“Big E is fine, just fine.” He angled a look at Peyton and Matteo, then back to her boss. “Since it seems Peyton isn’t willing to share the details, I wonder if you would mind filling me in on what’s going on with my granddaughter?”
Peyton frowned. Oh, this was not good. This was not good at all. “Vilette, I don’t think—” She stopped when both Big E and her boss shot her the same look.
“I think a discussion is exactly what’s needed, Big E. We’ll move this to my office. I’ll have coffee brought in. Todd, would you mind? Matteo, you will join us.”
“Ma’am.” Matteo nodded. “I’ll be in as soon as I speak to the detectives—”
“Detectives?” Peyton practically squeaked. This was getting out of hand. “Surely the police don’t need to be...”
Matteo stepped in front of her so all she could see, all she could feel, was him. When she lifted her chin and looked into his eyes, she found herself swallowing. Hard. Intense didn’t come close to describing what she was seeing. But beneath it, in the depths of those eyes, she saw anger. And tempered concern. “Whoever it was sent you poisonous flowers. To your office.” He held up the baggie and flipped it around. “The backup delivery address is your home. With your security code to the underground parking lot. The police are not only necessary, they’re vital.”
“Peyton, please,” Todd implored. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for Todd,” Vilette cut in. “He could be a target by association. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to him. Or anyone else at Electryone for that matter.”
Peyton narrowed her eyes. That was a low blow. Hating the anxiety she saw in her assistant’s eyes, an assistant she’d come to think of as a little brother, she backed down. “Fine. I should probably talk to these detectives myself.”
“If they want to talk to you, I’ll make the arrangements,” Matteo assured her. “Right now, I don’t think they need to see how apathetic you are to the circumstances.”
Apa... Peyton gaped at him.
“All right, then. Matteo will contact the police. Todd?” Vilette motioned for them all to follow.
Her office emptied, leaving Peyton with a choice. To follow or remain. And since she didn’t put it past Vilette to take this to the next level, she began walking. She glared at Big E, who stood just outside her door, waiting, his arm extended for her to take.
“This is none of your business,” she told him, but accepted the courtesy and matched her pace to his. “You need to go back to Montana. The sooner the better.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Big E drew her closer to his side, and for a moment, she let herself feel the comfort and understanding he was trying to convey.
Before she stepped away and entered her boss’s office.
* * *
HOW, PEYTON THOUGHT a half hour later, Vilette and her grandfather could have struck up such a quick and friendly relationship was beyond her.
She had no doubt she was witnessing Big E’s rumored charm on full display, which was why she stepped out: to get away from the sudden camaraderie that she figured would mean something even worse than a bodyguard was about to befall her.
The energy in the offices of Electryone Technologies was positively buzzing, and not from all the electrical devices, experiments and development projects. Marching over to Vilette’s office had put Peyton straight in the spotlight, but not in any way she preferred. She scrunched her toes in her shoes, trying to keep a hold of whatever traction she had on her life.
She’d worked hard to get where she was, and she’d sacrificed anything resembling an outside life to do it. Sixty-to eighty-hour weeks, six to seven days a week. Midnight hours spent crunching numbers and finding the right projects to invest in; reading proposal after proposal and result after result to advance technology in various areas of research. Research that could make the world a far easier place to survive in for a good portion of the world that had been left behind. The work was what mattered. It could make such a difference in people’s lives.
“Psst.”
Peyton spotted one of her fellow VPs heading toward her. Peyton tried to avoid her, but she tugged Peyton into an office and quickly shut the door.
“What’s going on?” Belinda Carmichael had been with the company three years longer than Peyton. Though she dressed like a peacock in flamboyant, bright colors and carried herself with the grace of a swan, Belinda was all vulture—perched and waiting to pick up whatever tidbits of information she could. And use to her benefit.
It was no secret Belinda had her eye on Vilette’s position when and if Vilette ever retired. Peyton had no doubt Vilette was going to leave this life the way she came into it—kicking and screaming to the very end. “I heard you got flowers,” Belinda said. “So, is this about your stalker?”
