His Secret Muse: An Alpha Billionaire Romance by Linnea May Read Free Book Online Page B

he states.
    "Well, yes-"
    "Mr. Crow asked me to meet you here," he adds, his voice so low that even I can barely hear him. "I am to bring you to him."
    I look around the restaurant. A few people here and there are looking at us, but their interest seems to be peripheral. If this guy is trying to be inconspicuous, he is failing at it. No wonder. Who the hell wears sunglasses at night?
    "Where is he?" I ask. "And who are you?"
    "I am Craig, Mr. Crow's personal assistant," he explains.
    "I thought his assistant was a woman?"
    "He has more than one, Miss," Craig says.
    I am beginning to feel uneasy. This is creeping me out.
    "Why is Cedric not here?" I continue my interrogation.
    Craig clears his throat. I can tell that he is starting to get annoyed.
    "Something came up," he says. "It would be much easier and safer if you would just come with me, Miss."
    Safer?
    "I don't trust you," I blurt out. I have never been good at hiding my suspicions. "I want to talk to Cedric."
    He sighs. But instead of repeating his 'please-just-come-with-me'-mantra, he produces a phone from his pocket and makes a call.
    "She wants to talk to you," he says, making no effort to hide how annoyed he is by my reluctant behavior. Then he nods and hands the phone over to me.
    "Renee," I hear Cedric's voice at the other end. "I am sorry to put you on the spot like this. I know Craig can be a little intimidating."
    "You could say that," I reply, glancing over at Craig, who now has his arms crossed in front of his chest, scanning our surroundings and acting as if he didn't really belong with me, but still cared for my protection.
    "Why are you not here?" I ask. "I thought we had a date."
    "We do," he says. "But I underestimated the interest some journalists show in my life. Someone leaked that I am back in town, even though I tried my best to keep it a secret. I thought that diner would be a safe place to meet, but it's not anymore."
    "Mhm," I make.
    "So, instead of coming to you, I'll have to bring you to me," he continues. "You can trust Craig. He may be a bit over the top because he takes his job very seriously, but he's a nice guy."
    "Where are we meeting now?" I ask.
    "You'll see," Cedric replies. "Don't worry. You'll like it."
    I sigh and look up at Craig again. He is still standing in his bodyguard pose and waiting for me to finish this - in his view - redundant phone call.
    "Alright," I say. "I guess I'll trust your bodyguard then."
    Cedric laughs. "He's not my bodyguard - though he seems to think that sometimes. I'll see you soon, then. Bye."
    "Bye."
    I hang up and hand the phone to Craig.
    "Okay, big guy," I say. "Take me wherever it is that Cedric wants to see me."
    Craig nods without saying a word and turns around to walk outside, confident that I will follow him.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    Luckily, the big not-a-bodyguard guy deigns to take off his sunglasses for driving. We don't speak for the entire time. I am inclined to make jokes or just say something to cover the awkward silence between us, but Craig doesn't strike me as a guy who would be up for that. So I just content myself with side-eyeing him from time to time while he completely ignores my existence.
    The drive doesn't take long. We eventually enter the underground parking garage of a glazed high-rise building. I am confused because it appears to be an office building.
    "This is where we are meeting?" I ask as Craig parks the car. "Are we about to embark on a Mafiosi drug deal? Should I be scared?"
    I am trying to be funny, but - as expected - Craig doesn't take it well. He doesn't even give me a chuckle.
    Underground parking lots have always scared me. This is a nice one. I can tell that it is part of an upper-class building. Well lit and rather new - and the few cars that are parked here suggest a wealthy clientele.
    Craig gets out of the car and walks to my side of the car, getting ready to open the door for me. But I preempt his attempt to be a gentleman by jumping out of the car before he