“Maybe. But if I were him, I’d be selling myself to potential clients as best as I can. By not having details of his past employment, some prospects might pass him by for a multitude of reasons. Does he get a lot of business from this website?”
“Yes. He said that’s where most of his inquiries come from.”
“Interesting,” Kallan murmured.
Their food arrived, and Emma enjoyed a beautiful raspberry macaroon with her mocha.
She couldn’t wait to see Bryce tomorrow, not only for their two-month anniversary, but also to discuss “taking over” some of Kallan’s work during the day. They had to be specific with their plans or her father wouldn’t agree to it.
But she was confident it would all work out. She couldn’t see why it wouldn’t. It was perfect for everyone concerned.
Chapter 15
Bryce took a deep breath before knocking on Emma’s door. He wasn’t looking forward to what he was about to do: lie to her and disappoint her on their two-month anniversary.
Emma opened the door, wearing her bathrobe. “You’re way early!” she said with a grin.
“Hi.” He gave her a lingering kiss as he closed the door behind him. Then he handed her the bouquet of long-stemmed red roses he was clutching.
“Aw, thank you, honey. These are beautiful.”
“Glad you like them,” he said, flashing a big smile.
Emma stood on tiptoes to plant another kiss on his lips. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be ready.” She trotted to the kitchen to place the flowers on the bench top, then hurried to her bedroom, giving him a cheerful wave as she did.
Damn it. Emma looked so happy that he hated to burst her bubble. But he didn’t have a choice.
“Babe,” he said hesitantly.
“Yeah?”
“I have some bad news.”
A worried frown was on Emma’s face as she walked back to him. “What’s wrong?”
“One of my clients has an emergency situation at their Auckland office, so I have to fly there tonight. So I’m afraid I can’t even have dinner with you. I’m so sorry.”
Emma’s jaw slackened, disappointment crossing her face for a second before she sent him an understanding smile. “Okay. That’s fine. Is anyone in danger?”
“Not that I know of. It’s more of a property safety issue. I don’t know much about it yet—that’s why I have to be there in person and assess the situation. But even if I did, I’m afraid I can’t discuss it with anyone.”
Emma nodded. “Can you have a quick dinner with me here? We don’t need to go out.”
Bryce checked his watch, tempted to stay a while longer. But he needed to have a meeting with Aidan to discuss this unexpected development before he had to catch a plane to Auckland. He was already pressed for time as it was.
“No. Sorry. I’d love to stay even for a drink, but I just don’t have the time. I only got the call a few minutes ago, and I have to go home and pack some stuff before I head for the airport.”
“Okay, no problem. How long are you there for?”
“I don’t know. It will depend on the actual situation and how easy or difficult it would be to come up with a solution. I’ll call you every day though.”
Emma smiled, nodding.
He cupped her face and kissed her thoroughly. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
He hugged her tight, taking in a deep breath and feeling her against him. He had no idea how things would turn out during this trip, but he hoped this wouldn’t be the last time he’d see her.
He pulled away, cursing himself for thinking that last thought. Things would go fine at Auckland with Addison. They had to.
“Bye, sweetheart.” He squeezed her hand as he went to the door. “Happy two-month anniversary.”
Emma’s big smile lifted his spirits somewhat. “Happy two-month anniversary.”
Winking at her, he left her apartment.
Emma’s understanding of the situation only served to pinch at his heart. He still had no idea how he’d explain himself to her when her father was finally caught and she discovered the truth about her family. Emma could never know Bryce was an Indie Rebel, so he couldn’t possibly use that fact to justify his lies and excuses—unless of course Emma became an Indie Rebel herself.
But he couldn’t see that happening. The chiefs were very selective of anyone who got the green light to become initiates. Emma would need to do something so significant against her family for the IRs to trust her. Somehow, he couldn’t see her turn her back on the Ferns completely. She was getting a lot of love from them. Plus there was Jill. Especially there was Jill. It would be tricky to remove the three-year-old from her parents. Bryce couldn’t even see how that would be possible. Even criminals have legal rights to their children. And he couldn’t imagine Emma giving up on her sister for anything or anyone.
Bryce shook his head vigorously. This wasn’t the time to think about how he could maintain a relationship with Emma after this project ended. First and foremost, he had to focus on the Indie Rebels winning over Addison and the Fixers. Right now they weren’t even close to finding Jester. The IRs could still very well crumble to nothingness, and he couldn’t allow that. The pressure was well and truly on, and it felt heavy on his shoulders.
