Page 82 of Bling

“Thanks, Cat. Do you need anything? I have to talk to someone about this?”

Catarina shook her head. “I’m good, Aunt Izzy. I think Sarah needs a note signed. It’s on the kitchen counter.”

Isabelle kissed her niece on the cheek and hurried to her room to call Garrett.

“I thought I told you to take a nap,” he chided instead of saying hello.

“I was going to, but my niece ambushed me as I was coming up the stairs. I’m sending you a link. She asked me what Solitaire is and showed me a blog post speculating about who I am and whether or not you and I are members.”

“God fucking damn it,” Garrett swore. “Send it to me, please. I need to call Eli.”

He ended the call without waiting for her to acknowledge the command and she scowled at her phone.

Twenty minutes later, her phone rang. It was Garrett.

“When can you be ready to go to my hotel?”

“I told Jeff I would be ready at four forty-five.”

“That’s not what I asked, Isabelle. I asked how soon you can be ready.”

She cleared her throat. “I know you’re dealing with a lot right now, but please don’t hang up on me or snap at me if I don’t deserve it, Sir.” She winced, waiting for him to scold her.

Instead, he laughed, a low chuckle that sent a little chill down her spine. “I do love your boldness, Doll. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. I can be ready in ten minutes.”

“Good. I’ll be along to pick you up shortly. Eli is calling an emergency board meeting and you need to sit in on it.”

“Why the emergency? It’s just a reporter speculating, isn’t it?”

“We honestly don’t know, Doll. But we’re talking about the privacy and safety of hundreds of members, many of whom have a lot to lose if they get outed. We have to be careful and stay on top of this.”

“I’m heading back downstairs to wait on you, now.”

“Good girl. I’m sorry your niece is the one who alerted you to this. What did you tell her?”

“I just said I couldn’t talk about it.”

“I’m in your driveway.”

As she passed through the living room, her father stopped her.

“You seem rushed. Is everything OK?”

“I’m fine. Mr. Oliver just needs me back at work.”

He cocked his head to one side. “Come now, Isabelle. You don’t have to pretend around me. I’m sure you don’t call him Mr. Oliver.”

She stifled a smirk as she wondered what her father would say if she told him he preferred Sir.

“I have to go, Daddy. I love you. I’m working at the hotel tonight too. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She kissed his cheek and stepped outside where Garrett leaned against the car with his phone to his ear.

He looked up and gave her a half smile when she approached.

“I have to go. I’ll be at my hotel in twenty minutes. We can start the meeting as soon as I’m settled.”

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