Page 57 of Stolen Sun

“We aren’t going to lay a finger on the pregnant girl, Zander. I just want to know who’s paying the bills now that she’s not working. I’m sending someone to watch the apartment. You and I have other shit to do."

I peel out of the parking lot and call Isaiah.

“Hey, Dec, your old man is fucking awesome with this shit,” he answers cheerfully.

“So I hear,” I answer. “Has Conner come by to see you yet?”

“Yep. Yesterday. I signed everything, and it was exactly what you thought. When is this all gonna blow?” He asks.

“Soon,” I say and hang up.

Chapter fifteen

Noel

Grant closed the blinds to his office as soon as I showed up with tears in my eyes. Now we sit in silence as I try to process that it’s all true.

“Noel, I’m sorry,” he offers after several minutes.

“What’s on this?” I ask, holding up the USB drive that I grabbed off the table when the commotion started last night.

He shakes his head. “I don’t know what is on that drive, sweetheart.”

“What does Isaiah and his club have to do with me?” I ask, trying to get some answers.

“Isaiah wanted money that his father couldn’t touch, so Nate put the account in his name. Isaiah probably doesn’t even realize it’s in your name now,” Grant speculates.

I nod my understanding and get up to leave. “What does Jaclyn mean by wanting justice?” I ask.

“Noel, do not meet that woman alone and don’t open that file. Whatever it is can’t be good,” he warns. “In fact, let me handle Jaclyn myself. She is a grieving mother grasping at straws to blame someone for her pain.”

“No, I need to know,” I say solemnly.

“Call me naive and perhaps blinded by love, but I do not believe my son would’ve done anything to hurt you,” he says, but his face says otherwise.

He and I both know the facts don’t support that assumption.

“I’ll be in touch either way.” I stand to leave.

He hands me a business card before hugging me goodbye. “Call him anytime should you find yourself in need. I’ll let him know to be on standby for you.”

“Thank you,” I say, taking the card and leaving his office.

Once inside my car on the private level of Grant Holdings parking garage, I pull my cell out to send Kate a message.

I'm coming to stay for a few nights.

My phone chimes as soon as I back out of my parking spot.

Yay!!

I smile, thankful for her more than ever today. I’m sure to watch my mirrors the entire way to her house to be sure no one is following.

Parking inside her garage, I hide the USB drive inside my glove box and get out of the car. The door in the garage opens into a mud room off of her kitchen, which is where I find her waiting for me with a glass of wine.

“Oh, you are an angel,” I moan, taking the glass from her.

She laughs and follows me into her living room where I plop down into an oversized chair and tuck my feet underneath me.

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