Catherine's heart gave a sharp, sudden jolt.
Why was Joanne calling her? And from Samantha's phone, of all things?
She pushed herself upright, her entire body going alert in an instant. "Where is Sammy?" she asked, her voice tightening despite her effort to stay composed. "Is everything alright? Do you need help?"
That was the first place her mind went when she thought about the urgency of the calls, the insistence. Something had to be wrong.
Silence answered her.
A few seconds stretched, heavy and uncertain.
"Joanne?" Catherine pressed, her brows knitting together.
Behind her, Maximilian remained close, his presence steady and grounding. His breath brushed softly against her neck as he rested on her shoulder, his hand moving slowly along the bare skin of her back in quiet reassurance.
