His Word...Doubt ~ Book Two in the Trusted Saga ~ (excerpt)

Title : His Word...Doubt

Book Two in the Trusted Saga

Release Date : Available now (buy link under "Books" heading)

EXCERPT ...

“I’ve done a bit of digging. Angelica, and Chase, were involved---for a few months, when she was a teenager, before her move to the city. He’s a reputable breeder---thoroughbreds. Some of the bloodlines Chase lays claim to, would give you a run for your money. He’s amassed a staggering amount in a few short years, and he’s certainly highly regarded.”

I didn’t like hearing confirmation Chase had been in an intimate relationship with Angelica, but it didn’t surprise me. Now it all made sense. He wants to rekindle things with her.

I need to do something about his living arrangements. The thought of Chase, sleeping in that house with Angelica, irritated me. Especially since he’d come out of her bedroom. Cunning shit has got one up on me. That needs to change. Immediately. No wonder he’d looked so damned smug.

“What about Buchanan?”

“I’ve made tentative inquiries. He requests Therese, and Anne most regularly. I’ve been able to get in touch with Therese, and she’s meeting with me tomorrow afternoon. She’s hesitant, but she eventually agreed. I haven’t been able to get in touch with Anne yet.”

“What about Jacqueline?”

She was the key. Jacqueline will also be the most reluctant after what happened between her, and Buchanan at the club. I should have cancelled his fucking membership.

“I haven’t been able to locate her,” Simon frowned.

I expected as much.

“I’ll talk to Chelsea. She may have some idea where she is.”

Chelsea, and Jacqueline, were close friends, and I had a gut feeling they still kept in touch.

“Where are we on the acquisition of the boutiques?”

Simon chuckled.

“You’ve now added Women’s Fashion to your portfolio, although it cost you more than we anticipated.”

Buchanan was a shrewd businessman. His chain of boutiques hadn’t been for sale, but the first offer must have been impressive enough to change his mind. Everything’s for sale for the right price.

“Buchanan has no idea?”

“That you bought the chain? No.”

“Buy some shares in Buchanan’s telecommunications company, but not too many at one time, and in a way that will make it extremely difficult to determine just who owns them. We don’t want him to start asking questions.”

I need to see Chelsea. I have plans for her now. But first, I needed to hear Angelica’s voice.

“How’d it go with Kiara?” Simon inquired curiously.

“She’s under no illusions as to what will happen should anything occur concerning Angelica---I’ve also advised her to stay away from her.”

Simon chuckled, and leaned against the edge of my desk.

“So, Angelica knows then---about the dinner date episode?”

“Yeah---she knows.” There’s that word again. “And it wasn’t a date!”

“Levi, any time you have dinner with the opposite sex, it’s a date.”

“Angelica immediately assumed I’d slept with her,” I lamented, and Simon grinned.

“Under normal circumstances, her assumption would have been correct.”

I shot him a glare that told him in no uncertain terms that he needn’t have pointed that out.

“I need to make some calls.”

Simon grinned wryly.

“Is that your way of telling me we’re done here?” he asked astutely.

“You know me well, Simon,” I chuckled. “Let me know how the meeting goes with Therese, and when you can get a hold of Anne.”

Simon pushed off the edge of my desk, and strode to the door with a nod. I waited for him to close the door, before I phoned Angelica.

“Hello?”

Jesus. Her voice was husky with sleep. And it made my cock jump to attention.

“Did I wake you?” I asked quietly. I didn’t stop to look at the time. Twisting my wrist around, I glanced at my watch. Fuck. It was late.

“No. It’s fine.”

Hearing the yawn in her voice when she answered, almost had me chuckling.

“I wanted to check on you.”

I would rather have done it in person just so I could wrap her up in my arms. I could hear movement through the line. Then I heard something that had me grinding my teeth together.

“Baby---who’s ringing you at this hour?”

Chase is still in Angelica’s fucking bed? I couldn’t help myself.

“What the hell is he doing in your room?”

“Sleeping,” she answered with frostiness creeping back into her voice.

She was getting pissed off, but nowhere near how pissed off I was on hearing his voice. I knew I was about to piss her off even more.

“And he can’t do that on the couch?”

She didn’t answer. Great. She was so pissed, she didn’t want to talk.

© Copyright Carol Delmornay 2016.

All Rights Reserved.