Page 120 of Hollywood Undercover
Clint’s answer was such a matter of fact statement, but resounded with truth. Sebastian had other interests outside of his job. It had just been some time since he gave those interests any attention. Still, right now wasn’t the time for exploring them. Sebastian couldn’t picture doing anything else for a living, and while he still had a chance, he would give his full commitment to getting back in thegame.
“Just remember not to let yourself get too worked up. You don’t know what the verdict will be, and as far as I’m concerned, you have it in you to do what it takes.” Clint paused for a moment. “So how isLexxi?”
“Good. Her father just got released so she was next door earlier.” Clint was aware of the time Alexandra had spent with Bash the past fewdays.
“Good to hear. I’m sure glad the two of you came to your senses, especially now. All that’s going on with your injury has to be a lot easier now that you don’t have to go through italone.”
“True…but—” A knock at Sebastian’s door interrupted his answer. “Hang on a second, Clint. Someone’s at thedoor.”
The doorbell rang next. Whoever it was, they were persistent. Sebastian walked down the hallway with the cordless phone, and saw a man he didn’t immediately recognize through the stained glass windows of the front door. The stranger was dressed in a sharp suit. Sebastian wasn’t expecting any visitors, and assumed it may have been someone from the insurance company wanting to discuss his workers compensationcase.
“I’ll have to call you back, Clint,” hesaid.
“No problem, buddy. Take iteasy.”
He hung up and opened thedoor.
“Good afternoon,” Sebastian said. The man didn’t reply. Looking at him up close, he seemed vaguely familiar. “Can I help you withsomething?”
Mr. Suit took off his designer shades and gave Sebastian a slow once over as if taken aback by the sight of him. Sebastian couldn’t figure out where he had seen this manbefore.
Finally, the man spoke. “I’m looking for Mr. Maxwell Storme. Does he still live here? Is his daughterhere?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. You have the wrong address, but he lives right next door. Your timing may be off though. I don’t believe he’s staying at the house at the moment, Mister…sorry, I didn’t get yourname.”
“It’s Wilkes. Wilkes Barracks.” He held out a hand for a handshake and a bittersweet grin spread across Sebastian’sface.
So, this is Lexxi’sex?
Sebastian checked him out. Wilkes came up short, in his estimation. This was the guy who sang tears-in-your-beer, down-on-your-luck, dammit-my-dog-died country songs. His hair was slicked back with enough gel to tame the Wild West. His eyes were cool and disdainful, and Sebastian swore he could see right through him. There wasn’t a hint of country and western heart in that man. With ostrich skin cowboy boots and a crisp, clean blue suit, he looked like he hadn’t worked a hard day in his life. Even the cowboy hat in his hand looked like an expensive prop. Already, Sebastian had made up his mind. Wilkes didn’t deserveAlexandra.
That may be the envytalking.
“Ah, Wynona!” Sebastian said with a dry chuckle, shaking hishand.
“No, it’s Wilkes,” he answered, repeating his name again, slowly and deliberately as though Sebastian didn’t understandEnglish.
With that, Sebastian let out a loud, long laugh, an angry sound without humor to match Wilkes’ attitude. “That’s right, your name is Wilkes. I’m sorry, bud. That was an inside joke between me and, uh…a friend. Lexxi isn’t home. She left a while back,actually.”
Wilkes sized him up suspiciously. “Left to gowhere?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Sebastian clarified. “Why don’t you phone her? Or leave a note next door. She may stop byagain.”
Wilkes muttered a few choice swear words and loped back out to his Stingray parked behind Sebastian’s Jeep in the driveway. Sebastian couldn’t help but wonder what Lexxi Rock’s ex was doing in town, and if that was one of the reasons she made her exit from Hotel Bash. A heated streak of jealousy passed through him, and he reminded himself he had no right to think that way after the time he and Alexandra had spenttogether.
Standing at the door, he looked out as the impressive car backed out of the driveway and shot down the street at a dangerous speed. He was sure Wilkes would eventually find Lexxi. Meanwhile, he sat around missing hertoo.
“What a loser,” Sebastian growled as he returnedinside.
Wilkes Barracks had his chance and he blew it. Seeing him up close and personal, it made sense. The man seemed like an entitled pretty boy with flashy toys, not at all someone Sebastian imagined Alexandra beinginto.
Then again, Lexxi had apparently loved Wilkesonce.
