Sterling’s text message made me smile as I made my way through the empty apartment. Once in our room, I was momentarily mesmerized by the sight outside the tall windows. Over the last month, I’d seen bright blue skies, sprinklings of clouds, and astounding sunsets ablaze in shades of reds, purples, and oranges. This sight was different, in an eerie sort of way. I stepped closer to the glass.

Beyond the panes there was nothing.

Nothing was a poor choice of word.

I moved closer, placing my palms upon the cool glass. Leaning forward, I peered out and then down. The view beyond the window was filled with a swirl of white and gray, a suspended mist—not falling like rain or rising like steam. Except for the churning, the moisture was stagnant, surrounding our building in a new cloak of invisibility.

Taking a step back, I stood taller. Refusing to allow my thoughts to turn negative, I chose to view the cloud cover as the thought that had just floated across my mind. Perhaps instead of gloom, it was part of Sterling’s infrared protection.

That was how I would see it.

As the afternoon progressed, I tried to do as Sterling suggested and keep my mind on Sinful Threads. There was another issue with not only the warehouse here in Chicago but one in Atlanta too. The analytical side of me wanted to sit down and run the numbers, yet my mind was again on one of my friends, one who could be in danger because of me. Instead of going to Sterling’s office or staying in our bedroom, I set my laptop up on the kitchen breakfast bar and made myself a sandwich.

At nearly four thirty, my phone finally rang with the name I’d been wanting. STERLING was on the screen.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Patrick has Lorna; they’re on their way home.”

I let out a long breath as I leaned back against the barstool. “Is she all right?”

He chuckled. “She’s good, considering. She managed to corral the two people she thought were following her. They had no idea who they were dealing with. As they followed her into where she knew they’d be cornered, she sent messages via her purse to Patrick. Now, she’s on her way home and let’s just say that the two suspects are being taken in for questioning.”

“The police?” I asked, immediately knowing that wasn’t the case.

“Sure, sunshine. Something like that.”

“I don’t care as long as Lorna is safe.”

Was that true?

Had I gotten so accustomed to this life, the darker side of Sparrow, that I could accept it?

Pushing my question away, I asked, “Has Reid had a chance to even think about the box?”

“Some. Now he’ll be able to devote more time to it.”

“Thank you, Sterling, for letting me know about Lorna.”

“I promised.”

My smile grew bigger. “Yes, you did.”

Disconnecting our call, I took a new look around the kitchen. The clouds and haze were beginning to lose their density. Though the view was mostly white, it seemed brighter. Perhaps the illumination had not really changed; the brightness was brought on by the knowledge that Lorna was safe.

The reason wasn’t as important as the fact that I felt lighter.

The world was brighter.

Since I doubted that calling for food delivery was an option, with my new sense of safety, I decided it was my chance to cook for everyone. After what had happened to Lorna, it should be her turn to take a long bath and relax. Before I began my search of the pantry, freezers, and refrigerator, I sent a message to Jana, Winnie, and Louisa saying I was logging out for the night and would be back in the morning.

With soft music playing, I poured myself a glass of wine and began my search for ingredients. As the sweet liquid covered my taste buds, I had a realization.

I was once again under lockdown in this gilded cage, and yet at the moment, I didn’t care.

What had happened to me over the last few weeks, the last month?

I wasn’t certain I knew.

If before I’d met Sterling Sparrow, someone would have told me that I’d be listening to music, drinking wine, washing potatoes, chopping and sautéing vegetables, and preparing salmon for five while contentedly locked in a penthouse apartment in Chicago, I would have told them that they were certifiably crazy.

Yet here I was.

Maybe I was the one who was officially crazy.

As I placed red potatoes in the oven, the slide of the pocket door from down the hall caught my attention. Wiping my hands on my jeans—I’d forgone the cute apron—I hurried toward the elevator. When I reached the hallway, Sterling was stepping from the elevator.

“Where’s Lorna?” I asked, disappointment palpable in my voice.

He reached for my shoulders. “She’s down at her place.”

My expression fell. “I-I thought I’d see her.”

He pulled me closer. “She did great today. That doesn’t mean she wasn’t shaken up. Reid’s with her.”

I nodded, looking up to his gaze. “I made dinner for everyone. May I...or Patrick take some to them?”

Leaning down, he kissed my forehead. “That was nice. Yes, I’ll let them know it’s coming.”

As his hands fell to my waist, I looked up. “What’s wrong? What aren’t you telling me?”

“About Lorna, nothing much. She’s shaken up. She held it together well, but once she was with Patrick and safe, she broke down. That’s not like her. She’s been through enough that she isn’t easily rattled. I would ask Reid to concentrate on the CDs and floppy disks, but right now...” His words trailed away.

“No, you’re right. He should be with Lorna. Did he find anything earlier?”

“They’re encrypted.”

“Will that stop him?”

“No, it won’t stop him. It’s slowed him down, as well as has the situation with Lorna.”

I sighed, falling against Sterling’s chest as his strong arms surrounded me, bringing me the comfort of his spicy scent along with the thundering of his heart under my ear.

I looked up at his clenched jaw. “Today is Wednesday and it’s almost over. That gives us five days.”

“Reid will crack them before then.”

I liked Sterling’s confidence. “I still need to put the salmon in the oven. Are you staying with me or going back downstairs?”

“Patrick and I are good at what Reid does, but there’s a chance that if we mess with the CDs, we could screw up the data.” His large hands caressed my back as he spoke. “I have a phone call I need to make, but if you’ll give me a minute in my office—our office...” He corrected. “...alone, I’d rather stay up here with you.”

My tired smile grew. “I’d like that.” I reached up and kissed his cheek. “I’ll pour you a glass of wine—not my sweet stuff—and you can meet me in the kitchen.”

“Sunshine, after today, I think I want something stronger. I have it in the office.” After another kiss to my forehead, he went on, “I’ll be out as soon as I can.”

For a moment, I stood and watched as Sterling walked toward his office. He was still wearing the clothes from our trip to Cambridge, his long legs covered in worn denim. On his toned torso and strong arms was the fitted t-shirt he’d worn all day. His steps were determined, his shoulders broad and straight. No matter what was happening, he was still Sterling Sparrow, the ruler of Chicago. With that title came the weight of the concerns of not only this city, but of our friends, and yet there was still something powerful and regal in his presence. At the same time, I sensed a chink in his armor, something I would never have seen had I not been granted the privilege of knowing the man behind the mask.

That instinct made me want to go to him and comfort him in a way only we could comfort one another. I started to follow him down the hall when the office door closed behind him.

You’re being silly, I told myself.

He was just worried about Lorna.

Agreeing with my own reasoning, I changed direction and made my way to the kitchen, content to complete our meal.