Page 33 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
She runs through the foyer and shoves the door open without knocking. His mouth opens, but she doesn’t let him speak. “What’s going on? Where’s Nick?”
A blank expression greets her. All business to hide his deception. “Everything’s fine. He’s at his meeting. I’m on my way there now.”
“Please don’t lie to me. I heard Oscar talking in the garage. I know Nick’s in danger.” The harshness of her voice grates in her own ears. Max has never done anything but protect her and be her friend. But she can’t hold back from testing their relationship to help Nick.
“You know I can’t—”
“Please, Max.” Her trembling fingers grip the edge of the desk as she leans toward him. “I can’t lose him. Why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”
“I don’t have time to argue with you. If you want to keep him safe, I’ve got to go.”
Heat flushes her body. The softness of his voice contrasts with the severity of his words. She nods and drops her head before he rushes past her. Walking around his office, she yanks on the drawer handles. All of them locked. She drops in his chair and looks around. The answer must be in here.
She pushes theDirectoriesbutton on the phone. A roll of numbers pops on the screen underPlaced Calls. Guilt courses through her, but she has to find him. She taps the first one and waits for an answer.
“Good afternoon, Mr. DeMarco. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you today.”
She swallows hard before responding to the unfamiliar voice. “This isn’t Nick. It’s Shae, his—”
“Ms. Armstrong, of course. It’s a pleasure to speak with you. Mr. DeMarco isn’t in the office, but is there something I can help you with?”
Her heart races at his secretary’s offer. “I need to speak with Nick. Can you please tell me where he is?”
Silence. She closes her eyes to try and calm her breathing. Why can’t everyone see their loyalty to Nick is going to kill him? “Janice?”
“Yes, I’m here.” Uncertainty dampens the cheerfulness of the woman’s tone. “I know he has a meeting off-site. As I mentioned, I’m not expecting him in the office today.”
“Where’s the meeting?”
“Mr. DeMarco keeps his schedule confidential.”
A wall, just like Oscar and Max. She can’t waste time trying to pump Janice for information. “Okay, thank you.”
She ends the call and pushes the next number on the list.
“Thank you for calling Hudson Automotive, California’s leading Audi dealership. Please press one for—”
“B & R Florist. This is Roxie, how may I help you?”
“Fairlawn Funeral Home. How can I assist you?”
He’s making arrangements for Carter? Maybe a good sign the healing process is beginning. “Can you please tell me if there are services planned for Carter James?”
“Yes, ma’am. They started about an hour ago. Visitation continues through three P.M. Then a private service will be held immediately following.”
Her heart plummets. Not sometime in the future. Now. Without her.
“Ma’am?”
“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”
She slumps back in his chair and runs her hands down the arms. The worn leather smooth against her fingertips, infused with a hint of clean citrus. Why would he hold a memorial service and not tell her? Not let her support him when he needs her the most? Dread rolls through her stomach. He would only keep her away to protect her, prevent her from seeing whoever’s coming from the airport.
Juan.
He’s setting up Juan. Giving into the anger, creating a trap to guarantee the retaliation he desperately seeks. Her breath catches at the ultrasound picture propped against the frame on the corner of his desk. First the baby, now Nick.Please don’t let me lose him too.
She shakes her head as realization sparks in her mind. “Your life to be perfect…everything for you… To keep Nick safe, I’ve got to go.”