He got in his car and drove back home. In these critical times, the chiefs had ordered them to be extra careful. No more face-to-face meetings for Bryce with any Indie Rebels, including his own brother. All IR communications would have to be done over the secure IR app in Bryce’s phone.
He arrived home and hurriedly pulled out his suitcase. He rang Aidan while he packed.
“Two IRs will be shadowing you in Auckland,” Aidan said. “Unfortunately, after we speak, you’ll have to delete the IR app. We can’t afford for the Fixers to discover it in case they feel the need to check out your phone, so the only way you can contact us while you’re there is to call Jax on his normal phone number.”
“No,” Bryce said hurriedly. “They have no idea that Jax is my brother. I have no doubts Addison will demand to check my phone every once in a while to prove he can trust me. I don’t want to give him any reason whatsoever to see a connection between me and Jax.”
“Well, then, you won’t have any way to contact us while you’re there. So as much as possible, be in a public place where our agents can see you and follow you.”
“Copy. Who are the two IRs?”
“The chiefs decided you don’t need to know them since you can’t be communicating with them anyway. But they’ll be doing their best to keep an eye on you and come to your aid, if need be.”
Bryce snickered. “The chiefs trust me to find Jester, yet don’t trust me with the identity of the other IRs, huh?”
Aidan let out a dry laugh. “You know the rules. Pass initiation and you won’t have these restrictions. I’d say this particular assignment is so important that, if you succeed, you’ll immediately be allowed to graduate.”
“Can’t wait,” he said with a chuckle.
“We’re all behind you, Bryce,” Aidan said softly.
“I know. I only have one thing to ask, Aidan.”
“What’s that?”
“Please keep developing plans to extract Emma and Jill from the Fixers.”
“Yes. I’ll push for it.”
“Thank you.”
“And, Bryce…”
“Yes?”
“Do not, I repeat, do not place yourself in a position where your identity as an IR is compromised. You’ll not only be putting yourself in danger, but you’ll force Addison to hide so well that we won’t be able to find him or Jester.”
“Yes, I know that.”
“And don’t sacrifice yourself for Emma. You could be putting the whole IR team at risk.”
Bryce inhaled deeply. “I know that.”
“Good. I hope to speak with you again in a matter of days instead of weeks. Jester is getting closer and closer to breaching yet another w
all.”
“Copy that.”
“Good luck, bro.”
“Thanks, bro.”
Bryce hung up and deleted the IR app from his phone. The very act made him feel…alone. But he didn’t have time to wallow. He had a plane to catch.
Bryce walked out of the customs area of Auckland airport and looked around for a familiar face. Addison had told him he’d recognise the person who’d be waiting for him out here.
He spotted a man in jeans and leather jacket waving to him. He put on a smile. It was Ernie, Addison’s favourite bodyguard and one he’d seen on Plank Island. “Hey, Ernie,” he said with casual friendliness, clasping hands with him.
“Bryce. How’s it going?”
“Good. Happy to be here.”
“Car’s outside.”
Ernie led him to the car park and pointed to a black sedan. Then Ernie opened the back passenger door for him before taking his suitcase.
Bryce bent to look inside and his lips tugged up. He got in and offered his hand to the man already sitting inside. “Addison, good to see you again.”
“Yes. And I’m sure you understand I have to do this.” Addison started patting him everywhere, looking for wires.
Bryce cooperated, shifting on his seat to allow Addison to search him comfortably.
The man went through his pockets and pulled out his phone. Addison checked the screen then handed the device back to him. “Glad you were able to arrange to come here so quickly.”
Bryce relaxed. “You said it’s urgent, and I’m keen to start being part of the Fixers. I’m not the lone wolf type. I’m very much a team player.”
Addison’s mouth curved into a smirk, but he was nodding.
“I had to disappoint your daughter, though,” he said gravely. “We were supposed to go out to dinner tonight for our two-month anniversary.”
Addison snickered. “Two-month anniversary? You celebrate monthly?”
Bryce nodded.
“Who the hell does that?”
“Hey,” he said in an offended tone. “It happens to be important to both of us.”
Addison narrowed his eyes. “So the two of you are getting along well?”
“Yes.”
“Is she in love with you?”
Bryce cocked his head. Addison’s question sounded calculating. “I hope so.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yes,” he murmured, hating that an enemy was the first person to hear him admit to his feelings.
