Maybe he was the one Declan had been talking with at his house. But what could he want? The same thing his dad did?
I still had a strong feeling that Christopher was behind all of it, but how could we find out for sure unless he talked to Declan?
When I heard the elevator ding outside the door, I straightened. Declan! But then I heard voices, a low one speaking to Brittany. Definitely not Declan.
I caught a glimpse of his face beyond the door and froze. Shit. Speak of the devil.
It was Christopher Dark.
Dammit. What was he doing here? Brittany was in the middle of saying something to him but he strode past to the office. With a gasp, I turned around and raced to the bathroom, praying Christopher wouldn’t see me.
I already knew how he felt about me knowing Declan’s secret. And I didn’t trust him one bit. The last thing I needed was to run into him here.
Inside, I closed the door most of the way, leaving it open just enough to peek through and see what was going on in the office.
Christopher looked dark and dangerous in his sleek black suit. He walked with purpose straight to Declan's desk. Without even trying to be inconspicuous, he started going through the drawers, going through papers, looking for something.
I released a slow breath. Brittany must not have told him I was in here.
I remembered the papers we’d copied for my dad with secret information about the serum and who’d worked on it. Was that what Christopher was looking for?
I opened the door just a little bit more when Christopher moved to the table. He shuffled through the papers there and cursed under his breath.
And then, like an unwanted and shrill morning alarm, my phone rang. I gasped and yanked it from my pocket, immediately ending the call even though it was from Declan.
Crap crap crap… There was no way Christopher hadn’t heard that. Squeezing my phone tight in my hand, I opened the door. His eyes were full on me.
“Miss Patterson,” he said, clear surprise in his voice. “I was told there was no one in the office today.”
I swallowed and walked further into the room. “Is that why you’re here going through Declan’s things?”
“It’s still technically my office too.”
“You know what I mean.”
Christopher didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then he took a few steps closer. “It's actually a good thing you're here.”
“Why is that?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. I kept inching closer to the door, hoping he didn’t notice, in case I needed to make a run for it.
“Because I think it’s time you and I talk.”
My heart clutched in my chest and my brain screamed at me. Danger!
“I don’t have anything to say to you without Declan here,” I informed him.
“You might want to reconsider. It will be better for both of you.”
“You had somebody following me. I know something is going on.”
He frowned. “You’re a little too curious for your own good. I’m aware of the cameras you placed all over the building, aware that you’ve been given classified information.”
My heart clutched. Shit. How did he know about the cameras? And what information was he referring to? Probably all of it, I surmised. Everything Xander and I had been searching for was classified.
Christopher moved forward another few steps and reached out like he was going to grab my arm. “I suggest you come with me.”
I knew what I had to do in a split second. I jerked back from him and then turned and ran. Brittany was at the elevator, waiting for it to open, but I brushed passed her and ran inside, while she stared at me in open-mouth shock. I mumbled an apology but slammed my hand on the buttons over and over again until the doors closed. I barely saw the look on Christopher’s face before the doors were sealed and the elevator started moving.
I had to get out of here. As far away from him as possible, until I knew what I was supposed to do. Then I’d call Declan. Then I would figure it out.
When I reached the lobby, thankful that no one else had gotten on the elevator, I rushed across the slick floor. When a security guard called my name, I jumped and ran faster.
I swung open the door in front, nearly hitting a man and knocking coffee out of his hand. But I still didn’t stop. I ran to the curb, barely noticing the raindrops hitting my head and looking for Parker while my breath came out in sharp pants.
When I glanced back to the building, I saw people moving around inside, two security guards running in my direction. No, no, no…
“Royal?”
I whipped my attention away from the building and locked eyes with Randy. “Oh, Randy. I’m so glad you’re here. Where’s your car?”
He gestured to the black SUV behind him. “Right here.”
“Good. We have to go. Right now.” I ran straight to the car, grateful he was on my heels. He must have heard the urgency in my voice. We both hopped inside.
“Lock the doors,” I said, breathless. “And go. Hurry!”
Randy locked the doors and put his foot on the gas. Two security guards ran across the cement, but they were too slow. And behind them, back at the doors, I could see Christopher Dark with his hands on his hips, watching our car driveway from the building.
It wouldn’t be hard for them to get another car and come after us. I expected a black car to show up behind us at any moment.
“Royal,” Randy
