Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Business related?”
“Very much so.”
Sutter, the CEO of Sutter Limited, was a billionaire real-estate mogul who put up resorts and high-end hotels and office buildings all over the world. But most importantly, at the moment he was Owen’s boss.
“I’m in Paris,” I informed him, “so we can just talk and—”
“I’m here as well, so I’ll come to you.”
“I’m at my office. I’ll text you the address. But so you know, I keep a low profile here. Use my private entrance and come without your usual entourage, please.”
“Understood.” The man sounded grave. That meant there was a problem. “I’ll be there shortly.”
After I disconnected, I texted Sutter the address before calling down to my security personnel to expect company. I hated wondering what the hell was going on, which was why, when I was in the position of relating something not everyone could know, I always gave a hint of what was going on so they wouldn’t have to sit and worry until I reached them and we could talk openly. What was more alarming than annoying in this instance was Sutter’s urgency. It wasn’t like him to not just tell me whatever it was, and that would have made me anxious if he wasn’t coming to see me right now.
Walking back to my door, I opened it and leaned out. “Sana,” I said softly, shortening her name, which I seldom did. “Aaron Sutter’s on his way here. When he arrives, will you send him in?”
Her amber eyes settled on my face, all the teasing and banter from earlier gone. “Of course, boss. And I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.”
“Thank you.”
I went back into my office, realizing after only moments that I was pacing. My phone rang, the call from Darius a welcome distraction.
“Dinner?” he greeted me.
“Yeah, absolutely. Just text me where and when.”
Beats of time went by.
“What’s wrong?” Darius asked.
“I don’t know, but Aaron Sutter just called me out of the blue, and he’s being weird, so…something’s up.”
“And you think it’s Owen?”
“Maybe. What else could it be? We’re not enemies, but we’re certainly not friends, and since I know he’s not inviting me to dinner, I have concerns.”
“Well, give me a call after whatever it is.”
“Will do,” I said, appreciating his friendship, as always.
I had just enough time to put down my phone before the door to my office opened and Aaron walked in, followed closely by his shadow, his bodyguard, Miguel Romero.
“Boss,” Hasana said softly, leaning in. “I already checked with Mr. Sutter and Mr. Romero, and they don’t want anything. Do you need coffee?”
I shook my head. “I’m good, thanks.”
She gave me a slight smile and closed the door.
“Aaron,” I greeted him, holding out my hand.
He clasped my hand tight, his grip firm, his skin warm and dry, meeting my gaze and holding it for a moment before he let go so Miguel could take my hand as well. Most people didn’t get a greeting from Aaron’s longtime bodyguard, but Miguel had been in Army Intelligence the same time I was, and our paths had crossed often. Once he gave me a pat on the arm and I saw how grim he looked, I gestured to the chairs around a coffee table, and they both sat down.
“I know Hasana asked already, but may I offer either of you a drink? I have some very good bourbon.”
“No, thank you. We can’t stay long,” Aaron said.
“You know, with the look you’re giving me, if we were business partners, I’d be worried about my investment. Since we aren’t, I’m thinking you’re the bearer of bad news.”
He pushed forward in his chair, elbows on his knees, eyes on mine. “Owen didn’t check in again yesterday, which makes that two days in a row now, and his bodyguard has also been unreachable.”
I calmed down. Unreachable was okay because it didn’t mean missing. Technically, for me, Owen had been “unreachable” far longer.
“Well, he and I have been fighting, so I certainly haven’t heard from him, but it’s strange that you haven’t. He’s not the kind of guy to go radio silent in the middle of a job.”
“I know. He’s one of the best. That’s why I hired him.”
“So there’s more, then.”
Miguel cleared his throat, and I turned to him, his tanned face and the deep lines there speaking to a life well-lived. Handsome man with chiseled features. I noted then that his hair was going white, not gray. There was a dusting at his temples and in his eyebrows, beard, and mustache. I was aging myself, silver and white being my new color palette, my black hair completely gone to the ravages of time. There was no salt-and-pepper thing happening with me.
Miguel said, “I sent a member of my security team to his hotel when he didn’t show up for work again and his bodyguard failed to report in. I didn’t want to overreact. Thailand’s generally a safe country. Owen’s a young guy, handsome, funny, so I’m sure he’s made friends at work and when he goes out. He’s come in late a few times after a long night out. But as things stand, even though he hasn’t checked in, we’re not ready to call in the dogs to run him down.”