Chapter Fifteen
GAbrIEL
Thankfully, the women’s restroom remained empty and Charlotte in the same place I’d left her.
“Come on,” I urged quietly, stepping closer. “Let’s get you out of here.”
She didn’t argue or say a word. Her compliance worried me more than anything.
Sliding an arm around her back, I guided her out of the restroom.
Wide-eyed and anxious, Olivia was waiting in the hall with Charlotte’s bag and jacket.
I took them with a nod of thanks. “I’ve already asked Sheila to draft and send a location-wide email, something simple, confirming there was a medical incident and anyone who wants to head home can do so.
I also called the owners’ secretary with an update and let her know Charlotte and I will be available for any follow-up.
And Bobby is pulling the team together for a quick huddle to let everyone know we’ll share more details as soon as we have them. For now, that’s enough.”
Olivia nodded. “Got it. I’ll be sure to call with any updates.”
Rather than walk Charlotte through the crowded lobby, I steered her toward the freight elevator.
The enclosure smelled faintly of oil and cardboard, its dull metal walls a far cry from the glass-and-chrome polish of the executive suite.
But it gave us privacy from gawking employees and whispered speculation.
The elevator rattled us down into the bowels of the parking garage. Charlotte stood silently beside me, her arms folded tight across her stomach as though holding herself together.
When the doors opened, the cool air of concrete and exhaust swept in. My silver BMW sat a few rows down.
“Easy,” I murmured, guiding her toward it.
She didn’t resist when I opened the passenger door and helped her down into the leather seat.
Her fingers were still shaking as she fumbled for the belt, so I leaned in, clicking it into place myself.
Close enough to catch the faint trace of her perfume still clinging to her skin, close enough to feel how unsteady she was.
I shut the door gently before circling around to the driver’s side. She’d saved a man’s life today. Now it was my turn to do something for her.
“Can you give me directions to your place?”
Her eyes were unfocused, her voice shaky. “Austin is off school today for a fall break. I don’t want him to see me like this.”
“Okay. We’ll go somewhere else.” I knew I wouldn’t want to be in public, either, or have my daughter see me in a similar state.
Taking Charlotte to my place wasn’t the best idea.
It dawned on me the moment I pulled into my underground garage.
But damned if I could think of where else to take her.
The ride up to my condo was quiet, the hum of the elevator the only sound between us.
She leaned against the wall, pale but steady, and I kept my mouth shut, resisting the urge to keep asking her if she was all right.
Once inside my door, I led her through my living room, out the sliding door and onto the balcony.
A narrow set of stairs carried us to the rooftop patio where the air was cooler, and the noise from the street only a distant hum.
It had been one of my favorite features of the place when I’d bought it.
She sank into one of the cushioned chairs, her shoulders slumping. Watching her, I knew she didn’t need questions or sympathy. She needed something that burned on the way down and settled the nerves on its way through. Or at least one of us did.
I headed back inside to the bar.