“I like being around people.”
Karen volunteered at a local Boys and Girls Club and probably spent half her income on disadvantaged kids. Although Samantha had done a complete background check on Karen long before Gwen started working at Alliance, Gwen didn’t feel it was her place to dig into Karen’s past. If Michael had specific questions about Karen, Gwen would have Samantha call him with the details. As Gwen’s co-worker and roommate, she thought that eventually the other woman would open up to her. If she didn’t, then that was her business.
“What will you do with the money…if in fact you and Michael marry?” Their female clients who were willing to marry rich men did so for a very steep price. A minimum two million dollars with a twenty percent commission to Alliance was in the contract. The groom agreed to take care of every expense his new bride needed, including everything from a new wardrobe to a new car. Living arrangements were determined early in the negotiating phase. Some husbands lived with the wives, though never in the same bedroom. If the couple became attracted to each other, it was understood that Alliance would have nothing to do with any resulting paternity suits. If the couple stayed married after the agreed upon time, Alliance was paid as per the agreement and it was up to the couple to dissolve the prenuptial contracts.
There were a few clients, very few, who were actually looking for love. In those cases, couples were matched based on their profiles and desires for a romantic interest. Both parties agreed to pay Alliance for their background checks and all expenses associated with the match…and a finder’s fee.
Samantha had started Alliance over five years ago. Several couples had met, married, and divorced their spouse, leaving as friends. So far, eighty percent of the couples they matched for love were still married. Only about twenty percent of the couples who married for money had endured past their contracts and had children, or were otherwise wed for life. The rest divorced as planned.
Samantha and Blake being among the twenty percent.
“I’ll invest half of it. Make sure I’m set later in life.”
“And the other half?”
“I’ve been thinking of opening a house for runaways. A place where every child can escape to and feel safe. A place for kids to go when they have nowhere else.”
If there was ever a time Gwen wanted to probe it was now. “That sounds like a lot of work.”
“Anything worthwhile usually is. There are a lot of homeless teens out there getting into all kinds of trouble just to keep food in their mouths.” Karen turned away, which signaled to Gwen that “sharing time” was over. “Besides, an ex-wife of a celebrity might be able to convince others to make donations to help with the kids. It’s worth a shot.”
Karen had a huge heart. “Let’s hope Michael’s background checks out then.”
Gwen’s phone rang, saving Karen from more questions.
“Hello?”
“What’s going on in the backyard?” Leave it to Neil to skip any “how do you do’s” and get right at the meat of things.
“I’m sorry?”
“Your backyard? The motion detectors are off the charts but nothing is coming up on the video feed.” Neil’s short tone and quick questions made it difficult to respond in a warm or friendly manner.
“We have new neighbors. They’ve craned in a Jacuzzi.”
“The people directly behind you?” he asked.
“Yes.”
The line was silent for a few seconds. “Neil? You still there?”
“I need you to step outside.”
“Why?” she asked as she left her chair and started walking toward the back door.
“I need to run a test.”
Gwen opened the back door and walked into the yard. “Has anyone ever told you you’re paranoid?”
“Most people avoid saying things to me that piss me off.”
She smiled. “I like annoying you.”
Neil laughed…well, more snort than laugh.
“Was that a laugh, Neil?”
The man rarely smiled, but when he did, her body went numb and she lost herself in his gaze. Too bad he wasn’t standing with her so she could see him instead of imagine him.
“There you are,” he said, not answering her question.
Gwen waved, knowing the camera had found her.
“Walk to the back fence.”
Gwen tiptoed and avoided sinking her heels into the soft grass.
“Are you there?”
“I am. Can’t you see me?”
“I need to readjust the equipment. Get a better angle.”
“I’m going back inside now.” The men in the yard behind them were starting to peer over her way. She waved, smiled, and returned to the house. “If you’re done…I need to get back to work.”
“I’m…I’m…How’s your leg?”
Gwen paused inside the kitchen and glanced at her foot. “It’s fine. Thank you for asking.”
“Good. Uhm, I’ll be there in an hour to check the cameras.”
She’d look forward to it. “Paranoid,” she told him again.
He snorted a second time and hung up the phone.
Chapter Four
I shouldn’t be here.
But damn he couldn’t stay away. He knew the static on the motion detector was most likely due to normal neighbor behavior, a passing cat, or even the wind.
Gwen was right. He was paranoid.