Page 35 of No More Lies

She nodded, calmer. Steve secured her in and closed the door. Glancing around, his senses were on high alert, and he was in full protective mode. No one was getting close to his baby girl, No fucking way.

Even with a quick stop at the drive-thru, he made it to Diane’s office in under thirty minutes. Megan was happier now, sipping her milkshake. Taking the envelope with him, they made their way to the fifteenth floor.

He smiled at Michelle sitting at reception.

“Is she with anyone?”

Michelle frowned. “Diane’s not here.”

A rush of fear flooded him. “Where is she?”

“She went home about an hour ago.”

“Was she alone?”

Michelle looked confused as she answered him. “Yes. She said she had a headache. Left right after her client did. Is everything alright?”

“What client?” He ignored the question.

“Mr. Williams, I can’t say.” She looked at him apologetically.

“I understand.” He lowered his voice. “Can you just tell me if it’s the big case she’s working on now?”

Michelle hesitated, then nodded.

“Thank you. Would you mind watching Megan for a minute? I just want to make a quick call, then we’ll get out of your hair.”

“Of course, come on Megan. Come and take a seat with me.”

Megan looked up at him. “It’s OK, Pumpkin, I’ll be standing right over there. I’m just going to make a call, then we’ll go home.”

Megan went and sat with Michelle. Steve walked a few feet away, calling Diane. She answered on the first ring.

“Steve? Where are you? I was expecting you home.” He didn’t miss the nervousness in her voice.

“I’m at your office. We came here from school to see you.”

“Oh, shit. Sorry. I wanted to surprise you. Are you coming home?”

“Yes, Michelle said you had a headache. I wanted to make sure you were alright.” That you hadn't been snatched, or worse. He kept those thoughts to himself.

“I’m fine. But you were right, we need to talk.”

Now she wanted to talk. Well, that made two of them. She had better be ready to give him answers.

“I’m on my way.”

***

DIANE PACED THE FAMILY room. Steve hadn’t sounded like Steve. His voice had been so cold, so unlike him. Her gut twisted. Something had happened. Why had he gone to her office? With Megan?

She heard Steve’s truck pull onto the driveway. Megan came running through the door, Steve close behind. He stopped at the kitchen island, placing something on it. Diane knelt and hugged her daughter tight. Looking up, she met Steve’s gaze and stilled.

His handsome face was tight, his jaw locked, and his mouth a grim line. Tension emanated from every pore. Diane swallowed. She’d never seen that look on him before. Her palms sweat and a huge knot formed in her stomach. She let go of her daughter, smiling at her gorgeous face.

“How was school?”

“It was good.” Megan looked at her father with uncertainty.