“You did this, with your ‘It’ll be fine’ nonsense.” Jules pointed at Lucia.
Lucia didn’t dignify that with a response, but she glared at Jules.Why is everyone so high-strung?She was dealing with her own drama, yet she wasn’t acting like an ass.
“They left,” Skye finally said. “OK, let me finish this up.”
They watched her move items around and rearrange the contents on the bottom shelves. She stilled.
“Do you hear that?” Skye whispered.
“No. What?” Jules said.
“There’s a sound right outside. A metallic clang. Wheels.”
“Shit,” Lucia said. “No one’s supposed to be there.”
Skye backed away from the door.
“Do something. Call your girlfriend,” Skye whispered.
“What?” Jules and Lucia said at the same time.
“Blackwell. Get her here and get whoever this is gone.”
“She’s not my girlfriend!”
“Call. Her.”
“Damn it,” Lucia muttered and called Penelope.
“Yes?” She answered after a beat, and Lucia smiled despite herself.
“Hey, you. Uh, we need you to go to the area we discussed, quickly, and get rid of whoever’s there. Maybe knock on the door once you’re alone there?”
“Oh.”
A pause.
“Please. I owe you?”
“You do. I hope you’re good for it.”
Lucia ducked her head, warmth crawling up her neck.
“I am.” She hung up.
“Not your girlfriend, my ass,” Jules mumbled.
Two minutes ticked by with their breathing the only discernible sound, both in the van and coming through the speaker from Skye.
“Come on,” Jules whispered, her leg rocking up and down.
Strangely enough, Lucia’s nerves didn’t fire—well, not more than they had been. Maybe because, unlike Jules and Skye, she knew Penelope, and she knew she’d not let them down.
Sitting here was likely also easier than being stuck in the Meridian supply closet. She could only hope she’d not have to experience this firsthand at the ball.
A flicker of movement on the feed made her straighten.
“Finally,” Skye breathed.
