Page 272 of By His Vow

I need answers.

Once I know the truth, then I can figure out what I do next.

Thankfully, I make it to the elevator without having to interact with anyone.

The elevator is full of others all heading out for an early lunch, but they all ignore me, too lost in their own conversations and worries to pay attention to me.

It’s not until I get to the exit that someone finally speaks to me.

“Are you okay, Mrs. Callahan?” Garrett the doorman asks.

I give him a double take, my brain misfiring at the name he calls me.

“Y-yeah, thank you.”

“I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you look very pale. Is there anything?—”

“I’m fine,” I say in a rush. “Haven’t eaten.”

“Mrs. Ca?—”

“Tate,” I remind him.

“Go and get yourself something good for lunch, Tate. You’ve got to look after yourself.”

“Thank you,” I whisper before blowing out of the building and finally inhaling in a deep breath of fresh air. Not that it does a lot. It doesn’t give me answers or make the situation any better.

“Tatum Callahan, can we ask you a few questions about the future of Warner Group? We understand your father left?—”

I hold my hand up and keep my head down, letting the lingering reporters know that I’m not interested in talking to them.

I don’t look up until they’re well behind me, and when I do, I find Lewis lingering in Kingston’s car beside me, ready to whisk me away.

“Can I take you somewhere, Ms. Tate?”

Emotion bubbles up my throat, and I almost start sobbing there and then on the sidewalk.

“Thank you,” I whimper.

I shouldn’t. I should call an Uber, because no matter where Lewis takes me, he’ll report back to Kingston.

But I can’t stop myself from climbing into the back of the car and slamming the door on the rest of the world.

“Are you okay?” Lewis asks, his eyes on me in the rearview mirror.

“Yeah. Please could you take me to the mall?” I ask.

“Of course. Sit back and relax, I’ll have you there as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Lewis. I really appreciate it.”

As I get comfortable, I consider how not so long ago I’d have point blank refused to get into Kingston’s car or have his driver help me out. But right now, it’s everything I need.

When I step out of the car in the parking lot, no one turns to look at me. No one shouts any questions. It’s a huge relief knowing that I can just blend into the crowd and do what I need to do without eyes on me.

“Do you know how long you’re going to be?” Lewis asks before I take off.

“I don’t. You go back in case Kingston needs you. I’ll be okay.”