Hot SEAL, April's Fool by Becca Jameson (smart books to read .txt) 📗

She wanted to keep busy this morning, and laundry was just the ticket.

She had just stuffed the sheets and towels in the washer when her phone buzzed. An unknown number, but considering how crazy things had been this week, she didn’t chance not answering. It could be a client wanting a showing, but it could be Cole calling from a strange phone. “Hello?”

“Is this April McKay?” A man said.

“Yes. Who is this?” She stiffened.

“Oh good. Ms. McKay, this is Richard Chamberlain.”

What the fuck?

“My daughter, Violet, mentioned you’re a realtor and classmate of hers from high school. I’m looking for some help finalizing a large deal and my current realtor just quit. Any chance you could take me on as a client?”

April sucked in a breath. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to go fuck himself. Was there any way in hell he didn’t know who she was or that she was Cole’s girlfriend?

She was about to hang up when she had another idea. Maybe she could help Cole out in some way if she spent some time with Chamberlain. Pull some information out of him. Get an idea what he was up to. A chill crawled up her spine, but she ignored the unnerving sensation. “When did you have in mind, sir?”

“Right now would be great if you have the time. I’m in a bind. I could sure use the help.”

April’s brow furrowed. Now? Less than an hour ago, he’d told Cole he couldn’t be bothered to meet with him because he was too busy. Now, he wanted April to see him immediately?

She didn’t like it, but she needed to find her spine and figure out what he intended to accomplish. Cole’s future depended on it. “Okay. I can be there in about half an hour.” At least she’d already showered. She just needed to get dressed. “Where would you like me to meet you?”

“My house would be great. I’ll have the cook prepare us lunch. It might take me a while to tell you what I’m looking for and discuss some options.”

She swallowed. His house. Bad idea? “Okay, sir. See you soon.” She ended the call and stood rooted to her spot for several moments, shaking, uncertain.

Finally, she took a deep breath and rushed into her bedroom. She needed to look professional, no matter what. She couldn’t imagine what to expect from Richard Chamberlain, but whatever it was, she needed her power outfit on.

Fifteen minutes later, she was out the door. At least she didn’t have to worry about her car starting. The guys at the shop had it running better than it had since she’d acquired it.

She considered texting Cole to let him know where she was going but decided he didn’t need the added concern this morning. He was meeting with one of Chamberlain’s men. The guy was probably already at the shop. She could bring Cole up to date later.

Hell, it was always possible that nothing interesting would come of this meeting at all. Maybe Chamberlain was seriously working on a real estate deal and needed a new realtor.

She wasn’t really buying the lie she told herself, but considering the week she was having, anything was possible.

Chapter 12

As April reached up to knock on the mayor’s front door, her hand was shaking. This was a crazy idea. She considered texting Cole again and at least letting him know where she was but decided to wait until after she met with Chamberlain. If she was successful and managed to get some information out of the man, she could surprise Cole. If not, no harm done. Besides, Cole was busy meeting with one of Chamberlain’s henchmen.

Within moments of knocking, the door was opened by an older man in a suit. He was tall and willowy but perfectly groomed—starched shirt, pressed pants, precise bowtie. “Ms. McKay, I presume?”

“Yes.”

He held the door open wider as he stepped back. “Mayor Chamberlain is waiting for you in the library.”

She looked around at the ornate woodwork in the entryway as she followed the tall man. Chamberlain’s home wasn’t the largest in town, but it was one of the older homes. It had been in the Chamberlain family for over a century. The hardwood floors were original and in pristine condition.

April’s heels clacked on the floor, resounding loudly with every step and announcing her arrival to the library prematurely. She glanced at the tall man as he waved a hand toward the entrance to the room. It was very pretentious of Chamberlain to have a butler, but she wasn’t surprised.

There was no way the mayor made enough money to afford the luxury surrounding him—neither the artwork nor the staff—but April was aware the man had old money. His job as mayor was probably a drop in the bucket of what he brought in monthly.

She fought a shudder as she entered the library, reminding herself that a lot of his current income was marginally above the law. How many people had he tricked into signing over their entire livelihoods to get what he wanted?

Chamberlain was standing behind a huge mahogany desk leaning over some blueprints as April advanced. He lifted his gaze and shot her a smile. Too large. Too fake. He extended a hand as she approached. “Ms. McKay, so nice of you to come on such short notice.” His full head of hair was slicked back as if he either just showered or used too much product. He had a mustache too, which was so not in style lately. And his skin was weathered from too much sun or more likely bad genes. Everything about him reminded her of a mob boss, not shocking since she now knew that’s essentially what he was.

She shook his hand, though she would rather not have touched him. Already he was under her skin with his smarmy looks. She had no idea why he’d called her here, but she doubted it had a damn thing to do with real estate. In