Tectonic (Double Blind Study Book 3)

by Heidi Hutchinson

  Besides, Harmony would love to have more photos of Greta supposedly “betraying” Shane.

  Greta wouldn't, though. He knew that.

  She had cursed quietly while he'd packed, vowing to rip every single extension from Harmony's head. He reminded her that this was temporary. They'd get this solved soon. Hopefully in the next day or two.

  Shane went down to the bar of the hotel in order to stay visible. He had to look the part of the jilted husband, the misled man with the knife still on prominent display in his back.

  “Scotch, neat,” he nodded to the bartender.

  This had to work. He hated being away from Greta. She was his fire in the sky; without her, everything was so damn dark.

  “You look like you could use some company.”

  If Harmony weren't so desperate to pull off her plan, it might have actually worked, Shane realized. She had been thorough with her planning, but her execution was sloppy. She'd never make it as a career criminal. This had to be her one shot to get her set for life. Daddy's little princess, looking for another benefactor.

  “Can I buy you a drink, Harm?” he asked, waving the bartender over.

  “White wine spritzer,” she said to the bartender. He stepped away to fill the order.

  She angled to face him and Shane noticed she'd changed from her usual beachy attire to something more elegant, if not just a shade slutty. It was definitely something closer to age appropriate.

  “Where's the wifey?”

  Shane felt his jaw tick so he slammed back his scotch, the glass landing loudly on the bar. “Don't know, don't care.”

  “You must've asked her about...?” her voice trailed off.

  The bartender set her glass down on a napkin and then refilled Shane's drink when he nodded in the affirmative.

  “Yeah. She said she has no idea what I'm talking about.” He continued to face forward.

  Harmony let out a sympathetic sigh. “I'm so sorry, Shane.” She placed her hand on his arm and he had to focus on not yanking it away.

  “What are you doing here, Harmony?” he asked instead.

  “I had drinks with friends earlier, saw you come in.”

  Such bullshit.

  He just nodded.

  “What are you going to do?” she asked softly.

  If she didn't reek so heavily of desperation, Shane might have believed her sincerity. As it stood, not so much.

  “I don't know yet. I have to figure out how badly she's sandbagged me. Then...?” He chuckled humorlessly. “I mean, I don't want to divorce her and give her half of everything. Not after everything she's pulled.”

  “I think, if you can prove fraud in the marriage, you can get an annulment,” she offered up eagerly, squeezing his arm.

  He turned his head in her direction, locking eyes with her.

  “Yeah, maybe I'll do that.” He didn't miss the spark that lit her gaze.

  “I'm here for you,” she said, leaning closer to him, “if you need anything to help get you through this.”

  Her meaning was so clear, he could have drawn a diagram.

  “Thanks, Harm,” he managed to push through his teeth.

  He took another drink and pushed his glass away, standing up. He laid a few bills on the bar, gave her one last lingering stare, one that she probably read as the opposite of what he was thinking, then headed for the exit.

  When he got back up to his room, he called Greta.

  “She bought it.”

  Chapter 19

  Promises, Promises

  Harmony slept in the next day, finally feeling like life was going according to her plans.

  She hadn't been expecting Shane to run off and marry the trollop, so that was an unexpected twist. But not one that couldn't be remedied.

  Especially when Greta made it so effing easy.

  She reached her arms over her head and stretched like a cat, relishing the triumphant feeling radiating from her chest.

  Maybe she should call her sisters to go shopping tomorrow.

  For wedding dresses.

  ***

  Greta's hands trembled as she tried to dial her phone.

  Brady's warm hand came over to cover hers. She sighed and closed her eyes.

  “I'm right here, beautiful,” he reminded her.

  “This is harder than I thought it would be,” she confessed. His only response was another soft squeeze of her hand.

  She dialed and set the phone against her ear, looking away from Brady as it rang.

  “Parker.”

  “Hey, Cole,” she greeted softly and heard a hissed intake of air on the other end.

  “Greta?” he asked. She could hear him moving around, and imagined him shutting the door to his office.

  “Yep, the one and only,” she chuckled humorlessly.

  “What—uh, how are you?” he asked, his deep voice vibrating familiarly in her ear.

  “I'm sure you know.” She let her eyes travel to the ceiling and then closed them.

  “Um, I, uh, I heard you got married, is all.”

  She smirked to herself. Right.

  “Nothing else? No rumors about how I landed my man?”

  He let out a heavy sigh. He so totally knew what Harmony was up to.

  “A heads-up would have been nice, you know,” she said, looking down at her lap and picking at a loose thread along the hem of her shorts. “I mean, it's the least you could've done after... everything.”

  “Greta,” he growled into the phone. “I'm so sorry. It's not going to mean much, but I didn't call because I assumed you wouldn't want to hear from me.”

  He had a point.

  “Still,” she answered.

  “I sent Cody.”

  Greta should've known. Suddenly it all made sense.

  “You certainly have a type,” she sighed into the phone.

  “She suits my needs.”

  “I bet.”

  “Is there a particular reason you're calling me?” he asked, his meaning clear.

  Greta pursed her lips.

