AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Pick it up.
Set it down.
I’ve been playing this game since I sat down in the cafeteria for my lunch break.
Should I call or text Gage? See if he wants to talk tonight … or give him time before I try to pull all his secrets out?
I’m shoving a bite of salad into my mouth when a voice clears in front of me. My spoon drops into the plastic container, and I have to tilt my head up to see the tall stranger’s face.
I wait for him to speak, and when he does, his words come out smoothly, like a practiced politician.
“Excuse me. I’m sorry to interrupt your meal, but are you Lauren Barnes?”
I swallow down my food before answering, taking in his expensive suit and Rolex watch. “Uh … yes.”
“My name is Robert. I’m Missy Perry’s father.”
“Missy?”
I run the name through my mind. The hospital has been busy, but I try to remember my patients’ names the best I can, and Missy isn’t ringing any bells. And I would’ve remembered this man if he had been in the room with Missy.
“Is she one of my patients?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No, MissyPerry,” he stresses. “Gage Perry’s wife.”
Dizziness rocks through me. “Wife?” I repeat, and it’s my turn to clear my throat. “I, uh … thought they were divorced.”
“My apologies, Miss Barnes.” He doesn’t look sorry. He said it for the shock factor. “His ex-wife.”
This is a black hole I do not want to jump into.
This guy looks like he’s either the head of the mafia, the president, or someone I should be terrified of.
I wipe my mouth with a napkin. “No apology necessary,Missy’s father. Gage’s business is not my business.” That’s a lie, considering I’ve done nothing but persistently ask him to open up, but I’m not going to let Missy’s pompous daddy interrogate me.
He pulls out the chair across from me and sits down.
Looks like I don’t have a choice.
“Do you have a minute?” he asks, clearly ignoring the fact that I’m uncomfortable.
Fuck no.
I look to each side of the cafeteria, trying to catch the eye of someone I know who can save me from this weird situation, but it’s dead. Mafia politician dude was lingering around until the timing was perfect.
He doesn’t wait for my response. “Missy asked that I speak with you.”
“How do you know where I work?” is my first question.
“We hired a private investigator.” He shows no shame in his answer, like it isn’t creepy at all.
“What?” I say, fixing my glare on him. “You’ve had someone following me?”
“Of course not. All he did was find out where you worked and when you’d be here.”
“That’s disturbing and a complete invasion of privacy.”
“Some might think that. I’m only here because my daughter is convinced that Gage has been in contact with you.”
