Elle's Pov
The New York wind is like a slap in my face, stealing the breath right out of my lungs. I'm sprinting towards my office; lawyers and contractors are already waiting and I'm not. The city screams around me, taxis blaring, heels hammering the pavement, and some guy yelling into his phone like the apocalypse started at 9:00 a.m. But all I hear is my own heartbeat. Fast. Wild. Victorious.
I burst through the revolving doors, my boots clicking on the marble floor. No elevator for me, I don't have the patience to stand still right now. I take the stairs two at a time, my fingers brushing the Bone Ring. Feels like a firecracker today. Too warm.
I reach my floor a little breathless, but I smooth it out before anyone can see me sweat. Martha is by the wall, mid-conversation with three men in hard hats, contractors, definitely. They're nodding too much, I'm worried their head might pop off.
She sees me and her posture straightens.
Then I step fully into my office and stop.
