Page 45 of Breathless
“But I’d need to ask first. I wouldn’t want to assume Kenneally would say or do anything without hearing it from the man himself,” Rawlins said. “Why?”
“We get along so well. Don’t you agree?”
“We do,” he said, pressing his key fob to unlock the door. He opened it and she got inside and closed the door behind her as he ran around to his side. They drove back to her condo making plans on what they were going to do for the rest of the day. Deciding whether they needed to do any grocery shopping while they were out or not.
Rawlins decided he’d run out later if they needed anything since he didn’t want Chaney to overdo it on her first day out after surgery and she was grateful.
“I am feeling a little tired,” she agreed. “I didn’t realize therapy and eating would drain me so much.”
“It’s the excitement of seeing Justus and the frenzy of discussing all that emotional stuff with Dr. Saunders,” Rawlins explained. “That is what has zapped you of energy.”
“I guess you’re right. I’ll feel better after a nap,” she mused.
“I see a pattern forming. A nap a day makes Chaney a glowing girl,” he teased.
“Absolutely,” she said. “Absolutely.”
Somewhere across town…
Leland Warshafsky picked up his cell phone and saw thatFelty’sassociate, juniorpartner,TateLandrywas calling him. He almost dreaded answering his phone, but he swiped anyway.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Warshafsky.It’sTate Landry. I have bad news, sir. One of your associates, DrakeMinchin,hasbeen arrestedfor attempted dognapping.I’llbe representinghim at arraignment if you can post the bail.”
It seemed hedidn’thave one man on his payroll these days who could keep himself from being locked up.
“What the hell? Have my men gone crazy?”Leland shouted into the phone.“Whose dog was he trying to steal?”
“Justus Killion’s.”
“Really? Did he get her address?”
“Afraid not. Other than getting fingerprinted and booked, he has little else to show for his endeavor.”
Damn.
“Call me back when you know the amountandwe’llget him released. I should let him rot in there for failing miserably.”
“Y–Yes, sir,” Landry said. “I’ll be in touch.”
Leland threw his phone across the Chieftain, cursing. He turned over the plush chairs and kicked the cushions as he saw red. Then he ran his fingers through his neatly combed hair, growling in frustration. Why was this happening? Where had things started falling apart?He’dbeen in this business for years without any trouble until recently. Who was the weak link in his operation? He needed to find that piece and pluck it out before his corner of the operation collapsed.
He’dbe damned if he was going to be known as the brother in the Four Corners of this southwest human trafficking ring where things fell apart.He’dnot let whoever was doing this makeColorado’sbranch the tenuous member while Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico thrived. If hewasn’tafraid of drawing attention to his location,he’dreach out to his brethren for assistancein ferreting outthe culprit. But what if he brought them down with him? Hecouldn’trisk that. Not until he knew for sure his inner circle was secure.
CHAPTER 11
Two days later…
Chaney was getting ready for bed after her first day back at The Village and she was tired when she heard a text message pinging on her phone. She picked it up and swiped to read.
Rafferty kissed me tonight. I’m in heaven.
“I don’t believe it!” she squealed.
What??? How? Tell me more.Chaney wrote back.
We were out under the stars talking and it happened. Perfection.