  That was the thing with Cole Parker, he lived in the extreme.

  On one end, he was a self-obsessed jackhole, completely absorbed with what he wanted and would do everything to get it, which included lying, manipulating, and general unethical shenanigans.

  On the other end, he had a very distinct perception of right and wrong, and would tear his world apart to make those he saw as in the wrong pay.

  He really hated it when the people he cared about ended up hurting, especially at the hands of someone else.

  It was fortunate, or unfortunate depending on your viewpoint, that Greta had, and always would, fall under the category of people he cared about.

  It was a rather exclusive club.

  But he also believed in personal pride. So he never stepped in unless someone asked him to.

  “Yes.”

  The single word response immediately dried her mouth. She knew exactly what she was saying, which is why she was so nervous.

  He grunted softly. “Is he good to you? Does he make you laugh?”

  Greta's eyes fell closed again.

  “Yeah.”

  “I can't look to the west without thinking about you, you know. Which is often, since that's the direction my office faces.”

  He paused and she imagined him leaning back in his chair as he gazed out the window, his perfectly pressed suit hiding the edges and angles of his hard interior, his cold blue eyes narrowing as he stared off into the distance.

  Cole Parker hated to lose. It was not in his nature. But she had given him very little choice in the matter.

  “The Jeffords have had this coming for awhile. It'll take me a day to get things in order but... I'll take care of it.”

  Greta felt her heart start to beat again. She honestly had had no idea what his response would be, and frankly, she was terrified that he'd say no. She didn't have the resources to stop this mortar round that Harmony had somehow detonated in her personal life.

&
nbsp; But Cole Parker owed her. She was calling in her marker.

  “This will make us even,” she offered through dry lips.

  “No,” Cole responded darkly. “I'll always owe you. Messing with the Jeffords benefits me more than you anyway. Besides, I like being in your debt.”

  “You don't like to be in debt to anyone,” she pointed out before she thought.

  “You're not anyone,” he reminded her, and she felt her insides curl.

  For reasons she could never fathom, Cole Parker had decided long before their first conversation that she was the one he wanted. The one to be real with. The one to open up to.

  His plans hadn't worked out the way he wanted.

  “I'll see you soon,” he promised before disconnecting.

  Greta looked at the screen and then rested the phone on the table beside her. Brady cleared his throat and she slid her eyes to him.

  “He's on his way.”

  “What's your story with this guy?” Brady asked, his jaw tense.

  Greta sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down while reaching up to rub the back of her neck with one hand.

  “Cole Parker is... a very important man. He's very smart, and successful—”

  “What does he do?” Brady interrupted, blue eyes flashing.

  Greta pursed her lips and looked away. “He works in finance.”

  “Right.”

  Greta didn't divulge everything. Loyal to the last. Maybe that was why Cole had trusted her despite her age and impulsiveness. She would never tell his secrets. Not the ones that could ruin him, anyway.

  “We met when I was waitressing. We started to see each other frequently, and he trusted me with some personal information. The last little bit he revealed was the fact that he was married. If it hadn't been for that pesky little detail, I'd be married to the most powerful man on the East Coast.”

  “Besides the President, right?” Brady jested, but his mile faded when Greta gave him a flat stare. “Shit... you really can overlook any character flaw, can't you?”

  “Yeah, well,” she rolled her eyes. “The arrangement he wanted was a little unorthodox even for me. I seriously disliked being made the 'other woman.' I tried to end things repeatedly, but he was dogged in his pursuit. Even going so far as to send his wife to persuade me.” Brady's eyes widened. “She was all for it. Apparently she couldn't handle the burden of being on the receiving end of all of his thoughts and feelings. She had her own, uh, side projects that she was invested in. Their marriage was more of a business transaction than anything else. He chose me to be his lover, both emotionally and physically.”

  “Does Shane know all of this?”

  Greta frowned.

  “Some of it. I never saw the need in getting into the details. The same way I don't ask all the reasons why he did to Lenny what he did. Some things are better left in the past.”

  “But now this Cole Parker guy is flying out here. Isn't that going to cause a problem?”

  Greta smiled a genuine smile then.

  “I sincerely hope so.”

  ***

  Shane went to work, where he was greeted with concerned frowns from his staff and Clarke. The latter followed him into his office and shut the door.

  “You want to talk about it?” she asked quietly, her back pressed to the door.

  Shane scrubbed his hand down his face, feeling the short beard that Greta loved so much. Part of this was acting, the other part was genuine grief at having to be separated from Greta.

  “Not really.”

  “I heard you stayed at a hotel last night,” she practically whispered.

  “Yes, I did,” he confirmed tersely.

  “Please tell me that I'm missing something here. Greta hasn't been answering her phone and won't return my texts. Brady has also mysteriously gone off radar.”

  Shane rubbed his chin with his thumb and index finger. “The less you know, the better.”

  Clarke tilted her head slightly, understanding dawning on her face. “You know that I've got your back, no matter what.”

  “And I have yours.”

  She left and was replaced by Lia.

  Shane jerked his chin at her and she placed a post-it on his desk in front of him, then she let herself out.

