Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Flynn, where are we going?”
“I’ve managed to get a meeting with the chef of Cinder estate. His name is Oliver.”
“Oliver?” The name sounds familiar, and then it finally clicks. “He’s the one that’s been with the family so long.”
“Yep, so if anyone knows the girl, it will be him.”
“What about the Vault twins? I can’t imagine they’d let us speak to him alone without a million questions asking why.”
“That’s what’s taken so long to arrange. I explained to Oliver that we had a sensitive issue we needed to discuss but would prefer for it to be private. Luckily for us, he doesn’t seem to have much affection for the dynamic duo.”
“Does anyone?” I roll my eyes.
“Evermore Holdings has a meeting with them this afternoon.” Flynn seems annoyed by this.
“And?”
“I thought for sure after the party and the whole incident with your mother getting hit that Evermore wouldn’t meet with them.” He grips the wheel tighter, and I can see this isn’t good news.
EH is Flynn’s family business, although he doesn’t have any say in what goes on. His father runs the board with a group of executives, and although Flynn has a seat, he refuses to play by his father’s rules. That’s a whole other story, but if EH is taking a meeting, then there must be something his father wants from them. Most likely it’s Cinder Financial.
“So while we’re at the estate, the twins will be meeting with Evermore?” I ask, and Flynn nods. “All right, we’ll make this quick, and if you need me to make some calls about their meeting today, I can.”
“Thanks,” he says then nods up ahead. “There it is.”
The estate comes into view, and it’s truly stunning. The gothic structure is surrounded by large iron gates, but Flynn doesn’t pull up to the main entrance. Instead, he goes around the back to where deliveries are made and the gates are less opulent. The tiny keypad nearby buzzes when we pull up and the gates swing open.
Once we’re parked, an older man wearing an apron comes out, and I recognize him right away. Flynn holds out his hand to shake, and then I do the same.
“Thank you for meeting with us,” I say, and he nods behind him.
“Come inside. I’ve got some breakfast if you’re hungry.”
“Always,” Flynn hurries to say because he never turns down food.
As nervous as I was on the way here, for some reason, I’m starting to relax. Maybe it’s being back here or knowing that I’ll get some kind of answers today, but the worry and anxiety that had me in knots for weeks is beginning to loosen.
The kitchen is massive, and there are several people milling around as we enter. Once inside, Oliver points to a couple of stools near the bar and says something in French to the people in the room. They all nod and then quickly make their escape, leaving the three of us in the kitchen alone.
“Help yourselves,” he says kindly as he places a basket of fresh croissants in front of us and then pours coffee.
Flynn is moaning over the food, but I’m too nervous to eat as Oliver takes a seat across from us.
“I knew your father,” he says, looking at me. “He was a good man. He liked to sneak down to the kitchens to play cards when we had parties.”
“I didn’t know that.” I smile, thinking that it sounds just like something my father would do. He hated parties, but the man loved cards. It’s only been a year since he died, but we all miss him.
“From what I hear, you like sneaking away from parties too,” Oliver says without breaking eye contact, and I get the feeling that he’s sizing me up.
“That’s why I’m here. I met someone at your last party, and I need to see her again.”
“Hmm” is all he says in response.
“Please,” I try again, but Oliver is unmoving. He needs to understand how important it is that I find her, so I give in and say exactly what I’m feeling. “I’m not sure how else to explain it, but if I don’t see her again, I think I might die.”
“Could you be any more dramatic?” Flynn asks with a mouth full of croissant.
“I’m begging.” I ignore Flynn and focus on Oliver. “It was one night, one meeting, but it was a moment that’s changed my soul. I can’t breathe, I can’t sleep, I can’t eat until I find her. I don’t even know her name, but I know that she’s my reason for living.”
“And what will you do if you find this mystery woman?” Oliver once again reveals nothing with his expression.
“Beg her to be mine.” I sigh like it’s been decades since I’ve touched her instead of two months. “Give her everything she’s ever dreamed of and pray that she’ll let me take care of her.”