by Katie Reus
Isa frowned. “It looks like she’s pulling up different personnel files.”
Graysen’s frown matched her own. “She’s copying them to a flash drive.”
Isa pulled out her cell phone and called Emerson Lincoln, a computer programmer/analyst who worked for Red Stone Security. Emerson had been assigned as their backup to run checks on people and handle various research that would save them valuable time. Isa had been working with the sweet woman for about eight months and she was very good at what she did.
Emerson picked up on the second ring. “Hey, girl. How’s the job going?”
“Potentially we might have something good for you. Can you do a detailed run on Gina Scott?”
“No problem. Anything specific I should look for?”
“Just the usual stuff,” Isa said, even as she took over one of the other laptops, pulling up a file on Gina Scott. “I’m going to review her employee records, but look up all of her financials.” It was usually a good place to start with anyone. If someone had new, offshore bank accounts or unexpectedly large deposits into their current one, that was a pretty good sign they were up to no good. Usually people weren’t so sloppy, however—Isa wished her job was that easy. But she never knew. If someone didn’t realize they were being watched they could get arrogant and sloppy.
As they disconnected Isa watched the woman pull her flash drive out of the computer and tuck it into a slim pocket of her dress. She couldn’t even see a tiny bulge giving away the flash drive.
“What did she take?” she asked Graysen.
“It looks as if she just copied financials of other employees. Basically information pertaining to what their annual salaries are.”
Isa lifted an eyebrow. “Could just be nosiness.”
“Maybe.” But Graysen shook his head. “That was a ballsy move.”
“Yeah, she moved like a pro, too. Almost like she’s done this before.” Isa continued scanning Scott’s personnel file, noted that the woman had a high-level position in one of the design departments.
“I’m sure Emerson will have something for us soon,” Graysen said, speaking about Emerson as if he knew her.
Which for some reason grated on Isa’s nerves. Not because she thought he had a chance with the other woman—no, Emerson was smitten with a local detective—but because she’d come to think of Red Stone Security as her home, her people. It was weird to be working with Graysen, for multiple reasons. Because he’d said that he’d bow out of this job after a week if it became too uncomfortable for her. But he hadn’t said he’d stop working for Red Stone.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. About any of this. Because just being in the same room with him, breathing in his addictive, subtle masculine scent, made her a little bit crazy.
“I kept the dog,” he said abruptly. Graysen didn’t look at her as he focused on the display of video screens, scanning the various secret feeds he’d set up. She wasn’t certain where some of the feeds were coming from.
Isa blinked, taking a second to digest his words. He couldn’t mean… “Peaches?”
He nodded. “Yeah. She grew on me. She misses you, so if you ever want to stop by and see her, you’re welcome to.”
She blinked again. “Seriously? You’re stooping to using a dog to get in my good graces?”
Graysen’s lips perked up the slightest bit. He was clearly unapologetic. “I’ll use anything I can to get into your good graces. Including a sweet, adorable dog who would love nothing more than to see you. But I’m not lying. She’s currently with her dog sitter, probably soaking up sun on the beach or at the park.”
Isa looked away from him. Why the hell had he told her that? She’d loved that little mutt, Peaches. The little girl was a mix of who knew how many breeds, with gray and white fur, floppy ears, and weighed maybe ten pounds soaking wet. And Graysen had kept her?
She knew that the dog was originally part of his cover. He’d admitted as much after his operation blew up in his face. She couldn’t believe he’d kept Peaches. It was so obvious what he was trying to do—getting her to come over to his place and see his dog. A dog that she had dearly loved.
He was being so honest and blatant about what he wanted from her and she wasn’t sure how to deal with it. After the way he lied to her, betrayed her, being around him again in a new atmosphere had completely rocked her world on its axis. For all she knew, he was lying to get something else from her. Even as she had the thought, she simply couldn’t imagine what it would be, what he could hope to gain. He worked for Red Stone now. Had pulled strings to get this job, from all accounts. Just so he could work with her.
She just wanted to get through this job and put some space between them. Only one week, she reminded herself. Maybe then her life would go back to normal. She nearly snorted at the lie she tried to tell herself. Now that Graysen West was back in her life again, she knew things would never be normal again.
Chapter 5
Alan Persky watched on the video feed from the company’s security room as the pretty, dark-haired woman entered the lobby. It was the end of the day and the woman, Isa Johnson, was here at the behest of Hamilton. Hiring that bitch should have gone through him as well, but no one had mentioned it to Alan.
Hamilton could do what he wanted, he always did, but bringing someone in to “trim the fat,” especially someone who had the right kind of security clearance to work at this firm, even temporarily, was something Alan should have been informed about.
But Hamilton had been acting strange lately, almost secretive. Which wasn’t out of the realm of normalcy, but Hamilton never acted that way with him. Right now there was too much on the line to question the CEO, however.
Frowning, he watched as she exited the building. Her name was so common—Johnson. There were a billion Johnsons in the world. He’d already downloaded her resume and other necessary hiring files and planned to follow up on her, but he wished she wasn’t here at all.
