Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
That just made me feel worse. If I couldn’t figure out how my ability worked, what the hell was I doing? I wanted to make a name for myself, but this could totally ruin my reputation. Could I be that far off? “No. I’m sure I’m not wrong.”
Stone’s mouth twisted and his jaw tightened. Since I didn’t want him to think I was unreasonable, I continued. “But, like you said… we won’t know for sure until we talk to him. Maybe we can come back later?”
“You mean like after we go back to the building with the bomb?” He heaved a sigh and stalked to the door. “We might as well head back to the office.”
He stepped out of the trailer house, holding the door for me, and it was easy to feel his impatience. Did he think I was useless? That this whole thing was a joke? I had to prove that he could trust my abilities. I trusted them… right? But what if I was wrong?
We got to the bike, and I managed to get my helmet on and the strap fastened all on my own. Go me. Stone seemed withdrawn, and I couldn’t blame him. I just needed to convince him that I knew what I was doing.
After pulling into the garage at Vitality Ventures, we got on the elevator and I glanced his way, my stomach squirming, but I had to say something. “Look, I know you’re probably having doubts about me, but I didn’t pick those things up by accident. I think there’s a connection between you, Cash, and your stalker.”
He shrugged. “If you say so.”
A surge of frustration pulsed through me, and I opened my mouth to argue, but snapped it shut before I said anything. To be fair to him, the evidence wasn’t on my side, and, aside from seeing Stone’s near miss on his bike, nothing else had panned out. So where did that leave me?
Stone glanced sideways at me. “Let’s be realistic, Serenity. I don’t think this is going to work out.” My gaze jumped to his, but he glanced away, his lips thinning. “I’m sure it’s not your fault, but I don’t want to waste time with this. How about we make a deal? Since Vanetti’s convinced that I need your help, you can act the part while I figure this out on my own.
“You can stay in my apartment, or my office, and do whatever you want. Once I know who it is, you can collect your money, and we’ll go our separate ways. Sound good?”
My breath caught. Did he really think I was that useless? “No. That does not sound good. I can’t believe you’d even suggest it. Vanetti trusts me, and even if you don’t, it doesn’t mean I can’t figure it out.”
“Sure, but finding a missing letter is a lot easier than tracking down a murderer. Touching things isn’t getting us very far. In fact.” He finally faced me. “Concentrating on that is probably taking us away from making real progress. Face it, I can do this a lot easier on my own.”
Anger burned through my chest. “No way. I made a deal with Vanetti, and I’m earning every bit of that money. If that means I’m sticking by your side every minute of the day, then you’ll just have to get used to it.”
“If that’s the way you want it, then fine.” He sneered. “Go ahead and touch all the things you want, but I’m going to focus on actual detective work.”
I shook my head and glared at him. Jerk. “Oh, so you get to do your job, but I don’t get to do mine? How the hell am I supposed to help you if you won’t let me?”
His lips twisted. “That’s not really my problem. I can see that you’re trying really hard, and that’s great, but I don’t see the point in continuing to do something that’s not working.”
“Not working? We’ve barely begun. It’s been what? Two hours? And now you’re giving up? I didn’t think you were such a quitter.”
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t know me, lady. I’m perfectly capable of handling this on my own. I don’t know what the hell Vanetti was thinking, but I don’t need your help. If anything, you’re a distraction, and it’s making this—” He cut off, rubbing the back of his neck.
“A distraction? What’s that supposed to mean? I’m just as dedicated to finding this guy as you are.”
He stepped closer to me, and his nostrils flared. “I work better alone.” Pausing, his gaze raked over me, and my heart sped up. His voice rumbled. “You’re just too damn—”
The doors slid open, and we glanced up to find Vanetti standing there. Stone stepped away from me, and I straightened, automatically putting a pleasant smile on my face. “Hey there.”