Page 118 of Bet On Me, Daddy

Stepping outside into the crisp air, she paused, closing her eyes and dragging in a deep breath.Finally.

Now she just had to figure out where to go for lunch. There were a few options within walking distance, and she didn’t really feel like sitting in her cramped car all day, so sheheaded off toward a little local cafe some of her coworkers had recommended.

She was just reaching for the door when her phone rang. Irritation ran prickly fingers across the back of her neck as she yanked it out of her purse and hit the button to answer. “Hello?”

“Good afternoon! May I speak with Ruby Matthews, please?”

“This is she.” Great. Probably a fucking telemarketer. It didn’t seem to matter how many ‘Do Not Call’ lists she placed herself on, they always managed to?—

“Ms. Matthews, hello! This is Valerie down at Charleston Regional Bank and Trust. Do you have a few minutes to verify some information for me?”

A bank? What the hell? “What kind of information?”

“Just some basic info so we can finalize your new account.”

“Ma’am, I’m sorry, I don’t know how you got my number but I don’t have an account with you.”

“You didn’t open an account with us online this morning?”

“No. No I did not.”

“Oh. Well. That’s… problematic. I’m not sure what’s going on, then.”

Turning on her heel, Ruby headed back toward the office at double speed. “Where are you located, Valerie?” She listened as the woman on the phone rattled off an address. “I’m about ten minutes from there. Can I just come in and we can hopefully get this all sorted out?”

“Of course.” Relief filled the other woman’s voice. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

“Hell yeah, you will.”

Ruby

“I’m sorry.Can you repeat that total for me one more time?”

Seated behind her large, sleek wooden desk, Valerie’s smile was looking more and more forced by the minute. “Of course. The account was opened with an even one million dollars this morning. Since it’s a brand-new account, there is a hold on the funds, but the wire transfer came through right after the account was opened.”

“Ma’am, I can assure you, I do not have that kind of money. I don’t have any idea where…”

But she did. As soon as the answer popped into her mind, she couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen it earlier.

“I’m going to fuckingkillhim.”

Valerie’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry?”

Doing her best to arrange her face into something approaching a pleasant expression, Ruby shook her head. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Is there a way to return the funds?”

“Ah, well, yes, but… are you sure?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” She couldn’t think with the haze of fury clouding her brain.

“How about this?” Valerie said, a hint of sympathy finding its way into her voice. “It’s going to take about seventy-two hours for the hold to clear anyway, so there’s not much I can do. If youstill feel like you want me to close the account after that, come back in and we’ll get it taken care of.”

“Yeah. Okay. I can do that.” Grabbing her purse, Ruby rose to her feet and forced herself to smile for the poor unsuspecting bank lady behind the desk. “I’m sorry about all this. I’m sure this is a lot of extra hassle you don’t need.”

To her surprise, Valerie’s smile lost its tightness around the edges and her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Please. This is the most excitement we’ve had around here in months. You’re doing me a favor.”

“Glad to be of service. Thanks for your help, Val.”

She headed out with a wave, making a beeline back to her car. But she wasn’t going back to work. She had a meeting with a certain bossy, high-handed asshole who still hadn’t gotten the memo that she didn’t want or need his goddamn money.

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