“You sat on the couch, and the time it took me to bring your belongings to the guestroom and come back downstairs, you were out like a light. I laid you across the couch so you would be comfortable, placed a blanket over you, and went downstairs to my office. After a string of calls, I went out to run some errands. When I got back, I had time to have a long conversation with my publicist.”
I rub my eyes and sit up. “I haven’t been sleeping very well.”
“It’s understandable. You’ve been through a lot.”
He’s traded the navy-blue suit he was wearing for a casuallook. Even in his designer black hoodie and matching color jeans, he’s still badass.
Conscious of the presence of this gorgeous man, I tuck a few loose strands in the elastic holding my messy top bun and wipe my chin, in case there’s drool left from my nap. I’m sure I won’t win any beauty contest, but at least I won’t scare him.
“I have, but I’m certain I slept that long because your couch is a million times more comfortable than my lumpy secondhand futon.”
“Speaking of your old place of residency, I returned to your building and using the key you gave me, I let in a team of private investigators.”
My head rears back. “Why would you do that?”
“I wanted a team of professionals to document what had taken place. Also, I wanted them to sweep the apartment to determine if there were other cameras or listening devices.”
“Were there?”
He shakes his head. “No. Your superintendent wasn’t that sophisticated.”
“Good to know it could’ve been worse.”
“I also got in touch with my lawyer.”
“Why?”
“Your legal representation will get in touch with your landlord to expose how you’ve been violated.”
“But I don’t have legal representation.”
“And that’s why I got in touch with my lawyer. I’ll foot the bill.”
“Kaz, I can’t accept that. You’ve already done so much. You opened your home to me.”
He holds my gaze for a beat. “Are there women or families with children living in the basement apartment?”
I nod. “There are a few single moms.”
“What if the superintendent placed those camerasdisguised as air fresheners in other apartments? What if he’s been watching little kids…”
Whoa.
“My lawyer said something that got me thinking.”
“What?”
“Was the foul smell a problem from the moment you rented the apartment?”
I shake my head. “No. It started happening a couple weeks ago.”
“What if the superintendent is the one behind the foul smell?”
I frown. “You think?”
“There are videos online showing you how to create effective stink bombs that smell so bad after two to three weeks, you’d think several dead bodies were decomposing. The kind of awful and rancid smell bad enough to make you want to vomit. I gagged when I opened the door to the basement of your apartment.”
I gasp, almost gagging myself.
