Total pages in book: 189
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
“If I’m not upset, then you shouldn’t be.” At her mother’s worried expression, she set her toast down to hug her. “We had a wonderful weekend, it’s a beautiful day, and Moon wants to go out for dinner. I’m so happy, and you should be, too. Moon and I are getting along great, and Jace is a dreamboat. Nothing is wrong just because Moon doesn’t want us to take his motorcycle tonight. Don’t overanalyze it just because you don’t like him.”
“You’re wrong there.” Her mother surprised her by contracting her. “I like Moon. I just wish you would take up for yourself more when he acts like a prick.”
“I will. I promise.” Finishing her drink, she grabbed her toast. “I have to go, or I’m going to be late for my appointment. See you this afternoon.”
Her mother still looked worried but dropped the subject. “Bye, darling.”
The short drive was made in no time, and as she got out the car, she noticed Lana’s car parked next to Priss’. She hadn’t seen either sister since they had helped her get ready for the masquerade party on Friday.
Smiling, she locked the car door, thinking Lana had come by to talk about how the party had gone. Already deciding which parts she was going to leave out, she opened the office door to see both of her sisters talking at the reception desk.
“Good morning.” Cheerfully walking toward them, she noticed neither smiled in return. “What’s wrong?” She frowned. “I’m not late for my appointment, am I?”
“I asked Priss to reschedule your appointment.” Lana rose from behind the desk. “We need to talk in your office.”
“Okay …?”
Their grave expressions had fear knotting her stomach. Was there something wrong with Mom’s health? Was one of them sick?
Apprehensively entering her office, she saw a pile of folders placed on her desk. Lana and Priss took opposite sides of her chair to stand when she sat down.
In her chair, her gaze was caught on the computer screen, which was on. She read the name on the top, then jerked her eyes up to Lana’s. “What’s this about?”
Lana’s expression was one she was familiar with. It was the one she wore when giving life-altering facts to her patients.
“Larissa, when Bennett stole my money, I hired a firm to go over our financials. I was terrified he used his relationship with me to steal from both of you. Thankfully, he didn’t. But I signed up for a two-year subscription in case he was biding his time.”
Her fear eased a bit. At least nothing was physically wrong with any of their family. She almost cried in relief.
“For goodness’s sakes, you two nearly scared me to death.” Sympathetically, she grasped Lana’s hand. “Don’t worry. Whatever Bennett has done, we’ll fix it.”
Lana turned her hand over to hold hers instead. “Larissa, it isn’t Bennett who we have to worry about.”
“Moon?” Her mouth went dry in fear. “What’s he done?”
“Did you know Moon is a contract lawyer?”
“You have to have the wrong man.” Disbelievingly, she shook her head. “He’ a factory worker for The Last Riders.” She gave her sister an angry look. “You had him checked out?”
“He does more than work at the factory.” Lana released her hand to point at the computer screen. “I did have him checked out on Friday, but only when the company I hired to monitor our business finances sent me an email.”
“He’s been stealing from me?” she choked out.
“No, Larissa.” Lana gave her an anguished look. “He didn’t have to. You’ve been giving everything away to him.”
Numbly, she drove home, leaving Lana and Priss at the office. When she arrived at the house, she carried the folders inside that Lana had prepared for her.
“You’re back early.”
Forcing a smile to her lips, she carried the folders to the dining room table before going to the living room, where her mother was sitting on the couch, to stare down at Jace playing on the blanket on the floor. “I finished early. I thought I would save you a trip from bringing Jace for his feeding.”
“Oh.” Her mother stood. “Then I might call Lana and see if she wants to grab some lunch.”
“You should. I’m sure she’d like that.”
“You want to come and bring Jace?”
“No, Jace will be ready for his nap after I feed him. I don’t want to disrupt his schedule.”
“Okay, I’ll go ahead and leave, then. Did you need me to babysit tonight for yours and Moon’s date, or did you ask Priss or Lana?”
“I decided not to go out. I’ve got a headache. I thought I’d take a nap with Jace.”
“Good idea.” Her mother brushed a quick kiss over her forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Carrying Jace into the bedroom, she fed him then laid him down for a nap. Once he was asleep, she got to work.