"Yeah, we can't afford to pause...the shipments going through will have to offset the loss," Coen adds and then looks directly at me. "How long will you be in town?"
I shrug one shoulder. "As long as I need to be."
"Good," he says. "We're going bare bones until this gets under control so we'll need all the help we can get."
"Should I bring in a team from the east?" Honestly, if I brought Claire in, she'd sniff out the mole in twelve seconds and get us back to business in no time.
"No. The less people involved, the better. Easier to track loose ends." Coen pulls his phone out of his pocket and pushes a few buttons on the screen.
I yank mine out too, my heart dropping at the lack of text from Cora.
Dominic clears his throat. "You bought The Wellerton."
I can't quite tell if he's asking a question or simply making a statement. Either way, I confirm, "Yeah," without looking up from my cell.
"Any particular reason?" Dominic asks.
"Diversifying my investment portfolio."
Dominic raises his head slowly and lowers it. "I see." He doesn't buy my response, but I don't blame him, I wouldn't believe me.
I sigh and meet his inquisitive stare. "It was for personal reasons."
"Would those personal reasons have anything to do with a certain bubbly blonde?" Dom scratches his chin as he studies me with great scrutiny. There's no way I'm getting out of this one.
"Maybe." I set my phone face down, and as soon as I do, it buzzes. I turn it over immediately and relief washes completely over me.
Cora:Hey, I'm home. Sorry, I jumped right in the shower and forgot to text.
I thumb a quick response.
Me:Glad you made it. Let me know if you need anything else.
Cora types immediately, and it's strange to feel my heart patter the way that it is.
Cora:Thanks, I appreciate you x.
I stare at that little x so long that my vision burns.
"Everything okay over there?" Dominic inquires.
"Yeah." I put my phone down and focus on him. "What were we talking about?"
"You and Cora," he says bluntly.
"Oh."
I don't miss Coen's jaw clenching like he's a pit bull ready to attack and rip out my throat at a moment’s notice. He doesn't say anything, but I can feel his disapproval radiating off him like a redhead at the beach.
Dominic downs the rest of his bourbon in one swift motion and sets his glass on the table a bit aggressively. He scoots his chair forward and looks right at me. "I get it, I really do. We went through it with June. The more we tried to stay away, the harder it was. But let me warn you, once you cross that line, there's no going back. So, make damn sure this is what you want. That she is what you want. It's not fair to her to put her at risk like that without certainty."
"I understand," I tell him, because I do. I've thought about this so much it made my fucking brain ache.
"How much do you even know about her?" Coen says, his tone as calloused as Dominic's hands.
I almost laugh but I catch myself. If only they knew how much I knew about her...maybe they wouldn't question me. But I can't tell them that without outing myself as a total psycho, and I'd rather keep that secret tucked away for no one to find out.
"It's not about that, Hayes, and you of all people should recognize that," Dominic snaps at Coen. "I barely spoke to June for weeks, and I knew deep in my bones that she was the one. Did I try to ignore it? Without a doubt but look what good that did. It put her in danger. It nearly got her killed, multiple times. It distracted us during one of the most pivotal moments of my career. I was a stubborn fool and I almost lost her." Dominic stares directly at Coen. "You did, too."
