend with someone I didn’t approve.” He batted a palm at Amorette’s shoulder in a futile attempt at play.
Amorette raised her eyes heavenward. She didn’t know how to smooth this over. She knew it would be hard on him, but she didn’t realize he liked her that much. Sure, Amorette crushed on Hunter for a while, but in the end it was Eadric who stole her heart. Even someone as stubborn as Amorette couldn’t refuse true love for a fleeting infatuation. Besides, Hunter would spring back. He always did.
“Well, now that I’ve confirmed that...” Hunter pasted on a smile. “I have places to be. You have a good day at work.”
“I’m not going. We decided it’s too dangerous.”
“Then, have a good day with Doon and the guards. Make sure Melodia doesn’t injure anyone, including herself.”
“Will do.” Amorette laughed. “Thanks for understanding, Hunter. It means a lot that we’re still friends, you know that right?”
“Of course I do.” Hunter clasped Amorette’s hand for a brief moment before he pulled back. “I’ll be back later. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” The door slammed as Hunter pulled it closed.
“I didn’t hear any shouting.”
Amorette smiled over her shoulder at Eadric. “We didn’t shout. He just needed to confirm it. I think he’s been suspicious for a while.”
“He accepted it?” Eadric’s forehead furrowed. “Strange. He doesn’t seem the type.”
“Maybe you’ve been underestimating Hunter’s sportsmanship.” Amorette smiled and wrapped her arms around Eadric’s torso. “You’re going to be late for work.”
Eadric tucked her hair out of her face. “I can be fashionably late to my own party if I wish.”
“That’s not your style.” Amorette kissed his cheek and weaseled out of his arms. “You should get going. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can get back.”
“Will you miss me that much?” Eadric laughed.
Amorette nodded. “Yes. So get going.”
She almost hated to admit that she would spend most of the day waiting for him to get back. She was sure she could figure out something to distract her. Maybe she could go play with the dogs for a while.
No matter what, Amorette was determined to make the most of her day off.
EADRIC DIDN’T LIKE the idea of leaving Amorette alone, but she had a point. He had to go to work. People needed reassurance. Confused employees needed the truth. He had a whole mess of PR to care for. Such were the problems of someone of his caliber.
As usual, Eadric parked beneath the building and took the elevator up to his office. First things first. He needed to assess the amount of damage control needed.
The company would sustain a significant dent from last night’s sabotage, but that didn’t worry him too much. He had years’ worth of savings tucked away. Instead, Eadric worried more about those employed by his company. They all had families and debts. If the company sustained damage, so did they.
Collins waited outside Eadric’s office. It didn’t surprise Eadric that Collins discharged himself from the hospital. Despite the use of a strong anesthetic, Collins seemed none the worse for wear.
“It’s a relief to see you.” Eadric offered a handshake.
Collins accepted with a nod. “I came early. I’m no secretary, but a good one would advise you to make a statement. The reporters are swarming like bees. Should I have Nicole call a conference?”
“That’s too calculated for what happened.” Eadric slid his tablet from his desk and logged in. “Where are they swarming?”
“The lobby, mostly. Everywhere else is too heavily protected.”
“And what is the local news reporting right now?”
“Mostly what they know about the blackout. Some are throwing in suspected victims. Critical conditions. They took the ambulances’ presence and ran with that footage.”
Eadric nodded. So, first, he needed to give them the real story. “Good. We’ll head down to the lobby first. Post discreet security presence at the perimeter.”
“Yes, sir.” Collins stepped out with his finger pressed to the comm in his ear.
Eadric didn’t specifically like working with the press, but he understood the importance of a good public image. He understood the importance of those who depended on him, more than anyone knew.
It took five minutes to assess his working schedule for the day. Eadric rearranged the things he didn’t find essential in favor of stabilizing the situations within his tower.
Collins fell in line behind him as Eadric headed for the elevator. He didn’t often descend from his office, but today demanded his attention. For others’ peace. For the secrets he held dear.
The elevator opened to a sea of flashing light-boxes.
Eadric lifted his chin and marched toward the gates that cordoned off the Hawkmore employees from the general public. Unintelligible questions intermingled in a mesh of confusion.
Collins motioned for a few of the reporters to take a step back. They begrudgingly obliged.
