Chapter 3 #4
If his men look into our story, which they most likely will, we needed it to be true.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.” Gordan’s deep voice filled the speaker at her ear.
“Uh, n-no.” Alex cleared her throat as she leaned her back against the upholstered headboard. Pulling the white comforter and sheet up to her waist, she assured him, “You’re not interrupting a thing.”
Keep your cool, and remember . . . Colt is Cole Morris, and you know nothing about Crawford’s criminal activity.
“Good to know.” He sounded a bit too happy upon hearing the news that she was presumably alone.
Or maybe it was a simple case of paranoia. Her frazzled mind working overtime to second-guess every teeny tiny thing.
Or maybe it’s all those pictures Colt showed you in that file.
So many innocent lives ruined by this very man.
“What can I do for you, Gordan?” Alex improvised her performance in hopes the conversation would be over soon.
“I was hoping to discuss dinner plans with you for tomorrow night. I have a standing reservation at Chez Martine for seven o’clock, and I’d love for you to join me.”
Nope. Not happening. Tell the sicko absolutely not.
“Oh, I, um…” She chuckled nervously. “I’d love to, but something came up at the last-minute.
” Think, think, think. “An important client called and would like to meet at my gallery tomorrow afternoon. So I’m afraid I need to fly back home to Charlotte in the morning, rather than waiting until later.
But hopefully you and I can get together some other time, soon? ”
She held her breath and waited. Alex purposely hadn’t mentioned actually buying an airline ticket back home in case he had his men verify that information, too.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Gordan’s disappointment was clear. “What time is your flight?”
“I was . . . just about to purchase my ticket.”
“That’s perfect.”
“It is?” Alex frowned with confusion.
“No ticket means you’re still free.”
She closed her eyes with a silent exhale, knowing she’d walked right into that one.
“I mean, I haven’t bought my ticket yet, but—”
“But nothing. You’ll simply call the client back and let them know you can meet the following day. As for tomorrow night, you and I will enjoy an evening of fine dining and conversation. After all, there is the business of putting together a show starring you and your exquisite paintings.”
The compliment filled her with pride until she remembered the kind of man he really was.
“It’s a tempting offer. Really. But I—”
“I won’t take no for an answer, Alexandria.”
His deep tone was flirtatious rather than threatening, but the distinction didn’t put her at ease. Out of plausible lies, all she could think to say was—
“O-okay. I mean, yes. Dinner tomorrow night sounds lovely.”
“Excellent. I’ll pick you up at six.”
She forced a smile into her voice to avoid suspicion. “Six o’clock, it is.”
“See you then, Alexandria.”
“Goodnight, Gordan.”
The line finally went dead.
Alex sucked in a breath before blowing it slowly. She repeated the move several times over.
What am I going to do now?
The question had barely entered her frazzled thoughts when a loud knocking came from her suite’s main door.
Nearly jumping right out of her skin, Alex’s heart began to race as she threw off the covers and rushed into the other room. Before she could reach the door, whoever was there knocked again.
“Alex?” Colt’s voice sounded muffled. “It’s me. Open up.”
What the—
“Hang on.” With frustrated movements, she flipped the locks and quickly flung open the door. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
He barely gave her time to move before barging his way inside. “Was that Crawford on the phone?”
Blinking at the unexpected intrusion, Alex stretched out a hand as she sardonically welcomed him into her suite. “By all means, won’t you come in?”
“Well?” Colt stopped a few feet away and put his hands on his hips. “Is he the one who called you or not?”
She shut the door and faced him. “How did you even know anyone called?”
“The walls are thin. So was it him? Did Crawford call you?”
There was no point in lying, so she nodded and said, “He did.”
“What did he want?”
Going against her knee-jerk reaction to tell him it was none of his damn business, Alex quickly filled him in. “He called to invite me to dinner with him tomorrow night.”
Colt snorted. “How’d the bastard take it when you told him no?”
Oh, he’s really not going to like this next part.
“I didn’t, actually.” She crossed her arms at her chest, only then remembering she wasn’t wearing a bra. A slight adjustment kept her breasts further covered. “I tried to, but he’s a very persistent man.”
“What do you mean you tried?” His dark brows dipped in the center.
“I did, okay? But Gordan . . . Colt, the man literally wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Alex paused. “He wants to take me to Chez Martine tomorrow night to discuss showcasing my paintings in his gallery.”
“Alex—”
“Please tell me you didn’t.” His voice dropped low. “Alex, what did you do?”
“The only thing I could do.” She swallowed hard with a jut of her chin. “I told him yes.”