33. Abigail
THIRTY-THREE
ABIGAIL
When I’d left Sebastian at the bar to find Charlie, I’d caught a glimpse of green on the stairs. Her gold heels had flashed under her skirt, and I’d called out her name—but she’d had her eyes on the upper level.
I’d followed her up the opposite staircase, intending to find her and give her a big ole hug. I was so proud of her.
And then I heard them. Sebastian Anderson and that snake Theo Sinclair who’d had his eyes on our town for years. He’d wanted to buy up every bit of land he could to build his little empire in New Elwood with no regard for anyone else.
Horror spread through me like ice as I sat on the stairs above them, listening to every word of the deal. Listening to Sebastian try to wriggle his way out of some long-standing deal—and lose. No way Charlie knew anything about it.
The man had charmed my best friend. Weaseled his way into the council’s good graces. And all the while, he’d planned on selling the place off to the one man no one would have agreed to do business with.
He was worse than dirt. Lower than low. A big pile of excrement shaped like a man in a tuxedo.
And Charlie needed to know. I had to tell her before he could whisper more pretty lies in her ear. I’d seen the way they danced, the glances they’d exchanged all night. He’d used my best friend, and now he was going to break her heart.
Unless I told her first.
Hearing nothing more from down below, I glanced over the railing and, seeing no one, turned on the stairs to find out where Charlie had run to. Then, straight ahead, the singular rickety elevator doors opened, and Anderson stepped out. His gaze skittered over me for a moment, but it didn’t look like he registered my presence.
His face was drawn, his gaze worried as he glanced down the hallway toward the theaters. I ducked down and watched him hurry off to follow Charlie, and all that anger and horror and righteous fury compressed into steel-hard determination.
I’d get her out of there, away from him. I’d protect my best friend, because she was the best of us. The most loyal, passionate, and loving. If not for her, I don’t know how I would have gotten out from the darkest depths of my divorce.
It was time for me to return the favor.
I hesitated, eyes darting to the theater where Sebastian had disappeared. I stalled for a minute. Two. Enough time for him to speak poison in her ear.
But if I barged in on them, he’d have a chance to talk his way out of it, to make me look like the bad guy. After all, I was no stranger to screwing up. He might twist my words and wriggle his way out of this one too.
I wasn’t going to give him that chance. Eyes scanning the room, my mind whirled for a way to get Charlie away from that rat bastard who would sell us all off for a fat check from a weaselly businessman.
Then, I spotted a little red square on the wall next to the elevator. Hmm, that could work. I glanced up at the ancient sprinklers in the ceiling above, then down at the glitz and glamour below.
It was as good an idea as any. And probably the best chance at stopping that jerk from doing any more damage. I climbed the steps and hurried to the fire alarm. The metal was cool beneath my fingertips, the white lever calling my name. I shot one last look down the hall where they’d disappeared, heart pounding as my resolve turned to hard, clear crystal.
I might get in very big trouble for this. But it would be worth it.