Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“You did good,” he said.
“I know.” She offered him a smile. “I didn’t get to see her face.” She let out a pout.
He couldn’t help but laugh, then he pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. Ava frowned and then laughed, because he had taped the whole thing, just as he knew she would like to see it.
He looked over her shoulder at the moment Ava loaded up the video evidence for the whole room to see.
“Magical,” Ava said.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Knox asked.
“Yeah, I do.”
He put his hand at her back, and they didn’t go out the front entrance, but to the back. They were parked at the back of the parking lot and were heading toward his car when Marshal called out to them. Knox gritted his teeth, and they both turned to look at Marshal.
“Thank you,” Marshal said. “To both of you, for making me do that. I ... I was quite willing to let her just take everything, or think she was taking everything.” He let out a laugh.
“Did you seriously have everything changed so that if you die, it goes to charity?” Ava asked.
“Of course. Giving to charity is something I am passionate about, and if I’m not here to make sure they get what they are entitled to, then I will make sure it is legally binding that they do.”
Ava held up the USB key. “This is for you.”
She gave it to Marshal, and Knox was shocked to see her hug him. “Enjoy your newfound freedom.”
“Thank you.” Marshal hugged her back, and Knox should have known a hug was coming, but he didn’t put up a fight or have time to divert it.
Marshal threw his arms around him. “Thank you.”
He patted him on the back. “Yeah, yeah, that’s fine. We’re all good.” He gave his back a little slap, and then stepped back.
Marshal laughed. “I will allow you to leave, but thank you, and if there is ever anything you need from me, please do not hesitate to ask.” He looked between the two of them, then he turned back toward the party and made his way inside.
****
“I’m starving,” Ava said, climbing into the front passenger seat.
“Burgers?”
“Are we going home so I have to cook them?”
“Nope. I know a good place,” Knox said.
“Count me in.” She had no problem if they wanted to go home, but she was hungry, and the sooner they were able to get something to eat, the happier she would be.
Knox pulled out of the parking lot and they left the grounds, making their escape. She rested her hands on her thighs and couldn’t help but look toward Knox. The tuxedo he wore looked stunning. It molded to his body like a second skin, only it didn’t look tight or uncomfortable. Like always, he was a man in control.
“You did good tonight,” Knox said.
“Come on. All I did was upload a video. Marshal did the rest.” She liked his praise, though.
“Don’t sell yourself short. That shit is hard to do, and trust me, I know. Anything could have gone wrong.”
“But it didn’t.”
“Do I need to smack your ass for you to take a compliment?” he asked.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe.”
Knox glanced over toward her, and Ava hoped her makeup was thick enough so he couldn’t see her blush. She couldn’t even believe she had said something like that. There was no way she wanted him to smack her ass. If Knox even got near her ass, she wasn’t going to be able to walk for weeks.
She tried to look outside, but it was late and dark, and there was no really good passing scenery. She felt her stomach flip-flop, as they came to one of his favorite places to eat. It was Burger Heaven. Any kind of burger you wanted was available here. Knox knew the owners, Linda and Beverly, two sisters who had opened this place with the last of their parents’ inheritance, and it had been a safe haven since. Ava loved it. On the night he rescued her, he’d brought her here.
Linda and Beverly were like the two aunties you always wanted. Neither of them were married or had children.
They walked right inside, and like always, it was busy. They were able to find a small booth. No one gave them a second look, even in their designer clothes.
Linda came to the table, giving them both a look. “You both hungry? Those fancy dinners don’t exactly cater to hunger.”
Ava couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll have my usual, please, Linda,” she said.
“Make that the same for me.”
Linda wrote down their order, and Ava loved the hug she got. Knox got his hair ruffled, and they were alone.
“You know, no one ever messes with my hair and gets away with it,” Knox said, running his fingers through it.