“I don’t have a stalker.” Peyton downplayed the flower delivery, but even as she said it, a bubble of anxiety rose in her chest. Matteo had said the flowers were poisonous. How poisonous? If someone had breathed in their fragrance or simply touched...
“It has to be serious. They’ve given you a bodyguard,” Belinda said.
“It’s...nothing. Everyone’s just being really cautious.” Considering the chaos the solution was creating, she’d almost be happier to deal with the one person trying to mess with her head. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
“You got another creepy message, didn’t you?” Belinda’s stage whisper seemed over the top even for a woman who had earned the title of drama queen.
“Belinda—”
“Who’s the cowboy?”
“Who?”
“The old guy in the hat and boots. Looks like he was just transported here from the Alamo?”
So much for keeping Big E under wraps. “My grandfather.” She wasn’t about to get into family details, at least not any more than she had to. “And he’s from Montana, not Texas. How are we doing with the Olwen project?”
Belinda’s eyes went wide. “Oh, good. Fine. Just waiting on the final design specs. Taking a new solar panel concept out to the masses means we have to get the details one hundred percent right. Just dotting all those t’s and crossing my i’s.”
Peyton didn’t manage a full smile at the familiar joke. “We want to keep on track with that. No missed deadlines. That’s when rumors get started.” And rumors could kill a project launch faster than a lack of funding. They were betting a lot on Olwen, an affordable solar-panel design that could work in the most desolate of countries and communities. Peyton was even pushing for an exploration of how they could be utilized after a major natural disaster like earthquakes or hurricanes. Olwen could be life-changing for so many people.
“Don’t worry. I won’t crash the ship,” Belinda muttered, swung the door open and stepped into the hallway, only to back up to let Todd pass, wheeling one of the company’s coffee carts.
“You need any support in there?” he asked with a smile on his face.
“Nope, thanks.” Peyton shifted her tone to make sure it sounded light. “Thanks for staying on top of Olwen, Belinda.”
“Hey, no problem. Once this deal is done and the project launches, Electryone will be solidly in the big league. And you and I will finally get the credit.”
Peyton’s forced smile vanished when Belinda focused her attention down the hall. Unlike Belinda, she wasn’t in this for the credit; sure, she wanted job security and satisfaction, but she wasn’t grabbing hold of an idea just because it could get her closer to the top of Electryone.
If Belinda wanted the credit, she could have it. With three manufacturing companies already vying for the production rights, more than Electryone’s stock futures hinged on Olwen: hundreds of potential jobs did as well.
“I wish someone would stalk me so I could have one of him.” Belinda sighed. “He’s definitely somethin
g that would brighten my day. Tell me he’s staying in your apartment to guard you.”
“That’s where I drew the line,” Peyton followed Belinda’s gaze and noted where Matteo stood with who she assumed were the detectives he’d called. One woman, tall and lean in her jeans and blazer, and a man, older, heavier, but with wise eyes. “We compromised, and he has a coworker keeping an eye on my apartment building at night.”
“How do you get any work done with him hanging around?” Belinda asked as if she didn’t hear.
“Matteo?” Peyton had to force herself to sound impartial. “Honestly? He’s easy to ignore.” That could very well be the biggest lie of her life. Given Peyton’s past, that was saying something.
Belinda looked as if Peyton had lost her mind. “You seriously need to reevaluate your life choices, Peyton. That’s a definite M-A-N man. Imagine coming home to him every night.”
Peyton felt her cheeks warm when Matteo glanced at her. Their eyes met, but she looked away before he saw—or read—too much, like the images Belinda’s comment conjured. “I don’t have to imagine. I mean,” she added at Belinda’s chuckle, “he’s not my type. Not at all.”
Belinda patted Peyton’s arm as if in sympathy. “No wonder you needed to hire a matchmaker. You clearly don’t see what the rest of us do.”
