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“God,” Oliver groans once he’s halfway done with his cake. “I love raspberry filling.”
Without a word, Rhett slides his plate toward Oliver. His expression is grim, which is fairly normal for him when we get this far into a large event. Normally he would’ve stepped outside at least once or twice by now.
As if on cue, Rhett stands abruptly. “I need to get some air.”
With a sigh, I say, “Just don’t go too far.”
He nods silently before walking off.
Oliver and I eat our cake as we watch everyone on the dance floor. He’s nodding his head to the music, and I’m leaning back in my chair with a nonchalant expression on my face. By looking at us, no one would suspect what our partner is doing upstairs. It doesn’t matter if I’m falling apart inside with worry.
After a song or two, Oliver reaches over and takes my hand. “I’m gonna head to the restroom.”
Even though I try to stop it, I wince. “You’ll come right back?”
“No more going off on my own.” Oliver lifts my hand to his mouth and presses a kiss to my knuckles. “I promised you, Ell, and I meant it.”
Exhaling slowly, I nod. “Thank you.”
As I watch Oliver cross the ballroom, dread creeps through my veins. Axel is watching him suspiciously, and even once Oliver is in the bathroom, his expression stays hardened. It shouldn’t be a problem—I fully believe Oliver will stick to his promise—but I don’t like it.
Still, if Axel is focused on Oliver, then it means he’s far away from Wren. It’s the best-case scenario at the moment, even if I wish Axel’s attention was elsewhere.
In case someone is watching me, I don’t want to look like I’m nervously waiting for something to happen. So I pull out my phone and type a message.
Elliot:You okay?
Rhett:Just got overwhelmed. Is Wren back yet?
Elliot:No.
Rhett:If she’s not back in a couple minutes, we have a problem.
Elliot:I know.
Glancing at the clock on my phone, I frown. It’s already been fifteen minutes. The safe cracker takes some time, but not too much.
Where are you, love?
“Ell.”
I look up to see Oliver striding toward me with a worried expression on his face. A quick glance around the ballroom, and I realize why.
“Where the hell is Axel?”
Chapter sixteen
Wren
Retrievingthemakeupbagfrom Aubrey’s room is a breeze. I double-check that everything is inside before slipping into the hallway.
So far, I haven’t encountered another person on the second floor. It doesn’t seem like Axel followed me up, which is a relief. He’s huge—and terrifying. Now all I have to do is get into the billiard room without being seen.
I resist the urge to clutch the makeup bag too tightly as I take a turn. Out of all the places I have to be tonight, this is the worst spot to get caught. From the main staircase, you have to walk right past Aubrey’s bedroom to get here. I can always claim that I got turned around, but there’s a chance whoever finds me will call bullshit.
Just look a little confused,I remind myself as I near the billiard room.Like you’re just really bad at following directions and don’t know how you ended up here.
My heart feels like it’s going to beat its way out of my chest. The calming breaths I take do absolutely nothing, and holding the bag is the only thing hiding how badly my hands are shaking.
