Page 35 of Unhinged

She curbed the urge to fling herself back into his arms. “Audrey. I went to her office to meet her and there was a man standing over her and she was laying on the floor. Her head was bleeding and⁠—”

“What did he look like?”

“I don’t know, he had a mask. I…” She winced as she brushed her scraped hands over her blouse and he grabbed her wrists, holding her palms up for examination.

“What happened?”

“I fell down the stairs.” At his hard look, she quickly elaborated. “It’s nothing. Just a few scrapes. I’ll be fine, really. We need to get to Audrey!”

His eyes quickly swept over her, catching on the reddened flesh of her knees. “Have Raúl clean you up and call the police,” he ordered. “I’ll go check on her.”

Luke took three long strides to the security office and yanked open the door. “Raúl, we need an ambulance—Dr. Stanton has been hurt. I’m going up to check on her and see if I can find anything. Can you clear the building and send them up to the second floor when they get here?”

The other man gave a sharp nod and reached for his phone. “On it.”

Luke turned to her. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“I’m coming with you.” She started toward the stairs, but he caught her elbow and pulled her back to him.

“Let me make sure it’s safe first.”

She shook her head. “I need to be there for her, she’s my friend.”

“Doc—”

“No. I’m coming with you. I need to be there for her if…”

No. She shoved the thought away. Audrey had to be fine—she refused to contemplate the alternative.

Luke let out a heavy sigh. Grabbing her hand, he guided her toward the stairs as he pulled the pistol from the holster on his hip.

He studied her for a moment. “You sure you want to come?”

She lifted her chin. “Yes. I need to.”

He nodded. “All right. Follow my lead.”

Pushing her behind him, Luke pulled open the door and peered inside, checking each corner before cautiously entering the stairwell. “Stay behind me, back to the wall.”

She mirrored his stance and in tandem, they worked their way up to the second floor. Tossing a look over her shoulder, she bumped into Luke as he stopped to survey the floors above him before continuing on.

“See something?” His voice was low as he spoke, and his eyes swept their surroundings before returning to hers.

She shook her head. “No, just… You know.”

“Give me your hand.” He held out his hand and she slipped her palm into his. He tucked her hand into the belt circling his waist, then patted her hip. “Hold on to me.”

She clung to the thick leather as they proceeded up the few remaining stairs, and Luke paused outside the door of the second floor. He peered through the rectangular window before slowly cracking the door open an inch. She tried to peer around him, but his large frame blocked her view.

Luke pushed the door open wide enough for them to slip through and he led the way into the lobby. “Where is she?”

“Her office. Are you familiar with this floor?”

He nodded. “All the way in the back to the left?”

“That’s it.”

He strode toward the reception area, head swiveling left and right, searching for anything out of place. When they reached the door, she laid a hand on his shoulder. “Someone tampered with the lock so it wouldn’t close. That’s how I got in.”