Page 14 of Papers Don't Lie

KAI

I sigh into the phone. “No, Caroline. Tell them I’m not going to change my mind about this.” That’s the last thing I say before I hang up on my assistant.

My back relaxes in my seat, and I allow myself to breathe in relief when it’s finally silent. While I’m grateful for my position, it’s never quiet. I never get to rest, not when I’m sleeping and especially not when my schedule for the day is over. People never stop pushing boundaries and calling me, regardless of the hour.

The phone buzzes on my desk, and no matter how much I’d like to let it ring, it could be something important. I take a deep breath when I see Kendrick’s name lighting up the screen. I immediately pick it up.

“Mr. Graves.” He salutes me as usual.

“Did that little troublemaker cause you any problems?" It’s been two weeks since her surprise, and even if I’m glad no other one came, it’s been too quiet.

He sighs. “No, sir, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing wrong.”

“What happened?”

“She’s changing hotels every two days, and even though I asked her if she’s in any danger, she doesn’t want to admit if she is. Mr. Graves, what I’m trying to say is I’m sure this girl is into some kind of problem. She received an envelope this morning, and even though she just got to that hotel, she insisted on moving right away.”

Fuck, Kendrick. I shouldn’t know so much.

“Hmm," I murmur into the speaker.

Does her little escapade have anything to do with the fact that she was dressed in a wedding dress that night? Could she be getting blackmailed by her fiancé?

“Do you know what was in that envelope?” I ask because I can’t help myself. It’s in my nature.

“It was a letter or a note, I believe.”

“Did you get a chance to see what that was about? Or did she tell you anything?”

“No, sir. But when I found her after she changed hotels the first time, she asked me how I found her. When I told her it was pretty easy, she turned to stone.”

“She’s afraid someone can find her as quickly as we could,” I say more to myself than to him.

“Yes, sir.”

“Kendrick?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Get a hand on the next envelope, and tell me as soon as you get it.”

“What makes you think there’s going to be another envelope?”

I shrug, even though he can’t see me. “If whoever did it sent her one and she won’t leave or do what they asked, I doubt that person will stop.”

I fidget in bed,an exasperated sigh rolling on my tongue. It’s six a.m., and two more hours of sleep would do me good, but something is bugging me—the chance that if I close my eyes for long enough, I’ll be living Esmeray’s life.

That girl… Everything about her is a mystery to me, and that might be my fault. On the night of the accident, I made Kendrick stay with her so I could deal with my dad’s problem and hers at the same time.

I don’t know what she’s running from, but if she wasn’t, she would’ve gone home almost three weeks ago, right after she got out of the hospital. Sure, maybe she needed some time alone after the accident, but what about the wedding she was coming from? The dress made it clear it was her special day.

What are you running from, troublemaker?

My phone rings into the silence, and I don’t need to check to know it’s Kendrick. He and my family members are the only ones allowed to call at any hour.

“Mr. Graves,” he says, and by the tone of his voice, he’s worried. “I got it.”

My jaw locks. I hoped I wouldn’t be right about the blackmailer’s comeback. “What does it say?” I ask, speaking for the first time today, my voice cracking.

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