Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 114260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
“I’ll tell you where to go,” she pouts. I pinch her thigh, and she squeals. “Okay, alright. So we’re heading south of the historical district.”
“Perfect.”
“So back to what I was saying earlier. Where on earth is that money?”
“That’s a very good question, and I think it would be worth our while asking Gray Descamps that very question.”
“Agreed. If I’m no one, and my parents made all that money… their income has to be hidden somewhere. It can’t just be like… under the mattress.”
“It’s pretty hard to hide millions under a mattress.”
“But it could be done.”
I snort. “Have you actually seen what a hundred million dollars looks like in cash?”
She raises a brow to me. “So we’ve gone up to a hundred million. I have not. Have you?”
“I have. I was once contracted to assist with a drug bust that ended up revealing the largest amount of cash ever confiscated in the history of the East Coast. We apprehended the drug dealers who’d kept two hundred and fifty million in cash in a bedroom.”
“So that’s why your bed’s the size of a small island?”
I laugh out loud. “I knew you’d find out eventually.”
“Two hundred and fifty million is a lot of fucking money. And if your father was as successful as you thought he was… well, that money’s definitely somewhere, isn’t it?”
She looks out the window. I wonder if she’s imagining herself wealthy, what she could do with that money. What she doesn’t know is that everything I have is hers for the taking, and there’s a reason she couldn’t afford my services.
Violet’s mine. I won’t ever let her go. And everything I own is hers.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she says.
“You’re a mind reader now?”
“You could say it’s one of my talents.”
“And?”
“You don’t like the thought of me being wealthy.” There’s a pained sound to her voice I don’t miss.
She couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Why wouldn’t I want you to be wealthy? Of course I do. Things are easier when you have money. I don’t like the thought of you going without at all.”
“No, Cain,” she says in a softer voice. “You don’t like the idea of me not needing you.”
I scoff. “I’m not that insecure, babe.”
She doesn’t reply. We’ll battle her goddamn insecurities until she knows exactly who she is and how much she’s worth.
“We’re only five minutes out now. What’s our plan?”
“He might suspect who you are as soon as he sees your eyes. Maybe we should’ve put your contacts in.”
She has color-changing contacts for times like these, when I don’t want anyone to remember her or identify her in a line-up.
“Nope. I want him to know exactly who I am when I interrogate him.”
“Wait, just last night you were saying that you didn’t want to hurt an elderly man.”
“Perhaps I’ve changed my mind,” she says decidedly.
“Oh? And what did that for you?”
“I want answers, Cain. I didn’t come to you for the good food and better sex.”
I reach for her hand but can’t help but smile when I give her a squeeze. “I know, baby.”
Violet blows out a whistle as we near the address on the map. The tight houses around us spread out to orchards, sprawling mansions atop massive cliffs that overlook the water.
“I thought ministers were poor?” she says curiously. “This guy lives in the lap of luxury.” Her brows knit together. “That doesn’t bode well, does it?”
“Not all ministers live in poverty, and not all rich ones are corrupt, but...”
I have my suspicions about him. I tap my phone. “Call Henri.”
“Hello? What can I do for you, Mr. Master?”
Henri’s like a brother to me but has never lost his Southern charm and formality.
“Henri, we need what you’ve found on Gray Descamps, the shortened version.” I’ve had him working on it since last night.
“I see you’re almost there.”
“I am.” I have my team track my whereabouts and Violet’s at all times.
“I’ll make it quick, sir. Gray Descamps has been married four times, has seven children with various women, and is the second wealthiest minister in New England.” Violet curses under her breath.
“Court cases?”
“None, sir, though there are a few allegations of sexual misconduct in the workforce that were settled out of court.”
Violet cringes. “Could this guy get any more predictable?” She sighs. “What does he drive?” Violet asks.
“What does he drive?” I repeat and give her a curious look.
She shrugs. “We’ll need to find out what he values. What matters to him. If he’s wealthy, it’s likely his possessions.” She looks out the window with a scowl. “If he has that many children with that many women, it will be hard in this short timeframe to find out which we could use to threaten him with.”
“God, I love how your brain works.”
Henri clears his throat. “Sir, you’re three minutes out.”
I wink at her, and she sticks her tongue out at me. She’ll pay for that. “Go on.”