Page 236 of The Reluctant Hero

“Ace is with you today. I wouldn’t test him if you feel the urge.”

I make a thoughtful noise of agreement. I want information, but I’m not interested in leaving here today. My parents' texts may have perked me up, but not that much.

What happens if I find another place that’s fully operational?

I drop my fork with a disgusted sigh. There goes that appetite.

“We’ve got some bait on the hook, Amanda,” Cade tells me in a kind tone that makes me frown at him. Since when does he talk to me like he’s not a raging douche?

He keeps going despite my incredulous look.

“Caleb Owen. We had a meeting with him yesterday. He’s interested in showing Gabe some properties.”

My eyes dart to Gabriel as I try to bottle up my concern. The asshole doesn’t deserve it. For all I know, he’s ready to dive in with a frigid smile.

“He will call soon enough,” Gabriel meets my eyes with a stern expression. “For now, the destruction of other properties should be kept at a minimum.”

Shit. My little day of investigation could be a tip-off of how much Gabriel already knows if anyone suspects I’m here. I hope his acting is better than mine.

“Can you back out?” I ask, my voice gone tense.

They stare at me in surprise.

“Just… leave yourself some wiggle room or something,” I mutter, staring at what’s left of my food. “Don’t be an idiot.”

“You act as if this is something new to me,” Gabriel smirks. I barely catch it because I won’t look at him.

“For all I know, it is,” I grind my teeth. “I don’t know any of you for shit.”

Jake nods, but everyone else stiffens up like I jabbed them in the ass.

A gentle throat clearing from the doorway has me turning to see a woman wearing green scrubs and a serene smile.

“Ms. Jefferson? We’re ready for you.”

I blink at her in confusion.

“Today’s for relaxin’,” Ace says in a hard tone I immediately want to rebel against.

I give him a glare that he looks away from.

“Just once,” he says in a soft tone that doesn’t seem right on him.

You know what? I’m taking this. It’s the least he owes me. Plus, I won’t have to see him if I’m basking in a mud bath or something.

I follow the woman out of the room, spinning Jakob restlessly. She leads me outside to a building I haven’t explored yet. An indoor pool that makes me sigh at how ridiculously rich Gabriel is. I mean, really? How much do you need to show off before it becomes obnoxious?

A separate door leads to a changing room, where the woman offers me a plush, fluffy robe that will fall to my ankles and a set of slippers.

“Please change and enter the jacuzzi room for your soak.”

She leaves without waiting for me to respond.

A jacuzzi room. I let out a rough sigh and strip. This better be relaxing, that’s all I’m saying.

I’m burnt out after yesterday, and I know it. I just don’t want to admit it. Especially where Ace could hear me. Screw that guy in particular.

The jacuzzi has a bunch of scented candles around it and some type of fragrance in the water that’s turned it a hazy pink in color. It eases all the aches in my body, the jets pounding my muscles into giving up on the tension. I don’t know how long I soak when a gentle knock interrupts my thoughtless drifting.

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