Page 61 of August

I’ve got you, you sonofabitch.

CHAPTER 19

Gigi slipped into the lilac-colored silk robe her sister had lent her and padded to the living room. She was becoming accustomed to having August up before her. Waking up and knowing he was already waiting for her was... comforting.

Maybe that’s why she slept so well around him. Because he was always on alert. Always protecting her. He sat on the couch in the living room bare-chested, one hand between his knees as he did something on the laptop sitting on the coffee table. Stopping next to him, she squeezed his shoulder. “Morning.”

He caught her wrist and tipped back his head to kiss her. “Morning, beautiful. There’s coffee in the machine. Want me to get you a cup?”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll get it.” She smiled and made her way to the kitchen.

Her stomach rumbled as she took a quick inventory of the food in the fridge. She spotted a pint of blueberries. Muffins would go great with coffee. After snagging the other ingredients, she got to work. In ten minutes, she had a muffin tin full of batter. She quickly put together a crumble topping and popped the tin in the oven. She set the timer then went for a cup of juice.

August worked quietly, his attention now on his phone. His brow was furrowed and his shoulders were tense. Something had changed.

She sipped her juice, but the sweet liquid curdled with the worry in her stomach. She moved slowly toward the living room and curled up on the couch beside August. On the screen was an image of a man. Gigi immediately recognized Roy Radcliffe. She sat forward as her gaze landed on a hooded man next to him. That thin, clean-shaven jaw...

“Oh my god,” she wheezed. “That’s Todd.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. When was it taken?”

“Three weeks ago,” August said, as he shifted back an inch to show her more of the screen. “Earlier when I searched for his image, I was only looking for photos taken within the last two weeks. Figured that’d be our best time span to find him. Last night I expanded the search to focus on the Radcliffes and this came up. You sure it’s him?”

She nodded. “Look. See that mark? Todd has a mole beneath his right eye. It’s shadowed there, but I’m confident that’s the mole, and his jaw, too.”

“All right. So the Radcliffes are hiding Todd. Question is why. What’s he doing for them?”

She grimaced. “If we knew that we’d be further along. Have you passed this information on to Toth and Rami?”

“Yup. I sent it in the group chat.” He nodded toward his phone. “Just waiting—”

Buzz, buzz

He snatched up the device and glanced at the screen.

“What is it?” She fought the urge to lean forward. As close as she and August had become, she didn’t want to overstep. But he turned the screen so she could see it.

“Ghost found some dirt. Looks like Todd helped the Radcliffes launder eighty-five million dollars through their charitable foundation.”

She gasped. Disgust gurgled in her belly. To think she’d been engaged to Todd. The scheming sonofabitch. “Money from where?” she demanded.

“That’s the ticket.” He typed a reply and set down the phone. “If we can figure out what the Radcliffes are into, then we’ve got leverage.”

“I wish I knew,” she said softly. And boy did she ever. Ending some corruption while taking down Todd would be a win-win.

August curled his hand around her knee. “We’re making progress. Hell, you could be home free in a day or two.” He winked and squeezed her leg, but neither action made the moment light.

She forced a smile and stood, grabbing his coffee mug. Gigi pinched the material of her robe as she made her way to the kitchen, worry clutching her chest.

Once Todd was caught, everything would change. She wouldn’t need August for protection and life would return to normal.

Whatever that was.

She hadn’t lived a normal day in almost four months. She had no home to return to. Her blog was waiting for her to pick it back up, but her followers probably hadn’t stuck around. Ivy had told her that she’d kept her accounts active, but without advertising and new recipes, she’d have become old news in a week.

She’d have to start over. Which was fine. After all she’d survived, she could put more blood, sweat, and tears into something she loved. Rami and Ivy had held money for her, a hundred grand to be exact, so that would help her get on her feet.

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