“Isn’t it obvious, Austin?” I point to the cowering dog, my voice more frustrated than I intend. I soften my tone. “I’m trying to get her to come to me.”
Bree sits close, cross-legged, her tan legs showing a little extra skin as her full skirt rides up. “I’ll be quiet.”
I say nothing, cocking my head and quirking my eyebrow. Her version of quiet would scare a herd of horses. Rolling her eyes, she holds out her hand, motioning to the pup with her index finger. The little thing doesn’t budge, preferring the safety of its dark spot.
For several minutes we try to coax the little thing out of its hiding place, but each time either of us moves close, the pup scoots back against the wall and shakes like we’re trying to hurt it. I don’t blame her. She was almost hit by a car, and strangers scooped her up and touched a tender spot. That’s why we have to earn her trust.
Bree catches my eye and shrugs her shoulders, mouthing, “What do we do?”
I mouth back, “Give her a little more time.” What I don’t say is that moving the chair out of the way may spook her even more. It sure would be easier to grab her that way, but the poor thing’s been through enough.
Just as I scoot an inch closer, the vault shuts behind us with a loud click, the lights turning off. We’re in pitch darkness.
“What the hell just happened?”
Bree sighs. “It’s protocol for the last person who leaves to close the vault door for the night. The light is on a connected switch with the lock.” Bree’s voice turns all business. “I left my phone in the chair out there with my purse. Can I use yours for the flashlight?”
“Left mine on the seat of my truck, but here’s my watch.”
I undo the clasp, feeling for the side button, and turn on the flashlight app for Bree. She takes the watch, lighting the path to the door, where she pounds several times.
“Hey, Cal. I’m in here. Let me out, please.”
Nothing.
“Cal.” More pounding. “Cal?”
“I don’t think he can hear you, Austin.”
“He has to hear me.”
“That steel door has got to be at least six inches thick. Do you really think anyone can hear us in here?”
“Okay, Mr. Negative. What bright ideas do you have?”
You’d think the glow of my watch would dim her beauty. But no. It highlights her creamy skin, her light brown eyes framed by long, dark lashes. Her cupid’s bow lips pursed, emphasizing their fullness. I do my best to fight the image of those lips crashing into mine.
“Well?”
“Can you call someone?”
She smirks. “Do you really think the Wi-Fi signal reaches in here with the vault door closed?”
Touché, beautiful.
“Oh, wait! There’s a safety release.” Bree shines the light on the wall next to the vault door, behind the regular door that’s used during recording sessions. She presses the button several times, to no avail. “It’s not working.”
“Of course it’s not.” As the words leave my mouth, a cold little nose nuzzles my hand. I scratch the pup’s head. “Look who came to visit.”
Bree shines the light at me and the sweet puppy who’s trying to make sense of all this. Me too, little one.
“When do you think someone will be back to open the door?”
“Eight in the morning.”
Bree sits back down next to me, and I check the bars on my watch. No signal. Fuck.
I’ve never stood up a woman in my life, but even if I get out of here in the next half hour, we still need to get the puppy checked out.
