The Accountant novel Chapter 17

The private pool in the villa was heaven. Refreshing. Lizzie has assured her soaking in the warm water all day was safe enough. Beau's bullet wound has healed considerably but she was restricted from lifting anything that's over two kilos.

That's bullshit. She only agreed to ease the doctor's worry. Early morning, she took advantage of the gym's amenities and it has done wonders for her recovery.

A semblance of guilt was nagging at her conscience but she placed it at the back of her mind. Where it belonged.

I bet you miss Dominic.

Hell no! Why should she when she was enjoying herself?

That traitor pear shade organ inside her chest constricted and she blinked rapidly. Hurt by her own words.

The irrevocable truth was, she would have enjoyed this more if he was here with her. Spoiling her.

Too bad, he's not.

Fuck it! Go away!

She was steadfast in her decision and it had to be in her own terms. She wouldn't renege on that.

Lizzie and Dinara had been awesome girlfriends. They never judged her decisions and even supported her craziness.

Shit! The trouble they had gotten themselves into because of her. Beau grimaced. She had to make sure her doctor will retain her job and Dinara's bum will be spared or at the very least, she won't be grounded for life.

As for hers... Dominic would never hurt her physically. She can bet her genius brain on that. But he might kick her out of the house for the trouble she had put him through.

His people will be in chaos, not to mention his parents...oh, fuck! It had been two days since their escape and they must be worried sick. Should one of them call and let Dinara's parents know they were safe?

She must talk to her girls. Yeah, in a short span of days, they had become besties for life. Can't wait to introduce them to Lily. They would really click.

"You should apply sunscreen, Beau," Lizzie called out, shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun. She squinted her eyes at the shy doctor. Damn! She looked hot in her one-piece red bathing suit.

Beau wondered if the good doctor was single.

Dinara was a sworn tomboy, more interested in sports and guns but Lizzie was a silent, caring type. What's her history?

Swimming in her direction, she lifted her slender body out of the pool. Beau smiled in welcome. Her stomach growled. Again. These stupid cravings were killing her.

Lizzie handed her the sunblock lotion and she applied a generous amount all over her exposed skin.

"Do you have a boyfriend or a lover?" Beau asked. Her friend coughed fitfully at the out of nowhere question.

"What?" She gasped for breath. Lizzie shook her head and averted her gaze from her inquisitive brown eyes. "No time for that. I have a huge student loan to pay off."

She frowned. Was that all? Beau made a mental note to pay her debts anonymously. That's the least she could do for her friend. Besides, she had amassed a lot of money from her job and she didn't even know what to do with it. She only had one sensible investment. Lily's daughters' future was secured. She'd made sure of that.

"How old are you? You look too young to be a specialist."

Lizzie blushed at her question. "24. I graduated early."

She was impressed. They do have a lot in common. Nodding in understanding. "I know the feeling. It happened to me, too. We pretend to fit in yet our brains are too big for the world."

"Yeah. Dad was bankrupt because of his gambling problems. He died when I was ten. My mom remarried and well, life was not easy. I left them as soon as I turned 18." There was something in Lizzie's far away expression that warned Beau there's more to her story but she knew her friend needed time before she could share everything from her past.

"I'm here for you, Liz. You can tell me anything. Anything at all." She smiled. Understanding the meaning behind Beau's words. They hugged each other and giggled when they heard an off-key singing from their crazy friend.

Dinara joined them, cocktails in a round tray, and lots of pastries. Plus buffet was being set up in one corner.

She wondered if they have wagyu steak here and if the chef will cook it on site.

"Why the long faces? Let's party!" The overzealous teenager screamed, raising her arms in the air.

Lizzie and Beau shook their heads, grinning.

Party it is!

Beau wanted the perfect steak and she would make sure she got what she wanted.

Dominic

She missed him. No matter how much she tried to convince herself.

She really did. Sonofabitch!

____________

Alec

He had never seen Dominic so angry and at the same time so fucking worried.

Creases covered his forehead and his once stoic and smooth face was taut with tension.

"Do your fucking job and find them. I'm paying you to give solutions not goddamn questions!" The poor cyberpunk quaked in his boots. Dominic's loud voice boomed inside his office.

The place looked more like a kidnapped-for-ransom crisis center. Every gadget known to the police force they had them. But none could locate their precious ladies.

No enemy has contacted them for demands. They were going in blind.