Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
She was a quiet storm—feisty yet shy, with a hidden sadness she kept locked inside, and all I wanted to do was protect her. And now, it’s all been thrown away.
I should have never touched her.
The intercom beeps. “Mr. Blake, I have Wayne on line two. The phone number you requested is in your email.”
“Thanks.” I pick up the receiver and press line two. “Wayne.”
“Morning, Mr. Blake. Your assistant told me it was urgent—”
“That field trip—did you find the surveillance?”
“Not yet. The files came up corrupted. Gary has IT trying to retrieve—”
“You said the kid looked out of place. I need you to describe him.”
“I’d have to think—”
“I need the security footage NOW. I’m pretty sure I know exactly who was there. I just need proof.”
“Sure. I’ll talk with Gary—”
“Make it your top priority today.”
There’s no doubt he hears the bite in my tone. “Of course. I’ll get working on it now.”
I hang up.
I open my email and pull up the contact information Sarah sent over. “Good afternoon, Terra Blueprint Consulting. How may I direct your call?”
“Jackson Blake for Burt Hallstead. I’m sure he’s expecting my call.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Blake. Mr. Hallstead is unavailable.”
“Bullshit, he is. Put him through.”
“I would, but he’s not in. He’s working remotely for some time now.”
“How fucking convenient.”
“I can take a—” I hang up. Figures he’s hiding. Cowardly piece of shit. I tap the edge of the mahogany wood, jaw tight, as I dial a number I’ve worked to scratch out of my memory. Sadly, not hard enough.
“Jackson? Wow, what a—” The sound of her voice sends a chill through my blood.
“Where’s Burt?”
“Hello to you too. God, it’s been years since I’ve heard your—”
“Cut the bullshit, Veronica. Where’s your husband? Or even better, your piece of shit son?”
Her theatrical gasp has me rolling my eyes. Veronica is all drama. My words don’t even phase her. She’s a coldhearted bitch and knows her son is a piece of shit. “Jackson, you haven’t called me in years, and this is how you speak—”
“You know why I haven’t. You’re a manipulative bitch.”
“You don’t mean that. You used to lo—”
“That wasn’t love, baby. That was regret. Thank God your true colors showed. You’ve always been conniving and money-hungry. You did me a favor by making yourself someone else’s problem.” It wasn’t until she left me for Burt that I realized Veronica had always been a predator, revealing her true nature when she discovered I wasn’t getting my share of the pie. “Tell your husband I know, and I’m coming for him.” I slam down the receiver.
“Chill, little lady. It’s fine,” Noah says to my assistant as he walks in.
Sarah rushes in behind him. “Sorry, Mr. Blake. I told him you were on an important call.”
“What’s with all the yelling?” Noah asks.
“None of your business. And if my assistant says I’m busy, don’t barge in—”
“Dude, calm down. I was coming to ask about Georgia. She wasn’t at lunch, and she’s not answering my texts. Did she not come in?”
My hands clench around the edge of my desk. “Noah, I don’t have time to worry—”
“Yeah, but if she still isn’t feeling good, someone should—”
I slam my fists against my desk. “Stop! I do not care. She’s a big girl and doesn’t need babysitters. Now, if you don’t mind, you can get the fuck out of my office!” My chest heaves. I feel like my heart is going to explode. Fuck. “Noah, I—”
“No. It’s cool, Dad. I’m out.”
“Noah, wait,” I say to his back. He doesn’t stop. My office door slams shut, and I close my eyes, bowing my head. “Fuck.”
Taking in a deep breath, I pick up the receiver and dial another number. “Stone.”
“Craig, I need a favor.”
He gets right to the point. “Shoot. Business or personal?”
“Both, actually. I need you to run a check on the Hallstead family. Burt, his wife Veronica, and their son Vince. Dig deep. I want financials, whereabouts, what they ate for fucking dinner.” I provide the new detailed information that Wayne provided with the warehouse system glitches and any potential connections that may be related to Hallstead.
“Got it. Anything else?”
“Yeah. I need you to look into someone else for me. Georgia Price. Find out anything you can on her. Also, has she been in contact with Vince Hallstead at all prior to a month ago? I need this five minutes ago.”
“I’m on it.”
We disconnect the call. If she’s been playing me this whole time, she’s going to wish she never stepped foot inside my bedroom. I will fucking destroy her.
Chapter twenty-four
Georgia
Ican’t stop pacing. My chest is so tight each breath is difficult to take. My eyes dart to my phone screen for what feels like the millionth time. Still nothing. Jackson hasn’t responded to any of my messages. Panic rises within me, and I quickly send another one.