Page 33 of Fortune's Control
“Wow.” Aiden dialed up his brother. “I guess she didn’t take your apology as easily as you hoped,” he said while it rang.
Dean answered. “Did you wreck both cars already?”
“No, but I learned it’s National Pick on Aiden Day,” he said.
“I need a favor. You still talk to Alex, right?” I asked.
“Alex from high school? The one that works for state law enforcement now? We’ve worked together a few times,” Dean said.
“I have two names for him. Can you find out if he knows someone in Georgia who can look into them, or maybe he can do it himself? I don’t know how state data works.”
Aiden’s mouth fell open. He swung his head toward me, offering a slow shake before putting his eyes back on the road.
“Okay, shoot. Give me the names, and I’ll ask him.”
“The first name is Sandy Cooper. She’s probably from Atlanta or a nearby area. Also, she’s dead, if that changes what you look for.”
“The second name?”
My stomach twisted, and I reminded myself she hadn’t left me any options. Lilah wanted out of our marriage. That stupid wedding license was my only tie to her, tenacious though it was. If I ended it, she’d leave, and whatever danger she ran from would follow.
“Delilah Mayberry.” I croaked the two words out.
There was a long silence. “Are you sure you want to do that?” Dean asked.
“Positive.”
“I’ll ask Alex for you.”
“Thanks.”
The call ended.
“You want to tell me what that’s about?” Aiden asked.
“Not yet.” She didn’t leave me a choice. “I trust you two not to say anything.”
12-Lilah
“You told him you were looking for a job?!?”
“It was an impulsive statement. You should have seen his expression,” I said.
“Are you kidding? It was inspired, but if I’m honest, you need to look. Vacation time ends, even for Delilah Mayberry Wilcott. Reality and the forty-hour work week come for us all.”
I groaned. “Don’t say that. It’s not real.”
“You’re the one who uses me as your audio diary.”
“At your insistence.”
“True.”
“Okay, back to our earlier conversation. Should I follow my mother’s advice? Sarah Jane says never to let them see you hurt. It’s useful advice, right?” Agonizing over the correct approach was easier before Shane’s apology shattered my determination. I almost steeled myself to move on after three days of us pretending the other didn’t exist, and then one brief conversation undid it. His scent drifted to me, the heady mix of rich wood and spices, and then he took my hand and spoke with his sexy voice.
Worse, I heard his sincerity.
“Lilah, I love you more than anything, so please believe me when I say this from the bottom of my heart.”
