Page 139 of For Your Consideration

“Hey, are you okay?” A man appeared, his hand hovering above me.

“I… I…” Stammering, I tried to sit up but hissed when I put pressure on my palms.

The world seemed to be closing in on me, black edging my vision.

“Stay here. My phone is in my car but I’m going to get help.” The man took off running as I started gasping for breath.

My ragged breaths were the only thing I could hear as the panic set in.

41

Asher

“The signed paperwork is on the way,” I told Knight as I turned onto Sutton’s street.

“Good. They’re a good investment; their portfolio was doing well without any capital investment before so I think they’ll gain quick momentum.”

“Never doubted your gut before.”

“Quinn’s making tacos, so I should go.”

“I’m at Sutton’s.”

“Say hi to Soph for me. Noah thinks he’s her favorite but I’m pretty sure it’s me.”

I rolled my eyes, hanging up the phone before parking the car and climbing the stairs. Knocking on Sutton’s door, I waited. There was no noise inside the apartment so after knocking again, I went next door to Iris’s.

She pulled the door open, Sophie in her arms, and before I could smile, I noticed Iris worrying her lip, bouncing Sophie up and down.

“Where is she?” I asked, looking into the apartment behind her, hoping that Sutton would come around the corner or yell at me from the kitchen. None of that happened.

When I looked at Iris, she was staring outside. It was dark out and if Quinn was home making Knight dinner, Sutton should have been home as well.

“She should be home by now.” Iris echoed my own thoughts. I was already pulling up my phone and dialing. “She called me while she was at the grocery store but that was over half an hour ago.” The ringing seemed like it went on forever. Sophie was reaching for me and grumbling, likely picking up on the tension, but I didn’t think I was going to be here long.

“Hi, it’s Sutton, leave a message.” The bright sound of her voicemail had me clamping down. I didn’t bother leaving a message. I pulled up her location.

“Still at the store,” I grumbled as I saw her little icon.

“She needed three things, Asher.” She looked at me, worry all over her face. “She shouldn’t have been gone this long.”

I hit her name again. I didn’t listen to her voicemail and hung up as soon as it picked up.

“Stay with Soph.” I headed back out the door. “I’m going to find her,” I called over my shoulder, running down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

I couldn’t explain it. There was just this feeling in my chest that something was wrong. Sutton may run late, but that was because she always had to get herself and Sophie ready. She wouldn’t have gotten distracted or gone somewhere else especially without her phone. And if Iris was worried, then so was I.

As I started my car, I kept her location in front of me then dialed Jaxson.

“Hey—”

I cut him off, not having time for pleasantries. “I need you to head to the grocery store on Tenth and Briar. I’m on my way but you’re closer.” That was why I called him. If I pushed the speed limit, I would be there in fifteen, but he could be there in ten from his place.

I could hear him moving around on the other end of the line then the sound of his keys. “What’s going on?”

“Sutton was supposed to be home a bit ago, and she won’t answer her phone. Location is still at the store,” I ground out as I heard him getting into his car.

“On it. Hang up and don’t do anything stupid. I’ll be there soon.”