She had already thought about attending. Last week, going stir crazy, she had begged Logan to let her attend a Submissive Night, and he’d agreed.
“I’ll check the rehearsal schedule and let you know. Thanks for the company,” Harper said.
“Anytime.”
She waved at Ella, turned and walked through the doors of Logan’s condo. Her phone buzzed. A neighbour’s yappy dog jumped on her as she took her phone out of her purse. The woman smiled in apology. Harper pressed the elevator button as she said held the phone to her ear and said, “Hello?”
“Hi, Harper, sorry to bother you. But I need to know the password to the scheduling program,” Gardenia said.
Harper’s stomach dropped. “Why?”
“I’m trying out an office temp today, and we need to get into the scheduling software. Not on your machine or anything, just this piece of it.”
Harper walked away from the elevators, trying to breathe. It seemed like a punch to her stomach, but of course, Axis Management still needed to run without her. Her scheduling system was a point of pride for her. Every person in each team had their own colour, and the system tracked all the hours everyone put in. With one glance, she could tell who needed time off. She was worried about Erik Knight because he was racking up the hours, and Gabe Arthur hadn’t taken downtime in months.
“Gardenia, I can’t remember it. I have to check my electronic safe,” Harper said.
“Okay, if you can get back to me by the end of the day with it, that’d be great,” her friend said.
As she dropped her phone back into her bag, Harper tried to shake off the wave of sadness. Her friend was just doing her job. They couldn’t operate without that schedule. Just because Harper had created it, didn’t mean that she owned it. She knew this yet, she felt broken-hearted about a place she had given so much to operating without her being there.
As she stepped into the elevator, a gloved hand came around her biceps and yanked her out.
Harper screamed and kicked out furiously, but a strong hand clamped over her mouth and another arm around her waist.
“Shh. I’ve come to rescue you.” The accented voice made her shudder.
The man pulled her to the front doors. Using all her weight, Harper made herself as heavy as she could so the man had to drag her. Her heart slammed furiously against her ribs.
“It’s all right, you’re going to be all right,” the man said, loosening the hand over her mouth. That accent sent fear rolling down her spine. She thought she had escaped her family.
Harper bit the man’s hand, and when it fell away, she screamed.
Suddenly, the man went flying to the floor, and another arm was around Harper’s waist.
“Harper, it’s Janette. I got you. Just stay with me over here.”
Harper looked into the familiar face of Janette Jennings and wanted to cry. Janette led her to a bench, while Janette’s partner, Finn, had the man on the floor and was on his phone.
“How come you’re here?” Harper managed to squeeze out.
“Xander’s orders.” Janette took her hand in hers. “Long slow breaths. You don’t have to do anything right now, Harper. We’ll take of you.”
Harper believed her. “I want to call Logan.”
She fumbled in her bag and finally found her phone, but when she tried to press the call button, her hands were shaking too much. Janette took the phone from her and made the call. Across from them, Finn had the man upright, holding his arm. They didn’t want to attract too much attention.
Ten minutes later, two police officers were taking her statement and hauling the man away in custody. Janette and Finn walked Harper up to Logan’s condo.
“Can you stay, for a while?”
“Of course. I can make you tea,” Janette smiled.
“No, I’ll do it.” Harper flipped the kettle on and grabbed two mugs. “Why were you there, anyway? I thought you worked for River Stone, now.”
“Not till the end of the month. Xander’s had detail on you for the last few weeks. We were driving past, and I saw that man trying to drag you outside. And I saw you fight back. Good job, Harper.”
“He got me, though,” Harper said. Tears wouldn’t stop streaming down her face.
