Chapter 24
Elias
Different voices try to filter through my brain, but none makes any sense as I stand outside of Harmony’s emergency hospital room. The sterile smell throws me back to the days of Tía Vicki’s treatments, and I clench my fists. Now isn’t the time to go there.
Harmony is hurt because of me. End of story. I didn’t do my job properly because I allowed her to distract me. I got lost in the illusion.
Nurses walk past me, mostly leaving me to my thoughts, and Serenity steps out of Harmony’s room.
Guilt gnaws at me that Serenity is forced to come to the hospital on her day off.
Her work as a registered nurse keeps her here enough without me adding to it.
Over the years, I oftentimes saw her here when I was volunteering.
“She’s asking for you,” Serenity says.
My stomach twists until I feel like it’s about to tear apart. “Abigail is with her.” Abigail immediately found me, and we were able to leave right away. I try to keep my tone firm as I ask, “What did the doctors say?”
“You were right. She was roofied.” Serenity shakes her head. “What were you thinking to let her go to a night club?”
I shake my head. “I’m really sorry. So damn sorry.”
I’ll take everything she has to throw at me.
Serenity blows out a sigh. “I should’ve known Abigail would’ve been a bad influence on her. She always was.” She shoots a glare at me. “If you were there, how the hell did someone put something in her drink?”
I rub my jaw and drop my gaze. If I could go back, I’d say no. No matter how much she protested. “I honestly don’t know. She was with me the whole time and never left her drink unattended.”
My words spark an idea. I go to pull out my phone, but the person I want to call catches my attention when he stops at the nurses’ station.
How odd. Why is he here?
Sully nods at something and turns down the hallway toward us. He’s in blue and black plaid pajamas, and his eyebrows pinch together with concern. Harmony’s question back at the club shoots to the front of my mind.
I shake my head. He’s probably doing it as a favor Harmony after how close they got when we worked for him at Cutesy’s. His kind and generous heart knows no bounds.
Behind him, a man with dark hair that’s peppered with gray strides in our direction. His sharp gaze narrows in on Harmony’s hospital room as he nears us. But when he meets my gaze, he turns down another hall. I don’t stop watching him until he turns, disappearing out of sight.
Sully stops in front of me and rubs his eyes. “Is Harmony okay?”
I relay what happened, and he shakes his head.
“How is that even possible? I know you. You are one of my best bodyguards, and you don’t make these kinds of mistakes.”
When it comes to Harmony, I can’t keep my head on straight. And we’re definitely blurring the lines of professionalism. It’s time for Sully to find a replacement. Maybe then it will give me time to hunt down who is after Harmony.
“I was just about to call you because I need you to look into an employee at the club.”
“Tell me, Son, and I’ll look into it right away.”
“Okay but first, I need to tell you something.” I take a deep breath and look to Serenity. She gives me an encouraging nod. “I let myself get distracted tonight, and if I hadn’t, this might not have happened. So, I think it’s time for you to find a replacement bodyguard.”
Sully’s copper-like eyes widen.
Before he can respond, Abigail bursts out of Harmony’s room. “You need to look at this text like yesterday.”
The three of us share a look. First Serenity checks, and she covers her mouth. Her wide eyes follow the phone as she hands it to Sully. My heart pounds wildly as his face turns beet red.
When no one tells me what the message says, I ask, “What does the text say?”
Abigail hands me the phone, and I almost drop it when I read the words.
Unknown Number
Tonight was a warning. Tell them yes to the special episode and say exactly what you were told to say. If not, next time you won’t be so lucky.
The phone starts to shake, and I realize my entire body is trembling. The phone vibrates again, and I open the text.
Unknown Number
I wonder what everyone would think if they knew that hostess was right and that you do have a boyfriend on the side.