Page 105 of Dirty Rich Cinderella Story

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Cole

I hang up the phone from calling Lori, fully aware of what is bothering her. I felt, I feel what Lori did when we exited that hotel suite; the separation between us the minute we left a place where we’d freely been together, and when I ended that call with her, I fought the urge to make a few phone calls to deal with speeding up Lori’s program rather than wait on Ashley to handle this. Those calls are not for her, not now. There isn’t time to do it right without being rushed, and I intend to do it right.

I head for the shower and make fast work of tossing on a pair of dark jeans and a navy “Brooks Legal” shirt that I’ve lived in on weekends forever. I’m contemplating a shave when my phone rings and it’s Ashley. “Hey, boss man.”

“Oh fuck,” I say, hearing the hesitation in her voice that I know as dread. “You’re not coming.”

“I am,” she says. “Of course, I am. I just might need to go to Houston to wrap up some issues. Can I work from that office until I can move?”

“How long?”

“I don’t know. It could be a month. I’ll spare you the details, but I need to do this.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Okay this isn’t about Houston. God, Cole.” Her voice cracks. “I might need you to defend me.”

“What? Why?”

“My bastard fiancé was a con man. I signed some documents. I didn’t know what they were.”

“Stop talking,” I say. “We don’t—”

“Do this on the phone. I know.”

“When can you be back here?” I ask.

“I’m tied up with a visa issue.”

“Over those papers?”

“Yes. I don’t even know what they were. I don’t know what they say I did wrong. I can’t understand these people, literally can’t understand them. They keep talking in French. I swear I hate this bastard. He used me. I know to stop talking, but I’m in Europe, Cole. What do I do?”

“Are you safe?”

“Yes. I went to the embassy. They’re trying to help me, but even they barely speak good English.”

“I need a secure line to talk with you on. Can they provide it?”

“I’ll find out,” she says, but no one seems to be here today.

“Do you need money?” I ask.

“I don’t want to ask you for money.”

“That’s a yes,” I say. “I’ll wire you funds, find out the best way to get them to you, and call you back.”

“Thank you, Cole.”

“Don’t thank me. Stay safe.” I disconnect and forget the shave. I need to get us on the road. I work on packing while I dial my bank and inquire about the best way to get funds to Europe.

I’m done early, and I dial Lori. “Any chance you’re ready?”

“I am. I can meet you in the hallway.”

We disconnect and a minute later both of us exit to the hallway. Lori, now dressed in snug faded jeans, boots, and a V-neck pink lace top, casts me a look and frowns. “What’s wrong?”

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