Page 31 of Counterfeit Connection

“Like I just said, this could be messy, and part of me is concerned with the fact she may feel like an escort,” I admit.

“Are you paying her for sex?”

“Never. I don’t pay for sex, and I’d never assume or pressure her into that.”

“Then I don’t see an issue here. You met a woman, told her your situation, she came up with a solution she is willing to contribute to, and she’s comfortable with it. The biggest concern of mine would be your old man finding out.”

I wave him off. “That won’t happen, but if it does, it’ll be too late. I’ll have controlling stake in Orion, and there won’t be anything he can do about it.”

I just hope it’s as easy as I am making it sound.

Chapter 10

Kaitlyn

Katarina was an absolute chatterbox on the drive home. I had too many thoughts to add to any conversation, so letting her roll with it was fine by me. She got close to giving me finite details of Tobias and their escapades. That was the only time I spoke up to say, “Less is more.” It was also nice to see her so excited about a man. It’s pretty few and far between. She doesn’t like to let people in, so he must have some kind of voodoo magic going on.

Kat tried to pry about Griffin. I gave her enough to be satisfied, but not more than he’d be comfortable having me share. I can’t remember a time, not even with Martin, when things got so emotionally raw so fast. Even in the quiet of my apartment, my brain is making things way louder than I can stand. I have to choose my next move wisely.

I promised to only tell one person what I am considering, and likely doing. Kat would be all, “Fuck yeah, do that thing.” I need someone to have the opposing view, even if that means opening myself up for the third degree and psychoanalysis. After a shower, a big breakfast, and a much-needed nap, I call the only person who I feel I can trust to tell it like it is.

“Hello?” my sister says on the other end of the phone. “Ouch! That’s my hair, Joseph.”

I laugh. “Still enjoying pulling things, I see?”

“Everything he can get his hands on.” She sighs. “Okay, I have my coffee, my toast, my phone. Where’s my phone?”

“Probably in your hand.”

She’s silent for a moment then giggles. “Oh. You’re right. I swear, lately, I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached to my body.”

“I know the feeling.” I curl up in my favorite, plush chair by the window in my living room. “Do you have a minute to talk about something?”

“I’ve got all the time in the world for you, you know that. What’s up?”

“Actually, first I have something to ask. Do you think Jason would do a huge favor for me without asking any questions about it? Like nothing.”

To this, she actually scoffs and laughs. “Probably not. Do you know who you’re talking about here? That man worries about worrying. What’s going on, Pixie?”

Ugh. “You’re probably not going to be calling me that in about two seconds.” I close my eyes and say the next phrase so fast I hope she’ll only partially hear it. “Would he run a dossier on someone for me?” The silence on the other end of the line is deafening. “Gilly? Are you still there?”

“Kaitlyn…what kind of trouble are you in?”

I sigh. “I’m not in any trouble, per se.”

“Per se. That’s code for you’re hip deep in s.h.i.t.”

“Spelling the swears in front of my nephew already? Nice.”

“Do not change the subject on me.”

“Jesus, you sound like Mom.”

“Sounds like you need it. Tell me right now before I go get Jason to take over the interrogation.”

“Calm down. God. I called for advice not for being scolded like a five-year-old.”

I nearly consider hanging up the phone until I hear Gillian take a deep breath and start over. “Okay. If you’re not in trouble, is this for a case?”

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