Page 157 of Blind Prophet

The Chinese national went missing months ago.

“Word on the street is he went golfing. Should be home before the new year.”

They both exchange knowing smiles, and Dorian, ever mindful of all of those surrounding him, directs a question to Ava. “And how has the year been for you? I understand you opened up a new rehabilitation center? One in Arizona?”

“Yes.” Ava beams. She runs a successful nonprofit drug rehabilitation center with a focus on transition from rehabilitation into society. “And I must thank you for your donation.”

I expect to see surprise on Dorian’s face, as he employs someone on staff who manages his charitable trust, but that’s not what I see. No, what I see is gracious acknowledgment, and a shared understanding passes between Dorian and Jack.

Sophia sees me across the room and approaches with a smile. “Dad, you’re supposed to greet the guests. Not monopolize them.” She takes my arm to pull me away, then, as if spotting Dorian for the first time, says, “Dorian, it’s good to see you.”

“Is it?”

My gaze darts to him, but I relax when I see his soft smile. She’s my friend, and while she led the charge in placing him on a person of interest list, he doesn’t hold it against her. After all, if she hadn’t given me a reason, I might never have shown up at his gate. He’s brokering a truce and finding ground for friendship.

“It’s definitely good to see you,” she says. “Come with me. Let’s get you both drinks.”

As we step away, Ryan and Trevor join Jack, and Dorian squeezes my hand, saying, “I’ll catch up with you.”

He wishes to speak with the bosses. Of course, he does. There may be more to discuss. He may be hoping for more information. Geoffrey Cromwell remains in custody on kidnapping charges, but they’ve been working on getting information from him all week. The investigation is far from over.

“So…” Sophia says the second we’re out of earshot.

“So,” I counter.

“You’re back with him? It’s a done deal?”

“We’re taking it…” I bite back the overly simplistic, taking-it-slow description. “We’re being intentional.”

“You ready for DC?” She’s challenging me. That’s fair. She’s a good friend.

“He’s not pursuing a political career.”

She’s skeptical, but instead of voicing her doubts, she raises one eyebrow and smirks.

“He knows that’s not the life I want. I’ve pushed him on it, actually, but no, he’s insistent on staying away from politics.”

“Good. I’m glad he’s accepted that’s not the life you want.” Before, it wasn’t that he didn’t accept that I didn’t flourish in the spotlight, he just didn’t know what to do about it. At the time, leaving New York didn’t feel like an option. “Are children on the horizon? Is that the life you want?”

“One day.” I breathe deeply to steady myself. A month ago, I was dating other men. I need to give myself time. “Getting pregnant in our first month, even our first year back together, has bad idea written all over it. We need to find our grounding. I need to figure out how to be with him without something as unsettling as a child in the mix. Does that make sense?”

“It does. Children are…” Her eyes widen for dramatic emphasis. “Yeah.”

“Are you and Fisher?”

“Not yet. But it’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

“Didn’t you tell me one night years ago that you didn’t want kids?”

“Things change.”

“While it’s just us…does it bother you at all that there’s no investigation into Liam Sullivan?”

I don’t call him her uncle, as I know that she’s not particularly close to him. Liam has a son, her cousin she hasn’t spoken to in years, who is constantly in and out of the tabloids. Her cousin lives in Los Angeles, and Liam lives in Houston, and neither of those cities are ones she travels to regularly. She’s spent more time abroad than anywhere in recent years.

“I don’t think he broke any laws.” She slows her steps and looks at me. “He was played. That’s all.”

“Perhaps, but everyone in the defense industry will gain from the renewed defense priorities. I can’t help but think it’s worth investigating.”

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