It Takes Two

by Allie K. Adams

  Their emotional confessions the other night still had him raw, questioning whether he should have lied to them both and told them they were wrong. It would have made things a hell of a lot simpler.

  But he hadn’t lied. He’d let Bree defend him, dissecting his heart and laying out his feelings for Jason and, since Shaw had the entire suite under surveillance, everyone else to see. Shaw wasn’t known for his ability to keep his damn mouth shut. Before this find, it would have irritated the shit out of him. Now? Let Shaw run his mouth. Jeremy had no reason to hide it. He was scared. Of the past. Of the future. Of himself, who’d he’d become in either. He didn’t want to be scared anymore.

  Bree hadn’t said anything untrue. It was exhausting living up to everyone else’s expectations and pretending not to care. Since their talk, he’d been able to sleep without the nightmares consuming him and forcing him awake in a cold sweat. Jason and he seemed to be back on good terms. Even Bree, who’d moved her things into the spare room, treated him like she used to in school.

  None of that helped him clear his brain enough to find that damn odd sock.

  Frustrated, he grabbed his empty cup and walked to the other side of the office where the Keurig sat. As luck would have it, the accounting department was one floor down from the execs. He’d taken over the office directly below Bree’s after the head of the department won a contest for a two week, all expenses paid trip to Hawaii for him, his wife, and their two kids he’d never entered. TREX had agents planted on every island and would keep watch on them. If he had anything to do with the missing money, they’d know.

  And then, so would Jeremy.

  Taking his time deciding between flavored or not, he finally grabbed a plain decaf. Jason was right. He didn’t need any more caffeine. He set the single cup in the dispenser and snapped the lid closed. After pushing the button, he tapped his fingers on the table as he waited for it to brew.

  “A watched pot never boils.”

  He glanced up and caught himself before he frowned in confusion. “Whitney? What brings you down here?”

  “Oh, you know. Slumming it.” She had on a tight blue dress that hugged every curve and left nothing to the imagination. Men would have a hard time thinking of anything else but her body as they looked at her in that outfit. Jeremy wasn’t immune to its effect. She swayed her hips as she entered and closed the door behind her.

  His guard shot up. Why would she close the door? “Can I offer you coffee?”

  “Black. Thanks.”

  He didn’t find an empty cup, so he dumped the stir sticks out and used that one. She’d never know. Once he had two steaming cups, he returned to the desk and nodded for her to sit before handing her the coffee. “Is there anything you needed?”

  “I wanted to have a little chat if you could spare a few minutes.” She cupped her hands around the mug and blew on the liquid.

  “I can hardly turn down a conversation with Goggles second-in-command.”

  She forced a smile and hummed. He didn’t trust the concern swirling in her gaze, clouding her eyes and stilling her expression. “As I’m sure you know, Bree is my best friend. She’s family. I’d do anything for her.”

  “Yes, she talks about you all the time.” Where was this going?

  “I’ll also protect her if I sense a threat.”

  “As will I.”

  “Am I a threat to you, Mr. Bowman?”

  “I don’t know, Ms. Harrington. Are you?” He held her gaze for several seconds.

  She finally broke contact and dropped her gaze, submitting. If this was some sort of power play over Bree, she’d lose. Every time. He and Bree may not be a couple, but that wouldn’t stop him from making sure everyone knew he wasn’t going anywhere. “You definitely have a dominance about you.”

  “You should meet my brother.” Brother. It was a perfect time to get Jason engaged. He’d been avoiding Whitney for the past two days. No doubt, he’d talked to Bailey after all and had reservations about his new role on the mission. McKoy was right. Jeremy should have never told his brother.

  “I can see why she’s so sprung.” This time she genuinely smiled. Even laughed quietly.

  “Sprung?”

  “She’s been in love with you for a very long time. Peter knew. He even told her to find you after he died.” Her smile grew sad as she sighed. “He didn’t want her to be alone. It’s her greatest fear, you know.”

