With a quick smile, the server took off toward the bar. Alexandra slid her phone out of her clutch and checked for messages. Still nothing.Where ishe?
When Wendy returned with the champagne, she set down a plate with four shrimp and a side of cocktail sauce. “On the house. Enjoy.” Alexandra thanked her and the server scootedoff.
As Jase greeted guests at the bar, a masked woman sidled next to him and tugged his tux sleeve. After she whispered something to him, he gripped her arm and headed down the hallway toward hisoffice.
Sage!Alexandra hurried into the congested corridor. Determination powered her forward but Jase was moving too fast. She caught a glimpse as they passed his office and disappeared around the corner. When she rounded the bend, she crashed into two men. “Oh, excuseme.”
“Hey, gorgeous. Join us for athreesome.”
Alexandra darted around them and spied Jase standing in front of the alcove that housed the linen closet and the room marked “Private”. He shoved Sage and she flew backwards. Seething with anger, she raced toward them. As she approached, she heard Jase’s menacingwarning.
“Ifuckingwarned you, Sage. You leave me no choice. Now Ihaveto punish you to teach you. When will you everlearn?”
“But he’s sick and needs help,” Sagereplied.
Breathing hard, Alexandra blurted, “Don’t touchher.”
Jase whipped his head around. He curled his lips into a joker-likegrin.
Sage’s cheeks were streaked with tears. But that was nothing compared with her black eye. Even the mask couldn’t hidethat.
Anger, pain, pity and rage fueled Alexandra. “He struck you, didn’the?”
As soon as Jase released his vise-grip on her arm, Sage rubbed it with a shaky hand. Her lower lip quivered while she peered at thefloor.
Rising to his full stature, Jase stepped between the two women. “This is none of yourbusiness.”
Her stomach roiled from his disgusting cigarette breath. “Come with me, Sage. I can help you. I want to help you. Please let me get you out of here and away from him before he killsyou.”
Jase growled. Staring into his eyes should have terrified her, but the image of her mother—no longer the faceless woman in her nightmares—along with the women at the homeless shelter bolstered her courage. If she didn’t help this waif of a woman, no onewould.
“You have the wrong idea.” Jase had lowered his tone, but the pronounced pulse in his temple beat a fast rhythm. “Sage is fine, aren’t you,Sage?”
“Like hell she’s fine.” Steeling her spine, Alexandra stepped around Jase to address Sage directly, but Sage refused to look at her. “I’m reporting him for abuse, either way, but I want you to leave with me.Please,Sage, let me helpyou.”
Jase jabbed something against her side. The agonizing shock traveled through her like a lightning bolt. Crying out, she crumpled to the floor, immobilized. The onslaught of torture ripping through her rendered herparalyzed.
“Sage, open the door,” Jase barked. “Now.”
“Please don’t—” Sagewhispered.
“Goddammit. Open the fucking door or I’ll kill youboth.”
Alexandra lay there writhing in pain while Sage held open the door and Jase dragged her limp body through it. When Sage’s eyes met Alexandra’s, Sage murmured, “I’m sorry, Jase. I’ll behave. Please don’t hurther.”
* * *
Crockett yanked opentheheavy glass door to Wilde Innovations. Reception was empty as were the offices he powered past on his way toward his own. “Six fucking thirty,” he grumbled. As soon as he entered his office, he spied his tux on thesofa.
He dropped his phone in the rapid charger and smiled at Alexandra’s note. After depositing the engagement ring in his safe, he hurried to dress. He wouldn’t breathe easy until he could pull Alexandra into his arms and hold herclose.
On his way out, he grabbed his charged phone and sent her a text. “On myway.”
Knock,knock.
“Crockett, are you in there?” Deckerasked.
The tightness in Decker’s voice had Crockett flinging open thedoor.
