Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Isidore couldn’t bring himself to care about his gossipy aunts getting worked up and spreading fake news. Kairo had not only claimed him as his boyfriend—while not new, it was still exciting to hear—he’d become all sweetly protective of his well-being. Also, not new but so wonderful to hear.
What’s more, Charlie said he had potential as a spy. Maybe with enough training, he could be of use to the team and he could help them on jobs here and there. Sure, he was facing endless family problems, but his world felt brighter and more hopeful.
With Charlie at his side, he ducked into the office. It was the only room open that had a second exit since it connected to the patio and the rest of the party. Anyone trying to escape that way had to go through a ton of people and cameras.
When they were alone in the room, Charlie leaned on the closed door and flashed him a crooked grin.
“K, how many people are left on the list to feel out?” Charlie inquired.
“I had four, but it looks like Aunt Maria is going to handle them for us. The two aunts just arrived in the music room, and the last two are hurrying in their direction. They all look like they’re on the verge of inciting a riot.”
Isidore rolled his eyes. He was not surprised in the slightest. His relatives were never happy and for the first time in his twenty-nine years, he’d finally done something worthy of getting them worked up.
“Have we marked anyone off the list at least?” Isidore asked. He leaned against the edge of his desk and crossed his right ankle over his left.
“Most, actually,” Kairo admitted, sounding surprised. “All of your cousins have been crossed off. None of them seemed shocked to see you or Athena. No strange phone calls, texts, or comments.”
That was good at least.
“I’m still skeptical of a few business partners and several aunts and uncles.”
He wasn’t overly surprised to hear that, but it was good to know that the list of potential murderers had shrunk.
“Then let’s head back out there and target some of the people you still have questions about. We’ll add some more pressure and see if we can get anyone to crack.”
“We need to work fast. It’s after eleven now. People are going to start leaving soon.”
“At the risk of sounding old like Charlie, when can we kick all these people out?” West moaned.
“I’ve got an after party lined up on a friend’s yacht,” Athena announced. “We can get them moving in that direction as soon as Kairo says he has what he needs.”
“Izzie, I’m in love with your brilliant sister. I’m marrying her and we’re running away together,” West stated in his usual, dry deadpan voice.
“Nope. You said Joey stinks. We’re a package deal.” Athena chuckled.
“Oh, rats. Single again,” West mumbled.
“Cut the chatter. Focus,” Charlie snapped. He shoved away from the door and headed to the patio doors on the other side of the room.
Isidore unlocked them and stepped onto the patio first, drawing in a deep breath of salty fresh air. The breeze had cooled the temperature off making it just slightly chilly now that the sun had gone down, but that didn’t chase away the nearly two dozen who were chatting, laughing, and drinking in the silvery moonlight with a pair of bartenders keeping everyone well hydrated. The second bar was in the main living space with two more bartenders and a barback running constantly for supplies for both bars.
He just wanted a moment of peace and quiet before heading out to stir up more trouble, but he didn’t get the chance.
“Isidore?”
His head jerked up at the sound of his name being called by the painfully familiar voice. Jason Pappas had always struck him as the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. They’d gone to college together and remained in contact over the years, though they never seemed to catch up to each other as often as they would like. He’d had the worst crush on Jason through college, but nothing had ever come of it. Mostly because he figured Jason was straight, but also because Jason was a player. He’d never met a woman who was worth more than a few nights of his time. Isidore had no desire to trade their long-term good friendship for a wild night of passion.
“Jason? What are you doing here?” he demanded in shock. He should never have made Kairo’s guest list. Jason wasn’t even on Isidore’s radar. There was no way he would ever harm him or Athena. Jason was born into money. He didn’t need Isidore’s.
Jason closed the distance between them in a few steps. He attempted to move past Charlie, but the mercenary was faster and had even more muscle than Jason. His old friend jerked and stared at Charlie in shock that he would dare to stop him.