When You're Mine - Layla Hagen Page 0,69

home stretch for the deadline. It would suck to mess it up.”

“We won’t. I won’t.” Since I was the project manager, I had an overview of every single detail. Pulling out of the competition and reapplying was out of the question. Besides, everyone knew you had one shot only. Repeat submissions weren’t taken as seriously.

“Okay. Don’t get all defensive.” Taking out his phone, he started tapping the screen. “Flight booked. I’m leaving at lunch. It gives me time to wrap up a few things. By the way, Mom heard about your return.”

I waited for him to explain, but when he didn’t, I prompted him. “And?”

“I bet she and Dad are already thinking about names for grandkids. Just thought you should know.”

I burst out laughing before downing the last bite of the sandwich. “Who told them, you or Isabelle?”

“Isabelle. She called them while the police officer spoke to Mel and her dad. What are we going to do about that Elliot guy?” My brother’s jaw was ticking.

The corners of my mouth twitched. “We?”

“Fuck yes. He can’t just pull this shit.”

“For now, let’s see what the police say,” I replied.

Ian stared at me. “You’re serious?”

“I said for now. It’s not smart to do anything while there’s an open investigation. He won’t get away with it. The fucker messed with the wrong people.”

“That’s my brother,” Ian exclaimed.

***

The next two weeks were intensive, and I had to admit I was more focused on Mel's well-being and that of her father than the office affairs. The police investigation was moving slowly. They’d determined that the fucker had to return the items and pay for the new door or he’d have to serve a short time in jail.

As if that short time would do anyone any good.

Mel didn’t care about the damn TV and table. She wanted to know Elliot was out of her life, and so did I. We were going for a restraining order, which meant meetings with lawyers, the police, and a judge. Josie couldn’t take Mel’s case because this wasn’t her area of expertise. I would’ve preferred to keep it in the family because there was no one I trusted more than Josie, but I got the best of the best for Mel.

“I can’t believe tomorrow it will finally be over,” Ian exclaimed. We were talking through Zoom. Tomorrow was D-day for submitting project Z for the Innovator of the Year competition. He was still in D.C but returning tomorrow evening.

“We’re going to win this thing,” I said confidently. “But I’m going to log off for the day. I can’t even see straight anymore.” I’d spent the whole day preparing for tomorrow.

“Sure. As soon as I’m back, we’re going to celebrate.”

“I’m not going to be any good tomorrow evening.” Whenever we had a deadline, I operated on adrenaline but crashed as soon as it passed.

“Buzzkill.”

“We can go out and celebrate the day after.”

“Deal. Now, let’s log off before you change your mind about that too.”

Closing the app, I stretched in the chair, feeling on top of the world, at least until Earl, one of our junior project managers, came into my office.

“Are we riding together to the Plaza?” he asked.

“What for?”

“The Solis networking event.”

I groaned. It was six o’clock, and I didn’t give a damn about an evening of cocktails and schmoozing.

“Tell me you didn't forget about it,” he said.

I frowned, pacing the room. I wished I could tell him no, but it completely slipped my mind.

“Go without me. You’ll do fine. I’m not needed.” I was too exhausted to be of any good. The point of networking events was to show people your best side, convincing them you were someone they wanted to work with. But I had zero energy left for that today.

He nodded, looking at me warily. I knew what he was thinking about. This wasn't like me. Typically I never lost oversight of anything like this, but my mind was elsewhere these days. I didn't regret it. Mel was important to me. Her safety and that of her dad trumped everything else, but this did put my team in a weird position.

“I'm sorry, and thank you for filling in for me at the last minute.”

“No problem,” he said. He looked as if he wanted to add something else but didn't; instead, he left my office.

I got out too, heading straight to Genesis. Mel and I were going to train together. I was surprised to find her in front of the gym’s building with her backpack over her shoulder.