King's Treasure by Marie Johnston

Author:Marie Johnston [Johnston, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marie Johnston

CHAPTER 12

Savvy

* * *

Six weeks later . . .

* * *

My iPad lay on my lap. The screen had long gone black, concealing the travel itinerary I was supposed to be double-checking. How long had I been in the library, looking out the window and wishing Xander was out there with Michael? But where there had once been snow and the snowman we made together, there was green grass. Michael worked alone, sweeping grit out of the patio blocks and trimming the edges of the lawn with military precision that I think my mother loved more than the Chief.

I sighed and tapped the home button. My screen woke up, but I was no longer interested in which hotel was closer to the venue for the security conference Chief had to attend next week. I closed the file. Next week would be our seventh work trip and I was exhausted. Chief should have two assistants, one just for travel.

He got a helluva deal with me.

Done for the day, I left the library and headed for the sitting room and the oblivion TV might bring me. But when I was just outside the door, heavy footsteps sounded down the hallway behind me. My shoulders crept up to my ears as I ducked inside and hoped Chief would keep walking. At least the disapproving looks for chasing Xander away had tapered off. He didn’t quite buy my excuse that Xander had a deadline that he needed to travel and do research for. It sounded good, even if it wasn’t true. Mother bought the lie, but my sisters didn’t. Yet they stayed out of it.

My solitaire diamond sparkled on my hand, a signal that I was still married. Xander had said he’d understand, whatever I decided. I wasn’t sure what my choices were beyond stay married or don’t. Thinking about each decision was depressing on the best of days.

How much did the money matter to me? Enough to let my husband live in another country while I stayed here? Enough to quit and run after him?

The idea sent my pulse racing. We’d tried to connect while we lived under the same roof and we’d failed. I couldn’t quit my job and race after him. I couldn’t leave one mess behind to chase another.

“Sapphire,” Chief’s voice broke in. “I need you to get started on the paperwork for the King-Abbot Security contract negotiations.”

God, how I hated putting together Chief’s ever-changing paperwork: I was killing more trees than I was saving. “Gentry King said yes?” Did Xander know? Had they talked during the last six weeks?

Chief broke into a rare smile, one that crinkled the corners of his eyes. “He just sent word. We need to work out the terms before we can officially get started.” Before he left the sitting room, he turned to me and said, “Good work.”

Good work. My first instinct at hearing those words was to jump up and down and pat myself on the back. Chief was actually proud of me!

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