Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
Morgan
“Welcome home.” My Uncle Louie smiled when I stepped inside his apartment. “How was your vacation?”
“Did you forget that I was there for work?”
“No. But I'd still consider it a vacation if I were sent to work there.” He stood up from his chair and walked over to the fridge.
“It was beautiful, and I had a good time.” I smiled. “But I’m not happy about returning to the cold weather. I’m going to take my suitcase to my room.”
After I finished unpacking, I grabbed my purse. “I’m meeting Harlow at Tavern on the Green. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, kiddo.”
I stopped and turned around. “I’m thirty years old, Uncle Louie. I’m not a kid anymore.” A smirk crossed my lips.
“You’ll always be a kid to me.” He winked.
After hailing a cab, I climbed inside. As it weaved through traffic, the snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the streets and buildings in a soft layer of white. I sure as hell didn’t miss this when I was basking in the sun in the Caribbean.
After paying the driver, I stepped into Tavern on Green and looked around. Harlow raised her hand, alerting me to her table.
“Look at you and that nice tan,” she said. “I see my husband’s money was well spent.”
After ordering a gin and tonic, I pulled the file folder from my purse and slid it across the table.
“I will warn you that some of the pictures may be upsetting. I want you to be prepared.”
“I appreciate that, Morgan.” She opened the file and stared at the pictures of her cheating husband and the mistress, who was half his age.
“That bastard.” She shook her head.
“He also purchased a house for her in Pasadena. You’ll find the bill of sale and the deed in there.”
“He didn’t suspect you, right?” she asked.
“No. He didn’t.”
“Thank you for these.” She closed the folder. “By the time I’m finished, my husband will be ruined.” She finished her wine, handed me a thick envelope full of cash, and stood up. “I’m taking this file to my lawyer right now. Thank you again, Morgan.”
“You’re welcome, Harlow. I hope everything works out for you.”
“Believe me. I will come out of this marriage smelling like roses and much richer.” Her lips flashed a sinister smile. “Stay and finish your drink.” She walked away.
Signaling for the server, I ordered another drink. My phone rang. Pulling it from my purse, I stared at the number with the Los Angeles area code. Against my better judgment, I answered it .
“Morgan Ashley,” I answered.
“Miss Ashley, it’s Roman Hamilton.”
I swallowed hard as my belly twisted, hearing his sexy, deep voice. How the hell did he get my number?
“I’m sorry. Who is this?”
“Roman Hamilton. The man you had a good time with in Turks and Caicos. Don’t say you forgot who I am already because if that’s the case, my heart is broken.”
“Ah, yes, Mr. Hamilton. Now I remember you. And somehow, I don’t think your heart is capable of being broken.”
“Ouch.” He chuckled. “You know you miss me.”
“I know that I don’t. How did you get my phone number?”
“It wasn’t easy. You’re a very hard woman to track down.”
“What do you want, Roman?”
“I need to hire you and your services for a case I’m working on. I’ll have my secretary book a flight for you and arrange hotel accommodations. I’d like you out here tomorrow.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be possible, Roman.”
“You know what I’m doing right now?” he asked.
“I’m afraid to ask.”
“I’m staring at the weather in New York City. It’s cold and snowing. Am I right?”
I looked out the restaurant window, and the snow was heavily coming down.
“You are correct.”
“It’s sunny and seventy-five degrees here in Los Angeles. Doesn’t that sound much better than all that cold and dreadful snow?”
“How long is the job for?” I asked out of curiosity .
“So you are interested?” he asked.
I stared out the window at the snow, creating a wall of white over the entire city.
“First class only and a suite no smaller than 1250 square feet at the Four Seasons.”
“The Four Seasons, eh?”
“Yes.”
“Consider it done. I’ll have my secretary book everything right now, and then I’ll text you the details.”
“My services aren’t cheap, Mr. Hamilton.”
“I didn’t expect them to be. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You too.”
Sighing, I set my phone down and picked up my drink. I wasn’t sure flying out to Los Angeles was a good idea. It was a good idea to get out of this cold and snowy weather, but seeing Mr. Roman Hamilton again was something I had never planned to do.
Walking through the door, I set my purse down, grabbed my pinging phone from my purse, and read the text message from Roman.
“It’s Roman Hamilton. Here is your flight and hotel confirmation. It’ll be good to see you again. Have a safe flight.”
“How did things go with Harlow?” my Uncle Louie asked, walking into the living room.
“Good. I gave her the file, and she took it to her lawyer’s office. I’m leaving for Los Angeles tomorrow.”
“What? Why?” His brows furrowed.
“I met this guy in Turks and Caicos. He was going to tell Rick, Harlow’s husband, who I was and why I was there, so I helped him out to keep him quiet.”
“Helped him with what? ”
“Obtain bank records he needed for a case he’s working on.”
“Is he an attorney or something?”
“Yes. He and his brothers run their own law firm in Los Angeles. Roman called me after I met with Harlow. He needs my services and is flying me out there tomorrow.”
“It’s been a long time,” he said.
“Fourteen years.” I sighed.
“I know how long it’s been and I think it’s best that you leave sleeping dogs lie.”
“I don’t know if I can do that, Uncle Louie.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I always am.” I smiled. “I need to do some laundry and repack.”