Page 88 of Double Edged Hearts
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cora
James Piedmont gazes at me over the wad of paperwork I handed him. He took over Giles’ position. He’s from New York.
What he’s looking at is everything I found on Matvey, Zack, and Richard and all they got up to.
It’s weird being back in Chicago and in this building, but this is the last time I’ll have to come inside.
Other than meeting Lyndsey for lunch, I won’t be anywhere near here.
“This is impeccable work,” he comments. He looks truly impressed, as he should be. I managed to get the information on the whole syndicate Richard was part of, and people are being questioned and investigated as we speak. The evidence of their crimes is all there for him to see though. I was able to get a lot from Richard’s computer and personal files.
“Thank you.”
“How did you manage to come by all of this?” he asks with a quizzical stare.
I smile, and it’s the first time I’ve felt like myself in years. “I have my ways,” I reply.
“You certainly do. Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay with us? You’d be an asset to the team.”
“Thank you, but I’m going to have to decline.” There, it’s really done now. I’m not part of the Bureau anymore.
I’ve done some good work here, but it’s time to do what I want with my life, and go back to the woman I was before the lie.
Gibbs made me a very interesting offer—join his team but be my own boss. I choose what I do and do what I want. Most of all, I get to just be me.
Gibbs is the kind of PI I want to be. The type that has certain ways of doing things that exist outside the proverbial box. I accepted.
“I respect that. Well, please know that if you ever want a job here, it’s yours. Just give me a call.”
“Thank you.”
We shake hands, then I head out to meet Lyndsey at the coffee shop. She’s already sitting at one of the tables outside.
I told her everything too, but when I did, it was a very emotional conversation because it was her. Like the friend she is, she supported me, and I feel better in my heart.
I know it’s going to take time to truly heal. It’s going to take me a while before I’m able to accept all that happened and unravel the lies Richard told.
What I decided to do was to focus on my happiness. All the things that I remember that made me happy, all the love my parents showed me. I know they would have wanted me to do that, the same way we used to when we were all together.
They both would have loved Alex.
When Lyndsey sees me, she smiles, and I notice the wedding magazine in front of her.
“Yayy, I’m so glad you’re here. Let me see your ring again,” she bubbles, and I hold out my hand to show her the beautiful engagement ring Alex gave me last week. It’s a beautiful oval cut diamond ring that I can’t stop looking at.
The man wasn’t joking when he said he was going to put a ring on my finger one day. The day just came sooner than I thought, and I couldn’t have been happier when he did it. We went to the secret garden and he proposed.
“I love it,” she says and claps.
“Thank you. You know I love yours too,” I say. While we were away Owen proposed to her so we both have exciting news to share.
“God, look at us, crazy together and engaged.” She laughs.
“I know.”
“I’m going to miss you at work though. It won’t be the same without you, but this is better.” She nods. “We can talk wedding plans.”
“And do wedding shopping.”
“We sure can. I have a feeling our lives are about to change for the better.” She draws in a breath and has that look of contentment in her eyes.
I have the same feeling inside me too. It comes from true love and happiness.
“Me too,” I answer with a firm nod.
I can’t wait to see what my life will be like with Alex.
I already know it’s going to be everything I dreamed of.
