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“He won’t say anything so don’t worry. He’s too busy looking for a way out of his own marital maze.”
“But I’m curious, after four years and with billions at his disposal, how is it that he still hasn’t found Carmen?”
He shrugs, a twinkle appearing in his eyes. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be found.”
“Wow. The plot thickens.”
His silence is confirmation that he knows more about Carmen Fairchild’s disappearance than he’s letting on.
“Ryan?” I prod.
“What, you think I’m hiding treasure here, Stella?” His tone is defensive, but his eyes are twinkling with...something.
“Holy shit, Ryan, you know where she is, don’t you?”
He gives me nothing but a silent stare in response.
“Oh, I get it. This is one of those ‘say nothing’ situations. I wonder, do you try it on Xavier and your other friends too?”
“No, they’d just think it’s some weird shit. But you’re a Fairchild, you understand.”
His words warm me, but I continue to press. “So, are you ever going to tell him?”
“And why the hell would I do that?”
“But if she remains missing for another couple of years, she would be ruled as dead, and then he’s free to re-marry.”
“Yes, but you do know–” Ryan begins.
I interject, “Oh shit! Unless there’s a credible witness or a body, company policy doesn’t accept that the spouse is dead.”
So unless Don Fairchild finds his wife, alive or dead, he can’t get back what he lost.
“Why Mrs. Fairchild, you never cease to impress me with your knowledge of these ancient policies.”
I wave off his teasing. “Ryan, I think you may just be the great white among those sharks.”
“Nah, that title belongs to Leanne.”
“No, it’s you. You’re the apex predator that no one sees coming.”
He gives me a look that’s half admonishment, half amusement. “Let’s not overdramatize. Come here,” he says, pulling me into a hug.
As if on cue, and perhaps because the musicians see us swaying together as we speak, a string quartet begins playing in the background.
“By the way, speaking of unforeseen disasters, if you’re ever in trouble and I’m not there, Alex Price is your man. I’ll send you his details.”
My eyebrows furrow, I’m not sure who Alex is. “The guy who had the big wedding in Cancun? He has a liquor company, doesn’t he?
Ryan laughs. “Yes, but he’s also very good at making problems…and people disappear.”
My eyes widen when I get his meaning. “Carmen? He arranged it didn’t he?”
He only inclines his head, again not saying anything more. But he doesn’t have to. I already know. And plan how to drag every juicy detail out of him.
I lose track of time as we stand there, my arms around his neck and his face buried in the crook of my neck. We continue talking and laughing, unaware—or perhaps indifferent—to the curious glances thrown our way by the entire Fairchild clan.
Chapter Twenty-Three
