Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“What do you mean?” She moves away from me. “You’re doing your own manhunt?” She gets out of the hot tub, and I follow her.
“I have to know who’s behind this.”
“You should let the cops do their job. You should actually call the detectives and tell them everything you just told me.”
Her words make me laugh. I move over to a cabinet by the pool and grab two large white fluffy towels. I open one to wrap around her. “The cops? You’re kidding, right?” I dry myself off with the other towel. “The cops wouldn’t know how to catch a murderer if he was standing right in front of them.”
Swan blinks up at me, drops of water clinging to her thick lashes. “You’re wrong. I can’t believe you’re trying to be some sort of vigilante. You could get hurt, Devereaux. Or possibly die.”
“Somebody has to do something.” I’m not sure why she’s so upset with me. “I get you’re probably worried, but I can’t just sit around.”
“Somebody is doing something.”
“Who?” She’s marching away from me. “The cops?” I laugh. “Those lame-ass fuckers aren’t doing anything.”
She whirls around before entering the house through the back slider. “They are doing things. You think they’re just sitting around eating donuts?”
I wrap the towel around my waist and remove my boxers. “Well, yeah. I’m sure they love jelly the best.”
Her green eyes turn to hard chips of jade. “I can’t believe you’re being so obtuse.” She enters the house and stands in the center of the dining area. “Now tell me which room is mine.”
I stride over to her. “Swan, I don’t understand why you’re angry.”
“I’m upset you’re trying to do this on your own and not letting the proper authorities handle it. Besides, you’re risking your life.” She takes off toward the spiral staircase and I follow her up.
“Swan, I can’t just sit around and do nothing.”
She stops in front of a door. “Is this my room?”
I shake my head. “No, your room is over here.”
She stops in front of a linen closet. “This one?”
I crack a grin. “No.” I step in front of her so I can lead her to the right place. I open the door for her and walk her into the guest room. “You can stay here. I won’t bother you.”
She walks into the spacious room and stands at the foot of the queen-size bed. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks. I’ll grab your bag while you take a shower in the en suite bathroom.” I point to the door. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“I won’t.”
I shut the door, hoping more than anything she’ll change her mind and need me.
Chapter 26
Chloe
* * *
I need to regroup. The line separating my undercover work and real life has blurred. When I’m around him, I can’t distinguish between the two. I can’t believe he’s off trying to solve this crime on his own. What does he think he’ll prove? Is this some masculine hero-complex crap? I want to call Finn with all the new information Devereaux gave me, but I can’t chance him overhearing me. And a text just won’t do.
Vin was right about needing to stay here, yet I’m sure he didn’t have in mind that I’d almost sleep with the suspect.
Not that I suspect Devereaux Huxley of anything now, but still. I’d lose my job if anyone ever found out.
I plop down on the white duvet and glance around my spacious room. Gray walls with thick white trim serve as the perfect backdrop to photos of white swans swimming in a tranquil lake. White lamps rest on slate-gray accent tables, and a stone fireplace is across from the expansive window that overlooks a garden outside.
It’s breathtaking.
Yet, I’m too frazzled to enjoy the accommodations here. Devereaux is trying to be some modern-day vigilante like Batman, and I won’t let him get himself hurt.
Speaking of, a knock sounds on the door.
“I grabbed your bag if you want to take a shower.”
I scoot off the bed and cross the hardwoods to open the door a smidge. “Thank you.”
“Sleep well,” he says.
“You too.” I take the bag from him, and he lingers a moment before abruptly turning and striding away.
I head into the en suite bathroom and set the bag on the white marble countertop.
While I go through the motions of showering, I decide to snoop around the house and see if I can find that business card. We could trace that number. Devereaux said he’d let me see it, but that was before I found out he’s trying to solve things on his own. If Devereaux still has the card, It might be in an office or study.
I finish my shower, and once I’m back in the guest room, I change into my sleep shorts and baby doll shirt.
I tiptoe out of the room and quietly make my way down the stairs into the living area. This house really is stunning with its antique feel but updated features. The fireplace in the living area is on, and I startle when I spot Devereaux sitting in a wingback armchair near the roaring fire. He looks despondent.