Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
But the absolute fury radiating off him is unmistakable.
After a few tense seconds, Marco lowers his hand and lets out a bitter laugh. “Hitting you would be an even bigger waste.”
“Do we have a problem here?” a man with a deep voice cuts in.
When I realize who it is, my fear becomes paralyzing. It’s one of my father’s men, who clearly just witnessed the entire scene. Shit, he’s going to tell Papa that I’m with Marco. That I just embarrassed the family. That people are talking about us. What if there’s a reporter here?
“No problem.” Marco straightens out his suit jacket and flashes a smile. “I was just leaving. You gonna be okay without me, Fiora?”
If my father finds out about this…
And if Braken finds out about this—
Fuck, Braken can’t find out about this. At least not from anyone but me. This could look like something it isn’t.
I swallow down my fear of being in the middle of an explosive scene and nod once. I don’t bother with the usual response. I don’t think my voice would come out correctly if I tried.
Marco takes the time to drain the rest of his wine before he tilts the empty glass in my direction as a parting greeting. He stomps out of the restaurant to stares and whispers while I sit there in shock. My father’s man says something to me that I brush off. I must nip this in the bud before I’m dead by twilight.
As soon as I’m alone, I pull out my phone and for the first time ever, shoot a text to Braken.
I need to see you right now.
Chapter 30
Braken
My phone pings just as I leave The Vault to head home. I’m exhausted. The incident with James in the cannery took all that was left out of me. I’ve been working nonstop, and when I’m not working, I’m trying to get to the bottom of a god-damn murder. My nerves are frayed, and the only thing that sounds good to me right now is showering, pouring myself a stiff drink, and then possibly jacking off to Fiora as I watch her in the security footage she has somehow not figured out is hidden everywhere in her cottage.
I need to see you right now.
I smirk. It’s only been a day, and Fiora wants seconds? Based on how hard she shook when she came, I knew it wouldn’t be long. But a day is a new record, even for me. My cock twitches when I remember how her pussy clenched around me and how she tried to keep herself from screaming my name. I certainly won’t say no to a replay of last night, especially since it’s so early in the day. Gives me plenty of time to make my name the only thing she can think of.
I’ll come over now, I text back.
Her response is immediate.
I’m in Seattle catching the ferry. So give me time.
I try not to lose my shit. What the fuck is she doing in Seattle? And why don’t we know about this? Although flashbacks of my morning where the three of us were distracted rush in.
Go to the helicopter. I will tell them to expect you. It’s quicker. I’ll come by your place once you’re home.
I stare at my phone as Jasper opens the door for me. It rings with a different call. My father. So far, he’s been leaving me to do the investigation on my own, but it’s been only a matter of time before he’s wanted an update. I gesture to Jasper to close the door so our conversation stays private.
“Any updates, Braken?” my father says in lieu of a greeting.
“We’re getting closer.” I glance out toward the sea. “We found the hitman. Just not the person who hired the hit yet. It won’t be long until we’ve cleared our name and know the answers.”
“Good. Hector asked me about it last night, and I told him you’d have answers soon. Hector also mentioned there has been no formal engagement announcement yet and that he’d be speaking to his daughter on that.”
“Yeah, we’ve been letting the dust settle after her brother’s death. Doesn’t exactly seem right to announce something joyous during a time of grieving.”
My father huffs. “I seriously doubt the Godwins are capable of grieving. That would require them to actually feel something.”
I would have agreed one hundred percent if it weren’t for the fact that Fiora has been surprising me with just how much depth this little rich princess has. Her charitable donations sent me spinning.
Generous is not a word I’d use to describe a Godwin. And yet… she is. Not only that, she is giving without expecting or even wanting recognition and validation.
“I need to get going,” I say. “I have work to catch up on, and I’m heading over to meet with Fiora in a bit. We’ll talk wedding some, and I’ll keep you updated on that as well.”