  Lia was smart. Like, smarter than average intelligence. Shane was hoping he could give her the big fat raise she deserved when all of this was settled.

  He stared at the information, memorizing it before sliding it through his shredder next to the desk.

  Harmony was good. Very good. But she hadn't been expecting Cody to approach Greta. She rolled with it, thinking that she could use that connection as another way to bury Greta. But she hadn't done her research, and her back-up plan was getting ready to implode before her very eyes.

  Shane got to work. Actual “work” work. He made his calls, he checked in with New York, he went upstairs to approve the new designs. That was where he realized that his design team was lacking in a few areas.

  That was okay, he knew someone with an inclination towards art. Maybe he could hire her as a consultant.

  ***

  Harmony clicked her nails along the receptionist's desk while she waited to be let into Jerry Stone's office.

  The receptionist was professional, but Harmony didn't miss the look of disapproval that the woman shot her before Jerry opened his office door and ushered her in.

  “Miz Jeffords,” he grumbled and shuffled to his desk where he sat on the edge facing the chair before him. She settled herself in it and he handed her a manila envelope. Harmony actually felt her heart skip as she unclasped the top and slid out pictures of Shane and Greta arguing in the street, then Shane leaving with a suitcase. Then her personal favorite, Brady arriving with a suitcase of his own, while Greta flung herself into his arms.

  She was making this so easy.

  Harmony cleared her throat and schooled the smug expression that wanted to surface.

  “I think this will end our current contract, Miz Jeffords,” Jerry Stone said. He didn't disguise his dislike for her, but she didn't care.

  “Yes, this will do nicely.” She stood, turning on one spiked heel. “I'll send you a check.”

  She breezed out of the office, pulling her cell out of her purse and sending a quick text.

  Harmony: I have some news. Can I see you tonight?

  Shane: Same place as last night work for you?

  Harmony: Absolutely

  Harmony finally smiled wide when she was alone in her car. She adjusted the rear view mirror, checked her lipstick, and went home to pack her own bag. She had a feeling that Shane would need to be comforted after he received the information that she had tucked in her Louis Vuitton.

  Chapter 20

  Room @ The End Of The World

  Harmony drove past Shane's house before going to the hotel.

  Brady's car was still in the driveway.

  Perfect.

  She entered the elegant bar area and spotted him easily in the same stool he had occupied the night before. His broad shoulders were slightly hunched as he looked into his drink. His beautiful chiseled features were drawn and sullen. It was a little irritating to Harmony that he felt that deeply about stupid Greta O'Neil, but she shook it off and sashayed her way over to him.

  “Hey.”

  She slid her hand along his forearm and down to his hand, which was cradling his glass of scotch, briefly resting it there before removing it.

  “What bad news do you have for me today, Harm?” Shane asked, his voice tired.

  Harmony positioned herself on her stool, crossing one exposed leg over the other. She'd gone all out, borrowing a little black slinky dress from her sister, so that there would be no mishaps tonight.

  She gave him a contrite smile before handing him the envelope of pictures she'd gotten that day.

  He slid them out one at a time, his face growing harder, the line of his mouth tightening. Until he got to the picture of Greta in Brady's arms, with Bra
dy holding the suitcase.

  He sighed heavily and nodded at the bartender, who refilled his glass. She wondered how many he had had before she even arrived. Harmony waited for a few seconds before delivering another blow.

  “I drove by on my way over... he's still there.”

  She thought his expression was dark before, now it was murderous. She touched his hand again and his eyes flashed in her direction.

  “This is good, Shane. I know it doesn't seem like it, but it is. You can use this to get an annulment, it'll be easy.”

  His jaw ticked and he licked his lips.

  “It's better you find out who she really is now instead of later down the road, like when you have kids.”

  Another jump in his jaw. He slammed back the scotch.

  “I suppose I should thank you,” he muttered. “I would have had no idea if you hadn't been watching my back.” He turned his amber eyes on her.

  Harmony sucked in the edge of her bottom lip, and his gaze went straight to it. “I'm so sorry that you're hurting.” Her fingertips lightly touched his hand again. “If there's anything I can do...”

  He stared at her mouth for a minute, swallowed, then motioned to the bartender again.

  “Get drunk with me,” he said.

  Harmony pretended to laugh. “You go ahead, I'm trying to cut back.”

  He gave her a sideways grin. “You'll take care of me if I get sloppy?”

  “Even help you to your room,” she offered, the suggestion obvious.

  His eyes roved over her face, down her neck and further. “I like that idea.”

  Harmony tilted her head and cocked an eyebrow. Shane's lips curved up into a sexy smile and he slammed back the scotch again.

  “Why wait?” he asked, sliding off of his stool.

  Harmony felt her face flush with excitement. This was going so well. She wished she could start high-fiving everyone in the bar, but that would look ridiculous. Instead she uncrossed her legs, drawing his hazy attention there before sliding off the stool.

  She stood very close to him, smelling the alcohol on his breath.

  “Let me take care of you,” she whispered.

  He pressed his key card into her hand, grinned again, then led her toward the elevators.