Willow
Livingwith Durango this past month has been a dream. While he has had several assignments that have taken him away for about half the time, the time we do spend together is amazing. Well, most of it has been in bed, but he’s also taken me on several dates. We’ve been to Broadway, museums, and several other tourist stops in New York City.
And I want to enjoy every moment, but there is still something weighing on my mind. Carmen. Samantha and I both signed NDAs, but we have no assurance from Carmen that she won’t tell Benson Hyde or Zavier Carte.
“You’re worried,” Durango says as he hands me a cup of coffee.
I’m still in bed after glorious wake-up sex. “I’ve been thinking about Carmen. She has no reason to tell those men about us, but I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Durango nods. “You should get dressed,” he says as he stands up and puts on a T-shirt.
“Why?” It’s Saturday, and we don’t have any plans.
“Because Harding is on her way over. She wants to talk to both of us. I think it’s about Benson Hyde.”
The doorbell rings.
“I’ll let her know you need a minute,” he says as he goes to answer the door.
I get dressed and brush my hair quickly. If Harding has news about Hyde, I want to hear it.
They are laughing when I walk into the kitchen.
“I wish I could have seen his face. Do you know who is behind it?” Durango asks.
“Not at all. It really could be any of the guys,” Harding says. “They only change his ringtone when he’s in the office or in town.”
“Ringtone?” I ask.
“Someone keeps changing the ringtone on Peaches’s cell phone to various songs about Peaches. It’s been going on for years and driving him crazy.”
“Peaches?” I ask.
“Oh, I forgot you haven’t met him yet. He works out of the Seattle office. He and Harding are a couple,” Durango says.
Harding doesn’t strike me as someone who would do well in a relationship, but I’ve only seen her serious, work side. And if I thought about it, the same could be said for many of the guys in Durango’s office.
“Let me get right to it. Hyde left the country before he could be questioned about Tyler’s death. Well, he was found yesterday in a small town in Texas. Dead. And on him was the gun used to shoot Tyler. The local police are handling the case. I’m certain Carte had him killed to prevent any blowback on him.” Harding turns to me. “But regardless of who did it, Hyde is no longer a threat to you.”
“What if Carmen tells Carte about the video?” I ask.
Harding shakes her head. “What could she say? As far as Carte knows, the video was leaked by someone in the Portland PD. But to be safe, Carmen has been dealt with.”
I look at Durango, whose expression I can’t read. Then I look at Harding. She’s wearing the same serious expression.
“What do you mean she has been dealt with?”
Harding leans back and smiles. “I paid her an in-person visit to make sure she understands she must never speak about Tyler or the video to anyone. I might have led her to believe I was affiliated with Carte.”
Durango grins.
“I’m confused,” I say.
“About what?” Harding asks. “Carmen believes if she ever speaks about any of that, she will be killed. Problem solved.”
My brows shoot up. “Oh, you threatened her?”
Harding shakes her head. “Of course not. Did you not hear what I just said?”
