Stepping back, she waved him in.
First hurdle complete.Careful not to trip over the puffy ankle-biter yapping at his feet, he entered her house.
“They’re over here,” she said on a sigh as she moved through the fancy front foyer.
Was that alcohol?
Fink sniffed as he followed her.
She was pregnant.This woman shouldn’t be drinking.Also, it was, like, ten thirty in the morning.Way too early for cocktails.This wasn’t Sunday brunch with the girls.She was home alone.
In the paperwork he’d collected on Grant upon accepting the contract, there was information on his wife.Mrs.Grant, Chloe, was no saint.She’d had a few instances of being caught driving under the influence, but they never seemed to stick.
Money could make that sort of stuff go away.If there was one thing Chloe Grant had, it was cash.
Also, from his research, alcohol wasn’t her only indulgence.She was pregnant.He should feel guilty about going through with his scheme.Better men would.However, a woman who used while with child… This was probably for the best.
Shaking his head, he stuck his hand in his pocket, checking for his supplies.
This wasn’t a contract.No one had hired him for this.There’d be no check at the end, so there was no use for flair.His reasons for doing this were to protect Sydney and so they could get on with their lives.
Was it the best idea?
Not at all.
However, he was impatient.
Something that was new to him.He didn’t like it.This would be the only occasion he’d act on impulse.
Okay, this was the last time.Getting involved with Sydney had been an impulse he couldn’t deny, but that was it.He would control himself from now on.No more impromptu side quests.
Fink didn’t want to have any more little surprises, and cutting this last loose thread would ensure he and Sydney could attempt happiness together.
46
Sydney
Sydneyshouldn’tbeexhausted.She hadn’t run a marathon or anything.Yet somehow sitting in a room answering questions had left her completely drained.They weren’t even hard.Between Marco and Fink, they prepped her well.At least she thought so.
However, they were still in there for hours.
As each one passed, her gut knotted tighter.They must have found her interesting, which was the opposite of what she and Fink wanted, if they kept asking things.Her job was to provide some stuff but nothing they couldn’t get elsewhere or from a better source.
She didn’t want to get on the stand.The idea of sitting in a courtroom, in that little box next to the judge, had her wanting to jump out of her skin.That was too much pressure.She couldn’t go through that.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they concluded their meeting.Keeping her expression neutral and her posture far more rigid than she liked, Sydney walked through the building with her lawyer beside her.She wasn’t sure how many eyes were on her.Whether it be none or a hundred, she didn’t want to take a chance.She had to look the part of an unnecessary character witness and not like a murderer.Which, believe it or not, was difficult to do.
In the parking lot, away from the building and standing at their cars, she let out a breath and slouched.
They’d done it.Deposition complete.Now, all they had to do was wait.
Marco snickered and clapped her on the back.“You did well.”
“Yeah?”She planted her hands on her hips as her gaze drifted toward the building they’d exited.“I felt like I gave them too much or not enough half the time.”
