The call came just after midnight. Damien was in the kitchen pouring himself a drink when Celeste’s phone rang on the coffee table. The tone was different, not the usual chirp of a text or casual call. It was the emergency line, one Damien had insisted they set up when things with Veronica escalated.
Celeste picked it up quickly. “Hello?”
The voice on the other end was shaking. “Celeste, it’s me. Kira.”
Her stomach dropped. “Kira? Where are you? Are you okay?”
There was a crackle of static between the lines followed by a muffled sob. “They took me. I think I know who sent them. Veronica. She wants you to back out of the campaign or she’ll release something. Something private, about us. Please, Celeste, help me. I didn’t know who else to call.”
Celeste stood frozen, phone pressed to he
