I watch Lexi for a moment, caught off guard by how genuine she sounds. Not too long ago, she gave me hell about my relationship with Savannah, thinking herself in love with me. We haven't talked about it much, and I think she prefers to keep it that way, but I'm glad she's moved on. Lexi is phenomenal. She shouldn't waste her time hung up on me when I'll never want anyone but Savannah. That girl owns me, body and soul.
"I'm glad it's me too," I say, unable to imagine a world without Savannah by my side. After almost losing her… I can't even think about how I would have survived had she told me to go to hell like I deserved. I need her with an intensity that scares me. "I'll never feel this way about anyone else."
"Good." Lexi crosses her arms over her chest, arching a brow and shooting me a pert glare. "If you break her heart, I'll kill you."
"You won't have to," I promise. "I'll do it myself." And so would a long list of people—starting with my family. They adore Savannah. Those bright brown eyes and that sweet smile of hers make it damn hard not to love her. Her past makes it all but impossible not to want to take care of her.
"How is she doing with everything?" Lexi asks quietly.
I hesitate for a long moment and then sigh. "She misses you, Lex."
A sad frown spreads across Lexi's face, but she doesn't say anything.
I press on. "She doesn't understand why you're avoiding her. It's hurting her."
"I'm sorry."
"Talk to me, sweetheart. What's the problem?"
"She almost died because of me, Jared. Had I not done what I did, none of this would have happened. I never should have forced you to keep pretending we were together once I found out that you were in love with her."
"She doesn't blame you, Lex."
"But I blame me." Lexi looks up at me, tears shining in her eyes. "How could I do that to her, Jared? I never thought I would be the kind of person who could hurt someone I love, but I hurt her. And you almost lost her as a result. She may have forgiven me, but have you? Can you?"
"I never blamed you either, Lex. You were going through hell, and you made some bad decisions. We all did." How many times have I wished I could go back and do it all over again? Too many to count… but I can't go back. None of us can. All we can do is move forward. "There was never anything for me to forgive, sweetheart. But when are you going to forgive yourself?"
"I'm working on it," she whispers, swiping at her eyes. "I feel guilty that you guys are still dealing with this. You should be focused on your wedding, not on dodging reporters." She sighs and looks up at me again. "I'm so ready for this to be over."
"Something else will capture their attention and they'll hurry off soon enough," I promise. They've been poking around for weeks, demanding to know what happened with Paulson, and who's going to take the fall for the people he murdered, if not outright then by his actions. I'm ready to snap, but that isn't Lexi's fault, and I'm not placing that burden at her feet. I just want them to back off already.
"I hope so."
We sit in silence for a moment while she composes herself.
"Ms. Talbot?" Tracey Milton's voice rings through the intercom as Lexi powders her nose.
Lexi shoots me a small, nervous smile, unease drifting through her expression again. "Yes?" she says, holding the button to speak to her assistant.
"Drake Evans has arrived to see you."
Lexi takes a deep breath and reaches up to smooth her hair down. "Send him in, please."
I push off from the corner of the desk and straighten.
A moment later, Tracey pushes open the door leading to Lexi's office, her eyes darting between me and Lexi, and then to Evans who hovers over her, a bulletproof vest strapped across his broad chest. A Sig rests in the holster at his hip. His dark arms are corded with muscle, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. He's bigger than Chris, solid muscle from head to toe.
The man is lethal, a mercenary for hire. He knows his shit, and for the right price, will do whatever it takes to keep a client safe. No one will get past Evans to Lexi unless he lets them through. And unless they have a damn good reason, he won't let them through. That's exactly the kind of security she needs until things calm down again. I owe Chris big time for convincing Evans to take her on so I can focus on my girl while he and Demetri Forsythe, his fiancé, are on their honeymoon.
Lexi's eyes widen as Tracey steps to the side, allowing Evans to enter. His dark eyes lock on her sitting behind the desk, assessing her quickly. I hide a smirk when appreciation and surprise flit through his gaze before he schools his expression and strides toward the desk without acknowledging me. He knows who's in charge here, and it isn't me.
