CHAPTER TEN
“YOU’RE NOT THE only one looking for her.”
Dominic watched as the relieved smile on Byron Robidoux’s face morphed into one of concern. He hadn’t given Byron the opportunity to savor the good news. He knew the man had felt some vindication upon learning Zoe had no intention of using their past to damage his future campaign, but Byron wasn’t completely in the clear. If someone was looking for Zoe, then the possibility something bad could pop off still existed.
“How do you know that?” Bryon asked.
They were at Byron’s downtown home instead of at Dominic’s office. Byron had insisted on Dominic reporting his findings to him directly and in private. Dominic couldn’t blame him. This was Byron’s situation to deal with, and he could understand why Byron would want to deal with it himself.
“We ran into another private investigator while we were down there. Someone had sent him to find Zoe. We were able to convince him to tell the people looking for her that he hadn’t found her. But I have a feeling that’s only a temporary fix.”
“Did he say who hired him?” Byron’s voice was contemplative.
Dominic ran a hand over his chin. He needed to shave. He hadn’t bothered since returning from Myrtle Beach. He hadn’t even bothered to put on a suit for this meeting and opted for collared shirt and slacks. Byron’s payment had automatically been transferred to his account. He had what he needed to clear up the last bit of debt, he’d solved Byron’s problem and his reputation was still protected. A week ago, he would be celebrating with a night of drinks with his friends. Maybe even with Jeanette. Now all he could think of was the haunted look in Jeanette’s eyes that last day.
“No, my partner—” His voice caught on the word. Dominic cleared his throat and shifted his shoulders. “My partner has a feeling it’s the ex-boyfriend who gave you both so much trouble,” he finished in a stronger voice.
“Shit,” Bryon said in a harsh whisper. He jumped up from his chair and paced the room. “Are you sure?”
“No, we aren’t.”
Byron paced for another second then turned sharp eyes on Dominic. “You said you convinced him temporarily. Why?”
Dominic rubbed his thumb back and forth against his other fingers. “He’ll want more money.”
He told Byron about the deal Jeanette had gotten them. The deal she’d initiated by paying her own money. She’d worked the case for him, but other than finding Zoe, she’d had no real connection to the Robidoux family or protecting their interests. She could have told him about Carlton and let him figure out what to do. She could have ignored Carlton and let things get worse. In his gut he knew she wouldn’t have done either. Jeanette jumped in feetfirst and took whatever hits she had to. That damned faded bruise on her face wasn’t the only proof of that. She proved that every day with her actions, dedication and commitment to helping her clients.
She’d proved, once again, that she was someone he could rely on. And what had he done? Acted like a foolish, paranoid jerk who couldn’t trust anyone, when he could trust Jeanette more than anyone. More than his parents, the few acquaintances he called friends, more than the woman he’d convinced himself he should marry.
Now you have to figure out how to get her back.
“I’ll pay it,” Byron said without hesitation or flinching. He didn’t even know the amount Carlton was getting paid. Must be nice to be a Robidoux, where money was not a concern when it came to getting what they wanted.
“Are you sure?”
“If someone is looking for Zoe, especially if that someone is the asshole who hurt her back then, then I’m a hundred percent sure. They should never be able to find her.” His voice indicated he wouldn’t be deterred. He sounded confident and protective.
“I don’t think she wants your protection.” Zoe had seemed both grateful to Byron and eager to keep their lives separate.
“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to make it easier for him to get back into her life and cause problems. For all I know this is just the start. He may already have plans to go to the media. If he causes problems for her, starts asking questions and looking further into the paternity of her daughter, that will still cause problems for my campaign. I’m better off getting ahead of things.”
Spoken like a practical politician. The worry that still lingered in Byron’s eyes indicated there was more than pragmatism directing his decision. He understood. Just like Dominic was keeping tabs on the guy who’d hit Jeanette to make sure he didn’t cause any problems while out on bail.
“There’s no guarantee whoever sent this guy won’t send someone else,” Dominic said. “You can’t pay off every private investigator in the world to keep them away from her. Plus, I know this guy Carlton. He’s not on the up-and-up. He could still double-cross you for more money.”
Byron met Dominic’s gaze, his jaw tight, anger bright in his eyes, his voice deadly calm. “You didn’t see her face that night, Dominic. He really hurt her—a black eye, bruises, everything. I want to know if he’s looking for her, and if he is, I will be more than happy to remind him what happens to people who try to threaten me or anyone I care about.”
Dominic lifted his chin. A wave of respect for Byron that he hadn’t felt before hit him. He’d considered Byron Robidoux a pampered rich kid who wouldn’t want to get his hands dirty. He was undoubtedly a rich kid who’d grown into a very rich man, but he also had a fight in him. And Dominic didn’t think Byron would back away from it.
“I’ll relay your message,” Dominic said, standing. “I’ll also keep an eye on her. I’ll let you know if anything out of the ordinary happens.”
Byron walked over and held out his hand. “I appreciate that.”
They shook hands and Dominic walked toward the door. Byron called his name before he could leave, so Dominic turned back to Byron with a raised brow.