Todd approached again. He waved at Peyton to take the escape he was providing. “I’m all caught up on my work, boss, so if there’s anything I can help you with? Maybe that report Vilette asked for yesterday?” He steered Belinda away and when he looked over his shoulder, Peyton mouthed a grateful thank you.
She headed for her office. “Todd saving you again?” Matteo’s voice from behind her made her jump. “Sorry,” he added when she frowned at him. “Can’t imagine why you’re skittish.”
“I am not skittish.” Peyton went to her desk, hoping he would follow. He did. “You really didn’t need to call the police,” Peyton whispered.
“Agree to disagree.” Matteo didn’t even flinch. “My job is to protect you, Peyton. Even from things you don’t see or think are important.”
“Yeah, well.” She really wasn’t up for a debate. Especially with him. “If it were up to me you wouldn’t have a job. You weren’t my idea.”
“And yet, here I am.” His lips curved, but there was no humor in his eyes. “Whether I remain isn’t up to you. It’s up to Ms. Wright, and from what I’ve seen and heard, she wants to continue having me around. And so long as she keeps signing my checks...”
Right. She was just another job for him, wasn’t she? Just another paycheck. Why couldn’t she remember that? “You’re always there. Here. Everywhere. I feel like I need to put a bell around your neck.”
“You can try,” he countered. “I get it, Peyton. You’re used to being in control. You like your nice, organized little world as tidy and compact as possible. I’m an intruder. But I’m a far nicer one than whoever has you in their sights. Someone who may very well want to hurt you. I have no doubt you’d like to get rid of me, and I bet you think if you’re rude or offensive enough I’ll quit. But here’s something you need to know about me.” He moved in, close enough she could feel his breath against her face, feel the warmth of his body radiating against hers. “I don’t quit.”
“Good to hear, son,” Big E said from the open doorway. “Come and join us, please. Let’s hear what the detectives had to say.”
“This is every nightmare I’ve ever had rolled into one.” Peyton closed her eyes and remained where she was. Personal and professional had collided into a massive fireball about to scorch her world.
“Look on the bright side,” Matteo said as he moved around her to follow Big E to Vilette’s office. “Nightmares come to an end. I’ll leave when the job’s done. But not before.” That grin was back. “No matter what you try.”
CHAPTER FOUR
MATTEO STOOD BESIDE Vilette’s ancient schoolteacher desk. Big E and Peyton sat across from her in chairs that couldn’t possibly be comfortable. While Big E looked strangely giddy at this afternoon’s developments, Peyton was acting as if she’d been called into the principal’s office and was awaiting punishment.
“Detectives Reno and Gillette assured me they’d have fingerprint analysis back by tomorrow morning,” Matteo wrapped up his report of his discussion with the detectives.
“You don’t sound optimistic we’ll receive any information from that,” Vilette observed. She leaned back in her chair, stretched out her legs and reminded Matteo of old Woodstock photos of concertgoers with stars in their eyes. But behind those starry eyes was a mind that was razor-sharp and far ahead of most people Matteo had ever met.
“I would be very surprised if there are any prints, let alone that they’re even in the system.” Matteo didn’t like admitting it, but he wasn’t about to lie, either. “I’ve already reviewed the security footage from this morning. I gave a copy to the detectives, by the way,” he added and had a sudden concern he should have checked with Vilette before doing so. He’d been given control over Peyton’s safety, so it had seemed practical and prudent. When Vilette didn’t protest, he went on. “Whoever delivered the flowers wasn’t from a service. The person was wearing a red hoodie and avoided looking at the cameras. Nothing stood out. Not his clothes, not his walk. His arms and legs were covered, so no birthmarks or tattoos showed. We know he’s a white male. And he delivered at a time when the solitary security officer in the lobby went to grab a coffee.” Which reminded him, he needed to have a talk with Electryone’s head of security to make sure officers varied their routines to avoid another occurrence like that.