Lexi stares at him when he steps up to her desk, taking him in. Her cheeks flush and her hands shake when she pushes off from the desk and rises to her feet, holding out a hand to him. A polite mask drops into place. She's cool, calm, and collected, every bit the self-assured CEO and confident woman, with no trace of her recent tears. "Mr. Evans, I presume," she says.
"Ms. Talbot," he murmurs in that deep voice of his, reaching out to take her hand as Tracey scurries from the room, pulling the door closed behind her. His ebony hand engulfs hers, the contrast to her pale skin striking. "I apologize for the delay."
Lexi pulls away from him after a moment and offers him a tight smile. "It's no problem, truly. Traffic is a nightmare this time of year."
Evans inclines his head in a brief nod before turning to me. "Corbit," he says.
"Evans."
We stare each other down for a moment before he grins, his white teeth flashing, and clamps a hand down on my shoulder. His bald head shines under the light. "Good to see you again, man."
"You too," I say, returning his grin.
"Old friends?" Lexi asks, looking between the two of us.
"Something like that." Evans turns back to her.
Lexi catches my gaze and lifts an eyebrow as if to ask why the hell I didn't divulge that detail earlier. I just shrug in response. Evans and I aren't strangers, but we aren't exactly running in the same social circles, either. Evans is a man apart and has been for as long as I've known him. He keeps his cards close to his chest. Lexi's better off asking Chris for information on him. He would know more about the man than I do considering they've worked together several times over the last few years.
"Well then," Lexi says, clearing her throat and reclaiming her seat. "Shall we get started?"
Evans eases his broad frame down into one of the chairs positioned across from her, leaning back with his hands clasped on his stomach. A power position.
It doesn't go unnoticed.
Lexi eyes him for another long moment before shaking her head as if unsure what to think of the ebony giant seated across from her. She turns to me.
I recline back against the wall and nod my head for her to continue. This is her show. I'm just here to fill in the details when needed, make sure Evans knows I'll kick his ass if anything happens to her on his watch, and call it a day.
"You know why you're here?" she asks, looking back at him.
"Chris filled me in."
"You're aware of my recent history?"
"Yes."
"And you're willing to take me on as a client?"
"Yes."
Lexi shuffles papers around on her desk for a moment. She's quiet, far quieter than normal, and then she sighs, her gaze darting back to his. Frustration burns in her light eyes this time. "Mr. Evans, I assume you're aware of what we do here," she says, frowning. "Was a bulletproof vest and gun really necessary attire for this meeting?"
Evans holds her irritated gaze for a long moment before leaning forward. "Stewart Paulson killed your father and eleven other T.I. employees in an attempt to undermine the company's leadership, specifically you and Matthew Talbot. He made several attempts on your life, had you under surveillance on your own property for months, and managed to kidnap Savannah Martin out from under the noses of the FBI and your private security detail." He pauses, lifting a
brow as if to ask if he's correct.
Lexi grunts.
I bite my tongue, chaffing at his harsh but true summary of the situation. We fucked up. Royally. And Savannah almost lost her life because of it. That will never rest well with me. Ever.
"You've been wading through reporters for weeks while they scurry around, looking for any hint of vulnerability to exploit. The crazies are pouring out of the woodworks, trying to make a claim to T.I. for their fifteen minutes. Those on the Board who think you're too young to handle this position aren't thrilled about the shit storm that's descended on the company, and are looking for any excuse to toss you out the doors so they can pretend the blame for the clusterfuck rests with you instead of your father, Elena Paulson, and their illegitimate son. So yes, the vest and weapon were absolutely necessary, Ms. Talbot. "
Lexi opens her mouth and then closes it without saying anything.
"Everyone needs to know you aren't taking any shit, and that you're willing to do whatever you have to do to secure the safety of T.I. and its employees. If strolling the halls in Kevlar reminds the bastards that you're not going to sit back and let anyone threaten you or your company is what it takes to help achieve that goal, that's what I'll do. You hired me to keep you safe, not to spare the feelings of your employees. You're in charge here, Ms. Talbot, and you're doing a damn fine job of managing this situation from what I can see. They need to remember that."
