Page 2 of A Midnight Romance
“And do you know what time it is now?” she presses. “You don’t want to be late again.”
“I do, and like I said, I will be there.”
“You better be. I’ll see you both later this evening.”
I quickly hang up after saying our goodbyes and turn to Sebastian, who’s staring at me.
“I’ve got to go. I forgot about the bimonthly board meeting,” I tell him.
Sebastian folds his arm across his chest. Although he may have stepped away from his role at the company to run the night crew—a group of guys who help with our nighttime activities—we both retain equal ownership. “I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“Yeah, you just like to collect the money,” I spit playfully.
“What can I say? You make better decisions than I could ever have. Besides, this”—he gestures at the body in front of him—“has kept me more than busy.”
“Fair enough.”
“Need anything else before I go?” I ask, slinging my bag over my shoulder as I walk to the door of the motel room we rented for this kill.
“Do I ever?”
Sebastian has been running an efficient and effective night crew since stepping away last year. Which means, I’m left with handling the logistics and overseeing the entire operation. It works well, I must say. And with help of our FBI contact and his hacking skills, we have one hell of a team.
I shake my head at him and let out a laugh. “I’ll see you back at the manor.”
“Have fun with the suits,” he comments.
After a quick once-over of the room, I step out in the crisp morning air. It’s been raining in Seattle over the last few days so there’s a mist in the air from a typical summer night storm.
I make a beeline for my car parked directly under a tree in the back of the lot. Once inside, I quickly remove my black hoodie and shirt, then reach into the back seat to grab my bag. I always carry a backup set of clothes just in case I need to look presentable.
I pull out a white button-up shirt, and after slipping it on I glance down at my black slacks. They still look good and there’re no blood stains on them. After changing into a pair of black shoes, I turn on the engine and head down the windy highway into downtown. It takes a little under an hour to arrive at the Thompson Innovations headquarters, where I pull into my parking spot a few minutes before 7 a.m.
“Good morning, Mr. Thompson,” Tiffany, the blonde receptionist, greets me with a smile when the elevator doors to the second floor open.
I flash her a broad grin and walk around the high counter, stopping only a few inches from her. “What are you doing here this early?”
She bats her eyelashes a few times. “Felix told me you guys had a board meeting this morning, and I didn’t want to give up the chance to see you.”
Tiffany has been with the company for less than a year and has made it her mission to capture my attention each time she sees me.
“I’m flattered,” I say, with a warm smile. I may not be interested in her, but I can’t be disrespectful. “But go get yourself some coffee or breakfast and come back when you have to be here.”
“You’re the best.” Tiffany bends to grab her purse from under the desk. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m okay, but if you could return with donuts for everyone that would be great,” I say, handing her the company card. “Just slide it under my office door when you get back.”
“You got it. Thanks, Mr. Thompson.” She blushes as the elevator door closes.
“She’s got it bad for you,” Felix comments as he walks briskly down the hall toward the lobby.
“Not interested.”
Women vying for my attention is nothing new. Sure, I might be considered one of the most eligible bachelors in Seattle, but I’m not interested in anything romantic.
“Oh, the woes of being River Thompson.” He smirks. “But I’m happily married so I’ll never know what that feels like.”
Before I can say anything back, the sound of his three-year-old daughter yelling my name interrupts our conversation.