Eadric nodded in thanks and held up a hand. On cue, the lobby went quiet. Perfect.
Eadric examined each face near him before he folded his hands and began. “The blackout last night is still under investigation, but I have been granted special permission to insinuate that it may not have been an accident. Hawkmore Industries requests that you politely turn to the investigating detectives for further information.”
“Can you confirm the number of casualties?” An overeager blonde shouted.
Eadric pasted on a polite smile. “No casualties have been reported to me. I personally visited the hospital to visit the injured, but no fatal injuries were incurred. Thank you for your concern.”
That should about do it. Eadric nodded and turned back for the elevator. That should appease them for a while.
Collins fell in behind him again.
Eadric barely spared him a glance. They had work to do. “Call in the maintenance crew and the security team. I have questions.”
DESPITE THE BEST-LAID plans, hours seemed longer than usual. Amorette tried her best to preoccupy herself. She looked into Codex on the internet. Baked an entire batch of cookies. Walked through the maze with Cronus and Kratos.
The sun rose overhead and lowered to the horizon, all in sync with Melodia’s constant grumpiness.
By dinnertime, Doon cut Melodia off from television and ice cream and forced her up to her room. It calmed the atmosphere considerably but left Amorette without much else to do.
In the end, she jogged up to her room for paper and colored pencils. She couldn’t draw so well, but it would pass the time. With Doon holed up near Melodia’s room, the living room should be clear and quiet until Eadric came home.
Amorette skipped down the stairs. Her feet came to a stumbling halt as they met the floor at the bottom. The basement door stood ajar by a fraction of an inch. The barest sliver of light glowed through the recess.
A quick glance around the room didn’t present any sign of the guards usually on assignment. Of course, maybe they took a break or went downstairs to check on her father.
Amorette tapped her fingers against the box of colored pencils. Should she go check? It seemed like the smartest thing to do. What if something went wrong with her dad? She should take responsibility for him since she dragged him into this mess in the first place.
She set the paper and pencils on the bottom step and reached for the basement door handle. The door swung open.
Amorette glanced behind her once more before she stepped into the dim stairway. Honestly, someone needed to fix the lighting situation at the top of the stairs. Someone could fall and hurt themselves.
Her bare feet tapped against the steps, creating minimum noise. Still, in the silent basement, it echoed. Strange, the noiselessness of the basement today. Especially if the guards came down here. They were
chatty when other people weren’t around. She should know, since she spied on them more than once.
“Dad?” Amorette worked her way through the first room and toward her dad’s room. “Are you awake? Sleeping? Ignoring me?”
A crash resounded from the other side of the door.
Amorette startled back a step and a half. “D...” she cleared her throat. “Dad?”
A second clatter sounded less lethal than the first.
Amorette made a split-second decision. She couldn’t leave. Not when something definitely seemed wrong. Despite his flaws, he was her father.
Amorette pulled the door open and hastened into the next room. She froze at the sight before her eyes.
Both security guards lay sprawled on the floor. If not for the rise and fall of their chests, Amorette might think them dead.
Her father cowered in the corner against a shattered studio mirror. Blood lined the distorted reflection of a weak and drowsy victim.
“Dad?”
“Amorette.” Joseph held up a hand to stop her. “Go... get...” He heaved a breath as his eyes fluttered closed.
“Dad!” Amorette raced to Joseph’s side. Her fingers went to his pulse. It felt fast, but she didn’t know how it should feel in the first place. Still, he still breathed.
Amorette wasn’t sure what happened here, but she knew better than to try to handle it herself.
She scurried off the cot and toward the stairs. Doon could handle something like this. In the past, she saw him at work. Doon was resourceful.
“Doon!”
Whether it was the panic in her voice or the volume of her cry that brought Doon running, Amorette would never know. It didn’t matter, anyway. As long as he came.
“What’s wrong?” Doon leaned over the second-floor banister to ask the question.
Amorette pointed at the basement. “The guys... my dad...”
Doon turned his head toward the third floor. “Hey! Idiots! Get down here now! We have a situation.”
Amorette knew who Doon yelled at. Her guards. Probably her fault for ditching them outside her room. As far as she knew, this house was the safest place she could be. Whatever happened in the basement didn’t need to have an effect on the rest of the day.
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