Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
I smile at his heartfelt words.
He lifts the T-shirt I put on and splays his hand over my stomach. “I can’t believe we made a baby.” He leans down and kisses my belly. “We’re going to work everything out,” he promises.
I don’t know if he’s talking to the baby or to me but either way, Jack settles me in ways I’ve never experienced before. The anxiety, the fear about what Chandler will do, it fades to the background, until it’s manageable when it wasn’t before.
Despite Jack’s support, facing Chandler is something I need to do on my own. It’s my problem, my mess. I’m just glad I have Jack’s support.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jack
I have to pull strings to get a state senator’s phone number. My father asked the owner of the Carolina Panthers if he had an in with Chandler Cross. A few phone calls later and I had what I needed.
Sitting in the office at the club, I stare at the number I input into my phone, aware one conversation won’t fix things for Taylor but at the very least, it will let the senator know she’s no longer in this alone. I’m going to find a way out for her. Starting with putting the man on notice.
I dial and wait as it rings. “Hello, Senator Cross’s office,” a female voice asks.
I narrow my gaze. “I thought this was a direct line to the senator.” At least that’s what my father was told.
“This is April Wells, the senator’s assistant. How can I help you?”
I drum my fingers on my desk. “I’d like to speak to Senator Cross. Tell him it’s regarding Taylor Monroe.”
“Who is this?” she asks, suddenly more curious.
“That’s between me and the senator.” I drum my finger on my desk, growing impatient with the assistant who isn’t putting me through.
“I need a name. Who should I tell him is calling?”
I grip the phone tighter. “Jack Dare.” He doesn’t know my name now, but he will.
“Hold on. I’ll see if he’s available.”
A few seconds later, I hear the sound of papers shuffling, and then, “Hello, this is Senator Cross.”
“Senator, I’m Jack Dare, a friend of Taylor’s.” Friend being a mild word for what she is to me but for a first conversation, it’ll do.
“I’ve been expecting your call, Jack.”
His words take me off guard, but I can’t let him know he’s rattled me. “Interesting.”
“Yes, well, Taylor doesn’t go anywhere or do anything I’m not one hundred percent informed of.”
I curl my free hand into a fist. There is no way Taylor knows the senator has someone keeping an eye on her. Cross might be aware she is in Miami to see me, but he can’t possibly know she’s pregnant with my baby. We’ve done nothing that would reveal something so personal.
“Now what can I do for you?” he asks in that pompous tone he’s had since he picked up the phone.
I rub my hand along the back of my neck, feeling the tension in my muscles. “I’m calling to tell you to leave Taylor alone. Stop threatening her, following her, and blackmailing her into being your arm candy. She’s done.”
He lets out a laugh. “If you know all that, you also know I have the evidence to bury her.”
Damn I wish I’d taped this conversation. I grind my teeth so hard I might break one. “And she has the proof to do the same to you. So let’s call off this whole charade. Go away and let her live her life.”
“How about not? Here’s the thing, Mr. Dare. Your family might be important in Miami, but I’m in Charleston where you want to open a business. I have the ability to make sure you don’t get the permits you desperately need, starting with the liquor license and right down to the paperwork you need to serve food and open your nightclub. So I suggest you be the one to back the hell off.”
“This isn’t finished,” I warn him. But that’s all I’ve got for now.
“It’s been a pleasure talking to you,” he says and disconnects, leaving me with my phone in hand, both furious and frustrated, annoyed with myself for making the call in the first place.
Or not. Because while the senator thinks he has the upper hand, his trust in himself gives me time to figure out the next steps.
I’m doing just that when a brief knock sounds and I look up to see Tristan standing in the doorway. “Hey. Come on in.”
“I heard you from the hall. Everything okay?” he asks.
“Not one fucking bit.” I’m not sure if I made things better or worse with that phone call, but I’m betting on the latter.
Stepping into the room, Tristan takes a seat in front of the desk. “Let’s hear it.”
Before explaining, I wince because what I’m about to say affects not just me but Tristan and Lucas, who isn’t here at the moment or I’d call him in and get it over with all at once.