Page 46 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

She put on her shirt and buttoned it.“Thank you.Hopefully, it’ll stop itching now.That has been the worst part of being shot.The pain was nothing compared to the itching.”

Doctor Schneider chuckled.“You don’t know how many people tell me that.Thankfully, I’ve never had to experience it myself.”

“The first thing I’m doing when I get home is taking a nice, long shower and scrubbing these scars.”

The doctor smiled.“You do that, and don’t let me see you back here again.”He sobered.“Be careful.Whatever you’re doing, someone doesn’t like it.”

“Rest assured, I don’t want to see you either.”Her eyes rounded.“No offense meant.”

“None taken,” chuckled Dr.Schneider.

Meri stepped down from the examination table to leave.

Chase stood, too.“Thank you.”He again held out his right hand to the doctor.

“You’re welcome.”He shook Chase’s hand.

“Yes, thank you for helping me.”

“Of course.”

The doctor left the room.

Meri and Chase followed him.

When they were outside, he walked beside her to the Charger in the parking lot.

Meri adjusted the purse on her right shoulder as she stopped to see his face.“I didn’t say anything earlier, because I didn’t want to pry.But when I was pulling a shirt out of the closet, I found something that I think belonged to Paige.She lived with you for a year or so before she was killed, right?Anyway, I think it’s her diary, but it’s locked.It’s a thin piece of leather and I’m sure you could cut through it.It might hold a clue to her murder.”

Chase frowned.“I didn’t know she kept a diary, and I never looked in that room for anything.I didn’t realize she used it for more than storing clothes.Unlike you, she was a definite clothes horse.”

She chuckled.“I might not have a lot of clothes, but the pieces I have are quality ones.They’ll last a long time.”

“I stand corrected.Let’s look at that diary.I want to see what it says.”

They walked to the car, got in and drove back to his building, and took the elevator up to the apartment.When they entered, she headed to her room, placed her purse on the bed and found the diary, then returned to the living room.

Chase stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows, looking out over the city and toward the mountains.His vantage gave him the best of both views.

He turned.

How he heard her she couldn’t fathom.The carpet was deep and thick, muffling any footsteps.Maybe he saw her reflection in the windows.

She handed him the small book.Before she released it, she laid her hand on an arm.“You might find out things you’d rather not.Are you sure you want to read it?I can read it and tell you if anything stands out.”

“Thank you for wanting to protect me, but I need to know for myself.We can read it together.”He headed for the sofa and sat in the middle.

She followed and sat to his left, close enough that their legs and arms touched.

He took a knife out of his pocket and slit the leather that held the book closed.He opened it and leafed through to the last entry.Then he read out loud.

Dear Diary,

I’m meeting Marco again tonight.I shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to stay away.I know he works for the cartel, and he’s dangerous, but that’s part of the attraction.In addition, he’s great in bed.Chase would never forgive me if he found out.I know this, and I still can’t stay away.

I’m going to tell him that tonight is our last time.I can’t keep doing deliveries for him.I know what I’m doing is wrong.If the police caught me, I’d go to jail for life, and I’m not sure I could last anytime in jail.If another cartel catches me, I’m dead.But Marco insists that I’m the perfect person for the job.No one would ever suspect me of helping drug traffickers.I know he’s right, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.I have to quit, and I’m going to.Tonight will be the last time for both Marco and the drug drops.It has to be.I love Marco, but Chase can give me all the things I need.And, anyway, he’s too busy to notice if I’m gone.

I’ve always met Marco at his place on Sixth and Downing, but tonight he wanted to meet me at White’s.That’s not the kind of place I usually frequent, but if he wants to meet me there, I’ll go.If he had more money, Marco and I would marry, I’m sure of it.Oh well, need to dress and go see him.I intend to make this last night one to remember.