Page 28 of Conquering Oz

“Nothing I could find.”

“What about the uncle?”

“Same as her, clean record. Lived in Lawry most his life. No affiliation.”

It was code for no ties to the Underground.

“Keep looking into a connection.”

Nash gave a curt nod and started through his office. If there was a link to Sal, he’d find it. Oz should have left it at that. However, Elodie had managed to do something most people couldn’t. She’d intrigued him and triggered an unrelentingdesire. He wouldn’t act on it, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t indulge in seeing her again.

“Make a call. Invite her here on Thursday.”

Nash halted mid-step and slowly turned. “Sir?”

“Make the arrangements.”

Nash raised his brows. “And if she says no?”

Oz had gotten a perfect read on Elodie and her interest. Little did she know it was mutual.

“She won’t.”

Nash smirked. “Yes, sir.”

Oz finished the last of his whiskey and reached for his phone. There was another meeting he needed to set up, and he wasn’t looking forward to it. If ever there was a woman who was an equal match to his power, she was it.

Fuck!

Chapter Six

It was official.I’m fucking forty!

As always, she spent her actual birthday with Madalyn. It was their thing since they’d been in college. While most people went out to dinner, Madalyn always cooked Elodie something special. The tradition continued with a slight change.

Chris insisted on taking over the cooking this year considering Madalyn’s current state.His words not mine.Elodie found his overprotectiveness amusing. Madalyn did not. But her best friend didn’t argue. After all, with Chris in the kitchen and outside on the grill, it allowed them time alone.

It may not have been her usual birthday meal of an exotic recipe Madalyn had come up with, but Chris’s grilled filet mignon, baked potatoes, and asparagus wrapped in bacon didn’t disappoint.

Elodie offered to help clean up, but Chris refused, encouraging them both to relax and chat.And chat we did.

She’d just finished her first glass of wine while rehashing the night at the X-Lounge. In true best friend fashion, Madalyn was highly entertained by Elodie’s embarrassing display.

Elodie sent Madalyn a sharp glare across the table. It did nothing to batten down her snickering. If anything she fed off it, laughing harder. Had it been anyone else, Elodie would’ve been halfway home by now. But this wasn’t just a friend. Madalyn was her best friend, closer to her than anyone else. And in all fairness, if Madalyn tripped and landed face first, Elodie would be the first to laugh, before helping her up, of course.

“Wait, so let me get this right.” Madalyn’s eyes watered. She’d been laughingthathard.Bitch!“After you shoot your shot andmiss, you referee a fight between your boy toy and the asshole. Which sexy silver fox club owner overhears and steps in, kicking them both out?” Madalyn wiped her eyes. “But not before witnessing you going apeshit on asshole and our recent high school grad calling you” —she twisted her lips— “lovers. Ewww.”

Recounting the night was hard enough, but having Madalyn play it back with commentary was torturous. Elodie sighed and leaned across the table, grabbing the bottle of wine.

Madalyn knitted her brows. “Hey, you said you were only having one drink because you know I can’t.”

“Yeah, and I meant it up until you became adick,laughing at my humiliation.”

Madalyn grinned and rested her elbows on the table. “On a scale of one to ten, how hot was he?”

Elodie shrugged and felt the heat rise to her cheeks.Ten! Ten!Who was she kidding? Oz was a fifteen. Between his height and build outlined in his suit, his salt and pepper hair, his dark smoldering eyes, and his voice.God, that voice.Deep and smooth. He didn’t say much, but every word was locked in her brain. Especially “Happy birthday.”

“Holy shit, you’re blushing.”

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