Alan didn’t need somebody nosing around in any work files right now. Not when he was so close to finishing what he needed to, cashing out and leaving the country for good with the woman he loved. He’d fake his own death as well, but later, once he was long gone. There was the slimmest of chances that Johnson would find what he’d done and he couldn’t risk her stumbling upon it.
He could just kill her or have one of his men kill her, but that wouldn’t solve anything. It would only draw more attention to the company and his boss would just hire somebody new anyway. No, Alan would just keep an eye on her and make sure she didn’t get into anything she shouldn’t.
If she did, then she’d have to die.
The other new hire was the one who had him really worried: Garret Evans. There was something about Evans that bothered him on a bone-deep level, but he wasn’t certain what it was. All he knew was that he didn’t trust the guy. Hamilton had recently hired Evans as well, without running it by him first.
Alan had contemplated that Hamilton might know what he was up to, but if the old man did, Alan would already be in jail and facing charges of treason. If that ever happened, they’d throw him into a dark hole and never let him out. A dark shiver of fear snaked down his spine at the thought of getting caught.
No, he was just being paranoid because of everything on the line. They were getting close to the end of this job and he was letting his fear get the best of him.
Still, it never hurt to be careful. Not with so much at stake.
When the door behind him opened he half turned and nodded politely at one of the security guys coming back from a smoke break. He’d stopped by under the guise of an impromptu visit—as was typical of him to do. Considering his security clearance, when he offered to watch the feeds for a few minutes so the security guy could smoke, the twenty-something man had jumped at the chance. It was against protocol, but when he bent the rules people were usually okay with it. That was one of the benefits of his position with the company.
“Nothing unusual,” he murmured to
the guy before stepping back out into the hall.
He smiled to himself once he was alone. In just a week he would be out of the country, millions of dollars richer, and away from his bullshit, boring life. He was going to leave everything behind him—his debts, his stupid ex-wife, everything. His new fiancée got him like no one else did. She was beautiful, smart and supported him. She wanted to leave the country too. Was so taken with him that she’d go anywhere with him.
Starting fresh was what he needed. Hell, what he deserved. He’d given everything to this company, and yeah, he made decent money. But he could be making more. He should be making more.
At the thought of all the money he’d have soon, some of the earlier fear faded away.
Only a week to go. He still had a couple more things to finish to complete his mission, and then he was home free.
And he’d be incredibly rich. If anyone got in his way, they would simply have to die. Because failure wasn’t an option for this. He’d already committed and would see this through until the end.
Chapter 6
“I’m going to need clearance to get into Red Stone tonight,” Carlito said into his phone. His former partner and best friend worked there—was one of the co-owners.
“That’s your greeting?” Grant Caldwell’s voice was dry.
Carlito scrubbed a hand over his face as he headed down the sidewalk in the now quiet business district of downtown Miami. During the daytime it was bustling, but after five or six o’clock it was a ghost town. Tonight it was ice cold, especially for Florida, but it was close to Christmas and while it wouldn’t be a white one, they were getting some serious chill. “Sorry, man. How’s Belle?” Grant’s wife was nine months pregnant and close to popping. They’d already had a few false alarms and rushed to the hospital but as far as Carlito knew, they were back home now.
“We’re doing good, she’s just tired and cranky. And I can’t blame her.” Grant sounded exhausted.
Carlito couldn’t actually see Belle being cranky—the woman was like a ray of sunshine. She’d been through hell after being kidnapped by a psychotic serial killer, and she’d married his grumpy former partner, so she was a saint as far as he was concerned. “Any more false alarms?”
“No. And I hope after the next trip we take to the hospital, we come home with a healthy baby.”
“Her family’s going to descend on you guys like locusts.” Belle’s Greek family was huge and…wonderful. They’d pretty much adopted Carlito because of his close relationship with Grant, and he loved them. And Belle’s mom was always hinting that she’d love to set him up with one of her nieces. But Carlito only had eyes for one woman, hence the call to Grant tonight.
Grant let out a short, tired laugh. “They already have. They’ve been dropping off tons of casseroles. We’ve frozen most of them. The food has been amazing so I can’t complain too much. So what’s up? Why do you need to get into the building?”
“You know exactly why,” he gritted out.
“I know, I just want to hear you say it.”
“Emerson is working late, and I want to bring her dinner.” Emerson Lincoln, the woman he planned to marry one day. If only he could ever get her to see him as something other than a friend.
Grant laughed again. “You are so gone over her.”
Yeah, no shit. “You really gonna give me grief tonight?” His shoulders tensed as he reached the high-rise building. He loved Grant like a brother, but right now he didn’t need to be reminded that the only woman he’d ever truly wanted was still out of reach. Still not his. And she had no clue how he felt about her.
“Nah. I’ll call the security team, tell them to buzz you up. You’ve just gotta ask her out.”
“I have.” Countless times. They went out all the time. As friends.
When he’d first met Emerson she’d been coming off a bad breakup and definitely hadn’t been interested in him. He’d known she was the one, so he hadn’t pushed. The truth was, he’d never had a problem with women. They seemed to flock to him. Ever since he was fifteen. When he was a teenager, he’d reveled in it. Then he’d grown the hell up and gotten more discerning. Especially after spending years in war zones. He wasn’t a teenager and he didn’t want an easy lay.
