We bolt out of the building, bracing against the cold wind, then dive into the car.As soon as we settle in, my phone buzzes again.It’s another message from Laird, this time a huge file that takes forever to load.My thumbs hit the download button while Jessy drives us to office.
When it finally opens, my eyes skim the file.I gasp, my breath catching sharp.My jaw drops as I clutch the phone so hard it hurts.I press it down to my lap, my other hand flying up to cover my mouth.
“What the hell, Fenella?”Jessy glances between me and the road, still pushing the car fast, weaving through traffic and slipping into side streets to dodge the jams.
“He’s my friend,” I choke out, my voice shaking.“Alan used to be my classmate.”
“What?For real?”Jessy shoots back, still gripping the wheel as he speeds us deeper into the city.
I check and read the document once again.Though reading something this heavy on my phone while Jessy’s driving like a maniac is such a stupid idea.My head starts throbbing hard, the motion of the car only making it worse, and nausea kicks in until I gag.
I give in, yanking open the dashboard, pulling out a small plastic bag, and covering my mouth before I throw up.Jessy cracks the window so the cold air rushes in.My hand grabs some tissues to wipe my mouth once my stomach finally calms down.
“Sorry,” I mumble, voice raw.
“You alright?Maybe we should pull over for a sec, take it easy,” Jessy says, easing his foot off the gas.
“No, don’t stop, Jess, keep going, we have to stop Laird before he goes too far.”
“Fine, but put the damn phone away, reading that file over and over isn’t gonna change a damn thing,” he mutters, trying to calm me down.
“Yeah, you’re right.”I shove my phone into my bag, lean my head against the headrest, and pray this nightmare would just disappear.
Fifteen minutes later we pull up in front of Gene.As soon as we get out, I spot Laird’s motorcycle parked right out front.
“He’s here already,” I whisper, pointing at the bike.
Jessy squeals, “Then we gotta head straight up.”
We half-run inside, but before we even make it to the doors, men come rushing at us out of nowhere.“That’s Fenella!Over here, Fenella!”
“Oh, fuck me,” Jessy curses under his breath.
The paparazzi swarm, flashes popping in my face like grenades as I try to push through.But Silas and John rush in, pulling me inside and locking the door behind us.
“Thanks, guys,” I pant.“God, coming here was a mistake.”
“What did I say?At least your outfit’s not a disaster,” Jessy huffs.
“You’re seriously still worried about my outfit?Who gives a damn—I’m already ruined,” I snap, skipping up the stairs.
“Jessy!Fenella!You made it!”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I groan when Mike, Jessy’s ex, standing at the top of the stairs like he owns the place.He’s grinning and blocking the way up to the third floor.
“Not now, Mike, move,” Jessy barks.
“Just hear me out, Jess,” he insists, stepping right in front of him.
“I saidnot now,Mike, get the hell out of my way!”Jessy’s voice cracks, loud enough for half the office to stop and stare.
“Why you acting like this?You barging in here to make a scene like her boyfriend?”Mike’s voice pitches high, needling him.
“Fuck off, Mike.”My patience snaps.
“You fuck off!You think the world spins around you?Look at us—we bust our asses every day, and you just whine after taking all the projects.”
“What?”My brows knit hard.
