Page 6 of Man of the Year

Cara’s words ring in my ears.“He’s my jackpot.”

And possibly a predator, I add silently.

THREE

NATALIE

“Wow, so smitten you don’t even want your coffee?”

The voice pulls me out of my stupor. Mr. Handsome is smiling at me, his eyes shifting from the magazine cover to me as I take the coffee from him.

He tips his chin at the cover. “You into cryptocurrency?”

“No, no,” I respond.

I want to say that the man on the cover might have something to do with poisoning my best friend and possibly other women, but I hold my tongue. My heart starts pounding as my hand slides into my purse to search for my phone—I need to call the detective.

“My boss,” Nick says.

“Huh?” I freeze, staring at him with a momentary shock.

His eyes motion toward the magazine cover. “That’s my boss,” he repeats with pride.

I knew he had something to do with the über-rich. “No way,” I blurt out.

“Yeah. I’m his personal driver.”

Oh.So, not a banker, after all.

“Must be nice,” I say, shoving the magazine back onto the stand, intending to research the Man of the Year online as soon as I get home.

“Nice what?” Nick’s brows draw together.

Driver or not, Nick must be making big bucks, judging by his crisp outfit and polished shoes.

“Working for a millionaire,” I say. “Pays well?”

Nick chuckles. “I guess. He’s a good guy. Filthy rich, too.”

The last words turn my thoughts by 180 degrees.

There’s one thing that history has proven—the rich often get away with their crimes. Mr. Crypto-King-Rosenberg probably has enough funds to bribe the police and the entire justice system. Me calling the detective won’t change a thing. Absolutely nothing will come out of it. Except—the thought sends shivers down my spine—I might end up just like Cara.

Right away, doubt creeps into my head. Why would a guy who is rich and famous, who is on the cover of a magazine, take a girl home and pump her with drugs, then let her go? According to the doctors, Cara had no signs of physical or sexual assault, not even a scratch. And that makes me wonder if this man on the cover has anything to do with it at all.

“Is the good guy hiring?” I joke without thinking, not sure why I even said that.

“No.” Nick chuckles, but his expression instantly changes, as if a lightbulb has gone off in his head. “You know what? What job were you interviewing for?”

A bartender, I almost say, though I have a degree in economics, but that doesn’t pay the bills too well these days.

“Why?” I ask instead, so as not to give away too much.

“My boss is having a business party this weekend. With catering services and all that stuff. But one of his housekeepers is on emergency leave.”

Nick scrunches up his face in what looks like pity.

Oh, wow.So he thinks I’m looking forthattype of job.

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