Page 44 of The Flame of Carson
“Well, I do not have anything in the books until about three.I can tell Chase and my assistant that I am taking an extended lunch if you are free now.”Stacey said.
“I’ve got all the time you need doll.”Grant smiled.
“Then head on down to the lobby and I’ll be there in about five.”Stacey nodded.
She gathered her purse, shut down her computer and walked out of the office.Chase was understanding and told her he would see her at the staff meeting at three.She entered the lobby to find Grant talking to the receptionist, Diana.Stacey could not help but chuckle at the starry-eyed look in Diana’s eyes as she and Grant talked.Grant was a very handsome man, and a woman would have to be blind not to see that.Not to mention the southern accent was always a huge bonus.Grant looked over as she walked up.
“You ready?”
“Yeah.So, where you were taking me?”
“I figured if we are going to talk shop, at least it should be over good food.I am taking you to the new Italian place off the loop.You are going to love it.”Grant winked, holding the door for her.
About fifteen minutes later, Grant parked the truck and the two climbed out.Ever the gentleman, he offered Stacey his arm.Stacey could not help but smile at the gesture.Within minutes of walking into the restaurant, they were seated in a semiprivate booth at the back.This was not lost on Stacey, and she knew that Grant was all business now despite him looking otherwise.After ordering their drinks, she faced Grant.
“What did Ethan tell you that Gage told him about last night?”she asked.
“How he bolted wide awake from a dead sleep.He also told Ethan and Tony about you mentioning your theory about this guy and how you had been thinking that this guy may not be someone you know after all before Walt said anything to you.”
Stacey sighed, laying her menu to the side, “Yeah, I’m beginning to think he’s not.”
Grant sat his menu aside as well.Before he could speak, their server returned with their drinks.Stacey and he placed their orders and once the server was out of ear shot, Grant spoke, “What got you thinking that doll?That he is not someone you actually know?”
“I don’t know if I can pinpoint one thing or even when I started thinking about it.I became more cognizant of the idea after the Halloween party.I was having lunch with Krista and Alora, and they asked how I was staying so calm.Of course, I was no longer reading the emails and just sending them off to Tony and the feds, which helped there.It wouldn’t surprise me if the seed were planted the week the asshat went after Gage.”
Grant took a sip of his tea and thought about what she was saying.“If you think this guy isn’t someone you know, any theories on why he picked you?”
Stacey let out a deep sigh, “No.that has me a bit creeped out.If he is a stranger to me, why and how did he pick me?I’m a freaking romance fiction editor for crying out loud.”
“You forget, you’re also linked to one of the hottest romance authors in the country right now.”He pointed out.
“You mean, he could have picked me because of my connection to Krista?Would that make her a target?”she gasped.
“No.If she was, this guy would have made contact by now in one form or another.But you have been known to make appearances with her and it was two other authors you oversaw back in New York over the last few years.Am I right?”He said, calmly.
“Shit.”She hissed.It was an idea she hadn’t thought of.Their food arrived and once alone again, she voiced her thoughts, “Grant, if that is the case, I mean in how he chose me, what do I do?How would we even find him?”
“I don’t know doll.What I do know is this could give us a starting point.I’ll run this by Lance and Ethan.I’ll include Gage too if you want.”
“No.”She blurted out before she could think.“I mean...”
Grant reached out and lay a hand on hers.“I know what you mean.That was something else Ethan mentioned before I dropped by your office.He’s worried Gage is in too deep.”
“I agree with Ethan.”Stacey nodded her voice laced with worry.“When he woke up this morning, I was there.He asked me to stay the night after I told him I loved him.”
“Well, well.Congratulations,” Grant grinned.“It’s about time someone made an honest man out of Gage.”
Stacey laughed, “I’ll try to keep him in line.”Her smile faded a little.“But the big question is, how do we help him get some distance?I don’t want him, hell any of you, hurt by this guy and he’s already proved he’s got a brass pair.”
Grant nodded in agreement.“You’re right.This guy knows you and Gage are involved which means he knows about Blackout.Ethan will figure something out in regard to giving Gage some distance on the Blackout front.You will have a fight on your hands, I think, on the home front.”
“Yep.Good thing I’m a hell of a fighter.He pushes too hard; I’ll drag him to the mat and straighten him out.”Stacey winked lifting her glass.
Grant threw his head back and laughed, a deep belly laugh.“If you do, call me first.I want a front row seat to that fight.”
“You got it.”Stacey laughed.
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