They retreated to his SUV in silence with a drunk Jodie between them. Neither spoke on the ride back to Elle headquarters. But it took much longer than it had to get there. Gabe kept checking his rearview mirror, changing directions, backtracking, and generally trying to make sure they weren’t being followed. By the time they made it back into the underground parking lot, Reyna was exhausted. Both from the excitement of the evening and from Jodie, who was crashing hard.
Unfortunately, that exhaustion would have to hold off. A furious Meghan was waiting for them as soon as they entered through the steel door.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” she screamed, not at Jodie or Reyna…but Gabe.
“Hey, Megs. Good to see you. How you doin’?” Gabe said.
“I…I…oh my God, Gabriel!” she shrieked, running a hand through her red hair. “I’ve been pissed at you before. Compared to all the shit that you’ve put me through, that is nothing compared to this. Nothing! This is the most irresponsible and reckless bullshit thing you have ever done in your stupid worthless life!”
“Are you done, love?” he asked.
“I am not done with you!”
“When are you ever?”
“Sydney is going to kill you for this. Literally blow your brains out, you fucking idiot.”
Gabe waved his hand as if he didn’t fear that in the least and then hoisted Jodie in his arms. “This one needs medical attention. Know any nurses around here?”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Got dosed with vamp saliva and…she’s kind of drunk.”
Meghan grumbled angrily under her breath. “Let’s take her to the medical wing. Tell me exactly what the fuck happened.”
They exited into the stairwell and instead of trekking back down five flights of stairs, Meghan pressed a nearly invisible button for an elevator that dinged open on command.
“Well, that would have been easier,” Reyna said.
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten you,” Meghan hissed.
Reyna leaned against the elevator wall and kept her mouth shut. It was definitely better when Gabe was getting yelled at.
“Well?” Meghan asked.
“I had business tonight. I brought them along. Thought we’d be there and back before anyone even noticed,” Gabe told her.
“You were so far from right.”
“I’m getting that from your visceral anger. But you know it’s kind of hot.”
“Don’t start with me.”
The elevator stopped abruptly and Reyna looked out to see the same plain corridor as outside of her room. Empty, with dim lighting and crappy carpet. Not much to look at.
“You and Reyna go to Sydney. She’s waiting for you. I’ll take Jodie the rest of the way to medical,” she said in a huff. Gabe had the good sense not to argue with her. He put Jodie on her feet and Meghan wrapped an arm around her shoulders to keep her steady.
“Is she going to be okay?”
“She’ll be fine,” Meghan assured her. “And Gabe…”
He turned to face her as they exited. “Yeah, love?”
“Come see me after this.” Her voice was menacing.
He shot her a two-finger salute as the elevator doors closed in her face.
“This is going to be bad, isn’t it?” Reyna asked.
“Not going to be good.”
He held out his hand and stopped them in front of a closed door. Now or never.
“You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
Gabe knocked twice on the door, paused, and then knocked three more times. The door swung open. Gabe put a reassuring hand on Reyna’s back before they both entered the conference room she had been in earlier this week. But unlike last time, where Sydney and Washington were the only people in attendance, the table was nearly full.
Sydney stood with her hands on the back of the chair at the head of the table. Washington was on her left. There was an open seat, then a handful of men and a few women that Reyna had never seen before sat around the rest of the way. Tye sat on the opposite side next to Xavier with an open seat next to him.
Reyna’s stomach, which was already in knots, nearly dropped out of her body when she saw the person to the left of that empty seat. None other than Penelope Sky herself. She was dressed in a simple black pantsuit with her dark hair falling dramatically around her face. Her makeup was carefully done and she sat straight-backed and regal. This was closer than Reyna had ever wanted to get to her again.
But what was worse…was the person on Penelope’s left, who was staring daggers at her. Beckham. Her heart lurched in his direction and she took an involuntary step forward. Their eyes connected and everything slowed to a crawl. He was here.
“Nice of you to join us,” Sydney’s crisp voice cut through the tension.
Reyna broke eye contact to glance up at Sydney. She looked formidable in all black with her hair slicked back. Her nails dug into the chair when neither Gabe nor Reyna said anything.