Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Hayes walked over to where Sondra was sitting. She was typing furiously on her phone but she put it down, turning it over as he sat.
She shot him a searching look. “You remember that you’re my bodyguard.”
Hayes turned to her. “Yeah, I remember my job.”
“Just seems like you spend more time watching that girl than me.”
“I’m not supposed to watch you, I keep an eye on your surroundings to search for any threats.”
“And were you doing that when you were talking to her?”
What the fuck?
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “You got a problem with the job I’m doing?”
Sondra eyed him, looking slightly nervous. Then she sighed and tapped her fingers against the table. “I would prefer not to have a bodyguard at all.”
“Get that it’s a hassle.”
“I don’t think you do. If I tell you something, do you have to tell Alan?”
He thought about that for a moment. “Only if it regards your safety or his, I guess.”
“I want to leave him. He’s . . . not a good person. I’ve stayed with him for years.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Mostly due to the money. But I’ve got . . . other options now, let’s say.”
Right.
So reading between the lines, she was having an affair. No wonder having him follow her around was cramping her lifestyle.
“How long you been having an affair?” he asked bluntly.
She glanced around with a frown. “Do you mind keeping your voice down? I don’t want Alan finding out.”
“Why are you telling me this, Sondra?”
“Because . . . I want to go visit a friend this afternoon.”
Right. Now he understood. She wanted to see her lover this afternoon and she wanted to ensure he wouldn’t tell anyone.
“I’m not going to tell your husband anything. Unless he directly asks me if you’re having an affair.”
She eyed him for a long moment. “I believe you.”
“Thanks,” he replied dryly.
“I know you probably think I’m a terrible person.”
Christ. How had he gotten involved in this conversation? And how could he get himself fucking out of it? Now?
“Don’t think about you at all.” He grimaced after saying that, but it was kind of the truth. Other than guarding her, he really didn’t think much about her.
Although he didn’t want to see her hurt because of her husband.
Sondra didn’t take offense, though. She just eyed him for a long moment. “I think you expend a lot of energy to keep people away. And I think you care more about others than you let on. Especially that girl. Deidre.”
“Devi,” he growled.
“See? Just what I mean.”
“Just because I know her name means nothing.”
“I know I seem like I’m selfish and oblivious, but I’m really not. For years I’ve been stuck in a loveless marriage with a selfish man who cares nothing for me. I just want to be happy without compromising my lifestyle.”
“Right,” he said.
Sondra leaned in and looked around. “Alan isn’t a good man, you know. I understand that it’s your job to protect him, but there are a lot of people he’s pissed off over the years. He defends hardened criminals. Sure, everyone deserves a defense. But it’s strange how many witnesses end up dead or disappearing or changing their statements.”
Holy fuck.
“Are you saying that your husband has something to do with that?”
Sondra shrugged. “I’m not saying anything. I’m just trying to get out with my life intact. You might consider whether this is a job you really want to continue doing.”
“Here are your drinks,” Devi said, walking up with a tired smile. She bent over to set the drinks down and then stood, swaying.
“Devi! Are you all right?” Hayes asked.
“Yep, I’m honky-dory!” she said cheerfully with a look over her shoulder at where her boss was watching her.
“Did he hurt you before? Tell me now,” Hayes said.
“Adam hurt you?” Sondra asked, actually looking concerned.
“Um, his name is Aaron,” Devi said. “And no, he just touched my arm where I already had a bruise.”
“Show me,” he demanded.
“Um, no.”
“Now.”
“Hayes,” she whispered. “Contrary to what you seem to believe you do not get to boss me around!”
Turning, she strode off, then she crashed right into a corner of the bench.
Ouch. That looked like it hurt. Which is probably how she got any bruises she had. She was so clumsy, it was starting to worry him.
Was clumsiness a sign of something else?
“You know, I quite like her,” Sondra said. “She seemed so boring and cheerful when I first met her. But she’s got gumption.”
“Did you know that her brother was a client of your husband’s?”
It was a risk asking her this. She could turn on him and go to Alan. But he now had some leverage on her as well.
Sondra looked genuinely surprised. “Really? How on earth did he afford Alan’s fees? That girl looks so poo. . . um, not wealthy.”