“I was in your office,” she blurts, eyes flying open. She looks at Wolf. “Ruin’s office. I… I wanted to surprise him. The club girls were all over him and I just—I needed to… anyway. So I hid in there, waiting. That’s when I think I heard you.”
The club girls were all over me?
For a split second, it sounds ridiculous. I doubt that ever happened. They know not to do that since I’ve made it clear to them I won’t be going there.
But then I remember that night. Sarah’s insecurity, the way she clung to my arm like it was the only solid thing in the room. Her glaring at every club girl, even the Ol’ Ladies.
Yeah. Her paranoia was evident.
“Which office is Ruin’s?” Wolf asks, tilting his head slightly. His voice is calmer now.
And I realize why he’s asking. We’re currently in my office and she doesn’t even recognize it.
“The one by the stairs,” she whispers, but it comes out as a question.
Dots connect. She mistook Wolf’s office as mine.
“Christ,” Wolf mutters, disgust lacing the word. “Get her out of here, Ruin.”
I nod, but something tightens in my chest. I swiftly pull my phone from my cut and open a photo. “Have you ever seen her?” I ask, turning the screen toward Sarah.
She squints. Hesitates before leaning closer.
“I… yes. She came to the salon. A few days ago.” Her brows pinch. “Why?”
Wolf’s curiously watching us now. When I turn the phone toward him, his expression hardens.
Glory’s face fills the screen.
“No reason,” I say flatly, sliding the phone away. “If she shows up again, you call me. Immediately. Got it?”
Sarah nods fast. “She said she’ll come back soon. Lashes. Nails. Everything. I can check with Evelyn if there’s a standing appointment for Leila.”
I’m already nodding, filing it away.
The air changes. When I look up, Wolf has gone completely still. Rigid. Color draining from his face like someone pulled the plug. His chest rises too fast. Too sharp.
“What did you say?” His voice is low, dangerous in a way I don’t recognize. “Her name.”
Sarah swallows. “L-Leila? She said her name is Leila Richard. Is it… not?”
No, it isn’t.
But the wrong, full name Glory gave Sarah lands in the room like a dropped grenade.
Wolf blinks once. Twice. And then he moves. Storming out the office without another word.
The door slams hard enough to rattle the frame.
Sarah looks at me like I have answers. I don’t. Because whatever just detonated behind Wolf’s eyes, I’ve never seen it before.
And I have no idea what it means.
FIFTEEN
Charlotte
Two days.
