Page 56 of Unmasking Her Shadow

“So…what’s all the commotion out there?” I ask Tessa as I walk with her to my room.

“You haven’t heard?” she replies loudly.

No, Tessa. That’s why I’m asking you!

“I guess not,” I reply, making sure my tone doesn’t convey what I really wanted to say.

“There is an active bank robbery going on! There are cops and SWAT surrounding the building, and there are several hostages inside.”

My legs turn into limp noodles, and I have to grab the wall to keep myself upright.

“Oh my goodness, Sam! Are you okay?” She places her hand on my shoulder, and I try my hardest to force air into my lungs.

“My girlfriend is there,” my voice comes out weak.

“Are you sure? I didn’t tell you what bank it was.”

“She’s an officer and took off to an emergency while I was on my lunch break. She has to be there.”

“I’m sure she’ll be okay, sweetie. They train for situations like this.”

I shake my head rapidly. “You’re right,” I agree with her and stand upright. Ki can handle this. She will be just fine.

“Get undressed and I’ll be right in. I’m going to grab my phone and keep it in the room if that’s okay with you. I want to know if she tries to call me.”

“Absolutely.” Her tone changes to sincere, and she waves me off to go get my phone and shuts the door.

I usually keep my phone in my pocket, but this skirt doesn’t have any. I have no missed calls or texts from Ki. That means nothing.

Me: Please let me know you are okay.

I get rid of the timer that turns my screen off on my phone that way I can see immediately if Kioni responds to me. My vision gets blurry the longer I stare at my phone, unable to look away. Come on, baby, tell me you are okay. I need to know you are okay.

The soft timer, set so quietly as not to disturb the client, startles me. It’s been an hour already? An hour and still nothing from Ki. How long do bank robberies take? Shouldn’t it be over by now? I’m in a trance while I take Tessa to the front desk. She pays and hands me a tip, and I do my best to smile at her.

“She’s going to be okay,” she assures me again, placing her hand over mine.

I nod and smile again, pretending that I’m okay when my insides hurt like they’re all tied in a big knot.

“Sam!” Ben shouts when he spots me. “You don’t look so good. Is she there? She’s there, isn’t she?” he rambles.

“I—I don’t know. She won’t answer me,” I tell him. I attempted to call her the moment I finished with Tessa, but it went to voicemail. He hugs me, then someone in the lobby announces that there was an explosion at the bank and ambulances are everywhere.

I inhale a ragged, painful breath, and Ben steadies me. “I have to go,” I tell him, attempting to clock out with shaky fingers.

“Be serious for a moment, Sam. You cannot go to the scene. That’s too dangerous and won’t help anyone.”

“I can’t stay here, Ben,” I cry.

“Go to the station. I’m sure someone there will have more information than the news reporters.”

“Yes! Thank you.” I sprint out the door and speed to the station. Who’s going to pull me over? They’re all busy.

I go straight to Marlene. “Kioni and Ryker. Are they okay?” Desperation is heavy in my voice.

“There are officers being taken to the hospital. Who they are…I don’t know that yet. You can stay here until we get more details.”

A tear runs down my cheek, and I hiccup on a sob. “I’ll check there. Can you please call me if you hear anything?”