Total pages in book: 183
Estimated words: 174715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 874(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 874(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“The FBI got involved. She was cleared. We were all pushed out.”
I glance at the door and back at him. “Cleared of what?”
“I can’t even tell you that. It was that top secret, which is why I haven’t said much. There wasn’t much to say.”
His phone rings and when he reaches for it, I decide to go see the flowers. I exit the office, glance at the stunning bouquet of at least three dozen pink roses, and then search for Ashley, who is nowhere to be seen. I eye Maria who points toward the door. Frowning, certain something is wrong, I hurry toward her. “We were in a meeting. Did she say anything?”
She leans forward a bit and whispers, “No, but I’m pretty sure she was holding back tears.”
“Okay, thanks.” I hurry out of the executive office, through the lobby and into the bathroom. One of the two stalls doors are shut. “Ashley?”
“Yes?” she calls out and she tries to hide her sob, but she fails.
I knock on the door. “Open up. Talk to me.”
Seconds tick by and she finally opens the door, her mascara streaked down her cheeks. She shoves a mini-card at me. “Read it.”
I glance down and read: Nothing was what it seems. I promise you, baby, I love you. I’ll explain. I’m coming for you just as soon as I can. All kinds of alarms are going off in my head and I glance up at her. “What’s your reaction?”
“I don’t know if I should be scared, relieved, or what, really. I loved him. The idea that he lied and never loved me still guts me. But he was involved in some big international—” She throws her hands up. “I don’t even know what. Cole couldn’t find out what.”
“Let’s go talk to Cole now.”
“I can’t. I’m a mess.”
“You could be in danger. We need to talk to Cole.”
“I need a few minutes,” she says, swiping at her cheeks.
“Okay. I’ll go talk to him. Come find us.”
She nods, and I hug her. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Thank you. Thank you, Lori. I have no one. I moved here from Houston and my family is gone and—just, thank you.”
“You have us.” I hurry out of the bathroom and run smack into Cole, his big hands catching my arms.
“I have to go to Reid’s office. Ride down with me.”
I nod and we step into the elevator where I hand him the card. “Holy hell,” he murmurs, looking at me. “I’ll make calls and find out where he is and what he is. And tell her I’m having Walker Security send someone over to look out for her for the next few days.”
“She’s pretty confused.”
“Of course she is,” he says. The elevator dings and we exit to the lobby, pausing just outside the door. “I’m going to Reese’s place after my meeting. We’re going to sit in the bar downstairs and pick through a few strategic moves, namely what to do about the Houston office. I’ll meet you at their place for dinner. Yes?”
“Yes. That works. I’ll probably head over early to visit with Cat.”
“See you there.” He pulls me to him and kisses me. “I’ll call you if I hear anything on Ashley’s situation.” And with that, he’s gone, and I punch the button for the elevator car. Time to go take care of Ashley, and tonight, I’ll finally take that pregnancy test, which I’m not going to think about. Right now is about Ashley and her man problem.
It’s after five when I leave the office, with no news from Cole. Smith, one of the Walker men who was at the airport the day I was attacked is now Ashley’s shadow, which is about as taken care of as that situation gets right now.
Once I’m at Cat and Reese’s apartment, my nerves over that pregnancy test have arrived, and they seem to be hopping around and doing jumping jacks in my belly. I normally would stop by the bar to say hello to Cole and Reese, but I just can’t. I need to do this test. I text Cat right before I step into the elevator: I’m on my way up. Have the test ready. I want to do it before Cole arrives.
I step into the car, and punch the button, literally pacing the small space. Cat opens the door and holds up the boxed test. “The coast is clear.”
I grab it and head for the bathroom as she yells, “I still have another box if you want to double check the results!”
“I’m going to want that test!” I reply, entering the bathroom and shutting the door, my heart thundering in my chest, my gaze locked on the words Pregnancy Test. This is it. This is when one little pink line could become life-changing.
Chapter sixty-nine
Cole
Reese and I sit in the bar, and I happily down my second whiskey when I would normally stop at one, but it’s been a hell of a month, really six months, considering my move and my father’s death. “We look good on paper,” Reese says. “And with the high-profile cases we’ve both won the past year, we have offers coming in left and right.”