Page 14 of Risky Obsession

“Not surprised. They went out of business years ago. Anyway, he lived in Rosebud, and his folks still live down that way.”

She curled the baby over her shoulder and patted his diaper-clad bottom.

“Thank you for listening to me.”

“My pleasure. Seems like you have something to tell.” She smiled. “Hopefully, we can work something out.”

“Thanks. I hope so too.”

During my return trip to Rosebud, an unprecedented pang of jealousy washed through me. Those men and women at Wolf Security shared a bond that I had never had with people of my own age.

I drove into the marina whereDevil’s Fortunestood out from all theother boats, despite it being moored in one of the bigger berths at the back, next to the Border Force boat.

My yacht was the only visual display of my wealth. I’d boughtDevil’s Fortunewhen I was too young to know that many people didn’t trust a wealthy man, especially when that wealth wasn’t earned.

But I didn’t ask for that money. I was, however, grateful that Pops’ hard-earned estate came to me, rather than my greedy parents, or there would be nothing to show for my grandfather’s extraordinary life when golden treasures were still being extracted from the sand in Egypt.

Making money, when you had money, was as easy as putting it in the bank to earn interest, which was exactly what I did. My accountant set up my investments through trusts to minimize my tax, but otherwise, what I did with my money was boring, and uneventful.

What did that say about me?

I wondered if people also wouldn’t trust me if I was extremely poor. Maybe people just didn’t trust anyone anymore.

Maybe that was what the world had come to. Even many photos these days weren’t real. The photo I’d found in the back of that painting was true. That I knew for certain.

Yet I’d run out of ideas on how to go further with that clue.

I just hoped that my meeting with Aria and her team would start something that I could end.

More than that, I needed someone to trust me.

CHAPTER 5

Lacey

Pain came in waves, crashing over me like a merciless storm. My body screamed with every breath I took, and my bruised ribs made it impossible to ignore the agony. As blinding stings traced up my legs, consciousness slowly returned, and I peeled my eyes open.

I’m in a hospital room.

I searched my brain, trying to remember how I got here, but the last thing I remembered was a massive explosion and falling from the sky.

Gritting my teeth, I shuffled up the bed and searched for a way to call for a nurse. I found a control device attached to the side rails keeping me in bed and pressed the nurse button. The room was dim, and although the blinds were shut, I had a feeling it was dark outside.

How long have I been here?

My right hand was in a splint and pain ripped up my arm as the memory of breaking those two fingers catapulted into my mind.

Where is everyone?

I tried to peer around the curtain blocking my view beyond the bed, but the pain piercing my side halted my ability to sit up. It was so quiet. Maybe itwasthe middle of the night.

I jabbed the nurse button again, but it didn’t seem to do anything.

“Hello.” My voice sounded like I’d gargled with chalk. I swallowed, trying to produce moisture. “Isanyone there?”

The curtain swept back and a nurse in a dark blue uniform approached me with a smile. “There you are.”

A dozen questions surged for attention in my mind, and yet it was a struggle to release the first one. “Where am I?”