Page 83 of All Tied Down

But it feels like we’re going through the motions. He’s working like crazy on new music with Lachlan and Maverick and I’m just working. Like I always do.

Sure, the sex is fantastic but there’s something missing—or maybe I’m projecting with everything else going on.

Why do I care? Am I feeling neglected?

I don’t get the chance to delve too far down that particular rabbit hole before my cell starts vibrating on my desk.

Tom.

My stomach rolls as I snatch it from the wooden surface and accept the call.

Tom doesn’t call to chat. Tom calls when there’s something wrong—otherwise he’d just text me.

“Hello? Tom? What happened?”

“We’ve got paparazzi outside. I just wanted you to be aware.”

Why are they here? Did something happen with Garrett?

“Why?”

“Nothing concrete that we can identify. I think they’re just hoping for you to drop some kind of crumb they can print.”

“But he’s all right?”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line that I don’t appreciate, like I’ve surprised Tom by caring.

Or maybe I’m just annoyed because I do care.

“He’s tucked away in Ironwood. Nothing on the cameras outside the gates. Everything seems quiet. We’ll have police do extra patrols tonight just to be sure. We have a plan in place for when you’re ready to exit the building. There’s nothing you need to worry about; I just wanted you to be aware of what’s going on.”

“Right,” I say automatically, thankful that I can turn off my panic in a crisis. Not that this is a crisis. But still. “Of course, thank you for letting me know.”

Disconnecting the call, I stew over the information, walking to the windows and looking out at the street below. Ropes have been set up to keep the paparazzi back from the entrance to the building. There’s no frenzy happening.

Nothing alarming.

But I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong.

EMERSON: There’s paparazzi at my work—did something happen?

GARRETT: Nothing I’m aware of

EMERSON: Nothing with Darren or the band or the influencer?

GARRETT: Nothing. Sometimes they’re just hoping for a story to appear when gossip is slow

GARRETT: I’m sorry you’re upset. Is there anything I can do?

I stare at the message and blink.

I’m sorry you’re upset. Is there anything I can do?

I’m not upset.

Why would he think I’m upset?

Pinching my eyelids closed, I take a steadying breath, annoyed that I was worried something happened to him—that he was upset.