"I see," Lexi mutters, folding her hands on top of her desk as if to still them. "And I appreciate your candor, Mr. Evans. However, as you say, I'm in charge here. I won't have you parading down the halls like a soldier, scaring my people just to prove a point. We're doing this on my terms, and I refuse to resort to scare tactics to remind the Board that I'm the one in charge around here. I'll secure my place on merit, not on the implication of physical violence to any of our employees. If you can't get on board with that plan, you're free to leave."
I bite my tongue, fighting to contain the chuckle threatening to break free when she arches a brow, all but daring Evans to disagree with her. Lexi might not have wanted this job the way it came to her, but she's damn sure willing to fight to keep it. And she means every word: she'll win this battle on merit, not because of anything Evans can do for her in that regard. He's here to watch her back while she does it and help her along the way, nothing more.
"I'm not here to undermine your authority or position, Ms. Talbot, but to ensure your safety. The weapon stays."
"Hidden," she says, refusing to back down. "It stays hidden."
Evans eyes her for a long moment and then nods curtly. "Fine."
"Good," Lexi says, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smile. "Then we won't have a problem."
Half an hour later, I leave Lexi and Evans to hammer out the details alone. The late fall sun shines weakly overhead as I jog to my car, the wind blowing in from the Bay. The city smells of salt water and exhaust, both scents fighting for dominion in a battle not likely to be won anytime soon. The resulting cacophony is familiar, and oddly soothing. Nothing else in the world smells quite like San Francisco.
"Fucking hell," I mutter to myself when I catch sight of the cluster of reporters and cameramen milling outside the massive gates to Talbot International. Lexi and I can't even step outside without a reporter showing up. It's beyond ridiculous, and one of a thousand reasons I'm glad I'm officially done with this case. Finding a camera in my face every time I look up is exhausting.
"Jared! Mr. Corbit!" A petite brunette hollers my name before shoving her microphone through the bars of the gate as if she really expects me to stroll over and answer her questions.
I just shake my head and ignore them like I always do. Vultures.
Sliding into my Jaguar, I pull my phone out of my pocket again and hit the speed dial button for Savannah before shoving the key into the ignition and backing out of my space.
I'm over an hour late already.
"Jared?"
"Beautiful girl," I say, unable to keep the smile off my face as her voice whispers down the line on the second ring. Christ, I love the way she says my name, that voice of hers caressing the syllables as if attempting to hold them close.
"Where are you?" she asks.
"I'm leaving T.I. now, love." I step on the gas as soon as I'm clear of the gates and the cameras turned in my direction. The Jag responds like a dream, darting into a break in traffic and racing toward the speed limit without a hitch.
I cast a quick glance in the rearview mirror to find the group clustered together, trying to decide if they want to follow me or stay to figure out what Lexi's up to this afternoon. A middle-aged reporter stands off to the side by herself, staring after me with a thoughtful frown on her face. Her arms are wrapped around her as if she's cold. She looks vaguely familiar.
Our eyes connect for a brief moment, and the familiarity grows, but I can't place her. Before I get the chance, the Jag hits a hill and she's lost to sight.
Pushing all thoughts of reporters out of my mind, I focus on my girl. "I'll be there in five minutes," I tell her.
"Ten," she counters instantly, her soft voice full of worry for me. "You shouldn't speed."
I chuckle and ease off the gas pedal a bit, unable to deny her anything. "Fine, ten minutes. Are Chris and Demetri ready to go?"
"Yes. They look so handsome," she says and then laughs softly. "I think Chris is going to throw Demetri over his shoulder and make a run for it as soon as the ceremony is over. He can't stop staring at him."
"Wouldn't surprise me," I chuckle. Chris is as ready to marry Demetri as I am to make Savannah mine. And our wedding day can't get here soon enough for me. If the Talbot sisters and my mother hadn't convinced her to have a traditional wedding, I would have married her the moment she said yes to my proposal two months ago.
