I didn't like it. "Useful how?"
Jamison chuckled. "The same thingyoujust asked."
I'd been asking a lot of things, so I just waited.
Finally, Jamison said, "He wants to know where she is –andhe's willing to pay."
I grew very still. "Is that so?"
Jamison nodded. "He's put out the word to everyone. And I meaneveryone. Shit, even my manicurist is on the lookout."
Huh.Maybe hedidn'thave nail polish in the car – not with a dedicated pro on the job.
But forget his nails.In my head, I was still assembling the pieces.
Unlike Evan Carver, I already knew where Tessa was. But hell if I'd say so. I summoned up a grin. "So, that pissed client was Evan Carver?" It made sense. The guy had his fingers in everything. Or rather, his father did, and sonny boy coasted along for the ride.
Jamison shot me a finger-gun. "Bingo! And you want to know what else?"
"What?"
His grin turned sly. "Rumor has it, she screwed him in more ways than one."
Something ticked in my jaw. "What do you mean?"
"Youknow. They were a thing."
At the image that slid into my head, I felt my fingers flex at my sides.Tessa Sinclair and Evan Carver?Together?
I couldn't see it.
The guy was a real asshole – and yeah, even more than me. Or maybe I didn'twantto see it, because for some messed-up reason, it wasn't sitting quite right.
And while I was at it, Ireallydidn't like the idea of Evan Carver tracking her down.
Then again, I could always trackhimdown first.
15
Mom, the Magnificent
Tessa
When my cellphone buzzed, I checked the screen and winced.Mom. Again.
Already, it was almost eleven o'clock, and she'd been calling me hourly since eight.
Yes, I know I should've answered.But I'd been putting it off, hoping to get back to her tomorrow when I didn't feel too frazzled to think.
I'd been home alone for nearly six hours, wondering what, exactly, Ryder Vaughn knew – and why he was prowling around here of all places.
Sure, he hadn't acted like he was on the hunt. But you didn't amass his kind of fortune by giving away the game.
Like today on the road, he'd claimed he was going to the airport, presumably to fly away, but it's not like I'd seen him go.
My gaze strayed to Maisie's kitchen, where I half expected Ryder Vaughn to pop out of the fridge.
I gave myself a mental kick. If hewasthere, I had no one to blame but myself.
