Bound to Billionaires (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 2)

“O’Leary’s parents came over from the Emerald Isle. Patrick will fill you in on all the details should you get to meet him. He really is a sweet guy.” Phoebe led the way across South Street to the row of businesses on the other side. It reminded Megan of a train. “This first place is Phong’s Wok. Another day

I’ll bring you here. Hiro Phong, the owner, has the best Chinese food you’ll ever get between your chopsticks.”

“Phoebe, do all the dragons have names?”

“The Blue Dragon sits on the southeast corner. We passed that as we were walking. Most of the women in Destiny call her Mother Dragon. She’s said to safeguard the lives of women in labor. Black Dragon, also called Father Dragon, rests on the northwest corner of the park.”

“You sound like you actually believe in these dragons.” They crossed the street to Lucy’s. “What’s the other dragon called? The one on the northeast part of the park?”

Phoebe answered, “The Red Dragon.”

That sounded ominous. “And its specialty?”

“Passion.”

Yep. Ominous. “A love dragon?”

Phoebe nodded as they passed two other stores—Betty’s Beauty Shop and Tara’s Tea and Scones.

“Crazy names for businesses,” she said.

“Agreed. That’s Destiny for you.” Phoebe opened the glass door of Lucy’s. “Here we are.”

Walking into the eatery, Megan’s thoughts about her hearing pulled her back from the sweet, distracting tales of Destiny’s dragon statues. Her troubles demanded her attention. Once again, her mind replayed the scene in the courtroom. Judge O’Leary seemed to be kind and even understanding, unlike her accusers, but that wouldn’t help her make her case. Ten million dollars wasn’t the issue. Just like the old saying about squeezing blood out of turnips, squeezing her funds wouldn’t yield anything. Her house, the final gift from her mother, was the real issue according to what the judge had said.

How had she not realized it would also be at risk in all of this?

“Hey, Lucy.” Phoebe waved to the middle-aged woman behind the counter dressed in a 1950s pink uniform with a little white apron and matching hat.

“Hey. Were you at the hearing? Surely it isn’t over yet?” The waitress held a pitcher of tea in one hand and a Hula-Hoop in the other.

Megan couldn’t imagine how the woman could serve food holding the classic ring.

Phoebe answered Lucy, “I was at the hearing and it is over.”

Lucy called through the opening in the wall to what must’ve been the kitchen in the back. “Norman, lunch crowd will be on time.”

A man’s voice floated from the other side of the opening. “I’ll be ready, baby.”

“Phoebe, who is this?” Lucy asked.

“Megan Lunceford.”

“Ah, the defendant.” The waitress came around the counter and stepped up to Megan. Lucy’s gracefulness was something to behold. She didn’t spill a single drop of tea, even though she spun the Hula-Hoop in her other hand.

“The one and only,” Phoebe answered. “Ethel postponed the hearing until Tuesday. Megan is my new client. Mind if we sit in one of the booths by the window?”

“Sure thing, Phoebe.” Lucy turned to Megan. “I worked with your husband a while back.”

This was the first person she’d ever met who knew Kip. “At TBK?”

“Yes. Eric and Scott recruited him from MIT. They were all in their early twenties. Me and Norm were the old farts. Still are but we’re no longer at the company.”

“Do you know if he had any family?” she asked, grasping for straws. If he did, maybe one of them might’ve gotten word about Kip’s whereabouts, whether in prison or out.

“I don’t think so, miss. He never mentioned any family. Kip was a smart guy. Very smart.”

“Not too smart.” Megan stopped short of saying more, unsure she should be sharing anything with the woman.