Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
I closed the door behind me when I got back to my office and sat down at my desk, resting my head in my hands and sitting quietly for a few minutes, trying to get back to a place of calm. I massaged my temples. Geez, what were the freaking odds that I’d run into Carson, and right here at home? What were the chances that almost five years later, completely unexpectedly, I would walk into Carson Stinger’s office in a city neither one of us had lived in when we parted? I sat up, letting out a short, incredulous laugh. Life is wild, indeed.
_________
Carson
After Grace left, I went up to see Leland to update him about the detective’s questioning. I didn’t mention Grace.
Dylan was working on hacking into some databases that may or may not pan out in helping Josh’s case. He was also still trying to get a lead on Bakos that would give us enough time to move in on him. Josh would enter his plea in a day or two and then we could figure out bail. It was just a waiting game at this point.
I sat downstairs in the security room, watching the tables for a while, and then I texted Leland and told him that I was leaving a little early with a headache. It wasn’t a lie. I had been sitting down there thinking of Grace the whole damn time. My head was splitting.
Still, I made time to go upstairs to the forty-fifth floor to check on the girls. This was something Grace couldn’t know about. I was looking forward to catching up and telling her where my life had gone, but I knew I couldn’t be completely honest with her. Especially not about the girls. That was something she wouldn’t like and something she might be required to report.
A half an hour later, I drove my truck home and as soon as I slammed the door behind me, I went to the kitchen and took a couple Advil, followed by a long, hot shower. When I got out, I felt a lot better.
I pulled on jeans and a long-sleeved, black shirt and grabbed my phone. I had forgotten to check in with Dylan before I left.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey, man.”
“Hey, Dylan, I left a little early. Did you get all the paperwork squared away?”
“Mostly. I’m hoping it will be by tonight. I’m just waiting on a few things.”
“Okay, cool. I just wanted to check in.”
“Okay, you all right?”
“Yeah.” I hesitated and Dylan remained quiet. “Hey, Dylan, you remember that girl I met in Vegas five years ago or so? The one—”
“Yeah. Pussy voodoo?”
I chuckled. “Yeah.” Only, I wished that was all it was. Then I might not be spinning like a top.
“What about her?”
“She walked into my office today. She’s the prosecutor on Josh’s case.”
“You’re shittin’ me.”
“No. I’m not. What are the odds, right?”
He paused for a minute. “Geez, man. That’s either really bad luck or really good luck. I don’t know. Shit’s pretty complicated right now. Are you still interested in her?”
I sighed. “Interested? It doesn’t matter anyway. She’s engaged.”
“Engaged, huh? Well, engaged ain’t married.”
I made a small agreeable sound in the back of my throat. “I’m taking her to dinner tonight. Just to catch up.”
“That sounds interested, Carson. Be careful.”
“I will. I will. Thanks, Dylan.”
“All right. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay, I’ll be in early. I’m meeting the dignitaries from Saudi Arabia.” It was part of my job as head of security to secure high-priced items that Trilogy guests brought with them.
“Oh, right, okay. I’ll see you then.”
We hung up and I glanced at the clock. It was ten to seven. I grabbed my jacket and my keys and headed for the door.
CHAPTER 23
Grace
I was just finishing blow-drying my hair when my cell rang. It was Abby.
“You’re going to die when I tell you who I’m going to dinner with, Abby,” I whispered into the phone.
“Are you answering your phone from an underground bunker?”
“What? No.”
“Then why are you whispering like that?”
I whispered into the phone again, “I don’t know. Maybe a hear-no-evil thing?”
“Oh God. The last time you sounded like this, you were spending a weekend in Vegas with a porn star.”
I laughed nervously. “Well, funny you should mention that actually.”
I heard a shriek come from the other end of the line and held the phone away from my ear, grimacing.
“Jesus, Abby,” I said, raising my voice to regular volume. “Are you trying to bust my eardrum?”
“Tell me you are not going to spend the weekend with another porn star, Grace. I let it go once, but twice is just too outrageous. Plus, you know, Alex and all…”
I laughed. It felt good. I needed the relaxation a little laughter brought. I had taken a long, hot bath when I got home, but I was still strung up as tight as a bow over the thought of going to dinner with Carson. Not to mention the fact that I hadn’t yet told Alex about my evening plans. He was still with some clients and I’d only heard from him via text.