David Hooks Mary, Chapter 40, continued, Phantom Love
“Gotcha.” David said as he read Mary’s words. He had methodically directed the conversation toward this moment from the moment he’d typed “I love you.” Wildcat would be pleased she had gone for the big one right away.
“Is the fish on the hook?” Sylvia spoke from the doorway.
David didn’t bother to turn around, his eyes still on the computer screen. “Yes, she’s going to sell the Eakins.”
“I’m sorry I doubted you.” Sylvia draped her arms over his shoulders as he continued the online chat.
“You know I’m the best you’ve got.” He hoped she’d leaned in to read the text on the screen. If so, she’d really discover how good he was at this game.
Sylvia pressed a kiss on his neck and straightened up. “Just don’t do anything to screw it up. We don’t have the money yet.”
“You worry too much.”
“That’s my job, and I do it well. It’s yours to keep the fish on the line until we reel her in.” She trailed her fingers across his shoulders. “How’s lonelygirl coming along? Any mention of emeralds yet?”
David looked over his shoulder at her. “I complimented her on her green eyes yesterday and said she was one of those women who should wear emeralds. Tonight, I’ll do the wine-and-dine routine. We’ll have her jewels by the end of the week.”
“Don’t get too cocky.”
He rolled his eyes. “You know that’s what you love about me.”
“Love? I don’t know about that. Lust, definitely.” She purred something in his ear that was undecipherable, but knowing her, X-rated.
Smiling up at her, he shook his finger. “Are you being a naughty girl?”
Sylvia smirked and tossed her hair. “Someone needs to relieve all that tension built up by chatting with those poor, lonely women.”
He waved a hand at her. “Scat, so I can woo my fiancées.”
“How many are you engaged to now?”
“Two so far, but the night is young.”
Sylvia laughed and walked out of the room.
David shook his head. Sylvia was entertaining and she certainly knew how to run the business, but he needed to refocus on the task at hand to avoid making any crucial mistakes. Sylvia might like to think she was in charge, but they both knew who called the shots.
One error in judgment, and months of trawling could result in an empty haul. Sylvia would be furious if he let Mary wiggle off the hook, and he didn’t want to think about what would happen if Wildcat found out one of the lines had snapped.
Wildcat’s moniker might bring to mind a tame housecat, but he was someone you didn’t want to cross. Ever.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Phantom Love is copyrighted and cannot be used in any form without permission from Sarah Hamaker.
