“But he had extenuating circumstances.” She lifted her chin. “Imagine having a son and not being able to support him. To put a roof over his head. What would you do?”
“I wouldn’t break the law?”
“Are you sure?” She cast him a skeptical look. “Imagine us being together again. I’m nine months pregnant. We’re going to get evicted. You have no legal means to stop that. Someone offers you money that you need. Cash. Right up front. Wouldn’t you take it?”
He gave a guttural sound like a growl but deeper. “I don’t know. Maybe. But I would never be in that position.”
She arched a brow. “You know this for a fact?”
“No, no I don’t but...” He paused and took a long breath. “We would first have to be together again, and unless you start remembering, that’s not possible. And even then...” He shook his head.
“My appointment is tomorrow, if we’re back in Portland by then. Maybe I’ll recall something, and we can talk again.”
“We can talk all we want. Talking about it doesn’t change a thing.” He locked eyes with her, his expression resolute. “I’m still toxic to you.”
Chapter 22
IN THE LOBBYof their hotel, Mack read an email update from Eisenhower as he walked to the elevator with Addy. Eisenhower said Williams was holding out even longer than he thought would happen. Disappointed, Mack swallowed down his frustration over the girls needing him and the team and not being there for them. But there was nothing he could do about that, other than to wrap up the investigation and get back to the girls.
But how? It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying. They were all trying. Desperately. Cam included, as he’d sent an email with a thorough report on each business Mack and Addy had visited that day. He also mentioned that the strip mall was owned by a shell corp that he was still tracking down.
Mack sent a quick text to the team to say he would hold a video call in thirty minutes, and then he and Addy rode the elevator to the suite.
He’d made sure when making their accommodations yesterday that there were two bedrooms, but after the close proximity last night and waking up to find her sitting in the living area, he simply wanted to grab her up in a hug and forget about his nightmare. Being that close to her for another night wasn’t going to be easy.
The tension between them was nearly unbearable on the ride up to their floor. What was it going to be like confined to a suite together?
Please, Father. Help us out here,he prayed as Addy stepped out and then got the door to the suite unlocked.
“I’m going to get cleaned up.” She quickly charged toward her room.
“Conference call in thirty,” he called to her fleeing back.
He’d never had a woman run away from him, and surely one had never moved so fast. He felt like a leper. He kind of was one, right? Except his condition was self-inflicted. He just had to man up even more and do more work.
Or maybe trust God.The thought came out of the blue.
Trust how?
Maybe believe once and for all that God was in control. In charge. And He worked everything out the right way. Even the PTSD. Even the potential of hurting Addy. After the incident with Addy, Mack had never asked God what He wanted. Mack had just ended his marriage. But maybe God wanted something else.
Do you? Did I act too hastily?
Addy returned in yoga pants and a T-shirt and was winding her hair up behind her head. She’d always changed out of her work clothes the minute she got home, kicking her shoes off wherever they landed, and he picked them up and put them away. He remembered relaxing with her on the couch so many nights after work. He could see taking her hand now and leading her to the couch. Snuggling in. Finding a movie. Making some popcorn. Or eating her favorite brand of kettle chips. A pipe dream. Not only because of their relationship issues but also the investigation. No time for TV watching. No time for anything else.
He made quick work of printing out the reports from Cam. They wouldn’t have time to read them before the call, but they would be able to reference the pages if necessary. He connected his phone, and the portable printer whirred to life. While it spit out pages, Mack set up his laptop on the small dining table.
“We’ll do the call here, if you want to get set up,” he told Addy, then headed to the printer.
She pulled a chair next to the one behind his laptop, which would put her in the video frame of the call. And would put her in very close proximity. He took a long breath, snagged the pages, and sat next to her.
He set the reports on the table in front of her, hoping she would pick them up and turn those eyes that did all kinds of wonderful things to him onto the paper. “Cam’s latest report.”
She grabbed it like a lifeline.
Okay then. Mission accomplished.
He got the team connected, but Kiley wasn’t looking at the screen. She had her nose buried in her laptop. Not unusual when she was on to something. She might physically be present in a room, but her mind was somewhere else completely.
