Chapter 14 #2
“What can I say?” Coulter smiled wide, shoving his hands into his front pockets.
“Multi-tasking is kind of my jam. While I may not have billions in the bank, I have more than enough money and connections to disappear without worry of being caught. And before you try to one-up me, I should also point out that it would be a helluva lot easier for me to vanish than someone like you.”
“Someone like me?”
“You’re a public figure,” he pointed out the obvious.
“Your face has been on the front of countless magazines, and your wealth and bullshit philanthropic endeavors have made you instantly recognizable in every corner of the world. So it doesn’t matter how much money you have.
Your fall from grace would be a lot faster and much harsher than mine. ”
“Hate to say it, boss, but he’s right,” Cyrus grumbled.
Crawford ignored his guy and kept his focus on Coulter. “Now who’s the one tossing out threats?”
Me, that’s fucking who.
“Forget about Alex and go home. Find some other clueless woman to occupy your time and let me and my men handle things from here.”
“And if I don’t?”
A low curse sounded from the not-so-jolly giant standing to Colt’s left.
“You continue your pursuit of that woman”—Coulter pointed to Alex’s door—“which is obviously unwanted, by the way, the deal’s off. I’ll send my men home and there will be no fucking auction.”
“You’d risk losing your share of millions just to keep me away from Alexandria?”
You bet your ass, I would.
“I’d risk losing millions to keep you from screwing this whole thing up. The fewer connections you have to Charlotte, the better. Especially when we’re literally days from the auction going live.”
“You don’t even have Miss Owens in your possession.”
“Not yet, but my men didn’t need her to get it all set up.
They’ve got the buyers in place, the date’s been set, and the digital invites are ready to go out.
All we need are the individualized links, which will go live sixty seconds before the sale begins.
We’ll start with a minimum amount, and when there’s only one bidder left, that individual will be given instructions on when and where to meet.
Me and my people will deliver the goods, and once the transfer of untraceable funds is made, we’ll give them the Owens woman.
After that, we’ll send you your part, and you and I can go our separate ways.
” Colt paused before adding, “That being said, once this thing goes down as planned, I suspect you and I will become very good friends.”
“Friends,” Crawford huffed. “Yes, well, we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Only way this works is if you leave Charlotte tonight. Otherwise, I’m out.”
His target stared him down as a muscle twitched at the side of his weaselly jaw. A tense stretch of silence passed before Cyrus spoke up a moment later, looking to his employer for direction.
“You already know what I think, boss. It’s obviously your call, but if we’re flying back tonight, I need to make sure both the pilot and the jet are ready.”
Crawford kept his focus locked with Coulter’s a few seconds longer and then—
“Make the call.” He cleared his throat. “Tell the pilot I want to be in the air in under two hours.”
“Yes, sir.” Cyrus dipped his square chin with a nod.
As for Crawford, the man apparently felt the need to offer some parting words.
“I don’t take kindly to threats, Mr. Morris. This is your one and only pass.”
Rather than cowering down to the guy’s obvious attempt at intimidation, Coulter sent him a big, warm smile. “Have a good rest of your night, Gordan.” He gave the jerk a “friendly” slap on his shoulder. “You, too, Cyrus.”
Without a hint of a smile, the beefy man pulled his phone from his pocket and began walking. Crawford, on the other hand, waited a beat before taking his first step.
What a dumbass.
The useless flex nearly made Coulter laugh out loud. Resisting the urge to do so, he waited until the two men were a safe distance away to give a few light taps of his knuckles against Alex’s door.
“It’s okay,” he spoke low, guessing she was just on the other side. “It’s just me.”
He glanced left as Cyrus made his way into the elevator, but Crawford paused, looking back one last time. Coulter sent him a wave and a wide, toothy grin.
See you soon, asshole. I’ll be the one cheering as they’re putting you in cuffs.
The cocky dick disappeared as Alex opened her door.
“Are you okay?”
“Who, me? I’m right as rain.” He sent her a wink.
Coulter joined her inside and waited as she shut and locked the door.
“Set the alarm.” He cleared his throat before adding a much softer, “Please.”
Alex did as he’d asked before turning her concerned gaze his way. “What’s wrong? What did Gordan say?”
“A whole lot of nothing.”
“Colt, I’m serious.”
“So am I.” He held out his hand for her to take.
She slid her palm against his, and together they made their way to her awesome red couch. Coulter sat down first and Alex followed his lead. He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“Apparently Crawford isn’t used to women telling him no.”
“So he just shows up at my door at random?” She frowned. “And how the heck does he even know where I live? Dammit, I should have asked him.”
“Does it really matter?”
“Coulter, my address isn’t publicly listed. I made sure of it after everything went down with Evan.”
“Why? Was he harassing you or something?”
“Sort of. I don’t know.” She shook her head. “Right after I kicked him out of our apartment, he kept calling me and coming by at all hours, begging me to give him another chance.”
“So you moved here.”
Alex nodded. “And I made sure my name and address were protected.”
“And the gallery?”
“That’s all public, but Evan had already moved to Florida by then.”
“Florida?”
Her gorgeous eyes rolled with dramatic flair. “He moved in with some woman who’s from there. Last I heard, they were engaged and living together in peaceful bliss. But I’m not bitter about it. Not anymore.”
“Well I should hope not.” When Alex sent him a look, he clarified with a cocky, “Why be bitter about losing that douche canoe when you’re here with me?”
An unladylike snort bubbled up from her throat. “How did I ever get so lucky?”
“You must have one hell of a fairy godmother.” Coulter leaned in, bringing his mouth closer to hers. “Wanna see if my slipper fits.”
Alex burst out laughing, tilting her head back as she slapped his chest. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t love it.”
Don’t act like you don’t love me.