Page 29 of Clear Blue Sky

She sighed. “He did ask me questions about what I was working on and I shut him down, so he could be simply following my lead. Respecting my business.”

“Perhaps,” her father said. “There are maybe a dozen pictures that show this Roxy girl with Nelson from about ten years ago. After that, there is no trace of Nelson anywhere in her social media. No reference to him. No connection whatsoever. And he doesn’t have a presence at all. Nor do his brothers. Marcus, on the other hand, has a small one thanks to his wife.”

Brandi took in a long, slow breath through her nose. She exhaled through her mouth. “What exactly are you getting at?”

“I only read the synopsis. But I have been reading your notes.” He arched a brow. “Any chance there is more truth in this novel? Could Nelson be a character?”

“You think he’s the man the heroine had an affair with?”

Her father shrugged. “I don’t know.” He waved his hand over the computer. “But something doesn’t add up and I’m worried about what you might be walking into.”

She stood. “Don’t because I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”

“I didn’t tell you this because I wanted you to go off half-cocked.” Her dad planted his hands on his hips. “I want you to send the revise and submit letter and see how Marcus responds. If he’s willing to make our changes, we’re being paranoid, and then you can deal with Nelson and why he chose not to mention his history with Marcus in your own way and we can send to legal regarding the mission before we make an offer.”

“No, Dad. I’m not going to play that game. I’m going to ask Nelson that question now. And I’ll send the letter. As a matter of fact, I’ll do it now. I’ve got it written.”

“I saw that.”

She bent over, pulling her computer out. She’d wanted to run it by Lake, but only out of respect, since she’d used some of his notes. However, he’d understand. Quickly, she reread the letter, making sure it said exactly what she wanted, adding in the line that she would be available by email only if he had any questions. When she was done, she hit send. “There we go.”

“Just be careful. I don’t like games.”

“I don’t either and if Marcus has a problem with our editorial notes or disrespects the industry by trying to pull me aside, I’ll gladly cut him loose.”

“What about Nelson?”

“That’s an entirely different situation and until I know more, there’s nothing to even be upset over.” Only, she felt betrayed. It wasn’t a downright lie, but he omitted a fact and that left a bitter taste in her mouth.

7

Nelson had been on some dangerous missions. He’d been shot at. Stabbed. Electrocuted. Hell, he’d even died once.

His military training taught him to be calm and focused.

However, for the last few hours, he’d been useless. He started out in the office doing paperwork and couldn’t keep his mind on the task at hand. He then moved on to manual labor. For a while, that worked until he started putting things away where they didn’t belong. It wasn’t a big deal, but he’d never been so jittery in all his life.

He resented the sensation.

So, he’d given up doing anything that required his attention. Instead, he sat in the far corner of the outside patio and stared at the lake while picking at some fries. He glanced at his watch. It was four in the afternoon. He’d hung out at his place until nearly two. That’s how long those assholes floated in front of his dock. He’d wanted to jump in his boat a dozen times and be a dick by creating waves, but he’d promised his brothers he’d do nothing that could be considered a provocation.

So, he sat at home with his laptop, researching Marcus.

He found very little on his own and decided to pull in an old buddy whom he’d served with in Delta Force. A man named Dylan Sarich.

Dylan had retired about five years ago and now worked for an organization called The Aegis Network. If anyone could find the cracks in a man’s past, it was Dylan and his three brothers, who also worked for the same company.

The intel had started to trickle in, but nothing stood out.

“You need to relax. You’re wound tighter than Veronica.” Phoenix smiled at the hostess as she weaved through the tables, her hips swaying back and forth with her skirt kicking up, showing off her toned legs. She sat a couple next to one of the heaters, placing the menus on the table.

She was a real looker with her long red hair, big green eyes, and curvy figure. But it was her killer personality that men—and women—responded to. No matter what was happening in her life, she was always in a good mood and had a natural gift of spreading that good cheer to others.

“That’s a really bad comparison.” Nelson took the beer that his brother offered. They rarely drank while at the restaurant, but today he’d bend the rules because his brother had a valid point.

He needed to relax.

“She’s not uptight. She’s just a fucking happy person all the time.” Nelson tipped his beer. He took a sip and checked his cell, which he’d left faceup on the table.

---