Mistress to the Magnate. Jennifer Lewis

even had time to ring on his end, and the stark fear in her voice made his heart drop.

       “Ash?”

      “It’s me. What’s wrong?”

      “I need you to come get me,” she said, her voice quivering so hard he could barely understand her. His first thought was that maybe something had happened and she needed to be taken to the hospital.

      “Are you hurt? Did you hit your head?”

      “No, I just need a ride,” she said, then he heard the sound of traffic in the background and realized that she must not be at home. She’d said something about taking a walk when he left for work. Had she maybe walked too far and couldn’t make it back on her own?

      “Mel, where are you?”

      “The Hyde Street Pier.”

      The Hyde Street Pier? That was way the hell across town from their condo. There was no way she could have walked that far. “How did you get over there?”

      “Can you just come?” she asked, sounding desperate.

      “Of course. I’m leaving right now. I’m ten minutes away.”

      “I’ll be in front of the Maritime store right on the corner.”

      Ash hung up the phone, grabbed his keys from his desk drawer, and as he passed Rachel’s desk he said, “I have to run out for a while. I’ll try to make it back this afternoon.”

      “Is everything okay?” she asked, looking concerned.

      “I’m not sure.” But he was about to find out.