Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Since he’s gone, I decided the best way to get my answers is to look up the information myself. I look up the number for the agency, dial it, and speak with the director, Ms. Walker.
“Hello, Mr. Conti. I hope everything is well.”
“Everything is good. I was just curious why you selected Ms. Beaman as she’s so young. Were there no other candidates?”
“Not really, but Mr. D’Amato said that she would be just fine. Are you sure everything is okay with her? She’s young, but she came recommended.”
“Oh, yes. There’s no problem with her at all. I was just curious because I believe that she’s going off to college eventually, so I don’t know how her schedule will work with mine. I might need to hire more staff.”
“Well, we can look for more in the right range, if that’s what you’d prefer.”
“That would be great.” I end the call and go in search of the two because I want to speak with June alone.
I hear them arguing, and the man is foolish.
Stepping in to interrupt him from saying something stupid, I say, “Actually, Alessio. I need you to check on the warehouse. I’ll walk Ms. Beaman back to your home.”
“I can take myself home,” June insists. She looks completely terrified of me. Is it because she’s up to no good, or do I make her nervous?
“Do you like your job?” I ask her, tilting my head just slightly, voice completely controlled, letting her know who the fuck is in charge here. Alessio might be the one who hired her, but she works for me.
“Yes, sir.”
“If you want to keep it, you will do what you’re told. Get your things and be here in two minutes.”
Alessio stiffens, but he doesn’t say anything until she hurries away. “Do you have to be so rude to her?”
“Sorry, but you’re fucking blinded, Alessio. Just do what the fuck you’re supposed to do, and I’ll make sure she gets home safely. We have other matters that require our attention, and the questions I have are important.”
“Sorry, I’m fucking losing it.”
“I understand.” I pull him into a one-armed hug, and then he leaves to check out the warehouse.
June comes back into the room, and I snarl, “Come on.”
The moment we are in the car, I hit the engine and switch gears, pulling out of the main driveway. “Ms. Beaman, I must question you, and if you wish to make it through the next day, you’ll answer my questions without hesitation.”
She swallows hard, making a gulping sound before finally answering with a barely audible, “Yes, sir.”
“Are you working with the cops?” I ask without hesitation, my eyes focused on the road. I don’t need to see her face to judge whether she’s telling me the truth.
“What?” she gasps.
With as much control as I can muster, I say, “Answer my fucking question.”
“No, of course not. Am I even old enough to work with the cops? I’m only eighteen.” Really? Did she just say that? Either she’s that naïve, or she’s playing dumb.
“I pulled your file. Not just the shitty one the agency provides, but a deeper report, which I should have pulled sooner. Your father was a Chicago police officer before your parents’ deaths.” I scoff.
“Yeah, well. What does that have to do with anything?” Her attitude ticked up a notch. She’s forgetting who the fuck she’s talking to. She’s fucking lucky that she’s Alessio’s woman and May’s sister, or I’d have Mrs. Ricci deal with that mouth of hers.
“Your sister graduated with a degree in criminal justice from community college over the weekend, and you just happened to take a job working for me.” Just mentioning May gets me hard, but I want to know why they are in our lives suddenly.
“Again, I fail to see what this has to do with me. I didn’t even know what you did for a living. I still technically don’t know, but I’m getting a feeling that it’s less than reputable if you’re worried about the cops.”
“Bullshit.”
“For real, I’m not lying. I really don’t know anything about you or your company business. I clean your house and keep my mouth shut. I’ve only been here a week.” I look at her, trying to gauge her truthfulness. “My sister doesn’t even know who I work for in the first place. She’s been bugging me for more details, but I haven’t told her because she’ll get worried.”
“Why would you think she’d be worried if you didn’t know who I was?” She fucked up on that one.
“Because it’s in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of men. She’s worried I’ll be sexually violated.” Oh…I suppose that would be something women worry about. Given how fucking Alessio’s stalking her while she works, it’s not that far off.
Her phone rings, and I look over to see who’s calling. Fuck, it’s May. Her photo comes up. There’s no doubt that’s my future wife on the line—the woman who hates criminals. I choke on my own breath and then grunt, “Answer it and put it on speaker.” I pulled up to the house and put the car in park, grateful that we’ve come to a stop so I can concentrate on her call.