Page 33 of Hunted Temptation
Driving the rental car to the exchange point for the last time, I switch out cars. What a fucking rodeo this cross-country trip has been. I didn’t expect any of this to happen, and I have a feeling that the guys are not only going to want to hear every detail but will also have plenty to add to the situation.
Once the cars have been switched, I sink down in the seat of my own car and let out a heavy sigh. Home. Comfort. Perfection. I didn’t think I would miss the luxury of my own car, but I did.
Starting the engine, I shift it intoDriveand head straight toward the office. It doesn’t take me long to get there. I park in my usual spot and unfold from the vehicle, locking it as I walk toward the front door.
Using my key card, I step into the building, wait for the lock to latch into place, then continue up to the office space, where I know the guys are waiting for me. The meeting was called as soon as I told them what time I would be here.
They want everything. Every single piece of information I have, they want it. Although I think they’re entitled to everything I’ve discovered, even if it isn’t much, it’s more than they had before.
Plus, they have some information for me as well.
I gave them license plate numbers and pictures. That asshole was important, more important than just some police chief of amidsize town. I want to know who he was and what he was doing with Elodie. I know what he wanted to do with her, but there is more to that, and I want to know everything I can about the whole situation.
The conference room is in full swing when I walk inside. Lucille, Nadine, and even Colette are sitting around the long table. There is some chatter, though I can’t make out any of the words. The moment I walk through the door, the noise stops, the voices cease. Everyone in the room turns to me, and all their eyes find me.
I can’t look at them, though. I don’t know what the fuck to say, to do. Instead of saying anything, I make my way over to my normal chair and take a seat. Theron is our unofficial leader. He stands, clearing his throat, and I watch as he places his palms against the smooth table, his eyes flicking between each of us until they land on me.
“Let’s begin this meeting with a warm welcome back to Vaughn. We’ve missed you.”
Everyone cheers, which is not only annoying but also embarrassing. Lifting my hand, I wave as I shake my head from side to side. Theron pats the table firmly a few times. It’s not a loud noise, but it’s enough that everyone goes quiet to wait for him to continue.
“We all know what Vaughn was doing. We know he brought someone back with him. Now, let’s get to the real shit. Who and what was happening in California, and what happens from now on,” he begins. Then he turns to Nadine, dipping his chin before he sinks down into his chair.
“Okay,” Nadine begins. “Lucille drained his accounts, and she’s moved the money into a holding account for Elodie until she is set up with her new identity, then we can move it over to her to use.”
I know it’s wrong. And I would never actually say the words aloud. But I do wonder what would happen if I just never told Elodie about the money sitting in an account waiting for her? What if I just kept that tidbit of information to myself… forever?
I’ve told her that it’s hers, but I haven’t told her when that would happen. And I’m not sure I ever want her to have it. Because if she does, she’ll walk away from me forever. She’ll have her complete freedom, need me for nothing, and leave. I want her to need me, and I know just how fucked up that sounds, even if I only ever think it to myself.
“She saw everything,” I state. “There was no way around it.”
I’m not sure if I’m trying to justify it to them, to myself, or what, but here the fuck I am, justifying it all the way and hoping that they accept my words for what they are. The truth, my excuses, whatever the fuck they are.
“I don’t think we need whatever the reasons are for her being here. We just need to figure out the next steps,” Merrick murmurs.
“Do you know who the stranger and the driver were?” I ask.
Nadine shifts uncomfortably in her seat before she clears her throat. But it’s Boden who begins speaking. “The man in the house was of little to no significance.”
“How is that?” I ask.
Boden stands, sliding a folder across the table toward me. I watch as he opens the folder, and I stare at the picture. The image of a man I don’t recognize. Except as I stare at the picture, I realize that I actually do recognize him… It’s the driver.
“This is the driver,” I state, repeating my thoughts.
I feel like a parrot, thinking then speaking the same thing. But I am in shock, because this was not what I was expecting. The man in the room was the one who was dressed as the man in charge. He carried himself that way, too. To say I’m surprised that he’s not the one in charge is an understatement.
Boden shakes his head once, his gaze flicking up to meet mine. “He might have been driving, but this is the man who was in charge.”
“He sent the other one in as a decoy. A test,” I point out the obvious, but my brain is still working, wrapping around what the fuck is going on here.
“Yeah,” he murmurs.
“Fuck,” I hiss. “So who the fuck is that?”
“That man slumped over in the driver’s seat is the state comptroller.”
Holy. Fuck.
