Billion Dollar Bad Boy (Big City Billionaires)(9)

The detective—had he said his name was Roose?—cleared his throat. “I'd rather talk about it in person. I just need a few minutes of your time. Can we meet up this Thursday?”

Images were rolling through my head. Things I really, truly did not want to think about.

Not now, and not ever.

I worked my tongue, forcing words. “What's there to say, it was five years ago. You probably know everything about it.”

His chuckle was kind, but it did nothing for me. “I really don't want to do this over the phone. Let's just say, some new things have come to light. I can meet you at your office. It's Salvador and Goldheart, right?”

My jaw tightened. Of course he knew where I worked, he'd called in and found me. I wasn't shocked, but it left me sour. “I guess I don't need to give you the address, do I?”

He sounded like he was smiling. “I won't take up your day or change your schedule. It would really help me, ma'am. Really.”

More than anything, I ached to tell him no. That robbery... how could it come back to haunt me? I'd forgotten to breathe, so when I did, it sounded desperate. “Alright. A few minutes on Thursday.”

“Thank you.” Unless I was mistaken, he was genuinely relieved. “Well, I'll let you go back to your business. See you in a week, Miss Willow.” Then there was just dead air.

Turning, I set the phone down, fingers cramping.

“What was that about?” Laralie asked, bending over the top of my desk.

I stared at her, dazed. “A detective wants to talk to me.”

She pushed her lips together, eyes becoming huge saucers. “You? What did you do, Alexis?”

“Nothing.” Fixing my hair, I sighed. “I don't know. It's about...” Shit, even saying the name was a struggle. “You remember the bank robbery at Old Stone?”

Her face came to life, sparkling with interest. “I knew I heard you say that name! The robbery that wasn't much of a robbery? Of course I remember! What does that have to do with you?”

I had some idea. I didn't dare say it.

“I wonder,” she mused out loud.

I cocked my head. “Go on.”

“Well!” Splaying her fingers, she grinned in barely held back excitement. “Okay. Maybe this detective is looking for information on Old Stone because of the new bank hacking!”

I spluttered. “W—what?” Was the room suddenly very warm? “Who hacked another bank? How do you know this?”

Laralie crinkled her nose. “I don't know who. No one does. And they didn't even manage it, it was just an attempt that triggered the security system or something. It's been all over the news, how have you not heard about it?”

Truthfully, I'd been so busy with my own sordid, personal game with S, I hadn't turned my TV or radio on in ages.

I cupped the side of my skull. It was swelling, ready to split. A new hacking? A detective who wanted to meet me? This was all too much. Standing, I dusted myself off. “It's getting late, I'm going to head out.”

“Aw, Alexis!” Pouting, Laralie crossed her arms. “Don't keep me in the dark. You're becoming very intriguing lately, you know?”

The smile that crossed my face was thin as ice. “I guess so.”

I didn't want to be interesting.

****

My mailbox was empty.

Gawking, I continued to squint into the locker, like I'd manifest a package into existence if I stared long enough.

Why was there nothing? A single day hadn't gone by where I didn't receive a gift from S. Not since I'd started accepting the packages again, anyway.

The gaping slot taunted me.

Something is wrong. Snow flooded my veins, pricking my anxiety. Shutting the mailbox, I walked on numb legs back to my car. Surely this was just a weird mistake. Perhaps he was busy.

Yes, I admonished myself, climbing into my car. Don't be greedy. It isn't like I should just expect these gifts all the time!

I kept a structured life. His treats had become part of my routine.

Shaking myself, I tapped my cheeks. I had to get a grip. I was being silly.

Laughing at my overreaction, I left the post office. Tomorrow, things would surely go back to normal.

Except...

They didn't.

Day after day, as I ripped open my locker with more desperation, I found nothing inside. Sometimes bills, or junk, but no more packages.

S had vanished from my life.

It made no sense, and it had happened so suddenly. I felt like an addict, craving relief but never finding it. His game had wormed under my skin. I didn't know how to turn off my desire, or my depression.

What had I done to upset him?

That was the only conclusion. I had done something. Why else would he punish me?

Punish. I tasted the word, scowling. Was that really it? In what way could I have wronged this man I still hadn't met?

My week was bleak. One day faded into the next, and when Saturday came, I was swaying into gloom. It was pathetic, I knew that. But I swear, it felt exactly like...

Like a breakup.

S had broken up with me. I guess I became boring. The thought was wretched.

I went back and forth all day, resisting the urge to go to the post office. The clock ticked like it was stuffed with honey. Each hour dragged until I could think of nothing else.