Page 79 of Heart of Stone

“Yes. She knows the gist of what’s going on. I had hoped we could meet for lunch today, but she was tied up at work. We planned a spa day for later in the week. I’ll fill her in more then.”

“Glad to hear. How is the planning going for the Stone’s Hope fundraiser?”

“Oh, that’s another thing I’ve been worried about! Charlie knows about the amount of work that goes into this event. It would be just like him to ruin it,” she said, voice full of scorn. “He gets off on causing a scene. I could just see him running his mouth the day of.”

“So, what’s the status on the dinner?” I asked her again, reeling her back in from her rant.

“Oh, sorry. Yes. Actually, things are going smoothly. The tickets are almost all sold. We have some big donors stepping up with large ticket items for the silent auction. Florist is all set and the menu has been decided. I only need to meet with the band and discuss their fee.”

“If you think they’re good, pay them whatever they want. That will be my donation from Stone Enterprise.”

“We’ll see. I have yet to actually hear them play myself. If I don’t like how they sound, I’m going with the band that was used at last year’s Chamber of Commerce Ball. I already have them lined up anyway, but I thought I’d check out someone different than the usual. Once I decide who I’m going with, we can discuss who is paying.”

I was happy to hear that she had everything under control. I was right to appoint her as Head of Relations and Fundraising for the Stoneworks Foundation. Justine was better when she had a focus, a cause that she could throw herself into. Stone’s Hope was a perfect fit for her.

“It sounds like you have a good handle on things. I gotta run now, Justine. But let me know about the band either way.”

“Will do. And Alex…thanks again for Charlie.”

“I got your back. Always,” I said earnestly. Justine was like a fragile bird with a broken wing. It was my duty to be strong for her, to get her through whatever shit was thrown at her. I had to break the endless cycle that was her life – that was our lives. “I’ll talk to you later, Justine.”

I ended the call and eyed the clock. It was a good day – a productive one, but the time had gotten away from me and I still had a few stops to make before seeing Krystina tonight.

Satisfied that I was leaving everything in good order until tomorrow, I dialed Hale.

“Calling it quits for the day, boss?” he asked upon answering.

“You got it. Bring the car around. Krystina is coming by tonight and I have a few errands to make before I send you to get her.”

The silence on the other end of the line at the mention of Krystina ticked me off. I hung up, rather than waiting to hear what Hale might have said.

I could admit that a woman at my place two nights in a row was a rarity for me. But Hale didn’t know how bored I had become as of late. I was tired of the predictable woman. They were mundane. Simple to figure out and easily influenced. Krystina was everything but those things.

I locked the desk drawers and then turned to power off the computer. Before I hit the shut down key, I reread the emails between Krystina and myself from earlier in the day.

My Angel.

Krystina had understandably been embarrassed, but there was no need for her to try to push me away.

Again.

I wouldn’t allow it to happen anymore. It was time to break through her defense mechanisms and tame the firecracker that she was. However, the path ahead was going to get rough, for I knew that Krystina wouldn’t go down without a fight.

CHAPTER 22

True to his word, Alexander sent Hale to pick me up promptly at seven o’clock. I was somewhat disappointed that Alexander wasn’t in the car, but the drive to the penthouse ended up being a short one. Alexander lived closer to me than I had realized.

When we arrived, Hale walked me through the lobby of the building, to the penthouse elevator, and inserted his key card. While we were waiting for the lift to arrive, I glanced over at the security desk and saw Jeffrey, the young man who had been so eager to please Alexander. He nodded his head politely when I caught his eye and I afforded him a small wave in return.

“Please step inside, Miss Cole. Mr. Stone is waiting for you. Enjoy your evening,” Hale said to me.

I looked up at him in surprise. That was the first time Hale had ever spoken directly to me. Even more shocking was the ghost of a smile that played on his lips. He was normally so stern and serious, that I was caught off guard.

I looked at him, I meanreallylooked at him, for the first time. He was much older than me, probably around fifty if I had to take a guess, and not nearly as menacing as I had originally thought. He had kind eyes, the sort of eyes that would light up with laughter given the opportunity. My guess was that Alexander didn’t give him much time for laughing.

The fact that Hale had suddenly found his voice had left me in a lurch and an uncomfortable silence settled between us. I had never given much thought about conversing with Hale, as I had always been so focused on Alexander.

Does Hale know about his boss’s alternative lifestyle? And if he knows, does he approve of it? What must he think about me?

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