AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Even better.”
Chapter 33
Avery
It’sbeenaweeksince I asked Duke to move in with me, and ever since, it’s been absolute bliss. We wake up in each other’s arms before getting ready for the day. We spend time working around the house, and I do work stuff if I need to. We eat dinner, play with the dog, and finally, fall into bed where we have sex until we fall asleep.
It’s perfect. Every day, we get to know each other a little bit more, and everything that I learn makes me love him even more. I’m crazy about him, and I can’t seem to get enough.
This is the first time I’ve been alone all week since he has therapy, and then, he was going to stop by his mom’s. The last part shocked me to no end. But I guess she called and said she had something for him.
I finally finished painting the living room and have moved onto the hallway. I’m listening to a podcast on my phone until I hear George start barking. Duke is coming home a little earlier than I expected.
When I walk to the front door, I see a man in a dark suit walking around the front yard.
Opening the door just a little, I call, “Can I help you?”
He turns around and gives me a slight smile. “Hi, there. I’m looking for Samuel Avery.”
This man using my father’s real name takes me back a little. “Why are you looking for him?”
“He and I used to work together a long time ago. I remember him saying he lived here, and I just wanted to stop by and see him.”
A sense of confusion hits me because I can’t imagine my very secretive father telling anyone where he lived.
“Samuel actually passed away,” I tell him, hoping he will go away.
Unfortunately for me, he takes a few steps closer to the porch. “Well, I’m so sorry to hear that. How did you know him?”
“I didn’t. I just bought the house,” I lie.
“Really?” He asks, moving closer. “Because you look just like him. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were his daughter.”
Dread washes over me as I realize this guy is more foe than friend. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I try to type out a message to Duke without making it obvious.
“So, are you his daughter?” He asks.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I answer, “Yes.”
“Do you know if your father left anything behind? Maybe some paperwork somewhere?”
“No, nothing.”
“Mind if I come in and take a look?”
“I do actually,” I tell him. “I’m waiting for my husband to get out of the shower, and then we are going out to dinner.”
“Husband, huh?” He asks, looking around. “Doesn’t look like there’s anyone else here.”
“There is. Like I said, he’s in the shower.” I try to speak confidently, but I can tell that the man doesn’t believe me. “What did you say your name was?”
His eyes go dark. “I didn’t.” He walks toward the door. I fumble with the lock, but before I can flip it closed on the screen, the man busts through the door.
“What the hell are you doing?” I ask. “My dad’s dead. I don’t know what more you want.”
“Your dad did a whole lot of digging on me back in the day. I tried to handle the problem, but clearly, it didn’t stick. Now, I need to know exactly what he knew and who he told.”
He stalks toward me, and my heart races. I pray that Duke gets my message, but I know if he’s in therapy, he won’t look at his phone until he’s done.