He wanted Emerson. Forever. So he was playing things right. Unfortunately, around her he turned into a moron. He was suddenly that awkward teenager he’d never been during his actual teen years. It was like karma was punishing his ass for having it so easy with women for so many years.
“You’re not trying hard enough… Hold on.” There was a faint rustling in the background, then Grant talking to someone, then he was back on the line. “I just called it in. You’re good to go.”
“Thanks, man.” Once they disconnected, he slipped his Bluetooth out of his ear and slid it into his jacket pocket.
Since he’d just gotten off shift at the police station, he was still in his suit. But his detective’s badge was out of sight. His shoes made slight thudding sounds against the lobby floor as he strode across it. Once he reached the main security desk, he nodded at the security man he’d interacted with on many occasions—always when he was coming to see Emerson.
He set the bag of food on the counter. “I’ve got my service weapon on me.” Even though the guy knew him he still wanted to inform him about his weapon.
The man nodded. “Figured you did. Grant said it’s okay for you to take it up. How long you plan on being here?”
“Couple hours, maybe.” Monday nights Emerson seemed to work late and this had become a standing ritual between them. He hadn’t called her today though, had been so caught up with closing a case. But once he’d finished all the paperwork, he’d headed over here.
The need to see her, to be around her, was a live thing inside him. She was it for him and he’d known it pretty much from the moment they’d met. Man, she’d blindsided him too. He’d met her at one of Grant’s get-togethers six months ago, and when his former partner had introduced her as “the new girl,” he’d been a goner.
Her looks played into it a little, but after getting to know her that night, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his head. She was smart, and a blend of sweet and sarcastic. He just liked being around her, plain and simple. Unfortunately, she hadn’t seemed as interested. They’d gotten along great, but he knew when women were coming on to him and she never had.
Not once.
No coy looks or subtle flirtations. Nothing. They were just friends. Maybe he was a masochist, because that just seemed to make him want her more.
The elevator ride to her floor was quick as usual. And her floor was empty, again as usual, considering the time he was getting here. The security at Red Stone was tight, however, so the most protective part of him didn’t mind how late she worked. Not that she’d asked him, and not like he had the right to an opinion. He also liked that she was working and not out with some douchebag.
He cared about her safety. Some intrinsic part of him simply needed to know she was cared for.
The hallway leading to her office was lined with prints of classic paintings, like most of the building. Everything here was designed to be soothing. Unlike where he worked. The PD was loud no matter the time of day or night, and the color of paint on the walls or type of art wouldn’t make a damn difference.
When he reached her office, the door was slightly ajar. He pushed it open to find her in front of her computer screen, the soft glow highlighting her sharp cheekbones. Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a ponytail and her heels were lying haphazardly near the full-length window overlooking downtown.
He watched her for a long moment, taking in the myriad of facial expressions as she clicked away on the keyboard. He was certain she had no idea he was even there. When she got in the zone of working, everything else faded away. She made these adorable little sounds of frustration, then one of triumph before she nodded at the screen victoriously.
God, he adored her.
“You need better awa
reness,” he murmured, stepping into the room.
She let out a squeak and glanced up at him, pinning him with those dark espresso eyes that completely captivated him. “You’ve got to stop sneaking up on me.” Frowning, she looked at her screen and her eyes widened. “Jeez, I didn’t realize how late it was.”
“I figured,” he said dryly, setting the takeout bag on the front of her desk. He’d brought her favorite.
“You’re my hero.” She smiled, eyeing the big brown bag.
Yeah, he’d love to actually be her hero. Her lover, her…something other than her friend.
“Please tell me that’s what I think it is.”
He just snorted and started pulling out the utensils and paper plates. Of course it was. She loved a Chinese restaurant a few blocks away, called it a hidden gem in the city. She wasn’t wrong. “Have I ever disappointed you?”
“No. I wasn’t sure if you were coming today though, when you didn’t call.”
He flicked a glance at her at the tone in her voice. He couldn’t quite pin it down, but something was off. “You can always call me too, you know.”
“Yeah I know, but with that case you’re working on, I didn’t want to bother you. Figured you had a lot going on this week.”
He’d never be too busy that he couldn’t make time to talk to her. “I’ve wrapped everything up, for the most part.” And thank God for that. Holidays seemed to bring out the crazy in people though—and crime never took a break—so he knew he’d be assigned another case probably tomorrow. Maybe sooner if a call came in tonight.
She turned off her computer screen, dimming it to black. Some of the things she worked on were confidential. Not just anyone could waltz up into the offices on her floor. The only reason he was able to was because of his relationship with Grant and the entire Caldwell family.
“I bet you skipped some paperwork though.” Her half-smile was knowing as she rounded the desk, pulling her chair with her so they could eat on the same side. She was wearing a sweater dress that pulled at the soft swell of her breasts. The dress was definitely professional but it didn’t hide anything. Her smooth, toned legs drew his eyes as they always did. Without her heels on she was about five feet five inches and he loved seeing her so relaxed around him—loved looking at her curves. Who was he kidding? He loved looking at all of her.
