“Yes.” Uneasiness rippled through me. “Now he probably thinks you’re his enemy because you dared to speak up against him.”
She grimaced. “I was just trying to clarify what had happened. His version doesn’t resemble reality.”
Girdy leaned closer. “Hey, Royce. You should investigate River.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ya know. Look into his background.” She winked. “See if he has a dark past or something.”
Royce tensed. “I can’t really do that. Not unless he breaks the law.”
“But you have all sorts of ways to look into him.” Girdy scowled and drained her wineglass. “I’d do it in a heartbeat if I was a cop.”
“It’s not ethical to use his position for personal reasons, Girdy.” Todd ruffled her hair and earned a scowl.
“Why not?” Girdy seemed a little tipsy. “River is being a jerk to Max. Why can’t Royce protect him?”
A muscle clenched in Royce’s jaw. “I could lose my job doing something like that, Girdy. I’ll just have to protect Max some other way.”
I scowled. “I’m not a blushing handmaiden. I can watch out for myself.”
“I know.” Girdy patted my arm. “I just worry about you, boss.”
I sighed. “That’s sweet of you, Girdy. I’m sure things will settle down now. River won’t have any power over me anymore. I’ll exercise the buyout clause in my lease, and River will be out of my life.”
“That’s right.” Royce nodded, taking his glass from Sergio. He sipped it and smiled. “That’s yummy.”
I smiled. “I’m so glad you showed up.”
His gaze was warm. “This right here is what’s important in life.”
I nodded, leaning closer to him. “Dr. Johnson made me promise to remember that the people in my life are more important than the hours on the job.”
Royce’s gaze settled on my mouth. “Dr. Johnson sounds like a wise man.”
I smirked. “Of course he is. He picked me over River.”
Smiling, Royce brushed my lips with his and then said, “Easy choice.”
Chapter Eighteen
Royce
When I got to the office the next morning, I discovered that during the early morning hours, the person who’d tried to use Archie’s ATM card had tried again two more times at different ATMs around town. Each time, the person was able to retain the card. The simplest thing would’ve been if I could’ve had eyes on all the ATMs in Rainy Dale. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the manpower for that.
I was surprised when later in the day, Thomas dropped by to see me. He looked uneasy as I sat him down in one of the interview rooms. “What’s going on, Thomas?” I asked.
He fidgeted in his seat. “I had a really weird experience, and I thought I should tell you about it.”
“What kind of experience?”
“Well, Janelle has decided to keep the limousine business going.”
I lifted my brows in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes. And she’s asked me to manage it.” He laughed nervously. “Which is super flattering, but I have to admit it’s a little overwhelming.”
“I seem to remember you saying you’d have wanted to buy the business if you’d had the money.”
