When she ended the call, he asked, “Did you call a friend?”
She shook her head. “Rita, her boss… at her day job, I guess. I didn’t want her to think Savannah flaked. Especially since she has one of the company cars.”
He nodded. “Good thinking.”
“She said she’s coming down here, but I really wish she wouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“I only got to see her for a minute, but I don’t think Savannah would want Rita to see her that way.”
He squeezed her hand. “I think she needs all the support and good vibes she can get, Cat.”
“Teddy,” Alanis called from the end of the corridor.
He stood and hugged his sister.
“Oh my God! I’m turning off my do-not-disturb settings immediately.”
He gave her a firm squeeze. “There wasn’t anything you could have done.”
She stepped back and shook her head. “I don’t understand. How did you find out about this first?”
His sister’s question gave him a bad feeling in his gut.
“I thought she told you. Hell, I told her to tell you—”
“Tell me what?” Alanis demanded, her voice rising.
“I’m here first because it happened at Platinum’s. She told me she’d tell you she was dancing.”
His sister’s mouth dropped open a touch and her eyes widened before she shook her head. “Dammit. I’m so mad. Why did she lie to me? I told her not to do anything like dancing and she told me she wouldn’t. She’s never lied to me,” She paused as realization dawned and fury suffused her features. He caughther fist before she punched him in the chest. “And you! How could you let her up on that stage?”
His brows furrowed. “I couldn’t stop her if I’d wanted to, sis.”
“She had a TikTok go viral, too,” Catalina muttered.
Alanis whipped her gaze to Catalina. “Oh, sweetie! I didn’t even realize you were right there. Ugh. How are you holding up?” She moved to the seat next to Cat and gave her a sideways hug.
Punc caught sight of Blood getting off the elevator. He met him halfway down the corridor.
“Nothing’s changed.”
Blood’s lips set in a thin line. “Didn’t think so. I’m your ride.”
“Are we having church?”
“Tomorrow.”
“What?” Punc fought to keep his voice down.
“Nothing’s gonna change even if she wakes up. Prime has a concussion, and he said it was a random asshole.”
Punc couldn’t even think about Prime without wanting to pummel him. “I told Cat, Ava’s sister, that we’re picking up her hospital bills.”
Blood stared past him and sighed. “Yeah. There shouldn’t be any pushback on that, but don’t promise shit like that again.”
“Like this will happen again.”
