FOREVER BELOVED (Billionaire Love Series) by Jessa Eden Read Free Book Online Page A

said
in a low voice, meant to convey authority, as he gripped my hand in
a firm handshake.
    I nodded. “No problem. What did you need to
talk to me about?” I asked, pointing to a seat in front of my desk
as I sat down behind it.
    Parking his ass in the leather high back
chair, he explained why he was there. “I’m not gonna dance around
the issue, Mr. Shepard. We’re investigating Senator Blackwood.
We’ve received a tip about his attempt to extract a bribe from you
to smooth the way for some permits granted by the Historical
Society for your Arsenal hotel.”
    “Why would I help you out with your
investigation?”
    “Because we’re also investigating your
father.”
    That was unexpected. “What? Why?” I asked,
before I could temper my reaction.
    His brown eyes soaked in my concern. “We’ve
noticed he has a hand in almost every big deal going down in this
city, including your project.”
    “He knows a lot of people and has a lot of
connections in the city of Baltimore,” I defended, even though I
knew he was crooked.
    “Yes, he does. Don’t worry. We’re not really
after him. We want the Senator and if you help us, we’ll make the
case against your father go away.”
    “What exactly are you asking me to do?”
    “We want you to call the Senator again.
Confirm you’ve made a payment in exchange for his help with the
permits.”
    “Hmm…that’s something I’m going to have to
think about. I would love nothing more to see that old codger get
thrown in jail, but I don’t want to jump into this little game
you’re asking me to play.”
    “I understand. Here’s my card. You have a
little time to think about it. But, we need your help in putting
the Senator away. He’s been committing fraud for years.”
    “I understand. I’ll get back to you
soon.”
     
     

CHAPTER SEVEN

    Marla:
    After dropping off my last delivery for Meals
on Wheels and spending some quality time with Mrs. Edwards, I went
back home. As the front door swung open and I stepped inside the
entryway, I was greeted by the sounds of weapons discharging as a
string of profanity followed.
    “What’s going on?” I asked as I walked into
the living room after putting my purse down.
    “Just chilling out,” Charlie offered, playing
Halo on his Xbox console.
    “Okay. How long have you been playing?” I
asked, standing next to where he was seated on an oversized green
bean bag.
    “Only two hours.”
    “You should at least get outside today and
soak in some sunshine. You need your vitamin D to feel good.”
    He paused his game as he glanced back at me.
“I might. But I’m in no hurry on my day off to run around outside.
So what’s your plan for the day?”
    “I’m going to visit Charly after I eat some
lunch. Do you want to come along?” I asked.
    I had yet to tell Charlie about the true
nature of his relationship to Charly. My son only knew him as a
good friend of the family. I was going to have to tell my son about
his grandfather soon, preferably in Charly’s presence. I might even
do it today, if he was willing to go with me.
    “I don’t think I’ll go with you. But tell
Charly I said hello,” Charlie answered, more concerned with his
game.
    Guess it wasn’t meant to be.
    I kissed his forehead. “I will. I hope you
will come with me next time or if you want, you can go visit him on
your own.”
    He nodded and turned his attention back to
the TV. I left him to his game and went into the kitchen to make a
chicken salad sandwich for lunch. After I ate, I drove over to
Charly’s place. He lived in a good-sized skyscraper, so I took the
elevator up to his apartment. He answered the door and his face lit
up as he welcomed me in.
    “Marla!” he said, giving me a good hug.
    “Hey, Charly. It’s good to see you.”
    “Come in, come in.” He ushered me through the
front door to his beautiful place.
    Charly’s apartment was similar to a suite
found in a five star hotel—plush luxurious furniture and
twenty-four hour