Page 90 of Paradise & Vodka

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My mouth hung open. "Seriously?"

"Yep."

I thought for a moment. "Do you think he left with his parents so he wouldn't have to pay the kidnappers, and they would still kidnap and kill you, thinking the plan was still the same?"

She gasped. "Oh, my God. Do you think that's what happened?"

"I think the tsunami either sped up things or put a kink in the plan."

"What do you mean?"

"Obviously, none of us could predict a tsunami, but I think once he got the alert, he figured you'd either die by the tidal wave or the kidnappers would do it when they realized they couldn't reach him."

"Are you fucking serious?"

"I mean, we don't know for sure, but it makes sense. I can't picture Douglas getting a scratch on him. He probably thought he was smart, and you'd die either way."

"Why would he want me dead?"

"So he wouldn't have to pay you."

"I'm going to kill him."

"You don't need to since Mother Nature took care of him for you." I chuckled.

"Thank goodness for that."

"Any update on the inheritance, which I can't believe is five million."

"Yes, actually. His attorney called me and said it was being deposited into the account specified by Douglas before his death. I have a meeting with a probate attorney tomorrow to discuss what to do next since I don't know how it all works."

"Keep me updated."

"I will."

"Don't!"

I held up my hands as I walked into Mark's office and grinned. "Don't what?"

"You know."

I laughed and sat in one of the chairs across from his desk. "It's not what you think."

"Really?" He tilted his head to the side. "You didn't fall in love and are quitting?"

"Actually, no."

"No?"

I grunted. "I did fall in love, but I'm not quitting."

Mark's mouth hung open. "Your girl is okay with this line of work?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Not exactly."

He rolled his eyes. "So, you are quitting?"

"I hope I'm not."

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