Free Next August by Kelly Moore Page A

just an excuse to hear her voice.
    “Hey. I just arrived at your house,” she says.
    “Good, I’m glad you’ll be living there. I wanted you to know that there will be a security guard at the front gate. I’ll have you cleared before he even starts.”
    “Did something happen?” She sounds alarmed.
    “No, nothing to concern yourself about. I miss you.” I want to change the subject, and it’s not a lie.
    She is quiet.
    “Is something wrong?” I ask.
    “No…. it’s…. . just, well I think we got involved a little too quickly.”
    “Are you having regrets?”
    “I don’t regret anything we have done to each other. I rather enjoyed myself, it’s just a little complicated for me working for you. We need to have some boundaries.”
    I don’t think I can have boundaries where she is concerned.” We’ll work it out. I enjoy spending time with you, Nash. We can go a little slower if you like.” I have no intention of slowing down what is between us. I have never felt this way, and I want to explore it even more.
    “Thanks for saying that, I really want to get settled here and start working with your father right away. I’m anxious to see what kind of progress I can make with him.”
    I am not really interested in his progress. I take care of him out of loyalty, nothing else. I hate what he has done and who he had become. There are days I just wish him dead. I’m sure if I said these words out loud, it would make me a monster.” Don’t get your hopes up too much Nash, he has been this way for a while. Work on getting settled in and making yourself at home. If you need anything, please let Stella know.”
    “I have everything I need. Quit worrying about me. I can take care of myself.”
    “Did you get the email with the agenda on Saturday?”
    “Are you sure you want me to go? I don’t want to hinder you at the party and I’m not so sure about fitting in with everyone.” She says.
    “I’m absolutely positive that I want you on my arm. I’ll be honored to show you off.” I reassure her.
    “Okay,” she says, “I’ll see you on Saturday.”
     
    ☀
     
    My panel of experts is wrapping up their final plans for the launch when Margaret walks in and whispers in my ear.
    “You have a phone call, sir.”
    “Take a number. I’ll call back.”
    “I think you might want to take it. The man is very insistent. He says if you don’t talk to him he’ll talk to a reporter.”
    “Thank you for all of your hard work ladies and gentlemen. I have a pressing issue I need to address.” I follow Margaret out.
    “I’m so sorry I interrupted your meeting.”
    “You did the right thing, Margaret. I’ll take it in my office.” I close the office door and my desk phone rings. I call Wayne on my cell.
    “I need you to track the call on line three. “I hang up and take the incoming call. “Hello?”
    An unwavering male voice responds.” Is this August Rylan?”
    “Yes. Who’s this?” I lean back into my chair.
    “My name isn’t important, but you need to listen very carefully. I’m going to ruin you. Your father took something from me and never paid the price for it. You’ll pay for his sins. I think you’re hiding something and when I find out what it is, I’ll destroy you.” The phone line goes dead.
    Wayne dials in as soon as the call ends.” He wasn’t on long enough sir for me to trace him. I have already doubled security on the main floor, and I put a guard by the elevator on your floor, sir.”
    “I’m more concerned about my home.”
    “I’m on it, sir.” He hangs up.
    Shit. When is it ever going to end? Now I’ve drawn Nashville into this mess. This is why I’ve had no life. As soon as I let my guard down, this shit starts up again. If the accident would have been my father’s fault, I would have handed them over every penny the man had left, but it wasn’t. The twenty-eight-year-old man driving the truck was on his cell phone at the time he ran into my father, who was parked