Page 98 of Ice Cold Hearts

Now that I have nothing to do but sit and wait until we get there, the adrenaline in my body is quickly turning into panic and stress. My hands won’t stop shaking.

Maybe their flight has landed and I won’t have to do this alone.

Please don’t let me have to do this alone.

I try Oliver first.

No answer.

He always forgets to charge his phone. They might still have landed already.

I tap on Alexei’s contact info next.

It goes straight to voicemail.

They have to have landed already. Maybe he just forgot to turn his phone back on.

Even though I know how it’s probably going to go, I still try Ian.

Nothing.

Breathe, Emily. You’re a capable, grown adult. You can handle this.

I tap out a message to Hank telling him where I’m headed and a brief rundown of the situation. He responds immediately, telling me he’ll be at the school in twenty minutes and to keep a watchful eye out.

We’re still not there yet, but I’m still vibrating like a dryer full of soccer cleats. I can’t hear my men’s voices, but I can still talk to them in our group chat. Even if they won’t see it right away, just the thought of being able to talk to them somehow soothes me.

Emily - They showed up at her school. Her fucking school, and they made her cry. They managed to get the asshole for trespassing, but they made her cry. How the hell were they able to find her?

I’m so scared.

Please come home soon.

Call me or text me as soon as your phones are on.

Please.

By the time we make it to the school, my hands are still shaking, but I’m at least more regulated than I was when I got the call.

The cabbie had done his part and gotten me there in record time, so I held up my end of the bargain and gave him a hefty tip along with my thanks.

I think we even managed to beat Hank here.

I rush to the door but force myself to stop and take some deep breaths before pressing the buzzer.

Your primary goal is to make Audrey feel safe. You can’t go rushing in there looking half-cocked no matter how you feel.

I smooth my scrubs, tighten my ponytail, and then I ring the buzzer. Even though I want to run, I make myself take measured steps at a steady pace because I need to be Audrey’s safe, quiet place. The more ruffled I am, the less safe she’ll feel.

A snotty, red-faced missile launches itself at my legs as soon as I step into the office. I have to grip the receptionist’s desk to help me stay upright. When the sobs start to subside and I feel her grip loosen, I lean down and pat her hair.

“I’m right here, Pumpkin,” I say softly. “Would you like me to hold you now that some of your cries are out?”

I feel her nod against my leg.

“All right, but you need to let go of Mama’s leg or I’ll fall over if I try to pick you up, and you’ll get squished like a squash.”

Audrey sniffles, then lets out a sound that’s a cross between a giggle and a sob.