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He doesn’t miss a beat, even as his lips twitch. “I havenoidea what you’re referencing, Miss Caputo.”
Twisting about in his seat, he’s regained his composure as he passes me a sealed envelope with a now familiar scrawl on the outside.
“Vaughn asked that you read this before you go about your business today.”
And with that, he’s ushering me up out of my seat, unceremoniously escorting me from the room before leading me back through the maze we’d taken to get here. Once we’re back outside the elevator door leading to the living quarters, he stops, turning to face me with a black pager in his hand.
“Send 123 on this pager regarding your stay here, your security, or if you have any questions about the ongoing investigation by the South Brook P.D.” His piercing blue eyes harden as he pauses, his brows furrowing with intent. “And 911 in case of emergency. You’re not alone.”
I take the proffered device from his outstretched hand with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Ford. That’s very kind of you.”
The cowboy straightens his shoulders and, with a sharp nod, turns and strides back the way we’d come.
I rip open the envelope and pluck a small white card from inside.
Do not leave the premises unless accompanied by Ford.
You may use the key to access the office opposite mine.
You’re welcome.
My brow furrows as I drop an old-fashioned metal key into my hand.
You’re welcome?
I clench the key in my fist before shoving it into my back pocket. If that fucking jerk thinks he’s going to be thanked for allowing me to stay here during the investigation, then he’s got another thing coming.
* * *
VAUGHN
I rub my neck with a yawn as I listen to Randolf, one of the day managers, bemoan the state of the main bar inRapture. I really should be paying attention, but following my night attempting to sleep on my office couch instead of the comfort of my own damn bed, I’m really not in the mood for his shit.
I follow him toward the subject of our one-sided conversation despite the mountain of work I have waiting for me upstairs as he continues to drone on.
“And that’s not even the half of it, Mr. Burton. If you look here—”
Randolf’s words halt suddenly, and I follow the direction of his stunned gaze, my mild irritation rapidly turning to pure annoyance.
The reason for my horrible sleep is standing behind the bar in question instead of the designated space I’d painstakingly organized last night following some digging.
“Show me again!” Her laughing demand to a grinning Jules echoes across the entire floor, setting my teeth on edge. Then he grabs a liquor bottle from the bar and tosses it with his right hand in a shadow pass behind his head to catch it with his left hand.
Her giggle fills my ears, and my cock springs to life.
Fucker!
I swiftly adjust myself, the need for the action making anger swell in the pit of my stomach, and I cross the space with nothing short of venom painted all over my face.
“Jules!”
My bark makes him fumble the bottle, barely catching it before it meets the floor. Once he’s carefully placed it on the bar, his bewildered eyes meet my reproachful ones.
“Yes, boss?”
“There’s an…” My eyes flit toher—the bane of my existence, sent here to drive me crazy—mindful of what is said in her presence regardingRavish, and I rephrase my sentence as I look back to Jules. “There’s aneventthis evening, and I will require your presence. Go! Get some rest.”
He nods dutifully toward me, then apologetically toward her before turning on his heel and exitingRapture.