“You said we. Who helped you on this case? Can we trust them?”
With my heart.
The thought came to his head softly, but the punch it packed had him sucking in a breath. A bone-deep satisfaction he’d never thought he’d experience cloaked him. He would have expected to feel fear, anxiety or uncertainty with the realization. Jeanette wouldn’t intentionally hurt him. Guilt churned his stomach. He’d ruined everything.
“Her name is Jeanette. She’s the best private investigator I know, and I can trust her with my life.”
Byron’s head tilted to the side. “That sounds like a little more than professional respect in your voice.”
Dominic scratched his chin. He’d shave before he went to see her. A man should look his best when groveling. “That’s because it is.”
“Are you two together?”
“Not exactly.” Jeanette had avoided talking to him on the ride back by answering her telephone, working on emails and ignoring him in between.
He’d pissed her off and he wasn’t sure if he could fix that. “I’m sorry” just didn’t seem big enough. He’d accused her of betraying his trust. No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than the hurt flashed in her eyes and he’d realized he’d made a mistake.
They hadn’t talked since he’d dropped her off. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. Not just their time together, but their relationship over the years. Her fierceness. The way she both irritated him and made him laugh. The way he wanted to protect her while simultaneously admiring her ability to fight. He couldn’t let things stay unresolved. Not when he was falling in love with her and wanted to make things right.
“Not exactly?” Byron said as if Dominic had confused his left foot with his right. “You might want to figure that out sooner rather than later. Trust me, the worst thing you can do is wait until it’s too late to say how you feel and have that shit thrown back in your face.” Bitter regret filled Byron’s voice.
Dominic went with his gut and asked, “I thought you
two were never together?”
Byron shook his head. “By the time I told her how I felt, she was crazy in love with a guy who ultimately ended up treating her like a punching bag. I was always just a friend to her. A backup plan, if that.”
“Then why did you help her?” Dominic asked. Especially since old hurt and resentment was evident in Byron’s voice.
“Because some women just get under your skin. No matter what happens, no matter how much you know better, you can’t get them out of your system, you know?”
Byron thought of all the years he’d known Jeanette. Imagined seeing her on the arm of some other guy in the future. Seeing her move on because he’d made a mistake he hadn’t bothered to correct would hurt a hell of a lot more than Jules’s betrayal. He considered Byron, a man who had no shortage of women eager to get in his bed, but still was willing to pay an unknown amount of money for the one woman he’d loved who’d broken his heart.
“I do know. Which is why I’ve got to do something fucking spectacular to get her back.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JEANETTE WAS TYPING up her final case notes to send to Byron when Ebony, one of the other investigators, came into her office.
“I’ve got a case you might be interested in,” Ebony said. “I think it’ll be easy, but also kind of interesting.”
“Oh, really? In what way?” Jeanette asked while she continued typing on her computer.
“A Mr. Bolton called about the information in his mother’s will. She supposedly left him an important family heirloom, but instead of just giving it to him outright, the mother’s instructions state he has to convince the executor of her estate that he really loved her.”
Jeanette stopped typing and gave Ebony her attention. “Are you serious?”
Ebony lifted her hands and shrugged. She was as tall as Jeanette wished she could be with beautiful dark brown skin and almond-shaped eyes. Ebony wore her hair in a short buzz cut with an intricate design on the side that she changed with each haircut. “You know we come across all kinds of unusual situations in our line of work,” Ebony said in a dry tone. “He doesn’t trust the executor. He wants someone to check the guy out. Talk to him and see if he’s for real.”
Jeanette leaned back in her chair. She rubbed her eyes. They were dry and irritated. She’d barely left her desk since returning. If she focused on work she couldn’t think about Dominic and the way he’d shattered her heart. She scanned her desk for the eye drops. “Does he want us to investigate the man?”
“Partly, but mostly he wants us to meet with him and talk to him. Pretend as if we, too, need him to be the executor of an estate and find out if he’s legit. You interested?”
Jeanette spotted the drops. She screwed off the cap, tilted her head back and put a drop in each eye. She sighed with relief as the cool liquid relieved her tired eyes. “Very, but can’t you or one of the other investigators handle this?” The case didn’t sound very complicated and would probably be something they’d all talk about for years afterward. One of the newer investigators could easily handle it.
Jeanette didn’t want to be in the field. She’d avoided hiring a true administrative assistant and had a ton of paperwork she’d avoided filing. That was how she’d filled the days since coming back from Myrtle Beach. Sitting at her desk doing paperwork that was past due. Not because a small part of her hoped Dominic would come by the office and admit he’d been an asshole.
Ebony twisted the pink sticky note in her hand. “We could, but you’ve been stuck in your office for too long.” Ebony scrunched up her nose and glanced around the office. “We thought we’d give you a break.”
Jeanette frowned and looked around. She hadn’t paid attention to the multiple disposable coffee cups on her desk, the conference table and the bookshelf. Some of them were still half filled with stale coffee. She couldn’t sleep, so coffee was her friend. Files, junk-food wrappers and other papers littered her usually neat desk.
