Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 121083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Kitt opened his front door to see his television casting shadows from his bedroom door. A smile tugged at his lips, and Kitt realized again, for about the millionth time since meeting Austin, he had no say in his own life. Austin slept soundly in his bed, waiting for him to get home. Kitt dropped his suit jacket and tie on the chair, toed off his shoes and a groggy Austin opened his eyes.
Kitt undressed and stopped by the bathroom to wash the black marks from the dirty tire off his hands. Austin moved in the middle of the bed, the covers were lifted and Kitt slid in, taking Austin in his arms.
“I’m so glad you didn’t listen to me.” Kitt ran his nose along Austin’s neck, and into his hair, breathing him in.
“I wanted you to be happy to see me.” Austin’s voice was laced in deep sleep as he nuzzled into Kitt. They lay in their normal position, Kitt on his back, Austin spread across him.
“It’s been a night,” Kitt said, yawning loudly.
“You smell like dirty rubber.”
“That would be the double flats,” Kitt said, and Austin stayed quiet.
“Did she win?” How did Austin so easily pickup that he didn’t want to talk about the flats?
“Absolutely! Miss Spring Fling of the ball. I didn’t see her again until it was time to leave.”
“Good for her! I got Mr. Spring Fling four years runnin’. Great honor indeed.” Austin chuckled, his breath tickling Kitt’s chest.
“I knew you had to remember Spring Fling even though you acted like you never heard of it before!” Kitt said into the dark room.
“I missed you tonight. Good night, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter 24
“They aren’t here! Where the fuck are they?” Rich screamed into the walkie talkie. He’d swiped a hotel bell hop’s uniform and followed maid service inside the room. Three days of constant surveillance for nothing. Cara Collins evaded them! How the hell did she even know they were following her? They were stealth and she was blond, for God sakes!
“What? Are you sure?” Mercedes responded back with a hiss. They’d been there for the better part of seventy-two hours watching for any sign of the pair. Cara and Seth had checked in through the front lobby. Being in open sight was one of the very best ways to hide. It was only because he and Rich followed them so closely from the wedding that they were even able to track Cara and Seth to Dallas. No one believed Cara and Austin could still be friends after such a public break-up, but there was no public acknowledgement showing Austin dismissed or fired Seth as his agent. It didn’t add up. If an agent stole a guy’s wife, surely, the guy would fire his agent. Except Austin hadn’t. So that had to mean something, but what?
Since the only conclusion was to follow the honeymooners, they did. They switched out, guarding the front and back doors of the hotel waiting for Cara to make her move. A honeymoon in Dallas didn’t make sense. It wasn’t a romantic draw kind of place. Actually, it was March and already getting hot outside. Besides that, there was nothing to do here. No sights to see, no ocean to draw you in. Why would they come here if not for Austin? Texas was his hometown no matter how much he bashed living here as a child.
“This has to be your fault! How did you let them slip by?” Rich stormed from the room, the maid’s eyes wide at his sudden outburst. He slammed the door and stalked down the hall toward the elevator. “You wait till I get my fucking hands on you! I should’ve called in Keefer! He has a fucking brain in his head!”
“My fault! It’s your fault! You were the one with the connections here. You trusted those guys we hired to watch them! ” Mercedes hissed into the phone.
“Fuck you! I trust him better than you! Fuck! What was I thinking calling you in on this. You wanna know what? Half of nothing’s what you’re worth. Which is exactly what we have right now, because of you!”
The elevator doors opened and the two men stood staring at one another. The entire lobby turned, looking at them, and Rich resisted the urge to tackle Mercedes right there. That would surely land them in jail. He needed to think, get a plan and find Cara Collins.
“They had to know we were watching. I’m done playing with them. How much money do you have?”
“I’m not giving you any more money.” Mercedes dismissed Rich by turning and walking away.
“I’m calling in Dunc,” Rich said quietly. That stopped Mercedes in his tracks. He pivoted on his heel, awe on his face, and stared at Rich.
“No way, we can’t trust him.” Mercedes gave a half-hearted protest.
“I can; he owes me a favor. Now, how much money do you have? It’s gonna be expensive.” Rich palmed his phone and dialed. Three calls later, he was connected with an ominous sounding voice, covered with a voice over machine. Rich’s heart began to pound rapidly in his chest as he realized he was speaking to Dunc.
“We need any information you can find on Cara Collins, Seth Walker and Austin Grainger.” Rich blurted into the phone.
“Five thousand a day, two day minimum.” The electronic voice said back.
“That’s crazy!” Rich almost laughed at the absurdity of the cost. “That’s the deal,” the voice said.
“Okay! Okay but I want some guarantees. This story goes nowhere else.” Rich was completely frazzled. Ten thousand dollars. Was it worth it? If they found Austin, it would be worth that times one hundred percent more.
“Deal! Paypal, Dunc666. I’ll begin when the cash hits my account. You have thirty minutes. I’ll contact you when I find something. Do not make contact with me.” The phone went dead.
“We need ten thousand,” Rich said, looking up at Mercedes
“Ten thousand dollars!” Mercedes went nuts, and again the lobby was back to staring at them.
“Shut up! Just think of what we’ll make if we find Grainger,” Rich hissed, grabbing hold of Mercede’s arm, pushing him through the hotel and out the front doors.