Page 19 of Papers Don't Lie

“Mr. Graves.”

“Kendrick, withdraw the security team now,” I tell him, my pulse quickening.

“Already did, sir.”

“Make sure she’s safe,” I say before ending the call and putting the phone back inside my coat.

I assumed he was rich since he found her everywhere she was going, but I never thought that I was the one leading him straight to her.

I sent her directly into his arms.

His silhouette gets lost in the sea of people, but I spot him at a table with one of our common partners, and I don’t think twice before walking to him.

“Hello, Mr. Victor,” I say, shaking hands with the other man. “Can you excuse us for a second?”

He puts his champagne glass on the table before tipping his head upward and leaving.

“Well?” Carter raises his brow and his palms in the air. “No hello for me? Show me some respect, Graves.”

“I would if you’d show me the same respect. I was expecting more from you, Carter,” I say, careful with my words and completely turning myself into stone so no emotion will slip.

His brows furrow, and he traces his finger over his mustache, sizing me up. “I don’t think it’s your job to get involved.”

I do a show of acting surprised, or more likely confused. “I think it is since you didn’t bother to sign the papers my secretary sent to you over three weeks ago.“

He visibly relaxes, a smile stretching on his lips. “You’ll have them tonight.”

Carter readjusts his suit, glancing at the people around us. I wonder what’s going through that mind of his. It’s clear he knows I’m the one who required a security team for his running bride. Is he scared I’m finally going to end the partnership with him? I’ve wanted to do it so many times, but I’ve never had a real reason to do it. This could be the perfect opportunity for me.

But it’s not the time.

“This will never happen again,” I tell him and act like I’m going to leave but turn around at the last moment. “How was your wedding, by the way?”

TEN

ESMERAY

It’s been seven weeks since I ran from my own wedding, and my life has been turned upside down, but despite the constant need to look behind me everywhere I go, I’m thankful for even living this one.

I moved to a smaller town close to New York, paid my rent for a two-room house for six months with what money I had left, and got myself a job at a bar called Henry’s—don’t ask me who that is because after a week and a half of working here, I still haven’t met anyone with that name.

Georgina, the owner of the bar, is the best boss I’ve ever had. Not that I’ve ever worked anywhere else, but she’s making my time here better. She might be a bit grumpy, and I might do all the talking, but it was the same way with Kendrick.

If I think about it, the resemblance between Georgina and Kendrick might be the only reason I like her. Part of me misses the nodder, but then I remind myself he was only doing his job and that he was never my friend. I did the right thing by staying away from him.

“Table two.” Jasmine, the other employee, nudges me with her shoulder, placing a heavy tray filled with drinks and a sandwich on my arms.

My legs wiggle a little since I’m still not used to the way I’m supposed to keep it between my fingers. I take a second to steady myself, glancing behind me to locate the table she’s talking about. You’d think that after that many days of working here, I’d know my way around, but I clearly don’t.

“Second on the left. Come on.” She pushes me, not wanting to wait another second.

Gosh, if my parents knew where I was working right now, they’d bury me alive for staining the Hamilton name. I guess the good thing is that they still don’t know anything about me and that no matter how clumsy I am so far at this job or how horrendous this place looks, I’m working here becauseIdecided to.

Thankfully, I share the drinks with everyone without spilling any, and I even get a smile in return for the glass of alcohol.

“Why don’t you stay here, huh?” one that could be my dad asks, raising his brows at me in an attempt to be seductive.

Oh, so that’s what that smile was about.

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