Page 71 of Give Me Perfect Love

I chuckle. “Don’t worry about it. Just call Claire, yeah? Shoot me a text when you hear from her.”

“All right.” Austin hangs up before I do, and I look over at Ben who’s already off the phone.

“So?” I ask.

“So, Bones and his boys are headed back down here. They should be here in two hours.”

“Two hours?” I question. “What? They got a private jet?”

“Yeah,” he says.

Damn. I’m impressed. The boys look like they come from rough living. Danny O’Brien is more than he seems.

“They said the guy was barely breathing when they left him. They’re just as baffled as we are.”

I shake my head.

“What the hell are y’all talking about?” Jace asks.

I look down at my phone, hoping Austin has sent me a text. Still nothing. I try K again as Jace lights a smoke. Ben reaches over and grabs an ashtray for my kid brother.

I exhale angrily when K doesn’t answer for the millionth time.

Something isn’t right. I know we aren’t on good terms, but she can’t ignore me. She may be pissed, but I know she’s got it bad for me, just like I do her.

She’s being a little stubborn right now, but this is too far. She would have answered just from curiosity if anything. I mean, I’ve called more than several times.

“The guy I got into a fight with at the gym.” I look over at Jace. “It was Claire’s ex.”

“Oh shit. That crazy fucker?” Jace asks, taking a drag from his smoke.

“Yeah,” I reply evenly, looking to the floor. I narrow my eyes as my thoughts start to run wild.

Austin said they went to a Christmas party. That could be why K isn’t answering, but still. How much fun do you really have at work parties? Enough to ignore your phone?

“What’s on your mind, boss?” Ben asks, cutting through my thoughts.

“I’m worried,” I confess. I look at my phone as it vibrates. “Yeah,” I answer.

“Claire isn’t answering either. I’ve called a few times.” Austin sounds like I feel.

“What time was this Christmas party?”

“It started around nine, I believe, but you know they didn’t get there on time. How long have you been calling?”

“I don’t know. A little before ten.”

Austin is quiet for a moment, but then he says, “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“Me either. Where’s Claire’s work?”

He shoots off the address to me. “I’ll meet you there,” he says.

We hang up. “Come on,” I say to Ben. “We’re going to this Christmas party.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Kathrine

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