“That’s very thoughtful. Thank you.” I tried to take the box from her, but she held firm.
“We’re so grateful you’re looking out for us. Especially us single gals who live alone. Maybe you could come over and check out my security alarm? Make sure it’s running smoothly?”
This time, Daniels made a noise. He let out a series of coughs that sounded like he was desperately trying to cover a laugh.
“Sorry, Katelyn. We’re swamped. But I’m sure the local company that installed it will be happy to do a check.”
She pulled a full-on pout so similar to my six-year-old that I fought not to grimace.
“I need to get back to work, but thanks so much for this.” I stepped back, closing the conference room door in her face.
“Harsh, bro,” Nash muttered.
“I think you might’ve broken her heart,” Daniels added.
Reed just shook his head. “She’s smokin’. I’ll never know why you’d turn that down.”
Adams looked up from her stack of papers, giving Reed a withering stare, then turned to me. “I hope she at least brought the good stuff.”
I chuckled as my phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I hitaccepton the local number. “Hartley.”
“Chief.” A panicked voice came across the line. “It’s Susan. I’m at the office, and there was an attack. Dr. Miller has the guy on the ground, but your nanny’s in a state. I don’t know if he hurt her or not. Oh, shoot, I should’ve called 9-1-1, but I just thought of you and called.”
Everything around me slowed. A million horrible what-ifs. Had she been stabbed like the woman a few weeks ago? Had he touched her?
My feet were moving before my brain registered it. “We’re on the way.”
Nash was standing in a flash. “What’s wrong?”
“Hallie.”
It was all I could say. I’d already picked up a jog, heading for the station door. But Nash was hot on my heels. I slammed into the door, making it fly open, and then broke into a run.
Four blocks. Not far at all. But the trip felt like it lasted a lifetime. Each vision that filled my head was worse than the last.
My lungs burned as the scene came into view. Dr. Miller wrestled with a man on the sidewalk, but Hallie was pressed against the side of the building, her knees pulled to her chest, rocking back and forth.
Nash immediately dove in to help Dr. Miller, but I only had eyes for Hallie. I approached her slowly, crouching to get to her level. “Hallie. It’s me. It’s Lawson.”
She didn’t register anything, just kept rocking, her breaths coming in quick pants.
I couldn’t take it. I moved, scooping her into my arms and sitting right there on the pavement.
“No!” Hallie shrieked, beating at my chest. “Don’t take me! It hurts!”
Her violent outburst broke something in me. I wrapped my arms tightly around her. “It’s me, Hallie. You’re safe.”
My words seemed to get to her. As she fought, she sucked in air, suddenly freezing as if she knew my scent.
“Blue?” she croaked.
The broken desperation in that one word shattered whatever was left of the contents of my chest.
I lifted a hand to her face. “I’ve got you, Hallie. I’ve got you.”
And then she passed out in my arms.
* * *
