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

interest in dining with this smarmy man who was extorting money from at least one citizen if not several.

As Maxine removed the soup bowls and replaced them with a plate of fruits and finger sandwiches, the sound of footsteps entering from the far side of the room grabbed April’s attention.

“Violet?” Judging by the tone of his voice, Chamberlain was obviously surprised to see his daughter. He rose. “You didn’t tell me you were coming by today. Sit. I’ll have Maxine prepare you a plate.”

Violet’s raised her brows as she slowly entered. She was dressed as casually as April had ever seen her in recent years—black slacks, a maroon blouse, and black heels. She looked like she’d just left the salon too. Her hair was perfectly coifed.

“I’ve already eaten. What is April doing here?”

Chamberlain returned to his seat and pointed at the chair across from April. “Sit,” he repeated. “I took your advice and called April for help on some of my real estate deals.”

“My advice?” Violet stared at April as she lowered onto the chair.

“Of course,” her father continued. “You told me about her, so I contacted her. Now, tell me, what brings you by the house this afternoon?”

“I came by to pick up one of my boxes from the basement. I’m redecorating my living room.”

Chamberlain chuckled. “Again? Didn’t you just redecorate last month?”

“That was a year ago. And yes.” She didn’t flinch or in any way back down at her father’s teasing.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here. You can help me convince April to do some of the legwork I need acquiring several businesses.”

April hadn’t moved or taken another bite since Violet entered. This entire absurd situation struck her as surreal. She didn’t belong in this home with these people. The only thing she knew for certain was that something was terribly amiss.

On top of everything else she’d learned since her arrival, Violet most certainly had not asked her father to hire April. She didn’t seem to recall the conversation at all. And her father had quickly changed the subject as soon as possible. Not surprising.

At this point, April would give anything to shoot a text to Cole, but doing so at the table would be rude and way too obvious.

Violet was watching April skeptically while her father continued eating as if this odd arrangement were perfectly normal. After several minutes of silence, during which April forced herself to eat several bites off her plate, Chamberlain’s phone rang in his pocket.

He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, frowning. He answered with a quick, “Give me a moment,” and then looked back at April. “Sorry, ladies, I need to take this call. Violet, can you show April where the files are on the businesses I still need to acquire? They’re in the library on the corner of my desk. April, go ahead and look through them and see what you think.” He shoved from the table and hurried from the room before April could respond.

Violet frowned at her as soon as they were alone. “What’s going on here?” Her voice was inquisitive, not accusatory, which was interesting considering the fact that April was certain Violet didn’t like her.

“I have no idea. I was hoping you would tell me.” It occurred to April that it was more likely the mayor had seen April with Cole at the funeral and concocted this story about Violet recommending her to get her to come over. What was his real agenda? April feared it had something to do with using her to get Cole to sign over his business.

Violet glanced at the door where her father had fled and sighed. She shoved from the table and stood next. “Come on.”

April didn’t hesitate to follow Violet from the dining room and back to the library. As soon as Violet shut the door behind them, she hurried across the room and grabbed the pile of file folders. She turned around and dropped them unceremoniously on the small conference table that seated six. “Do you have any experience with commercial real estate?”

“Nope. And I told your father as much.”

Violet frowned. April had never once seen Violet out of sorts. The woman was always cocky, even as a teenager. Head high. Nose in the air. Nosey. Gossipy. Annoying. She almost looked like a normal human right now. Confused.

Violet dropped onto one of the chairs while April sat across from her. Neither of them moved to touch the files. April’s skin crawled. She was growing more and more certain the reason she was here had nothing to do with those files.

When her phone vibrated in her pocket, she flinched before leaning to one side and pulling it out. The text was from Cole. “Hang on,” she told Violet.

Where are you?

She bit her lip. Suddenly it seemed like coming here had been a very bad idea. Not telling Cole had been worse.

Mayor Chamberlain’s house. He asked me to come meet with him about a real estate deal. I thought it might help you. I’m concerned now.

You should be. Does he know you’re texting me?

No. He’s not in the room. He left me with Violet to look over some files.

Can you leave?

April jumped in her seat and glanced around. Violet was staring at her. “What’s the matter?”

“I should go.” April stood, but a noise across the room made her blood freeze. A small click. She rushed across the room and grabbed the doorknob, knowing it wasn’t going to turn. And she was right. It wouldn’t budge. “Fuck.” She spun around and glared at Violet. “What the fuck, Violet?”

Violet jumped to standing also and hurried to join April, trying the knob also, jiggling it, pulling, turning. Nothing. “It sticks sometimes.”

“Is that so?” April asked, sarcasm oozing. This could not be happening. Her phone pinged again and she lifted it to read Cole’s next text.

Get out of there. Now.

April’s hands shook as she responded.

I can’t. I think he locked me in the library.

April grabbed Violet’s arm, tugging her away from the doorknob. “What’s