Page 15 of Blind Prophet

“Ah, she’s not on our list, sir. If she’s a threat, it’s best you?—”

“She’s not a threat.”Jesus fucking Christ.“Keep her there.”

“Yes, sir. Will do.”

A memory surfaces, and my gut cramps.

“Lewis?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Don’t let my father know she’s there. Keep her out of the way, but don’t let her leave. I’m on my way.”

“Certainly.”

I slam the receiver down and charge out the door, cell phone in hand. I don’t bother with my unpacked briefcase.

The room sways.Dammit.

“Jay? Is it ready?”

He’s at the elevator, holding the door for me.

Good man.

“Yes, sir.”

“With a pilot?” I often fly myself, but Jay knows I’m medicated.

“Yes, sir. There’s no meeting on your calendar, sir. Did I overlook?—”

“No.”

The doors slide closed on my disconcerted assistant.

Don’t worry, Jay. This isn’t on you. It’s all on me.

CHAPTER4

CAROLINE

A small guardhouse sits to the left of the gate, just large enough to shelter the attendant. Movable security cameras hang below the roof’s edge on each corner. To the right of the gate, there’s a small two-story stone house. The road into the compound is wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic, but if the process remains the same, vehicles enter here and exit about a half-mile down the road.

When Dorian first brought me here, I thought he’d taken me to a resort. I couldn’t quite grasp that this was his family home, with staff, guesthouses, tennis courts, and an indoor lap pool in the mountains. I’d been awestruck as we weaved our way up the mountain to his father’s mansion.

“Ma’am?”

“Yes?” My lips curl into my friendliest smile.

The guard hadn’t been pleased when the Uber driver pulled away. My fingers grip the suitcase handle, and I can’t seem to look away from the gate, my heart palpitating as if I’ve traveled back in time and am about to meet my boyfriend’s father.

“Please come in. Mr. Moore is on his way.”

I look through the bars, expecting to see a golf cart or an ATV powering down the road.

Will he send staff for me?

What am I thinking? Of course, he’ll send a staff member to fetch me.

---