Chapter 1 #2
With my eyes closed, I concentrated on my breathing. And counting. Seconds ticked by.
Maybe minutes. Finally, I was able to take deep breaths as anger replaced terror. I’d worked far too hard in my life to allow the motherfucker to derail everything. Never again. To hell with him.
Still unable to focus, I moved my hands along the counter until I reached the kitchen door.
Somehow, I stumbled into the living room and toward the picture window staring out at my front lawn.
With rain pelting against the glass, it was impossible to see anything, but just for a few seconds, I could swear a face formed in the distant fog.
A man’s face.
And he was smiling.
“Hey, Jessica. Can you do me a favor and set up a meeting with Molly Sims next week?” As soon as I took a sip of coffee, I groaned.
Why did I bother drinking the horrible brew from the office?
Like ever? I had no idea if our office manager had gotten a deal on a crate of stale Keurig pods, but the java had a bitter acrid taste.
The day had all but gotten away from me. With depositions and an unexpected new client, I was shocked I’d gotten anything accomplished.
Especially since the fog had refused to completely leave.
How many years had I managed to stay free from the horrible vacuum that had come close to destroying my life? Long enough the freedom meant the world to me. That’s why I refused to take the day off, wallowing in self-pity. If I’d done so, the bastard would have won.
One step in front of the other. He could no longer hurt me.
Besides tomorrow was another day, including stepping foot inside a courtroom after the contentious loss. I’d need to be on my game. It made me furious that the wheels of justice seemed to be sliding in every scumbag’s way. I made it my personal mission to keep that from happening.
The reason I signed on for this career was all about getting even in my own way.
“Sure, Alexia,” Jessica said quietly, not even bothering to glance up at me as she’d normally do. Instead, she was staring at her computer screen, the horrible look on her face disturbing.
I moved behind her, glancing over her shoulder, a tickle of ice drifting across my arms. “That’s the missing attorney.”
Images of the morning news show popped into my mind all over again. I had to remind myself once again that the killer was behind bars and had been. He couldn’t hurt anyone ever again.
“Yes. Ashley Bordeaux was my sister’s roommate in college. They were close. Ashley even spent a summer with us. I can’t believe she’s missing.” Jessica was obviously deeply disturbed.
“Do you think it has something to do with that asshole boyfriend of hers?”
Jessica tossed her pen. “He is a jerk, but no. My sister tried to tell her that more than once, but I don’t think he has an abusive bone in his body. He’s too squeaky clean. You can tell by his signature yacht style clothing.”
“You should know by now looks can be deceiving.” My mind drifted to several cases I’d had over the years since becoming an attorney. Enough that I’d learned a long time ago to trust my instincts. My gut had never steered me wrong. When I paid attention.
The girl was smiling in the photograph, which was Ashley’s professional picture taken for the firm she worked for. She was a lovely girl with long dark hair. She looked a little like me.
Why did another icy shudder skitter down my spine?
She groaned and flicked off the screen. “You’re right, but he swears he hasn’t seen her. I’m so worried about her.”
“Well, hopefully, she’s just cooling off a little. Now, about that meeting.”
“Oh, yes, of course. I’ll send you a confirmation email.”
“Perfect.”
“Oh, I sent you something else via email.” Her demeanor had completely changed. A little sly around the edges.
“What have you done?”
“Moi?” Shrugging, she returned to whatever she’d been working on before, purposely tossing me a few looks.
She’d been my assistant for almost three years, the best damn paralegal in the business.
We’d also gotten very close personally, the cases we worked on together taking a significant toll on our psyches.
There wasn’t a day that went by when we weren’t trying to rationalize how the court system could all but forget about the victims, shoving them aside as if what they’d gone through had been of no consequence. I’d committed my life to working within the confines of the law, fighting against evil.
Jessica was right there with me, a strong fighter. Plus, she reminded me of someone I’d known a very long time ago.
Someone I hadn’t been able to protect.
“Yes, you. Don’t forget who signs your paycheck.”
“Technically, that’s your boss.”
I rolled my eyes. “Talk or I won’t sign off on your next vacation days.”
She rose to her feet, casually swinging her hips back and forth as she moved around the end of her desk. When she slid her hand into my open briefcase, I lifted an eyebrow. I should have known what she was surfing for.
As soon as she pulled the book I’d brought with me into the light, I tried to snatch it from her fingers, but she jerked it away. “Give me that.”
“Not yet. I can see why you always carry one of his books around. He’s a hot-looking man. I hear he’s a very eligible bachelor too. In case you’re interested.”
“I’m not. Men are the last thing on my mind. You sound like my best friend.” I grabbed the book, offering her a distinctive primal growl. “He worked on some amazing FBI cases back in the day. I’ve learned a lot from his books.”
A slow and steady smile crossed her face.
“Not like that. To help with the ones we’re working on.”
“Whatever you say. Anyway, glance at your emails. I still think he’s hot.”
I shoved the book into my briefcase, grumbling as I did and tossed the remainder of the wretched coffee in her trashcan. Yes, he was hot. That much I would admit. The perfect protector. A true hero in my mind.
He was also way out of my league, likely a millionaire a few times over. Not that having money was a bad thing.
I closed my door, dropping my briefcase and immediately heading to my desk, curious to see what Jessica had sent.
“Huh.” I found the email easily enough. When I pulled up the details, I sat back in my seat, tapping my fingers on the fake mahogany.
A book signing at a local bookstore.
What were the odds a New York Times bestselling author would stop by a local brick and mortar store to sign a few copies of his latest bestseller? Well, he hadn’t moved away from Miami after becoming rich and famous.
I would love to meet the man. Maybe karma was trying to slide her grimy little mitts into my world, giving me a shove.
Or maybe karma was actually giving me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. Especially after seeing the morning news.
While I was thinking about the opportunity, making mental note of the date, my personal cellphone rang. Grabbing it without thinking, I continued reading about the event even as I answered.
“Hello?”
“Do you dream in color?”
It took a full five seconds to realize the question that had rumbled off the man’s tongue. “What did you say?”
His chuckle was long and dark. “I asked if your dreams were in color.”
“Who the fuck is this?” On edge, I immediately rose from my chair, heading toward the window in my office. For some reason, I stood at the corner, peering out at the parking lot, my personal view.
Breathe. Just breathe.
The question was one several people had known about. It would be easy to find. Pain ripped through my eyes as a rush of memories almost brought me to my knees. Hell, no.
There was no one standing staring up at me from the street, but my skin continued to crawl. This was just some jerk hungering for a blip of fame. I’d seen it happen a half dozen times in my career.
“Oh, I think you know who it is. I’ve missed you. Very much.” His laugh was deep, jovial. No. Not the same.
“Look, buddy. I don’t know what the hell you’re doing, but I’m hanging up now.”
“There was nothing like the hunting of women. No gourmet food. No expensive liquor. No sensual perfume. And no raw, unbridled sexual experience that could hold a candle to the hunt, the capture, and the kill. You were the only woman who wasn’t afraid.
That’s when I knew you were special. Very special indeed. ”
All the convincing I was trying to do wasn’t working. My skin began to crawl. “What the hell are you insinuating?” I couldn’t stop shaking.
His chuckle kept me on the line. “We’ll meet again very soon. Very soon indeed. Maria.”