Page 51 of An Eye For Illusion

Liam sounds indecisive, which is very unlike him. What the hell did Donovan actually say?

“We can, but what’s the harm in letting this play out a little longer? I know we’re under an extremely tight time crunch, but we still have time. Give me a chance to prove I can do this.”

“I don’t doubt your capabilities, Colin. I’m worried we’re going down a dangerous path we won’t be able to come back from.”

His cryptic response only pisses me off more. This is my case. My show to run. He’s never overstepped or tried to interfere with a case before, so why now? Why this one?

“What’s going on here, Liam? This isn’t about Moore or Vinny, is it?”

He’s quiet again and clears his throat before he speaks. “I just need you to keep an eye out. Call me if you see or hear anything that seems off with Donovan, and I’ll handle it.”

Woah. Okay, that wasn’t what I expected at all. What the hell is that supposed to mean? That only raises more questions. That being said, I’ve certainly noticed something off.

Donovan’s withdrawn behavior along with his vague ass response when admitting something was going on both come to mind. I wonder if that has anything to do with this. However, I’m sure as hell not about to rat him out. If there’s a problem, he’ll come to me.

I’m not about to jeopardize this case or my friendship. I just hope like hell he doesn’t screw this whole damn thing up.

“I got it, boss,” I say.

“Good. We’ll talk soon.” He hangs up, and I’m left wondering what is going on with Donovan to warrant a call like that.

And how much do I need to be worried about it?

Chapter 18

Jade

I finally walk in my door after a day from hell. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

I’m really trying to make progress with Heather. I want to do better. I can do better. This morning was an attempt that fell flatter than one of Dad’s pancakes. The rest of the day went to hell in a handbasket when I discovered a surprise waiting for me in my office.

“Good morning, Heather. How was your weekend?”

She lifts her head from the computer screen. Her brows knit together in obvious confusion, which only makes me feel like the biggest piece of shit in the world. Why is it so hard to believe that I would care about her? Or, at the very least, want to make small talk?

She stammers. “F-fine, I guess.”

I stand there, awkwardly waiting for her to say more, but she doesn’t. Her eyes dart to my office door and back to me too many times to count in the short span of time.

Well, then… So much for that.

“Great! That sounds wonderful! I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

Her eyes widen, and a panicked look overtakes her wholesome features. She really is pretty in a way that I could never be. Her eyes are kind and open, where mine are sharp and shrewd.

“Oh, umm… Well, about that... I… You have a visitor this morning. I’m sorry. I told him you weren’t available, but he insisted.”

At first, I think it’s my father, but my father has never made Heather uncomfortable like this. The two of them get along great, and I’ve never been upset when my father pops in at random. That only leaves one of two candidates who is in my office without my knowledge or invitation.

Elliott… or Colin. I ignore how my heart flutters at the thought of it being Colin. Or how my skin prickles at the idea of him being so close.

We haven’t seen or spoken to each other since that night in the hallway outside my penthouse. Heat rushes through me, settling in my middle as the images from that night come rushing back. My excitement right now outweighs the hurt I immediately felt afterwards.

What woman in their right mind would pay that man a lick of attention after what he said? That would be me, I guess, because I find myself full of nervous anticipation as I approach my office door instead of the anger or aggravation I should feel after what he said to me.

Heather stands, rounding her desk as I go to turn the doorknob of my closed office door.

“Ms. Foster.”

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