Page 96 of Just Between Us

Russell tasted the alcohol and sat across from me, his knee nearly brushing mine. “So, my dear, what can I do for you?”

“I wanted to apologize for my misstep at the bakery.” I let out a feminine giggle and brushed my hair to the side. “Sometimes I can be so clumsy.”

His eyes raked over me, lingering a moment too long. “Accidents happen.” His oily smile widened. “All can be forgiven.”

Russell’s finger brushed against the top of my knee, and I shifted to avoid his touch.

Stifling a gag, I reached into my bag to pull out the manila envelope I had taken from the private investigator. “There is one other thing you might be able to help me with.”

He licked his lips and studied my face. “Which is?”

“As you know,” I said, “JP brought me on as a consultant for King Equities.”

Russell shook his head and sighed. “Something I assured him was unnecessary, but continue.”

A tiny annoyed breath pushed out of my nose at his arrogance, but I forged ahead with a smile. “I came across a few things that I hoped you might be able to shed some light on. For one”—I flipped open the folder—“there was a payment to a former mayor of Outtatowner that I can’t seem to account for. Can you tell me about that?”

Russell’s features were frozen as he stared down at the document in my hands. He sat up, draining the glass of bourbon. Tension crackled in the air as I waited.

“That was a long time ago. I can’t say that I recall.” His fingers flexed around the empty glass.

“Hmm.” I nodded and uncrossed my legs. “I guess I’ll keep digging. Thank you for your time.” I had moved to stand when his hand gripped my wrist.

“I highly suggest you don’t,” he seethed.

I pulled on my arm, attempting to free my wrist, but his grip tightened.

“What game are you playing, little girl?”

Insulted, I snatched my hand back. “I’m only looking for the truth.”

“You’re looking to get yourself into trouble.” Anger flashed across his features. Russell whistled through his teeth, and the office door opened. I watched as the Sinclair twins, Bootsy and Bowlegs, quietly entered the office.

Bootsy’s eyes were pinned to the floor. Russell pointed at him. “You, go into town and make yourself seen. If anyone asks where you’ve been, there will be plenty of witnesses who saw you milling around town.”

His sad eyes swept up to mine and held me in place. My face pleaded with him to not do what he was asked. “I’m sorry, miss,” he whispered before nodding and disappearing out of the office.

Russell planted a hand at my back and shoved me forward. Bowlegs caught me as I stumbled. Despite his age, the old man’s grip on my shoulders was rough and tight.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You’re coming with me.” His charming, friendly mask had slipped, revealing a cold, hard exterior. “We’re going to have a private conversation so you can understand your place.”

I yanked on my arm and started to argue, but then everything went black.

TWENTY-NINE

ROYAL

Panic coursed through my veins.Veda was still missing, and my instincts were screaming at me.

“Hey!” I called out to Bootsy again.

My eyes caught with his as he stood beyond the intersection near the marina. Panic flickered across his face as he jolted and turned away from me, heading toward the beach.

“Hey!” I raised my arm and called out to him. “I just want to talk to you!”

The man glanced over his shoulder but scurried away, weaving between tourists. My boots pounded the sidewalk as I followed him past the marina and onto the long pier that led to Outtatowner’s lighthouse. I was desperate to catch up to him.

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