Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
He nodded. “Austin was just confirming some appointments when I’m in Kansas City.”
She tipped her head to one side. “Really? Because I heard raised voices.”
“You know how guys joke and raise their voice.”
She gave him a skeptical look but before she could ask another question, her mother spoke. “Did you tell Dex we’re having a family dinner tonight?”
Samantha shook her head. “I didn’t get the chance.” She glanced at him. “But he knows now.” Conversation turned to food and dessert. “Dex and I can pick up things at the bakery. I’m dying for one of their cannolis.”
“Oh, good idea!” Emma said.
“Umm… I thought it would be smarter if you and I stayed out of the public spotlight.” Dex walked over and put an arm around her waist to soften his words. “Just while things with the paparazzi blow over.”
“Oh, sure. That makes sense,” she said in a more subdued voice.
“I can ask Meg and Scott to pick up dessert on their way over,” Emma said.
“That’s my brother and his wife,” Samantha explained.
“You’ll have to keep everyone straight in your head,” Emma said, laughing.
“I’m used to it in my big family.”
Samantha smiled. “Thanks, Mom. I’m going to show Dex around and unpack our things.”
Emma nodded. “Good. I’m glad you’re staying over while you’re here.” She picked up her phone and began to text, presumably giving orders to all of Samantha’s siblings.
Chapter Nineteen
For the last two days, Samantha and Dex had spent time with her family, sitting around the pool, bringing in lunch and dinner. When she’d suggested she and Dex sneak out for a quick dinner alone, he’d encouraged her to stay at the house. After all, she was here to see her mother and siblings. They could go out for dinner any time. Since he’d made sense, she’d agreed.
The next day, Dex drove them to the house he’d bought in Miami, located across a guard-gated bridge in an ultra-luxury community. Even for her, growing up with incredible wealth and privilege, this island was something beyond her experience.
“So,” he said, as they pulled into the driveway. “You can see it’s a little much.”
She laughed, taking in the massive home, especially for one man living alone.
“To be honest, I bought the place after a huge contract signing, because I could. Only after I moved in and it echoed did I realize what a foolish move it had been.”
“But it’s gorgeous, Dex. Show me around inside?”
He shut the engine to the rental sports car and walked around to open her door. Together, they strode up the walkway lined with red flowering shrubs she thought were bougainvillea because they looked like the plants surrounding her childhood home.
He unlocked the door and once inside, shut off the alarm. “There isn’t much to see furniture-wise since it’s in storage.” There were a few boxes in various rooms, waiting to be picked up and shipped, but mostly he was right. She was touring empty rooms. The place would be on the market soon, which she thought was a shame, since she’d fallen in love on sight. Maybe because the outside reminded her of her childhood home, as did the many rooms which could hold brothers and sisters like she had.
While he was inside making phone calls about the boxes and items that remained, she walked out back to look at the large, kidney-shaped pool and the built-in outdoor grill, refrigerator, and firepit. The place was lacking for nothing, she mused, and again felt a pang of sadness, this time because Dex hadn’t truly loved living here and had felt so alone.
“Ready to go?” Dex asked from the sliding glass door leading out to the pool.
She nodded. “Did you get everything done that you needed to?”
“I did. The boxes will be picked up and shipped by Monday. The company that takes care of the house will come by to open the place and facilitate things.”
“That’s great. What—” Her cell rang from inside her purse. “One sec,” she said and dug out the phone, glancing at it. “My lawyer.”
“Go ahead and take it,” Dex said.
She tapped the screen and put the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Hi, Samantha. Tim here. I’m calling to give you an update from the forensic accountants.”
She placed a supportive hand on the stone surrounding the grill. “Have they found anything off or unusual?” she asked.
She felt Dex’s gaze on her as she listened.
“There are some suspicious transactions that, at a glance, make them want to dig deeper. They don’t recognize the payees as having done business with your company recently and want to check further. I wanted to let you know Jeremy’s lawyers have been notified, so he’s likely aware, as well.”
“Great,” she muttered. “I appreciate the heads-up. Keep me posted.”
“Will do. Take care, Samantha.”
She disconnected the call. “Just what I need. Jeremy having something else to get worked up and angry over,” she muttered.