Page 109 of Watching Her

CHAPTER 23

Penelope

“Damn it,” I muttered and shoved my phone, which had been on the table, into my purse.

“Is Carrington still bothering you?”

I took a sip of my wine, nodding as I did. “Yep. I’m tempted to see what he wants. I’m also tempted to hire a hitman.”

“I vote for hitman.”

“It’s winning by ninety percent.”

“Do you want to see him again?” she asked the question coyly as if fearful of the answer.

“Fuck, no,” I said a little too loudly for being in a restaurant. “Plus, I don’t think Christian would like it if I set foot near the pig.” I was laughing as I pushed my plate away, but the look on Marlee’s face indicated she had something on her mind. “What’s wrong?”

“You really like Christian,” Marlee said, now as if a horrible decision that I cared about him.

“I do. Who else would purchase an entire fair so I could indulge in memories of the past? Plus, there are other things.” The shooting range came to mind. The big bear was sitting in the corner of my bedroom right where the stuffie should be.

“I know you miss your dad.”

“You don’t know how much and no, Christian does not remind me of my father even if he is a little older.” I laughed when she continued to seem pensive. “And that would be creepy. Right?”

She tossed her napkin on the table. “What do you know about Christian?”

“That he’s very powerful, but there are many layers to him. He’s actually very sweet. Just the little things that I wouldn’t expect.” Seeing the weird expression on her face forced me to narrow my eyes.

“Do you know there are rumors he’s a killer?”

“What are you talking about?”

After she checked to ensure no one was paying any attention, she leaned over the table and lowered her voice. “Did he tell you his father was a lieutenant in a crime syndicate?”

I could tell she wasn’t kidding. “No, he did not. I’m not certain what his father’s profession has to do with Christian.” No, certain things were starting to make sense.

“Don’t be naïve. I did some checking. A girl who used to work with me accepted a job with Tempest. In their accounting department. I thought I’d see if she had any dirt on Christian and don’t look at me that way. I could tell how much you like him.”

I gritted my teeth, trying to keep from becoming angry. “What gossip is so fascinating?”

“That a long-term employee just up and disappeared a few weeks ago. No one has heard of him since. Poof. Gone.”

My laugh came easily. “That doesn’t mean Christian killed him, for God’s sake.”

“Yeah, well, the standing rumor is that this guy betrayed the company, somehow handing out intellectual property to a competitor. Everyone knows you remain loyal to the Tempest family.”

“That still doesn’t mean anything.”

“Okay. You’re right. It doesn’t, but there is no doubt who his father worked for. You can check yourself. Maybe Christian and his brother are totally legit, and from all accounts Tempest International is on the up and up, but you told me yourself Christian’s reputation is as a ruthless man.”

“Because he has a lot to lose.”

“Just keep your eyes open, girl. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“He’s not hurting me. Just the opposite. He’s very… protective.” I almost used the word possessive but knew that would set her off. Should it matter to me what Christian’s father had done for a living? From the way he’d acted about his dad, there’d been tension.

“Men of his stature usually are. They also collect women like prized possessions. After what you went through with Carrington, I can’t imagine you’d want to put yourself back into that place ever again.”