"Your parents and sister are here, too. So are Demetri's parents. We're just waiting for you."
"Is my mother behaving herself?" I ask, flipping on the blinker to signal my turn.
"Yes."
I hear the slight hesitation in her voice and sigh.
My mother is giddy at the thought of marrying me off. She can't fathom why Savannah doesn't want a massive wedding. I get it though. Her mother abandoned her when she was just a kid. She was bullied relentlessly by her classmates. And before she fled from the abusive, manipulative piece of shit, she spent two years isolated in Italy with Toby McKee. She doesn't want to share her day with a bunch of strangers and people who treated her like crap. And there's no way in hell I'm letting any of those bastards near her on our wedding day anyway. Mom's just going to have to pin her hopes of a big society wedding on my little sister, Alicia.
"I'll talk to her again," I say, gripping the steering wheel tight at the thought of anyone ruining this for Savannah. My mother loves her dearly, but she can be tenacious as all hell when she wants something.
"It's fine, really. She's just excited."
"It's our wedding."
"I know, but Chris is getting married at City Hall. Your mom wants everyone to see at least one of her sons married the traditional way," Savannah says, trying to soothe me. She hates when my mother and I argue over the wedding.
"We are getting married the traditional way," I remind her, making a left. The giant dome of the City Hall building looms into view several blocks ahead, standing boldly against the blue sky even at this distance. "We're just not inviting half the damn planet to watch us do it. This is our day, love. I don't need an army of people to watch me marry you. I just need you."
"That's all I need, too. I love you so much, Jared," she says.
A slow burn starts in my stomach, my cock hardening as her voice wraps around me, easing my frustration into nothing. Christ, the things this girl does to me without even trying. All she has to do is say my name or look at me, and I'm dying to strip her bare and make love to her until we're both too exhausted to move. I'll never get enough of her.
And I can't fucking wait to make her mine
.
"I love you too, beautiful girl. See you in a few minutes."
"Don't speed," she says.
Chapter Two
Finally Found You
"About damn time," Chris says as soon as I step through the double doors to City Hall five minutes later, dragging my FBI shield out of my pocket to bypass security. A big grin spreads across my brother's face, his dimples flashing. Excitement burns in his gaze, and he all but vibrates where he stands in his tuxedo, waiting for me so he can get on with it.
"Sorry. Evans got held up in traffic on I-280." I grasp my brother's shoulder and pull him into a hug, slapping him on the back, as soon as I'm waved through the security checkpoint. "You ready to do this, man?"
"Fuck yes, I'm ready. Let's go."
He steps back and grins again before spinning on his heel and heading toward the Rotunda. I follow behind him, ignoring the group of women standing off to the side, all but leering at us as we stroll past. Chris and I have had more than our fair share of stares and phone numbers slipped our way over the years. Neither of us have ever done anything with them, for different reasons. I just wasn't interested, and Chris doesn't do women. Neither fact has ever stopped women from trying though. It's maddening.
"How did it go today?" he asks, shaking his head ruefully when one of the women stage-whispers about big men and what they're like in bed. The others fall into a fit of giggles, trying to shush her.
"I'm not sure Evans took your warnings about Lex seriously," I say, chuckling at the memory of her glaring at him across her massive mahogany desk. "I left before she drew blood."
"Ouch."
"They'll figure it out," I say, pausing to let a little old lady on a scooter go around me. "I'm just glad to be out of it finally."
"Any idea where they'll send you next?"
I shrug, not sure how to answer that question. My cover was more or less blown the minute word leaked about Paulson. All the attention focused in my direction has my boss pissed. The only reason he hasn't suspended me thus far is because I wasn't finished at Talbot International and he couldn't very well pull me out without giving in to the media furor. Now that I'm officially done though? I'm expecting to be fired any day. I'm not sure where that leaves me or how I feel about it. In all honesty, I haven't spared much thought to what happens next, more important things—like protecting Savannah from the fallout—taking precedence.
All Cried Out (All Falls Down Book 2) Page 2