  No. Her greatest fear was not being good enough. He’d known that since the eighth grade. Bree reiterated that the other night. “I don’t understand.”

  “Men never do.” She swept the bangs from her face. It was a classic sign of her being nervous. Why would she be nervous talking to him? He needed his brother’s intuition on this. Jason read people almost as well as the special director. He’d pick up the hitch in her breath. The irregularity in her heartbeat. The slight hesitation before she spoke.

  “What are you trying to say?”

  “She’s not alone. She has me.”

  He’d never understand women. Jason, I need you. He hoped his brother somehow heard his mental plea. They couldn’t read minds, but there were times he did wonder. “I’m not trying to replace you, Whitney. You’re her best friend. Her sister.”

  “Which is why I’m here.”

  Jason! “Why are you here?”

  She licked her lips and blew out an unsteady breath. “I’d like to make you a proposition.”

  That explained the dress and why she closed the door. Please don’t let it be anything sexual. This was more his brother’s forte, dealing with women throwing themselves at him. Jason! “Look, Ms. Harrington, you’re very beautiful, but—”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. It’s not that kind of proposal.” She snapped her gaze to his and thinned her lips. “I want you to let me hire someone else to be her personal security.”

  “Why’s that?” Not just no, but hell no.

  “This is hurting her. Don’t you see that? Imagine being in love with someone you can’t have.” When Jeremy dropped his gaze to his desk, Whitney sucked in a sharp breath. Shit. She’d made the connection. Damn it. “Oh, God. You love her too. This is even worse than I thought.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but I have it under control.”

  “You may, but she doesn’t. She’s been through enough. No one should have to bury her husband at twenty-three and be forced to run a company like this one.”

  “Is that why you relocated to Seattle with her?”

  “Like I said. She has me. I’ll never hurt her.”

  “Are you saying she doesn’t need me?” Or was she trying too hard to convince him of that fact?

  “That’s not what I’m saying at all.” She blew out yet another breath. No doubt she had a hell of a time breathing in a dress that tight. “I’m usually much better at this sort of thing.”

  “What sort of thing is that?”

  Before she had a chance to respond, Jason threw open the door, one hand at the small of his back, no doubt on the pistol he kept there. He took one look at Jeremy sitting behind his desk and then centered his attention on Whitney. The lethal look that had hardened his expression melted to confusion. “What’s going on?”

  “Sweet Jesus.” She brought a hand to her chest. “You scared me.”

  “I thought I heard someone shout,” he explained and threw Jeremy a look.

  “I’m glad you’re here.” And he really was. Jason would get to the bottom of why Whitney had invaded his office, accepted a cup of coffee, and had yet to take a sip. It had to be more than offering to hire new security. “Jason, this is Whitney Harrington.”

  “I feel like I’m in the presence of royalty.” He didn’t miss a beat and hurried in, extending his hand, flashing his charm along with that classic, charismatic smile. When she took his hand, he brushed his thumb across her fingers, his gaze never leaving hers. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

  “Do I know you?”

  “Only in my dreams,” he
chuckled, his grin widening. It worked every time, including now. Whitney giggled and colored hard. “I sound so corny. I’m going to leave now.”

  “Please,” she said quickly, clearly eager to stop him. “Join us.”

  “Is that coffee I smell?”

  She offered her cup. He accepted it, deliberately gliding a finger over hers. His gaze never left hers as he brought the mug to his lips and slowly took a drink. She watched him closely, licking her lips as he licked his.

  Damn, he was good. Just like that, his brother snared her in his web of charm and Jeremy no longer existed. It didn’t bother him any. He really did have work to do. As Jason asked her question after question to keep her talking about herself, and seemed genuinely interested in the answers, Jeremy stared at the numbers. There had to be a pattern.

