Page 29 of Lordes

“Okay. Why are you sharing random crime in a crime ridden city with me?”

“It was a body of a woman they identified through dental records. Her name was Lillian Shelby.”

I stopped reading from my computer screen to look at Christian. “I think I know that name.”

“You do. You dated her last year.”

“Yeah. Is she’s the one that sold houses? She was in real estate or something.”

“Yes, a real estate broker. I met her once at your place. She was tall brunette with green eyes.”

“Yes, I remember her now. This body was the woman I dated? The same one found in the river?”

“I believe so. Saw her picture on the news. It looked like her. They didn’t give many details. I changed your records and there was a check for ten K issued out to a Lillian Shelby.”

“Fuck! That was her name. Is there any other information?”

“News articles have all said it’s an open homicide investigation.”

“Homicide, she was a nice woman. I guess a drowning wouldn’t have been any better.”

“When was the last time you saw her?”

“It had to be the day you printed the check for her. She took the money without a fuss. She said, this was fun and good luck. She didn’t cry or plead she just took the money and walked out of my place.”

“That’s good. If you haven’t had any contact with her this might not even come our way.”

I appreciated how he said our. “Even if someone comes knocking at our door I have nothing to hide.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for any new developments.”

I watched him leave my office after giving me too much to think about. Someone I’d slept with had been murdered. If I had to guess, I would say it was her current boyfriend. Lillian was very attractive I’m sure she had someone. She may even have had someone in the shirt time we saw each other. I didn’t ask questions because I didn’t care. But her death is still sad for her family and friends.

I main thing on my mind was what Christian pointed out about Bria. I’d been dating her for four months and spending close to everyday with her. I’d spent lots of money on her. I wined and dined her. She even had an entire wardrobe of clothes at my loft. We never discussed any form of a commitment. I believed she was only seeing me and I hoped she believed I was only sleeping with her.

I sat in my chair and pondered where my wondering eye had gone. I didn’t see any other women and I didn’t even think about them. I wasn’t sure if this four-month mark meant anything to her.

How much time was enough time to be a couple? We already felt like a couple. The problem was I didn’t actually know what that felt like. I ran through and over women. I cheated on every college girlfriend I had. I only stopped cheating when I realized I could just dump one and move on to the next at my leisure.

I’d been slapped, punched and kicked in the balls when I exited relationships. I was a proverbial asshole to at least eighty percent of the women I had sexual encounters with. I didn’t want to be that way anymore thanks to Bria. Stealing her phrase, I was ‘doing too much, too fast, too soon.’ I didn’t care. I liked fast things. This relationship was no different.

Chapter Ten

LORDES

Bria texted me when she arrived at my place. She had the entry code and she was told to make herself at home. I had to work later than I thought and I wanted to make sure I never left her waiting for me. I had never given my access code to anyone.

I arrived home and found Bria watching the local news on the TV in the living room. She stood and rushed over to me with a kiss. I loved having someone, correction having her here to greet me. I’d never had anything like this before and it felt comforting.

A picture of Lillian Shelby flashed across the TV screen. Her murder was on the news and that meant something. This was a case the Chicago Police Department would pursue.

Bria pulled away from my embrace. “Are you okay?”

Maybe she felt something in my stance. Seeing Lillian’s face did have an effect on me. Who would want to murder a real estate broker?

“I’m fine. I just had a long day. Something came up. I got a phone call on the way home from the office.”

“Is it your grandmother?” Bria showed a lot of concern for my Gram even though she’d never met her. They talked on the phone last week in an effort to prove to my Gram that I couldn’t talk to her because I was actually at dinner with a real woman.

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