at a bar not far from here. Ended up giving me a damn convenient excuse to swing by to visit your new digs. Wanna join us?”
Being surrounded by drunk strangers doesn’t hold the slightest appeal. A lot has changed in the time I’ve been gone. Five years were stolen from me, and I have zero intentions of adding onto that number. Adjusting to life after lockup has been unpredictable, and that’s being generous. There’s an entire crew of professionals set up to assist with this process. Relying on their support makes me feel weak and incompetent, but I don’t have much of a choice. Having a certain brunette beauty check in on me wouldn’t be all bad, though—not that I was given any say in the members of my team.
I rub the back of my neck, gripping the tension building there. “Nah, I better not. There’s too much temptation.”
He rocks back against the armrest. “Ah, shit. I didn’t even consider that. Sorry, brother.”
“Don’t worry about it. Things will get back to normal. Eventually.” I look away, needing something else to focus on. “Want something to drink? I don’t have any booze, but there’s plenty of soda and water.”
He stands and brushes away my offering. “I should probably get going. They’re waiting on me. Do you mind if I crash here for the night? I’ll be out of your hair in the morning.”
“Yeah, no problem. This bad boy opens up as a sleeper.” I pat the spot he just vacated.
He stalks to the foyer, no doubt more than ready to end this awkward exchange. I don’t blame him for a second. “Until later, then. It was really good to see you, Halder.”
I give him a wave before he disappears into the hall. “Thanks for dropping by. Have fun.”
Not even a minute after Beckett is out of sight, there’s a knock on the door. I push myself off the sofa once again, heading that way with a slow gait. An easy smirk notches the corners of my mouth as I turn the knob. “Forget something?”
The words are still rolling off my tongue as I’m shoved backward. A blur of movement fills my vision, but I can’t make sense of who’s in front of me. The intruder is a man, for all the good that clue gives me. My awareness doesn’t make a sliver of difference in this situation. The sting of a needle bites into my neck, and whatever is in that syringe is fast acting. The floor tilts and warps as my knees buckle. Before I can calculate the consequences of my stupidity, darkness pulls me under with nothing but silence.
Survival tip #5: Precaution is best served in moderation.
Streaks of morning sunlight spear through the blanket of clouds, chasing the chill from my limbs. I rub at my arms as the fringes of warmth soak in. That small boost puts an extra bounce in my step.
The light flashes to green, accompanied by a boom of honking horns from congestion while approaching the intersection. A burst of sweet pollen tickles my nostrils as I cross the street. Those late bloomers are survivors. Most of our fair-weather plants and flowers have already dried up with the change in season.
Temperatures are steadily dropping in typical fall fashion. Leaves are changing color. Chunky sweaters and scarves are replacing dresses and flip-flops. The threat of flurries swirl in the air. October has been pleasant so far, but that can change overnight.
People cram the sidewalk from all directions. I can empathize with that level of haste. A quick glance at my watch shows my window of opportunity is getting more narrow. Our mandatory staff meeting begins in less than an hour. Starting my day in the office makes it easier to plan my schedule. I have a full agenda that’s already stealing all my focus. But coffee is number one on the list.
A vibration from my back pocket momentarily distracts me from my hunt for caffeine. The incoming call flashes a name that always manages to wrangle a smile from me, even on her most difficult days. I pop in an ear bud and swipe the screen. “Hi, Mom.”
Her exhale whooshes down the line. “Hey, sweetie. I’m so glad you answered.”
“Why? Is something wrong?” The pinch in my chest is a reflex I’ve come to recognize.
“Well, no. I just miss you.”
I press at the ache in my sternum. “I miss you, too. Are you having a good week?”
“Yes, I suppose. Barb and Bonnie came over yesterday to