Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Would you be able to identify him from a picture?”
“Yeah, I think so. He wasn’t looking his best in the tub, but I think I can remember his features well enough.”
Kai set his fork aside and pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket. Devlin finished up the last few bites of his eggs while Kai tapped on the screen. When he turned the phone screen to face him, Devlin’s fork clattered against his plate, falling from his limp fingers.
“That’s him,” he breathed. He looked different from his corpse. Definitely more alive in the picture. It appeared to be a professional photo for some kind of business. He was in a tan suit and his face was more flushed, but Devlin recognized the bushy eyebrows and the large nose down the center of his face. He had green eyes. Devlin hadn’t expected green eyes.
“His name is Truman Argent.”
Devlin immediately shook his head. “I’ve never heard the name. Never met him. Is he a scientist or engineer? Someone who might know my work?” He paused and frowned. “Or from the oil industry? Lot of people there who hate my guts.”
“Argent is a financial advisor in LA.” Kai placed the phone facedown on the table and pushed his empty plate away. He picked up his coffee and took another sip. “About two years ago, he was an informant of sorts while I was working on a contract.”
“Two years ago? But that was well before we ever met, right? Before you’d even heard of me.” Kai nodded. Devlin had the worst need to get up and pace the kitchen. This didn’t make any sense. “I don’t understand. What the hell does this have to do with me? Why the hell was he left in my bathtub?”
To his credit, Kai continued to meet his gaze despite his rising temper. “I’m not sure this has anything to do with you. I think this person might be trying to get my attention, but I don’t know who it is or why they are reaching out this way.”
“Are you kidding me?” Devlin lurched to his feet, grabbing his plate and Kai’s. He marched over to the sink, rinsed them off, then slammed them into the dishwasher. It was only when he was starting to close the door that he realized that he’d just shoved two dirty plates in with the clean load. Fuck it. He shut the door, telling himself he’d deal with that when he wasn’t occupied with insane assassins.
“I’m sorry, Devlin.”
Some of his anger drained out of him, and his shoulders slumped. He didn’t want Kai to think he was angry at him. “Is this normal? It’s not how Gabriel or Justin contact you, right? They don’t just drop a body where you can find it.”
The corner of Kai’s mouth twitched, but the smile never formed. “No, they just send me a text or email. While few people have my contact information, there are many ways to contact me that are less likely to draw the attention of the police.”
Leaning against the sink, Devlin scrubbed a hand over his face and tried to organize his thoughts. “So why me? Why my house?”
“I’m not sure. I need to think about this. This is all new to me.”
Devlin wanted to shout about how his life had been turned upside down enough with the murder of his husband and the contract that had forced him to go on the run with his son. Was it too much to ask for a little peace and quiet?
But peace and quiet meant not having Kai sitting in his kitchen. While he could do without the murder and death, he did like talking with Kai and drawing out the tiniest of smiles. He wasn’t quite ready to let that go. Not after just one short meal of eggs and toast.
“Am I in danger?”
Kai dropped his gaze to the floor and glared at it as if the tile were the cause of all their problems. When his eyes met Devlin’s again, the look wasn’t reassuring. “I honestly don’t know.” He licked his lips and started again. “Justin and Gabriel are keeping a close watch on Jake. He’s safe. I don’t believe anyone will be able to get close to him and cause him harm.”
Devlin released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He nodded. In all the chaos, Jake was the most important factor. Jake had to be protected. Even if it meant Devlin never seeing Kai again.
“If you don’t mind, I would like to stay here for a short time. This person is likely watching the house. I want to see if I can spot them. I need to do some more research as well, but I prefer to do it where I can watch over you.”
“As a ‘just in case’?”