Chapter 9 Ethan is different

While we wait for the security footage to load, the waitress recounts her transaction with Jane’s lookalike. “She was beautiful, and very friendly. I wish all customers were like her.” She gushes, “She bought a box of cookies and asked if she could use the service exit, because she parked in the side street. The young woman glances back and forth between her manager and me, uncertainty painting her features. “Was that wrong?”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.” I assure her, trying to keep my voice gentle even though her decision has actually inconvenienced me greatly. If only she’d said no! The blonde would have been forced to walk out the front, right past me. “Have you ever seen her before?”

Unfortunately the waitress is too young to have been working here when Jane and I were married, but maybe she’s seen her on other occasions. “I’m sorry, no.” She replies. “I think she was from out of town.”

“Why do you say that?” I question sharply.

“Well, she said she loves our pastries but she never gets to eat them anymore because she moved away.” The waitress explains.

“Can you tell me anything else about her?” I implore, keeping my fingers crossed that she’ll remember some small clue to the woman’s identity.

“Well, I can tell you she has money.” She answers, “Her clothes were designer and the perfume she was wearing costs

thousands of dollars.”

I leap at the detail, “What was the perfume brand?”

“La louve.” The young woman flushes, “I’ve been saving up for a bottle for months. I think it was the signature line.”

to the security tape. We all watch with bated breath, but the grainy footage doesn’t reveal any helpful hints. In addition to the

back to my penthouse, I head straight for my closet, reaching up to the high shelves above the clothing racks and extracting a worn shoe box. Opening it, I

Jane in a bridesmaid’s gown, is the woman who brought Paisley home after she ran away from

Linda

expect to find waiting on the other side

surprise, I choke, “Alpha, to what do I owe

me coolly. “I came to thank you for bringing

of course.” I smile, trying to hide my unease. That can’t be the only reason he’s here, I’m only thankful he chose to come to my work, instead of my home. The entire house smells like Jane and the

continues shrewdly, “Why did * you

clearly didn’t remember

remember you.” Ethan frowns, “I should have –

okay.” I flush, desperate for the imposing wolf to stop looking at me like I’m a puzzle he’s

well for yourself.” He compliments, gesturing around at my law firm. “Though I wonder – why did a high price lawyer need a reward for returning a

stop. I think dryly. “You know what they say about lawyers.” I quip, chuckling

nods, nonchalantly scanning the titles on my bookshelf. “And the

oh no, oh no. “What do

told me another woman found her near Eve’s shop,

friends. Like Jane, Isabel is a small blonde who moved away for work

unconvinced. “It must be hard

deep pang in my chest. “Not at all. Jane is-” Damn it! I catch myself just in time. I came this close to saying Jane is doing well. Instead I dab at my eyes, pretending to be caught up in emotion. “She wasn’t the type of person who

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