  “I grew up in California…”

  “What part? I’ve always loved California…”

  Giggle, giggle. Flirt, flirt. Jeremy did his best to tune them out. KPGL’s operating ledger was out of balance. It had been for months. How did Aspen let this happen? He pulled up last year’s financials and found the same thing. How did it pass an audit?

  “I majored in behavioral psychology…” There went the hair flip.

  “Wow. Brains and beauty? Where’ve you been all my life?”

  More giggles.

  Get a room already.

  “You know what?” Jason checked his watch and thumbed the door. “It’s lunchtime. Care to slum it with the lowly maintenance guy? I’m buying.”

  “I’m starving,” she declared, breathless. Another one bites the dust. Judging by the hungry look in their eyes, they’d be lucky if they made it to a restaurant. Lunch would more than likely take a backseat to the lust crackling between them. “Care to join us, Jeremy?”

  “I have a ton of work to do.” He didn’t even look up from the spreadsheets.

  “Maybe next time.”

  “Right. Have fun.”

  “I’ll bring you back something,” Jason called as he led Whitney out of the office. He didn’t mean lunch. Taking one for the team, he would do whatever it took to gather the intel Jeremy couldn’t. Based on that giant grin he’d had plastered to his face when he left, it was going to be sheer torture.

  He refocused on the numbers Bailey had sent him. It had taken him an entire day to rearrange them into anything useful. No doubt she knew how to retrieve data. She just sucked at formatting it.

  And now here he sat in an impractically large office directly below the woman he’d been assigned to find the money that proved her guilt, desperate to find a way to prove her innocence. He unplugged the office phone and killed the sound on his cell in order to concentrate. The proof was right in front of him. He just had to find it.

  “I brought you food,” Jason announced two hours later, setting a Styrofoam container directly in front of him. “I knew you wouldn’t stop to eat, so you’re welcome.”

  “Thanks.” Jeremy finally blinked and had a hell of a time getting his lids to lift again. His eyes burned from staring at the computer screen for too long without a break. Then again, he had no intention of resting until he found the money and proved Bree had nothing to do with how it had disappeared. “How’d it go?”

  Jason stared at him for several seconds, narrowing his gaze. Here it comes. “When was the last time you took a break?”

  “When you rescued me from Whitney. Thank you for that, by the way. Now, can we get back to the find? Did you get any useful intel?”

  “No.”

  “To which question?”

  “To the only one that matters right now.” He went for the laptop, stopping short when Jeremy jerked it out of reach. Jason glared and thrust his fingers through his wild hair. “What is the matter with you?”

  “I can ask the same thing.” He cradled the computer on his lap like a child.

  “Bro, you need to take a break.”

  “That’s the last thing I need to do.”

  “Loosen up, Jer. That giant stick up your ass is messing with your head.”

  “Why aren’t you taking this more seriously? It’s like you don’t give a shit that she’s being framed for something she didn’t do, that she’s got a contract out on her life. Have you even been looking for leads? Or looking to get laid?”

  As soon as he said it and saw the immediate hurt in his brother’s eyes, he hated himself even more. Jason did nothing wrong. He didn’t deserve the wrath Jeremy wanted to unleash. He was tired, frustrated, and running out of time. This find was a ticking time bomb. The board would be calling for Bree’s resignation any day if he didn’t find proof she didn’t do it. If they did that, if they succeeded, it’d destroy her. He couldn’t let that happen.

  “Look,” he sighed and removed his glasses to rub his eyes. “You’re right. I do need a break. I just can’t until I find something.”

  “Whitney had a black sedan tailing her today as she drove us to lunch.”

  “Another one?” He straightened. “Did you get a good look at the driver?”

  “No. We’re having dinner at her place tonight so I can get a good look at her security. If there’s a threat, I’ll find it.” He moved to the door. After swinging it open, he turned back. “You know, despite what you think, I know what I’m doing. Just because I smile and have fun doesn’t mean I’m not taking this seriously. If worrying about you having another lapse in judgment and following a tango into an abandoned warehouse or keel over from a stress-induced heart attack makes me a bad guy, then fine. I’ll take it.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not.”