“Sounds to me like whoever this is knows the routine around here,” Big E interjected. “Or am I misunderstanding what you’re saying?”
“No misunderstanding, sir.” Matteo nodded. From across the room he could see Peyton’s jaw tense. “I’d like permission to go through all the employee records and client files. Peyton’s specifically.”
He noted Peyton’s spine went steel straight. She looked as if she wanted to start shouting at him.
“What are you looking for exactly?” Vilette seemed to be acknowledging Peyton’s pained expression.
Matteo needed to keep the conversation as calm and simple as possible. “His note said he knows what she—what you—” he addressed Peyton now “—did. We need to find out what it is you did that someone took the wrong way. In their mind, anyway,” he added when a flush of anger pinked Peyton’s cheeks. “I’m not saying you did something bad, Peyton. I’m saying he thinks you did.”
“He thinks it so strongly he’s taken to threatening you at your place of work,” Vilette clarified. “All right. I’ll have—”
“Todd,” Peyton cut her off. “This is disruptive enough. I don’t want anyone from the company other than Todd to be aware of this...” she looked to Matteo and narrowed her eyes “...investigation.”
Vilette nodded. “Agreed. We don’t want to disturb business any more than necessary, but I’m not going to just let this pass,” she stated strongly when Peyton sputtered. “Believe it or not, Peyton, you’re what concerns me. Not just because you’re vital to this company. You’re important to me. And while I rely on you, you’re also my friend. I can’t run this company without you which, for all we know, could be a reason you’ve been targeted. I’ll have Todd create a dedicated electronic file and jump drive, Matteo. You’ll have what you need as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
Peyton scrunched up her mouth. “Is that it?”
“No, actually.” Vilette cast a glance at Big E. “Your grandfather and I have been discussing a few things.”
“Why?” Peyton asked. “He has nothing to do with this or me. I barely know him. I didn’t even know he existed before...” She trailed off at Matteo’s disapproving look. “What? I’m telling the truth.”
“And the truth sometimes hurts,” Big
E agreed. “I can’t apologize for not being around when I didn’t know you and your sisters existed, Peyton. But I can be here now, and I’ve offered a solution I believe we can all live with.”
“What kind of solution?”
“Peyton.” Vilette’s voice softened, and Matteo had the notion to step out of the way of Peyton’s laser-sharp gaze. “Matteo has my utmost trust in all of this. While I will admit when I first hired him I wasn’t entirely sure he was necessary, the rest of the board did. I’ve now come to agree. I have to trust his judgment and his observation that you are far too visible, your routine is too predictable and your focus—”
“My focus?” Peyton asked. “What’s wrong with my focus?”
“Nothing. Yet. But I can’t take the chance that keeping you here, in the office, even in town for that matter, won’t change that. We have too much riding on Olwen for you to be distracted. Therefore, Big E and I have decided that you need to be somewhere farther off the grid. Somewhere unexpected.”
Matteo’s sympathy kicked in as he saw the color drain from Peyton’s cheeks. “No,” she whispered and glared at her grandfather, then back at her boss. “No way. You cannot be serious!”
“I can and I am,” Vilette said. “You will leave for Montana and the Blackwell Ranch the day after tomorrow. I’ve already made arrangements for you to use the company jet—that way there will be no public record of your leaving or where you’re going. If word gets out, as I’m sure it will, we’ll say you’re on a much-needed vacation, and that will be the end of the discussion.”
Matteo pursed his lips. He wasn’t sure anyone would buy Peyton taking even an hour off, let alone days.
“You hate the company jet,” Peyton said with something like bitterness in her voice. “It’s a pollutant. And unnecessary.”
“Which should tell you how strongly I feel about this,” Vilette suggested with a thin smile. “Your company car will remain here, at the office. You have to continue to work, of course. I’m not sure I could say or do anything that would prevent that. Take whatever you need to keep up with the Olwen project as well as any other clients you feel can’t do without your attention for the next two weeks—”
Montana Dreams Page 5
