But now, in the cold light of day, my guilt was about to choke me for not being more responsible.

Pulling on the first pieces of clothing my hands touched, I finally found the phone and whisper-screamed when I saw all the missed calls and texts from not only Garik and Laura, but Emmie and both of my parents.

“Ryan, is your phone on?” I asked, my heart racing as I skimmed through the messages on my lock screen.

“I think it’s on silent, baby.” His voice was muffled, and I glanced over my shoulder to find he’d pulled my pillow over his face to block the sunlight streaming across the bed.

“I think my dad has been trying to call you,” I informed him as I shot a quick text to both of my parents, assuring them I was alive, safe, and, indeed, with Ryan.

Two seconds later, my mom’s reply popped up.

Mom: Thank God, Nova! Now get your butt to work! Emmie thinks you’re dead. The rockers who took you out last night might very well be right now, for all I know. She was about to murder them all.

I grabbed a hair tie from my case and pulled my hair up into a ponytail before slipping on my Converse. “I have to go. I’m beyond late.”

Ryan shot upright in bed, an adorable pout forming that I wished I had time to kiss away. “You’re leaving?”

I paused with my hand on the doorknob. “I made a commitment. I have to finish it. Today’s the last day.”

His grumpy expression didn’t change, but he gave a grim nod. “Take Pietro with you. I’ll join you shortly.”

“I’ll be fine, Ryan,” I muttered with a roll of my eyes as I left the bedroom.

Just as I reached the elevator, it opened, and to my surprise, my brother stepped off. His green eyes narrowed when he saw me. Pulling off his knit hat and scarf, he started shrugging off his thick coat. “When did you get here?” he asked curiously.

“I’m not here,” I told him, stepping into the elevator. “You didn’t see me.”

“You can’t go out there like that,” he snapped, stopping the doors from closing. Grumbling under his breath, he shoved his hat, scarf, gloves, and coat into my hands. “It’s freezing out there. Do you want to catch pneumonia?”

I was too surprised by my brother seeming to care about my well-being to even say thank you. He stepped back and the doors closed, leaving me standing there clutching the warm clothing to my chest while my mouth gaped open.

Had Garret gotten a personality transplant recently?

Blinking away my stupor, I quickly pulled on the items and made a run for the doors as soon as they opened. The guards sitting by the elevators jumped to their feet as I ran past, their hands going under their suit jackets for their guns as their eyes scanned the area for any danger. I waved them off as I rushed to the front doors, ready to flag down a cab.