Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Chris nods. “Hey listen… I’m really sorry about this mess with Lionel. Is Aunt Rosemund doing okay?”
“She’s refusing to take any of this seriously. Has her head stuck in the sand. She doesn’t believe the charges against him.”
“You want me to give her a call?”
It’s a nice offer. “That would be great. I’ve tried to warn her about these guys, but she doesn’t believe they’ll do anything. She doesn’t understand the threat. She thinks they’ve moved on to me and she’s probably right, but you never know.”
Chris jerks his head down the driveway. “They pulled in straight and backed out so I couldn’t see the license plate.”
“Yeah, I thought about that. If they come back, I’ll walk out there and look at it myself.”
Chris frowns at me with worry. “Not a good idea. If they come back, don’t answer the door. Just call us. Those guys had guns and I don’t think they’re afraid to use them.”
“Not afraid to use mine either,” I counter. “But I understand what you’re saying.”
Chris offers his hand and rather than shake it, we clasp briefly before pulling each other into a half hug. “I’m proud of you for turning Lionel in,” he says. “That took guts. I know the Mardraggon side of your family likes to stick together.”
Being from my mother’s side, Chris has never been embroiled in the nasty underbelly of what it means to be a Mardraggon, but he’s a local and knows what everyone else knows. Our loyalties run deep.
Except when my niece is threatened. “It was easy. There was really no choice in turning him in.”
“I hear you. Just be careful with these goons.” He throws his thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll get going. Want to shoot clays sometime?”
“Absolutely. I’ll text you and we’ll set a date. I’m leaving for France for a business trip on Saturday but maybe the week after?”
“Let’s do it.”
Chris disappears around the corner of the house where a four-car garage sits and where I assume he parked his patrol car so it wouldn’t be seen.
I head back inside, lock the door and set the alarm system. The exterior cameras recorded that entire exchange, not that I think it provides any proof of anything against Rafferty. I’m sure if this devolves, he’ll deny knowing these men and they’ll be ghosts in the wind. Criminals know a thing or two about loyalty as well.
Taking the shotgun and my pistol, I bypass returning them to the gun safe but rather carry them upstairs after collecting my water and peanuts.
Until this mess is resolved, the weapons will remain in proximity to me.
CHAPTER 15
Kat
The Mardraggon jet we’re taking to France is ridiculously sumptuous. My family has a jet too, but it’s small and meant to fly shorter distances. We use it mainly to travel to shows around the United States while our horses are transported by haulers.
But this jet… wow! The cabin is segmented into multiple zones to include a lounge area, dining/meeting space, and a private rest area toward the back. In between the cabin and the cockpit is a galley where a flight attendant is able to prepare almost any type of food or drink we might want during our trip across the Atlantic.
The central feature is a luxurious seating arrangement configured for both relaxation and dining. On each side of the plane, there’s a polished retractable wooden table with two plush chairs on each side that face one another. The chairs are covered in the softest cream leather I’ve ever felt and ergonomically designed so I feel like I’m floating. Sylvie had fun playing with all the settings which include warmers, cooling vents and even massage.
The interior is done in all leather, high-end wood trim and chrome. Custom carpeting in navy and gold bearing the family’s dragon logo in the center runs the length of the jet. There’s a high-definition entertainment system as well as a variety of light settings and individual climate controls, depending on your mood. There’s even a sofa that converts into a bed and a full-size bathroom in the back with luxurious toiletries and fluffy towels.
The flight attendant approaches us with a tray expertly balanced in her hand. She sets a Shirley Temple in front of Sylvie, who leans forward for a sip through the thin straw. The attendant is beautiful, early twenties, dressed in a pair of navy palazzo pants and a white blouse with a silk tie around her neck. Her makeup is flawless and I can’t help but notice the longing looks she shoots toward Gabe.
He’s ignoring her for now, focused on a newspaper he brought to read.
Sylvie fishes into the drink and grabs the cherry floating on top before plopping it in her mouth. The attendant sets a sparkling water in a cut crystal glass before Gabe and then one with a Diet Coke for me.