  Great, now he felt even worse.

  “Enjoy your night, if that’s even possible. I know I will.” He slammed the door behind him.

  Jeremy sighed. He couldn’t do a damn thing right on this assignment.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Bree was so focused on the financials for KPGL she jolted when her phone rang. Her heart now in her throat, she drew in several breaths to steady its erratic beat before answering. “Breanne Harrington speaking.”

  “Mrs. Harrington, it’s Drew Gleason.”

  Her breath hitched. Why would the chairman of the board be calling her? The monthly board meeting wasn’t for another two weeks. “Yes, Mr. Gleason. What can I do for you?”

  “I’ll be brief.”

  That would be a first. He was the most longwinded man she knew. Board meetings lasted for hours due to him pontificating over something no one else cared about. “I’m listening.”

  “Your presence is required in the boardroom tonight at six sharp.”

  Oh, shit. They found something else to blame her for. Why else would they call an emergency meeting after hours? And on a Friday? She swallowed hard and steadied her voice as best she could. “May I ask what this is about?”

  “To be frank, the board has a few concerns we need to address immediately before the press gets wind of it.”

  “Of what?”

  “I think you know the answer to that question, Mrs. Harrington.”

  She squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. This was still her company, damn it. She refused to let an outside director like Drew Gleason dictate how she ran it. “I’m still a director on the board. You can’t call an executive session without my knowledge. All directors must be given advance warning and be present. It’s in the bylaws.”

  “The bylaws also state a quorum is required in order to remove a director by resolution. As chairman, it’s my duty to inform you that a vote to remove you as a director and significantly reduce your compensation as CEO will be brought forward.”

  No. No! This couldn’t be happening. The day she’d been dreading since purchasing the radio station was finally here. Half the board hated her for breaking the tie in favor of the purchase. It saved Goggles whether they wanted to admit it or not. She’d saved Goggles by going against her own board.

  And now they wanted to take it away from her.

  “How did you get the r
est of the board to agree to this?”

  “We’ll discuss the details during the meeting. Six o’clock, Mrs. Harrington.” He hung up, the click in her ear like a knife to the heart.

  Numbly, she replaced the receiver and stared straight ahead, unsure what to do. She didn’t have any proof in her defense. Jeremy would have told her if he’d found something. Jeremy. Grabbing the phone, she punched the numbers to his office. No answer. Same with his cell. She tried instant message. Still no answer.

  Running to his office wouldn’t do her any good. He obviously wasn’t there. Not knowing who else to turn to, she buzzed Whitney. “Can you come in here?”

  “Give me five. I’m in the middle of a scathing email to Chad. He actually had the nerve to say hi to me in the hall.”

  “Now, Whit. I need you.” Her voice cracked as she fought to not break down and sob uncontrollably.

  Whitney burst in, her eyes rounded. “What is it? What happened?”

  “The board has called an executive session tonight at six.” It took everything she was to not break. After several deep breaths, she had better control over the initial shock. Now she needed to strategize. “They’re going to ask for my resignation.”

  “Not this again,” she muttered. When she spotted Bree watching, she flashed a smile. “Sweetie, every time Gleason calls, you break out in hives. He knows he can get to you. Don’t let him.”

  “This time is different.” Bree wanted to tell her everything but couldn’t. The less anyone knew about the missing money, the better. She didn’t need rumors starting. Not that Whitney would do such a thing, but every office wall had ears. There were no secrets when the payout was a spot on the front page of every newspaper and online site around the world.

  It wouldn’t matter that she didn’t do it. The instant the news leaked that money had gone missing and she was the prime suspect, she’d be out. The board wouldn’t stand for the negative publicity and blame her for the past few lagging quarterly earnings. She’d lose everything she’d worked so hard to achieve.