Page 122 of Shadowed Obsession

Regina hasn’t complained about him yet, so he must be doing well as her in-house PI or I’d be hearing about it. He has managed to find more breadcrumbs than the police did on Cidro’s disappearance, which has given her some hope, and made her more pleasant than usual.

Dax Hale backed out of the bid, and it took some force, but we ended up getting the property, thanks to Regina. After somemuch-needed renovations, we are expected to open our new Divin location in Spicewood next summer.

I join César, who wraps his free hand around my waist, pulling me closer, and I notice Darius’s lips tick into a soft smile as he studies us. His eyes drop to me, and the look of approval he shares makes my heart squeeze in my chest.

They’re happy for me. We’re celebrating getting one step closer to my dream, and this incredible man stands beside me cheering me on. He’s embraced me as I am, and that’s all I ever wanted.

I’m distracted when Regina erupts in a boisterous laugh, and I relish in this sight. Though she has been unusually happy this evening and I should get to the bottom of that.

“You’re smiling a lot tonight. What’s up with you?” I ask with a quirked brow.

She leans in to whisper in my ear, “The Hale debt is paid.”

I clear my throat and touch her arm. “I see that we need to talk. Now.”

She gives a knowing look.

“Babe, I’m going to talk to Gi in my office. We won’t be long,” I turn to murmur to him, already stepping slightly out of his hold.

“Okay, Doe,” he says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, baby,” I tell him, kissing him on the cheek, and he takes my empty tumbler from my hand to sit on the bar.

“Let me know when Vanessa Morelli gets here,” Regina says to César, her voice low and one brow lifted.

“You got it, Gi.”

We break away from the party, and she leads the way to my office, tucking her clutch bag under her arm while Mr. Price follows close behind. Our heels clack in a rhythm against the concrete floors until we stop outside my door. I tap in the keypadand let her into the dark room first, flipping on the light switch before closing the door behind us and her bodyguard waits outside.

She grabs a seat in front of my desk, placing her shiny clutch onto her lap, and I notice the thigh holster when she crosses her leg over the other.

Always strapped.

“So, I have got some questions. How’d you do it?” I ask, sitting in my leather office chair.

“You don’t want to know, Dee. It was a good time though. To everyone else it looks like he just fucked off and took a vacation. Angie even posted some beachside photos on his Picturegram.”

“And it’s not going to come back on us?”

“Nah. The clean-up crew scrubbed everything down and he won’t be found,” she assures in a cool tone.

“How do you know? Sorry, I’m asking so many questions.”

“Two words. Poured concrete,” she says emphasizing each word.

“Oh my God,” I gasp.

“I know. Ro taught me that one.” She snickers.

“Speaking of Ro, how are you liking César working for you?”

“He’s not bad. I’m a little disappointed that he doesn’t laugh at my jokes.”

“Are your jokes about ‘eradication?’”

“Duh.”

We’re distracted by a knock at the door.

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