Deception (Infidelity #3)(16)

Lennox Demetri didn’t do helpless. It wasn’t in my DNA. I needed to put this behind me.

As we began walking toward the park, I squeezed her warm hand, not because I wanted the beautiful golden eyes to lock with mine—though I did. Not because I needed to know she was here beside me—though I did. I squeezed Charli’s hand to feel the warmth that reassured me that she was alive.

Last night, alone in the hotel room, I recalled holding Jo’s hand, her cold, pale skin. I remembered her lips, their unnatural color. I’d done it to her. If it weren’t for me, she would have been warm and her lips would have been pink.

“Why don’t you run?”

Charli’s voice brought me back from the edge and loosened my grip, no doubt restoring circulation to her petite hand.

“I do. You know I do.”

“You run on a treadmill. That isn’t running.”

“It most certainly is,” I replied, happy to be in a nonsensical discussion about nothing of importance. It was one of Charli’s continual gifts. She reminded me that life wasn’t always a level-five emergency, threats weren’t around every corner. Triviality had a place of importance. It added balance. Deloris saw that in Del Mar long before I did. It was a part of my life I hadn’t even realized was missing until I found it again.

“Well…” Her voice came through the city sounds—traffic and the murmurs of other pedestrians—as we made our way west. “…I guess you get the exercise.”

I pulled her hand closer causing her to bump into my arm. “Are you saying I’m out of shape?”

She laughed. “I’m saying that we should run in the park in the morning instead of in your gym. I mean, look at this.” Her golden eyes scanned the vista before us. Hints of orange, red, and yellow dotted the landscape. The green that had prevailed all summer was giving way to the inevitability of change.

My gym was secure. This park wasn’t. But instead, I gave her a different excuse. “I have monitors in my gym and can catch up on the news and overnight turns in the markets. Besides, you don’t run every morning.”

“You only have one treadmill.”

“I’ll buy a second treadmill,” I offered.

“Stop. You don’t need to buy anything.” Her smile turned bashful. “Besides, it’s okay. I’ll settle for our normal morning workout.”

My lips twitched as my cheeks rose. “I missed that workout this morning.”

“Me too,” she replied, her voice merely a breathy whisper, as if she was concerned that the others around us could hear our topic of conversation. And then I caught a glimpse of Charli’s pink cheeks and laughed. By the expression on her face, anyone who looked our way could probably figure out what we were talking about.

“Nox.” She turned to me in all seriousness. “I’m going to call Bryce and let him know it didn’t work.”

“No.” I didn’t want her talking, texting, or fucking sending smoke signals to him. If that letter came from him, then he knew more about Demetri Enterprises than he should—too much.

Her smile and crimson blush disappeared. “I respect your opinion, I really do, but I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. I’ve thought about it, and I’m calling him.”

“Princess, I’m not being a dick.” I never planned to let her forget the title she’d given me in Del Mar after our standing ovation at the gas station. “Before you call, let Deloris do her thing. Let’s be sure he’s the one who wrote it. If he didn’t, he won’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

Her brow furrowed as she considered my argument. “I don’t understand how she thinks it could be someone else. Who would know that stuff?”

We had plenty of time before her class and testimony wasn’t scheduled to start on the hearing until after the lunch recess. I tugged her hand to stop and led us to a park bench. As we stilled and sat, for the first time since we’d left Patrick’s apartment, I saw my security. It wasn’t Isaac or Jerrod. They were both parked near the library at Columbia. These were men Deloris kept near. I knew names, but our interaction was minimal, or at least that was how it was supposed to be.

“Charli,” I searched for the right words.

Her golden eyes widened, sparkling in the sunshine that filtered through the canopy of leaves.

“Last night, you said to call if I was ready to talk.”

“Yes.”

I sat straighter, never letting go of her hand. “I’m not.”

Her gaze moved away before returning. “I guess that’s why you didn’t call?”

Involuntarily, my cheeks rose. “I didn’t, did I?”

“No.”

“I suppose I’m more direct.”

She nodded. “Yes, Mr. Demetri, I’ve noticed that about you.”

I took a deep breath. “Deloris told you that Demetri Enterprises is connected to some less than savory dealings. Mostly I can blame Oren.”

“Mostly?” she asked.

“Mostly,” I confirmed. “But Infidelity, for example, that was me. I learned about the company. I’m the one who made the investment. Some of the people we do business with very well could be involved in straight-up prostitution. I don’t know. I don’t want to know. So whether that letter was referring to Infidelity or a less organized business, the fact is that Demetri Enterprises could more than likely be connected to prostitution. As for the accusations regarding Jocelyn, I’ve told you, I can’t talk about it.” I squeezed her hand again and brushed my lips over hers. “Be patient with me. When I’m ready, you’re the one I’ll share with. I just need to find the right words.”