The elation and relief that eluded me on the plane when I saw the deposit from Lucas returns with a vengeance, and now the shouts of my parents don’t fill me with anger and shame anymore.
We are going to get away from them. I am going to save Annabelle. And all of this, no matter the pain it has caused me, will have been worth it.
Chapter 44
Lucas
Istare at the clock, my chest tight as it clicks slowly around to 08:15.
Amelia has never been late before, and a nervousness like I’ve never felt is consuming me.
Why did I fuck her like that on the plane? After that wonderful night under the stars, I destroyed everything between us because I’m angry at a situation of my own making.
My fingers clench into fists, heart thudding as I shift in my seat, glaring so hard at the clock that the blood starts to pound behind my eyes.
My spine straightens as I hear the sound of heels approaching over the carpet. I pretend to look busy, reading through the documents on my desk. My final meeting with Barnes is scheduled for this morning, and I should have been preparing for it since I arrived.
Instead, I’ve been staring at the clock, waiting for Amelia like an idiot. I look up, my heart plummeting to my knees as Kaitlin walks in.
“Good morning, Mr. Crawford. I have the pack for this morning’s meeting.”
“Where’s Amelia?” I ask, my tongue so dry I can barely speak.
Kaitlin frowns, placing the pack on my desk as she fidgets. “She called in sick, Mr. Crawford, she didn’t let you know?”
“She’s sick? What’s wrong with her?” My tone is harsh, but this is way too coincidental.
Did you really expect her to stick around when you gave her fifty grand?
“I’m not sure,” she replies, her eyes guarded.
“Did she say why she was sick?”
“No. She simply told me that she couldn’t come in today. I’ll talk to her tomorrow and make sure she knows that she has to inform you if she’s off.”
“I don’t care about that. Did she say anything else?”
Kaitlin’s frown is getting deeper by the second. She must think I’m crazy.
“Uh, I can call her back if you need me to?”
“No. No, that’s alright.”
“Is there anything you need before your meeting with Mr. Barnes?”
Yes, I want Amelia here where she’s supposed to be.
“No. That’s fine. Thanks, Kaitlin.”
She walks out past Amelia’s desk, and I grip the pen in my hand so hard it snaps in two.
Where the hell is she? What could possibly be wrong after less than twelve hours?
I glance at the clock again. I have limited time to read the agreement legal sent through. One of the most important deals of my life, and I can’t focus.
I pick up my cell, dial Amelia’s number, and pray that she’ll answer. But the phone cuts out to voicemail three times before I give up.
Maybe she really is sick.
