Page 34 of Tempting My Billionaire Master

“Think nothing of it, dear.” Mary patted my hand. “You looked like you needed the rest. Would you like to join us for a game?” Mary offered, shuffling the deck of cards.

“Thank you, but I’d rather watch if you don’t mind,” I replied, settling into a nearby chair.

“Suit yourself, dear,” Mary said.

Suddenly Jess appeared with a steaming cup of tea and handed it to me. “Thought you could use another one,” she said softly.

“Thanks, Jess. And for the blanket too,” I said gratefully, wrapping my hands around the warm mug.

Jess tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, glancing away. “Don’t mention it. Don’t get me wrong, but you seemed exhausted.”

“To be honest, I haven’t slept since I saw you guys yesterday.”

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Susan open her mouth, prompting Mary and Elisabeth to glance at her with raised eyebrows.

Susan threw up her hands. “What? I didn’t even say anything!”

Laughter bubbled up around the table, diffusing the tension. I hid a smile behind my teacup, warmth flooding me that had nothing to do with the tea.

Mary turned to Jess. “How’s that research coming along, dear? Any luck stopping Thomas from running in the election?”

Jess sighed, shoulders slumping. “I’m afraid not. He’s met all the requirements, and it seems there’s nothing to legally bar him from participating.”

“But that’s impossible!” Susan sputtered. “Thomas hasn’t shown his face in this town since prom night. It was back when you and him—”

Elisabeth shot her a quelling look. “Hush, Susan.”

“It’s alright.” Jess waved a hand, though her lips pressed into a thin line. Then she looked at me apologetically. “Sorry, I don’t want to drag you into this. You know how small towns can be.”

I laughed. “Funny, I actually thought small towns were boring and nothing ever happened. But Pinegrove has proven me wrong on that account.” I looked at Jess seriously. “My offer still stands, you know. I’m ready to help as an investigative journalist. Just let me wrap up one thing first.”

“You’re an investigative journalist?” Elisabeth leaned forward, eyes gleaming with interest. “Are you working on something juicy? Political scandals? Corporate fraud? Do we have corruption in our little town?”

“Hey!” Susan scolded, shooting her friend a disapproving look. “Why is it okay for you to ask questions and I am getting shushed all the time?”

“It’s ok, Susan,” I said with a smile. “There’s nothing like that. I just happened to end up here by accident. Soon, my friend will come pick me up and we’ll be on our way.”

“Well, that’s wonderful you two made up.” Mary beamed. “He seemed like such a polite gentleman.”

“Wait, Damon’s not my boyfriend,” I blinked in confusion. “He’s just a friend and colleague. What gentleman are you talking about?”

Jess frowned. “Well, a man came to the library earlier this evening claiming to be your boyfriend. Said you two had fought and you’d run off, but he wanted to make up.”

“It was right by the end of library office hours,” Mary chimed in, looking concerned. “He asked us not to tell you he’d been here, but since you mentioned leaving together, we thought it was okay to say something now.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine. I didn’t have a boyfriend.

“See, I told you all that scarred bastard seemed suspicious,” Susan said. “But no one ever listens to me, do they?”

“Scarred?” I whispered. My blood turned to ice. “What do you mean ‘scarred’?”

Elisabeth nodded, oblivious to my distress. “Prominent scar on his cheek. But otherwise, he seemed quite charming. Very masculine.”

Without another word, I bolted from the library, leaving the Insomniacs and Jess behind.

I sprinted through the dark, empty streets of Pinegrove as fast as my legs could carry me.

The scarred man could only be one person—Ethan’s bodyguard who’d tried to shoot Ethan and me in the mansion.

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