“I copy, boss,” Marcus said.

“The lift is locked down,” I said. “B2. I’m stuck between floors.”

“I see it on the monitor,” Marcus said. “Tessa’s security team triggered a hard quarantine.”

“Can you override it?” I asked.

“Not from this terminal,” Marcus replied. “The physical lock is controlled from her suite on the third floor.”

I stared at the red flashing light on the control panel.

My hand went to my pocket.

I pulled out my second phone.

I dialed Tessa’s direct number.

It rang three times before she picked up.

“Rowan,” she said.

Her voice was calm, almost amused.

“You should be in the ballroom,” she said. “The guests are waiting.”

“I think we both know I’m not in the ballroom, Tessa,” I said.

I looked up at the security camera in the corner of the elevator ceiling.

I knew she was watching the feed.

“You are trespassing,” she said. “The sub-basement is private property.”

“I wanted to see what you were hiding,” I said.

I let my voice drop, adding a tremor of exhaustion to my tone.

“But I’m tired,” I said. “I’m done, Tessa.”