Shark's Rise by Angel Payne & VICTORIA BLUE

Author:Angel Payne & VICTORIA BLUE
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642631548
Publisher: Waterhouse Press

Chapter Eight

Sebastian

Three days.

Seventy-two hours.

Forty-three percent of a week.

That was all I was given to get enough security into place for my comfort level with Abbigail’s homecoming.

Which, of course, wasn’t enough time—so saying I felt uneasy about the situation, even while guiding her out of the villa hand-in-hand with me, was the understatement of the century.

In the long run, there were a few factors that did help. Elijah had sweet-talked the whole security team from the Twentynine Palms property to transfer with us, so Abbi was reasonably at ease with them. A bonus: many of them already hailed from LA and knew the city well. On that end, details were transitioning as smoothly as could be expected.

Bonus number two: Dori agreed to come along too, as I suspected once I quoted the monetary incentive involved. Additionally, she had no family or other outlying commitments to keep her in the desert. The cheerful girl seemed excited about a change of lifestyle. She was happy to help Abbi pack everything up, and they were both ready to go when Joel pulled up with the car.

Dr. Landon gave the travel approval, saying the two days’ worth of IV fluids had been the perfect boost for Abbi’s hydration and energy levels. She asked Abbi to ensure her chosen provider contact her office for her clinical notes, and I watched Dori tap out a note on her own smart pad. When I pulled the young woman off to the side later to ask her what she was keeping on the pad, she told me she was just making a list of things that needed to be handled when we got to LA.

“You know, just to make sure she doesn’t forget anything. I think she’s more tired than she’s letting on, and a lot of information is being passed back and forth right now.” She bit her lip then, sneaking a furtive glance up at me. “I’m…umm…not overstepping, am I? I was just trying to help, Mr. Shark. Honest.”

I wrapped a reassuring hand around one of her shoulders. “I know, Dori. And I’m not upset.”

Beneath my hand, her tension finally released. “Are you sure?”

“Quite the opposite,” I assured her. “Actually, I’m impressed with your initiative.” And then, I even smiled—and meant it. “I think you’re going to be a great assistant for Ms. Gibson.”

“Good. Thank you so much, Mr. Shark.” Her reply was taking a bath in pure relief. With the same happy gusto, she stowed her smart pad in her backpack.

“Let’s hit the road.” The exhortation belonged to Abbi this time. She tugged me eagerly toward the car—after hugging Joel like he was a beloved cousin she hadn’t seen for ten years. “It was nice knowing you, Twentynine Palms, but I’ll be happy if I never see you again.” She swung up a hand, already playing the diplomatic disclaimer. “No offense to the fine folks who call this place home. It’s just not mine.”

But her sardonicism disappeared as soon as the villa staff gathered to see us off.

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