Eva slipped on the wet stone. Her knee hit the pavement, skinning it raw.
She scrambled up, ignoring the sting. The rain was blinding.
A figure loomed in the darkness ahead. A shadow holding a black umbrella.
Eva gasped, ready to turn back.
"This way, Miss Bowen."
The voice was cool, precise.
Emory.
Eva ran to him. She ducked under the large black umbrella. The relief was instantaneous.
"Where is she?!"
Alek's voice cut through the rain.
He appeared from the doorway, soaked to the bone. Blood from his lip was running down his chin, mixing with the rain.
He saw them. He stopped.
"Get away from her, Emory," Alek snarled.
Emory didn't flinch. He adjusted his glasses with one finger.
"Sir," Emory said, his voice calm, carrying effortlessly over the wind. "If you touch her now, the board meeting tomorrow will be... complicated."
Alek wiped rain from his eyes. "What?"
"Arvo is in custody," Emory said quickly. "We need a narrative. If Miss Bowen appears bruised or beaten, the press will link it to your temper. We need her to be the negligent staff member who caused an accident. Not a victim."
Alek paused. The logic pierced through his drunken rage. He was a businessman first, a monster second.
He looked at Eva, shivering under the umbrella.
"She bit me," Alek said, touching his lip.
"And she will be punished," Emory said smoothy. "I suggest she stands guard here. In the rain. To reflect on her... insubordination."
Alek stared at Eva. His chest heaved.
"Fine," he spat. "All night. If she moves, fire her. Then kill her."
Alek turned and stomped back inside.
Emory waited until the door clicked shut.
He didn't move. He kept his posture rigid, in case anyone was watching from the windows.
"Did he hurt you?" Emory asked. His voice had dropped an octave. It was soft.
Eva shook her head, her teeth chattering.
Emory turned his back to the house. He handed the umbrella to Eva.
"Take it."
Eva tried to push it back. He would get soaked.
Emory grabbed her hand. His fingers were cold, but his grip was reassuring.
"Take it," he insisted. "Consider it a message. He asked me to ensure you were safe until he arrived."
Eva froze.
He?
Emory stepped back into the rain, letting the water soak his expensive suit instantly. He checked the camera mounted on the wall above them.
"Stay in the blind spot," he whispered. "Pretend you are miserable."
Eva held the umbrella. She looked at Emory.
Who sent it?
Emory wiped water from his face. He looked at her, his eyes serious behind the wet lenses.
"Wait."