“I’m catching up on paperwork,” she said defensively. She wanted to be alone yet she couldn’t be alone. Her office was the safest space.
Ebony raised a dark brow. “Hey, I’m not saying it doesn’t need to be done. I will say you need some sunlight, and if you don’t stop staring at that damn computer screen your eyeballs will shrivel up and fall out of your head.”
Jeanette tried to glare but ended up laughing. “You work for me, remember.”
Ebony didn’t appear fazed. “Because I like you and want to keep working for you, I’m demanding you get out of here and check out this case.” Ebony placed the pink sticky note on Jeanette’s desk. “Here’s the address.”
Jeanette considered saying no, but she had a feeling Ebony would only jerk her out of the chair and haul her out of the office. Jeanette leaned to the side and looked out the door at the rest of the office. Some of the other investigators quickly turned away and pretended as if they weren’t listening. Okay, maybe Ebony wasn’t the only one who’d pull her out of the office.
Ebony worked for her, but she was also one of Jeanette’s friends. She hadn’t told Ebony, or anyone, about what had happened with Dominic, but she knew they suspected something had gone awry. How could she tell them her heart still ached over the way Dominic had accused her of going behind his back? She was not his ex-girlfriend and wasn’t about to be constantly compared to the woman. She’d thought they’d had something. That he trusted her. Now she was sitting in a junky office, too afraid of being alone with her pain, and too sad to jump back to the job she loved.
“Sure, I’ll take it,” she said with resignation. “In fact, I’ll head over there now.”
“Good,” Ebony said brightly. Her eyes darted around the office. “I’ll also ask the cleaning service to come in here while you’re away.”
Jeanette eyes narrowed, but she kept her mouth shut. Ebony winked and gave her a sweet smile before sauntering out of the office.
Jeanette saved the file notes on Zoe Hammond and emailed them to Dominic. She’d been avoiding talking to him, but he’d emailed the day before to let her know he would contact her today after he talked to Byron to let her know about the payment. He’d said he would get her money back, but she wasn’t worried about that. She’d wanted to try to protect Zoe for a little longer. After watching her friend’s relationship implode and taking a hit to the face herself, she couldn’t stomach the idea of Zoe’s abusive ex coming back into her life.
She left the office and plugged in the address for the executor into her phone’s GPS. The location was a townhome she was familiar with. She’d been over there once for another client. Red flag number one. The executor’s office wasn’t really an office.
Twenty minutes later she was parked and making her way up the stairs to the unit marked as the executor’s. Music played on the other side of the door. She couldn’t make out the words, but it sounded like jazz or some other slow melody. Red flag number two. This guy was a quack who probably never should have gotten his hands on the client’s mother’s will.
She didn’t need her intuition to tell her she was going to prove this guy was a fake in no time. This was too easily uncovered. She wondered if Ebony was playing a prank on her, but immediately dismissed the idea. They didn’t play when it came to their clients. Either Mr. Bolton was too lazy to come here himself, or too scared to confront the man he considered a liar, and this was going to be a simple open-and-shut case.
She knocked on the door and waited. Checking her watch, she hoped this wouldn’t take too long. She needed to talk to Dominic about what the Robidoux family wanted to do. And that was where the conversation would end. So what if she still yearned to hear his voice? No one had a magic pill that made lingering feelings disappear. Whoever did invent that would be a billionaire in less than forty-eight hours.
The door swung open and her eyes met a pair of striking dark brown ones. Her chest constricted and she sucked in a b
reath, then cursed. “What the hell is this?”
Dominic watched her as if he expected her to bolt. “The only way I could think of to get you to talk to me.”
She crushed the sticky note in her hand. “A fake case? Come on, Dominic, we were going to talk later today about the Robidoux case. You didn’t have to do this.”
“This isn’t about that case. This is about me and you. About the way I messed everything up, and how I hope you will let me try to make things right.”
The plea in his voice twisted her heart. She didn’t know if she should jump into his arms for trying to earn her forgiveness or turn and run away. The urge to jump in his arms was winning, which made her want to kick something. Why did he have to make her want to forgive him too easily?
Because you still care about him. You love him.
The realization made her palms sweat and heart pound. Loving a man like Dominic wasn’t something she could bounce back from easily. He had already broken her heart. “Look, we tried,” she said, but her voice cracked. She couldn’t even say the words without breaking down. “It was fun, but obviously you’ve got trust issues you need to work out. I don’t want you to work them out on me.”
She turned to walk away, but he took her hand in his. His touch was firm and familiar after spending time in his arms. She missed his touch already.
“Just five minutes, please.” His eyes begged her along with the words.
She wanted to say no, but her heart softened.
She didn’t say anything but didn’t protest when he tugged on her hand and led her over the threshold. He took her down a short entryway into the living area. Jeanette saw the room and her mouth dropped open. She brought a trembling hand to her mouth. The room was filled to capacity with pink roses. Tall and short vases overflowing with thick, beautiful bouquets. The sweet smell filled the area.
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