After having dinner with the Jones family, David made a quick exit. But not before he snagged Owen''s contact info, knowing that Mirabe would soon be dropping by to check on Frank.


    Once David left, Owen and Johnny didn''t stick around either. They hit the road, with Johnny at the wheel. He might''ve looked calm on the outside, but inside, his thoughts were all over the ce, buzzing with the evening''s events.


    "I never would''ve guessed the old boss was pals with Mr. Boyd," Johnny mused aloud. He used to think knowing a mid-level pharmacist was a big deal, but now? He felt a bit silly for his narrow view. Ten guys like Dane couldn''t hold a candle to one Mr. Boyd.


    Then, a thought struck him. ncing at the rearview mirror, Johnny asked softly, "Do you think Ms. Mirabe might be even more remarkable than Mr. Boyd?"


    Though David hadn''t spilled all the details, it was pretty clear. Owen stared out the window, finally nodding, "Probably."


    Johnny sighed, still gripping the wheel. "You know, looks sure can be deceiving. Who knows how far Ms. Mirabe will go."


    Her skills in pharmaceuticals, already surpassing Mr. Boyd''s, were enough to make waves. Plus, she had James backing her up.


    Owen shot a sideways nce at Johnny. "That''s why some bonds aren''t forged through scheming."


    Johnny just gave a wry smile. The Davis family''s involvement was something he hadn''t foreseen.


    Over at another club, Mirabe had wrapped up her chat with Owen and was now lounging on a sofa with Grady, shooting the breeze. They''d been there for the better part of an hour, and it was nearing seven, but Zach still hadn''t shown up.


    Mirabe checked her phone. "Let me try calling Zach."


    "Could be traffic," Grady noted, ncing at his watch-it was rush hour, after all.


    "The call''s not going through." Mirabe frowned, hanging up. Zach was usually so punctual; it wasn''t like him to bete or unreachable.


    "Let''s give it a bit more time; he might be here soon," Grady suggested, then stood up. "I''m gonna hit the restroom."


    Mirabe nodded and tried to rx on the sofa, but an inexplicable irritation gnawed at her. She stood up, moved to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and pulled open the heavy curtains.


    She cracked the window open, hoping the cool breeze might calm her nerves, but it barely made a dent.


    After a moment, she tried Zach''s number again-still no luck.


    Meanwhile, Grady slipped out of the suite, heading down the hallway to the end before calling As. "Can you find out where the young master is right now?"


    The club was a Davis family joint, and As was stationed in the top-floor office. He straightened up at Grady''s request. "Got it."


    Phone in pocket, Grady lingered at the hallway''s end for a few minutes, his gaze deep and thoughtful. Then he turned back toward the suite, his expression nowposed.


    Back in the suite, he was surprised to find the sofa empty. Scanning the room, with its open curtains but no sign of Mirabe, Grady assumed she''d gone to the restroom.


    He settled back on the sofa, but after waiting a few minutes, no one emerged. Grady frowned, feeling a growing sense of unease.