“Is he inside?”
“Out on bail, they all are. Somehow, they convinced a judge that they weren’t flight risks. One of the partners disappeared immediately. The others arrested were placed on ankle monitors. If anyone leaves the city, they’ll be detained.”
“When’s the court case?”
“Right now, it’s scheduled for a couple of months. But the dates have changed twice already. The entire situation is fluid.”
“Right. We have to tell Mom and Dad because I’ll be increasing their home security. They’ve got a strong system, but this requires more. Briar, I need you to wear a tracker, okay? If someone grabs you, I want to be able to find you.”
“The threat is real,” Briar whispered.
“Yeah. Very, sis. Trust me, I won’t let anyone hurt you,” I promised. My spine tingled, like somebody was staring holes in my back. That wasn’t important right now. I reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Briar’s ear.
“Stone…”
“No arguments. Accountancy is your world. Security is mine. This time, you’ve got to do as I say,” I replied.
Briar smiled and then cocked her head. “Hey, is that April Graham?”
I spun around and caught sight of April across the street. Her face was blank, but I sensed the fury and hurt coming off her. With the dirtiest look in her arsenal, April turned and walked away.
“What the fuck was that?” Briar demanded.
“Guess I’ve got something to tell you, too,” I muttered.
“No shit!”
Chapter Thirteen.
April
After all his sweet words, Stone was on a date with someone else. I’d been watching for several minutes. He’d touched her gently and with love, and that stabbed deep into my heart. As I hurried away, I was mentally kicking myself. Once a cheater, always a cheater, the mantra kept running through my mind. Okay, Stone had dumped me the first time, but the sheets had barely been cold. As Stone explained what happened with Chelsea, some doubt remained, and now I understood why.
I hadn’t been able to see her fully. The sun cast shadows over her face, but she was beautiful; that much could be garnered. Stone had been completely at ease, suggesting familiarity. Fuck, he had a girlfriend, and I’d been the sidepiece. When the hell would I learn?
I approached my car and unlocked it. Tears welling in my eyes, I threw my purse in and went to climb in.
“Miss Graham,” someone uttered. I spun around and gasped in fear. Salisbury stood close by with his two goons.
“No! Whatever it is, no,” I cried, pressing into the car. Salisbury’s gaze narrowed on my tears and mistook them.
“Miss Graham, I mean no harm. In fact, I brought you this,” Salisbury said reassuringly and held out an envelope.
“No thanks, I don’t want anything,” I replied as I edged towards the open door.
“There is a cheque inside. Miss Graham, fill in whichever charity’s name you wish. A card with my direct private line is also included. If you ever require assistance, call. I shall endeavour to aid you in any way you need.”
“Charity?” I asked, ignoring Salisbury’s offer of help.
“I would have made it out to you, but research shows you’d probably tear it up and piss on it,” Salisbury stated crudely.
A laugh escaped despite my fear. “True.”
“Miss Graham, I sincerely apologise for any fright you took the other day. Please be assured, we’ll not cross paths again unless you need help,” Salisbury said, and with a nod of his head, walked towards a tinted SUV. He climbed into the back with one of his thugs while the other got in the front, and moments later, drove away.
I gazed down at the envelope before slowly climbing into my car and driving home. A local charity would enjoy receiving a surprise gift.
Harlequin
