Page 34 of Stolen Sun

Regardless of the reason I got so caught up, I can’t stop playing it on repeat in my head. I’ve tried to strike up a conversation multiple times on this drive home, but my mind circles right back to how good he felt literally everywhere. As soon as I get home, I’m showering and going straight to bed with my vibrator. I need a clear head to keep this thing, whatever thisthingis, from moving too fast.

My phone chimes in my bag at my feet, and I jump to find it. It’s past midnight. Anyone trying to reach me at this time of night must have a good reason.

When I see it’s an alert from my home security system,my stomach sinks.

“Everything alright?”

I turn to face him. “I’m not sure. I had a notification from 8:30 that my security system was disabled. I didn’t see it until now. The alert just now was the notification of it being turned back on.”

I stare back down at my phone trying to process how that could be.

“Does anyone else have the code? Family members? Kate?” He asks, trying to find a simple explanation.

I shake my head. “I only just installed the system about a month after Nate passed away. My father-in-law insisted. He said that people in their line of work may find me to be an easy target knowing I would be home alone.”

Suddenly, I feel panic rising through my body.

“Oh, God. I had to sign papers earlier this week for the Grant Holdings Board of Trustees. Do you think someone would come after me if they didn’t agree with my votes?”

Declan must’ve dialed someone on his cell because his phone is ringing through the truck’s bluetooth system.

“Boss?” A man answers.

“I need you and two others to go to this address. Check every inch,” Declan orders. “You ready?”

“Go ahead.”

“617 Rosewood Drive. The security code is…,” he looks over at me to continue.

“052921,” I say to the stranger on the phone.

“Do you have cameras?” Declan asks.

“Yes, but they’re on a separate system. Grant said I needed to use older systems without the internet,”I'm becoming more freaked out by the second.

“Call you back.” The line goes dead.

“Walk me through the votes you mentioned.”

I can see his jaw clenching as he listens to the details of my owning a percentage of Grant Holdings and the four votes I signed based on Grant’s recommendations.

“I also took part ownership of a company that was not attached to Grant Holdings. The Cordeliers Gentlemen’s Club. Grant told me he would help me sell out as soon as it was possible but wouldn’t tell me anything about it. He said it wasn’t one of Nate’s best decisions, and it was best that I didn’t know much about it.”

“Cordeliers, huh?”

“I searched for it and couldn’t find anything. Have you heard of it?”

“Mmhm,” he says, pressing his lips together.

“And?”

“It’s an invitation-only club for men.”

“Okay?” I stare at him waiting for him to connect the dots for me. When he doesn’t give me anything else to work with, I realize he may not want me to know much about this place either. “Are you a member?”

“Fuck no,” he says, offended.

“But you’ve been there, at least?”

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