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)
“Agreed,” I say, making sure he knows I’m standing by him, holding up the world right now.
He studies me a moment. “How was your afternoon?”
“No one spoke of your father. I got the impression the living asshole in charge of the office affected them to present day and stirred the past. They want help.”
“That’s why we need to recruit Alex.” But he’s not thinking about Alex. He’s watching me.
I lean forward and brush his jaw. “They said what I know and one day you will, too. You’re not him.”
He is stone in response, but even in the hardness of his stare, I can see the demons of his past. The pain that lives there and in this place for him. Abruptly, he pulls me to him and kisses me. “We can’t be home soon enough. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Home.
Our home.
The place we don’t have to hold up anything but each other.
He stands to offer me his hand when his cellphone rings again. He glances down at the screen and frown. “No caller ID.” He answers. “Cole Brooks.” His eyes jolt. “Ashley?”
I jump to my feet. “Is she okay? Where is she?”
He puts her on speaker. “I have Lori here, too. Where are you?”
“I love you both,” she says, her voice strong, “but you need to back off. I’m okay. I’m leaving. I have to go.”
“Witness protection?” I ask, sharing Cole’s concerned look.
“Yes. And I’m not supposed to say that. You will force me to hide even deeper. I can’t contact you. Cole, you’re like a brother. Lori, you were fast becoming a sister. But I’m gone now. Forget me or you’ll get me killed.” She disconnects.
Chapter eighty-four
Lori
Once Cole and I exit the Houston office, I stop him right before we enter the car waiting on us, concerned about privacy. “Should we call Royce about Ashley’s call?”
“Royce already told us what she told us,” he says. “In fact, I’m quite certain he was giving us a heads up about that call, but yes.” He eyes his watch. “I’ll text him in a discreet way from the car.”
I nod and he opens the door for me. Once we’re settled inside, he directs our driver and then sends the text. Royce replies instantly, and Cole shows me the message that reads: She’s safe. That’s what matters.
“She really is in that program,” I say, choosing my words carefully.
“Yes. I believe she is.”
“Can she ever get out?”
“Doubtful,” he says, kissing my hand. “I think we said our final goodbyes upstairs.”
“Me too,” I say, feeling sad and relieved at the same time. “She’s safe,” I repeat. “That is ultimately what matters.”
“Except that someone stripped away her life.”
“Maybe she’ll find a new, happy one,” I suggest. “Like we did.”
“Like we did,” he repeats, his eyes warm on mine.
I settle my head on his shoulder, silently imagining a fairy tale for Ashley with her own Prince Charming, praying it comes true. We arrive at the restaurant only a few minutes later, and Cat sends me a text as we exit the car. “Cat’s holding a surprise birthday party for Reese at the house Saturday night. It’s a last-minute idea she had, she says. She wants us to come and Alex is invited.”
Cole’s hand settles on my back. “Let’s go convince him he needs to be at that party.”
We step inside the cozy entrance with stone beneath our feet, and wine bottles lining the walls left and right. “The pizza is the best,” he says, as we wait our turn for the hostess.
“Pizza it is, then,” I say, and my stomach is growling when it’s finally our turn to be seated. Cole and I step forward, and the hostess leaves us at the podium to check on our table. We maneuver to the side of the line when a man steps between us and Cole and I are momentarily separated.
Cole offers me his hand to pull me close, but suddenly a beautiful brunette throws her arms around him, and my hand falls from his reach. “My God, Cole. I thought you left.” She leans back, her deep cleavage right smack in the middle of the two of them, her smile sexy. “Let’s catch up, preferably not here.”
Cole untangles himself from her arms. “Shelly,” he says, looking for me, and literally taking a sideways step to catch my finger. “This is Lori, my wife. Lori this is Shelly Waller. She’s a corporate attorney that I’ve known for some years.”
Her eyes go wide. “Wife? Oh God.” She holds up her hands. “I’m sorry.” She looks at me. “Lori, I’m sorry. I would never—I wouldn’t—this is very awkward.”
“It’s okay,” I say, and then I smile. “Well, not really, but I’ll live.”
She laughs nervously. “Right. Okay.” She looks a Cole. “I’ll leave now.” She eyes Cole. “Congrats.” She disappears.
“Mr. Brooks,” the hostess says. “Your table is ready.”