Chapter 32 Sloane #2
“Okay, then,” she says skeptically. She holds up the spoon and then plunges it into the ice cream, scooping out two spoonfuls into a small bowl. We head back over to the sofa, sitting on opposite ends.
“Ugh, still no reply from Mr. Big and Broody,” Lydia sighs before drowning her sorrows in another spoonful of ice cream.
“It’s late. Maybe he’s sleeping,” I reassure.
“Yeah, I guess.” She finishes her ice cream and stands to clean the bowl, placing it in the dishwasher. “I should call it a night, too. I have to be at work earlier tomorrow than usual. I have a new high-profile client coming in that needs an early appointment.”
“I guess when you have all the money in the world, you get to make your own rules,” I say.
“Yep, and I don’t mind. She usually tips pretty well, too. And the gossip is usually on point,” she says, standing from the sofa. “Alright, night, babe. Love you. Sweet dreams.”
She starts walking away, but then stops. “Maybe not too sweet, though.” She winks before disappearing into the bedroom.
“Night, Lyd! Love you. Let me know if Callum responds,” I say, turning off the TV and standing to walk toward the stairs.
“He will, and I will,” she calls out, closing the door behind her.
? ? ?
I lie in bed, tossing and turning before reaching into my nightstand and grabbing my vibrator.
I turn over onto my back and spread my legs, closing my eyes as I turn it on.
I run it down the length of my body until it finds what it wants, rubbing in slow circles.
I moan, arching my back into the vibration.
Thoughts of Riven moving above me with his dark hair falling into his beautiful eyes flash through my mind.
I hear him telling me how good I take him, and it pushes me closer to release.
I picture him holding me up against the wall of the shower, kissing me senseless while he drives into me relentlessly.
“Yes, Riven, yes,” I pant into the darkness. I remember his eyes on mine and the way he stared into my soul, seeing through me. The intensity of the memory is enough to push me over the edge, and I find my orgasm with his name on my lips.
? ? ?
The next morning, I’m going through some proofreads at work for the interns when my phone rings. I look down and see “Elle” before pressing accept.
“Hey, Elle. Good morning.”
“Hi, Sloane. Good morning to you as well. Do you have a second to chat?” I stand from my desk and walk outside, away from the noise of the busy office morning.
“Yep. What’s up?” I ask.
“I have good news and bad news,” she says.
“Okay, what’s the bad?”
“I wasn’t able to track the photos. I’m sorry, Sloane.”
I sigh. “That’s okay. Thanks for trying. What’s the good news?”
“I do have a name for the other man in the photos with your father. David Galinsky. The photos seem to have been taken about a month before your father’s death. I think your father was meeting with him to buy stock in Sonus Corp.” I find myself holding my breath.
“David is one of the chairmen on a board that specializes in sound frequencies,” she says. I’m pretty sure that now I am not breathing at all.
“Did you say, sound frequency?” I ask, dumbfounded.
“Yeah. I’m not super clear on what they do specifically, but it seems pretty regulation for a company like Sonus,” she clarifies.
“Mhm,” I say, contemplating her statement. My secret board theory seems a lot more plausible now. I wonder if David was a part of that. Even more so, I wonder if my father was also a part of it.
“Anyways, your father was known to provide inside information on dirty cops, lawyers, and pretty much anyone with something that could be used as blackmail.” She pauses.
“Sloane, this is what I meant when I said you shouldn’t dig into this if you don’t want to find out things about your father that might not sit well. ”
“It’s fine. I want to know,” I say, hoping she will give me more.
“I think your father had something dark on David, and was offering him silence for a spot on the board at Sonus. Your father was always trying to get in on the companies that he thought might be taking off and proving to be lucrative.” I take in her words. All of it seems plausible.
“Maybe so,” I say. “Um, is there any way I could maybe speak to David?” I ask.
“Absolutely not, Sloane. That man is probably dangerous. And Sonus is pretty tight-lipped when it comes to interviews. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think you should let it rest.” She sounds concerned, and I believe that she truly is.
I sigh. “Okay, Elle. I will. Let me know if you find anything else out, though. Please.”
“Of course. Take care, Sloane.” She hangs up.
I stare at my phone and then at the office door. I can’t let this go, and I know one person who can give me answers. I run back inside to tell Alex that I’m heading into the field for the rest of the day, and then I get in my car and head toward the redwoods on the outskirts of town.
I pull up to Van’s house, get out of my car, and head straight for his front door before I lose the nerve.
I stand there for a few seconds, considering whether this is a terrible idea.
Then, I remember the last time I was running out of this door.
I look around, eyeing the forest as memories of what happened inside of them resurface.
The door opens, and my head snaps in the direction of Van. He’s wearing his off-stage mask, a black V-neck tee, and a black pair of jogger pants. I’m beginning to wonder if he owns any other type of clothing.
“Sloane?” he questions. “What are you doing here?” There’s unease in his voice.
“Someone took the photos.” I look away, still pissed off at him about them. “And I need you to tell me everything you know about David Galinsky.”