I press my hands to her cheeks; one of them is bandaged and hold her face to mine. “It’s okay. I have done all of that. I was hoping that you would be there, but it happened when you were off. I promise everything has been looked at. They even plan to check security cameras in the area.”
“I’m sorry someone attacked you. Do you have any enemies?”
“No. I’ve never had a displeased customer.” I have a feeling this has to do with the books, but I’m not going to bring it up. If she knew, she might blame this on herself.
“How bad are your injuries?”
“Not too bad. I’ve only been in here a day, and I’m ready to break out. I have a mild concussion and some cuts and bruises.”
“When are you moving into the house?”
“The construction will be finished next week, but baby, I want to know if there’s anything you’d like to change.”
“To change? You want me to live with you?”
“Woman, of course. You’re mine. Where else would you live? If you don’t want to live there, I’ll sell it, and we can buy another home. As long as you’re with me, we can live wherever.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I ask happily. She responds with a vigorous nod. I can’t help but kiss her.
The doc comes in just as I pull back. “Mr. Carrington, I’m glad you found your lady. Now maybe you’ll listen. I need to do a check over before I can discharge you.”
“We’re going to get some coffee. Would you like to join us, Mira?” Dane asks.
“She’s not leaving my side,” I bark out.
With an eye roll, Brenda asks, “Fine then, would you like us to bring you a coffee, Mira?”
“Sure.”
“Cool. We’ll be back.” They leave us with the doctor. Mira gets up and moves over to the chair. After a quick examination, the doc gives me the all clear. I just want to be alone with my woman even though, I’ve been warned to stay away from physical activity for the week. That’s very displeasing.
After two more hours of paperwork being filed, I hop into Mira’s car, and she drives us back to my apartment. I want to shower and change into some fresh clothes. My place is close to the expressway, and we hit a patch of rush hour traffic. I feel a sense of urgency to get back home before someone comes after me again. I don’t know if they were giving me a warning or if that’s just the beginning.
We’re in the middle lane when I tell her to take the next exit. We’ll take the side streets back. Her phone rings, but she’s driving, so I look at the caller ID. It’s David Richmond. “Hello,” I say, answering it.
“Who’s this?”
“Benedict Carrington.”
“Oh wow. What are you doing with Mira’s phone?”
“None of your business. Mira’s driving. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, it affects you more. The estate has caught fire.”
“Bastards.”
“I didn’t have shit to do with it. I have nothing to do with any of it. I just thought you both should know.” Fuck. I hate that I’m going to have to tell her. “Babe, pull over into the Jewel parking lot.” She does.
“What did my cousin say?”
“Babe, there was a fire at the estate. I don’t know the extent yet.”
“Oh no. You just bought it.”
“Yes. I did. Are you okay?” She nods, but the tears are in her eyes. “Babe, get out.” I open my door and walk around to the driver’s side. She steps out and into my arms. “I’m sorry, Mira.”
“Why is this all happening in such a short time?”
“I don’t know, but I need to call the local station and find out what’s going on.” We both get back in the car and look up the number for the county sheriff’s office. I put it on speaker after dialing the number.
“Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Wendall speaking.”
“Hello, my name is Benedict Carrington. I own the Richmond estate. Can someone tell me what’s going on? I was told there was a fire.”
“Sir, can you come down to the sheriff’s office?”
“Right now, I’m in Chicago. I can’t make it there until traffic dies down.”
“How long have you been in Chicago?”
“I’ve been in the hospital for thirty-six hours, but I was at the estate three days ago. My crew was supposed to be working on the HVAC.”
“Sir, again. I can’t go over this on the phone. Please come in as soon as possible.”
“After I shower and change, we’ll head out there.”
“Good. Should we say nine pm?”
“Yes. That works for me.” I hit the end button then turn to my woman. “Do you want me to drive?” I ask her.
“No. I’ve got this. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Chapter 11
Mira
I do my best to not look at him while he’s practically naked with water glistening down his taut muscles because we have stuff to do, but damn, I want to yank that towel off of him. “Mira, don’t look at me like that. I’ve got to stay away from your sweet pussy for the next week, and you’re eyeing my cock like it’s your favorite meal.”