Page 39 of Unraveled Love

“Do you know the names Benjamin Banks or Ronald Bancroft?”

Bancroft.It sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

“I’m not sure,” I said slowly. “Bancroft sounds familiar, sort of, but I can’t place it. Why?”

“Because Bancroft is Johannsen’s attorney, and for some reason, this Banks guy, who’s a senator in North Carolina, is helping fund the defense, we think.”

“A senator?” I had been right earlier. My head continued to spin. “I don’t…I don’t get it.”

“Neither do I fully, but since I don’t want you alone, and I’m not even sure it’s safe to have you moving around, they’re all going to come here. Now, Bancroft—what is it that sounds familiar? Did your dad ever mention him?”

“No.” I racked my brain. It sat on the tip of my tongue, but the longer I tried to figure it out, the more I lost it. “I don’t know. I can’t…” I trailed off and shrugged. “Maybe I’m wrong. I just…I don’t know.”

“It’s okay. Maybe when we’re all here together, something will click if you know him.”

Like I’d wait. If I knew someone else connected to this, I’d rack my brain until I could figure it out.

* * *

Shawn had leftto go shower upstairs, and outside the back window, Cort’s shadow passed by as he took a walk around the house. With a fresh glass of wine in hand, I curled into a corner of the couch and called Jillian. I’d promised her I’d check in every day, and since there was time before the dinner Shawn had ordered would arrive and I was still trying to figure out why the name Bancroft sounded familiar, I gave her a call.

Jillian answered on the first ring. “Hey there, how’s everything going?”

“Not great,” I replied with a heavy sigh. “I’m okay, though, so I don’t want you worrying.”

She made atut-tutsound. “Silly girl. I’ll be worried about you until I know you’re safe. What’s up?”

I longed for the days when I could talk to Jillian and we’d laugh about her job, discuss the famous athletes she met, or chitchat about what we were doing that weekend. If only this was that kind of call. “Does the name Bancroft ring any bells for you? Roger Bancroft?”

“No, not at all. Why?”

I filled her in on what Shawn had told me.

“Banks?” She gasped. “He’s involved in this? That’s insane, Addi. He’s always seemed like such a great guy. Crazy hot, too.” She laughed. “I’ve never heard those rumors about him, either.”

I didn’t find any of this funny. “I tend to trust the intelligence Charlie’s gathering. She hasn’t been wrong yet.”

“No, of course—I didn’t mean to blow it off. I mean, I’ve met the guy once or twice, at some events we have with clients. I’m surprised, that’s all. But Bancroft?” Goddammit, why was that name ringing a bell in my brain? “Still nothing, I swear. But I’ll let you know if I think of anything.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it. Anything else new with Klaus or work?”

She told me about Klaus’s season, how the Carolina Ice Kings were having an incredible year and leading the league. He was in Vancouver on an away series and wouldn’t be back for a week, and when I told her how that worried me, she didn’t hesitate to make me feel better.

“If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll call Gigi. Her husband, Sebastian, is on the team. I can always go stay with her for a few days.”

“I know it’s stupid and I could be overreacting, but I just hate knowing Daniel is hiding and you’re the only one who connects us.”

“I get it. I’ll call Gigi as soon as we get off the phone, okay?”

Tears welled in my eyes. She was such a good friend. I just wanted to make sure she was safe. “I’m so sorry. I hate that I don’t know what’s going on, but I just feel like with this new information and Shawn’s concern—”

“It’s okay, Addi.” Her tone turned soothing. A part of me wanted to tell her it was no big deal and I was just being overdramatic, but there was something in the pit of my stomach. Maybe it was the frustration of the name. Maybe it was my general fear. Whatever it was, my gut said something wasn’t right. “I don’t mind. If it helps you feel better, I can do this. Spending a few days with Gigi is no hardship.”

“Okay. Thank you. And I’ll let you know if something happens.”

“Just stay safe.”

“Thanks. You too.”

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