Every Little Dream (Second Chances)

Every Little Dream (Second Chances) by Kate Ashton Page B

Book: Every Little Dream (Second Chances) by Kate Ashton Read Free Book Online
Authors: Kate Ashton
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I’m in the middle of a case that needs a light touch. That needs someone with your qualifications.”
    Understanding sinks in. It’s no coincidence that he put the squeeze on me and used money to do it. He had me in mind for this job the whole time. It was never about me. But always about him. What he wants. What he needs. A small part of me dies, gives up. And a tiny voice whispers that that will never change. He’ll never change.
    He doesn’t let me up. But the guy loosens his vice-like grip. Probably because he feels bad for me. My father states the facts. What he needs me to do. Where he needs me to go. That I’m to stay away from the office. We’re only to communicate through texts, which will be immediately deleted. That my living situation is taken care of. That he paid off Jimmy so nothing will look suspicious if I suddenly moved to my father’s home.
    “Is everything understood, Chadwick?”  
    The grip loosens again. This time, my father helps me to my feet. He straightens my sleeves and brushes the lint from the front of my coat. “Make me proud, son.”  
    I’m at the entrance, about to leave his office, wondering why the hell I signed up for this. All it takes is remembering Katie’s innocent smile and the joy that shines from her eyes to know why. For some reason this same guy I need to tail has noticed Katie.
    “And don’t worry about your little girlfriend. She’ll be safe.”
    I leave the office, barely holding back my fury. I drive through the streets, pushing the speed limits, rounding corners so low to the ground my knees skim the pavement. When the rage fades, I find myself back near the ocean, back near the Inn and Katie. I just need to see her, make sure she’s okay and accept her proposition. It’s the only way to know she’s safe.
    I park down the street and walk toward the Inn. She’ll probably never want to see me again after this morning. And she shouldn’t. From the side, I stare through the glass into the restaurant. It’s packed. I recognize the one girl who’s doing about fifty jobs at the same time. But I don’t see any flashes of blonde hair. I don’t see my angel.  
    The waitress looks right at me. Shit. I walk away.
    “Hey!” I slow and turn back. “Are you Katie’s friend?” she asks, her head poked out the front door.
    “Yeah.” Suddenly I feel ashamed, unworthy of Katie.
    The waitress points to the back of the restaurant and the swinging doors that must lead to the kitchen. “Stairs on the right, first bedroom on the left. You’re welcome.” She holds the door, waiting for me to accept her invitation.

 
    Chapter 5
    Katie
    I sit in my room, absolutely flabbergasted. The stacks of money are more than I’ve ever seen in one spot in my life. I flip through the bills, and not tens or twenties. It must be close to one hundred big ones. These guys were serious. All they want me to do is stick with Chad? Encourage him to finish his internship? There must be more to it.
    Someone knocks on the door.  
    The green stacks of money, piled high and falling over, make it look like I robbed a bank. Hot prickles stab at my face. “Who is it?” I croak.
    “It’s Chad.”
    What? “What do you want?”
    “What do you think?”
    I rack my brain. “Um…you’re making sure I’m okay?” I remember he mentioned stopping by later. I just didn’t think he’d follow through and actually stop by, especially now. Talk about bad timing.  
    “I’m here to take you up on your offer. Excitement for you and a dose of goodness for me? Remember?”  
    The knob turns. “Hold on!” In a panic, I shove the money under my pillow, but there’s too much. Green edges stick out all over. “I’m, uh, I’m naked!”
    I blush despite the fact that I’m not naked and he’s not in the room. In a rush, I scatter clothes on the floor like I was trying to find an outfit, then I shove the money back into the envelope and stick that in my beach bag. And the beach bag goes deep

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