Addison stared at him, and he didn’t look away.
“You don’t look pleased,” Addison said.
Bryce let out a dry laugh. For fuck’s sake, he had to be more careful with this very observant man. “Yes, I’m not pleased. I was resenting the fact that it’s not Emma who’s the first to know about how deep my feelings are for her.”
“You haven’t told her?”
“We’ve only been going out for two months, Addison. I don’t want her running for the hills.”
“Why would she do that if she also has feelings for you?”
“She’s not big on long-distance relationships,” he said, his gaze on Addison’s face. “She’s certain they don’t work. I’m thinking that belief stemmed from her childhood.”
Addison scowled, then he nodded. “Okay, I can see how that could have happened. So we’ll fix the issue.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’ll base you in Brisbane, so you can be together.”
Bryce smiled. Excellent. That sounded like he’d been accepted as a Fixer. “Thank you. I did mention to her already that I’m happy to move. So what sort of tasks do you expect me to do for the group?”
Addison went silent, looking out the car window as Ernie drove them to their destination.
Bryce waited patiently. There were a lot of questions in his head, but he was confident he was getting closer to the answers. As long as he played his cards right, the more Addison would trust him.
“There are a few things I want you to do,” Addison said finally. “But I think we should concentrate on Emma for now. As you’re aware, she doesn’t know anything about the Fixers. She thinks Edgar was set up by the Indie Rebels.”
Bryce nodded. “I’m just not sure how she’s gonna take it if she learns about our lifestyle. I don’t wanna lose her, Addison. I’m sure you don’t, either.”
“No. So we’ll see if we can keep her innocent of all this. But I need something from her, and this is where you come in.”
“Okay,” he said with interest. “What do you need from her?”
Both Addison and Ernie laughed out loud.
“That you can’t know,” Addison said.
Bryce frowned. “So how am I gonna get it out of her?”
Addison faced him fully, his face serious again. “You don’t. I’ll be getting it out of her. What I need you to do are two things: help us protect our secret from her, and help us build her trust in me and the rest of her Fern family. That’s it for now. If you do these things successfully so that I get the information I want, then I might consider you for a higher position within the Fixers.”
Bryce’s heart raced. What the hell did these bastards want from Emma? “Addison…I know this is business for you. But my feelings for your daughter are real. I—”
“I won’t be asking you to break up with her later or anything like that. I’m just telling you what you need to do if you want to be a Fixer.”
“So what am I doing here then if all I need to do is hide our secret lives from her and make her trust you and the rest of your family? I’m already doing the hiding, right? As for her trust in the Ferns, well, I think it’s very much there already.”
“I wanted to speak face-to-face with you—that’s why I asked you to fly here. I don’t want to be in Australia until the Indie Rebels collapse, just to be on the safe side.”
Bryce’s heart skipped. “How are the Indie Rebels going to collapse?”
Addison chuckled. “I trust you, Bryce, but not that much. Yet.”
“Well, I’ll be one of the first to celebrate when the IR falls. Can you at least give me something? Those bastards are responsible for the Flowers biting the dust.”
“Hmm, I might tell you how we did it after it happens. I don’t want to jinx anything.”
“I never thought you’re someone who believes in jinxes, Addison,” he said jokingly.
Addison chortled. “I don’t, normally. But this is so important that I’m not taking any chances.”
Bryce suppressed a sigh. Damn it. How the hell could he hasten the trust-building process?
“Here.” Addison took out a thick bundle from his pocket and handed it to him. “Find yourself a nice hotel room to stay the night. Treat yourself to some expensive dinner, then fly back to Sydney tomorrow. Keep the change.”
Bryce stared at the wad of New Zealand hundred-dollar bills. “That’s it? That’s all you want to tell me?”
“Yes. We’ll pass by the city centre and we’ll drop you off there.”
“What, I can’t even have dinner with you? Come on, Addison. It’s not like you haven’t met me before.”
Addison patted his shoulder. “You wouldn’t even get to sit in a car with me if I didn’t trust you enough. Just be patient. I’m sure you understand I have to keep my other boys happy too. I don’t want them to think I’m favouring an ex-Flower to a long-time Fixer. Just do as I told you, and I’ll be in contact again later.”
Fuck.
“By the way,” Addison said. “Kallan contacted me about his bodyguard duties with Emma.”
“He’s not needed. I can look after Emma myself.”
“I know that. But you can’t make Emma suspect why you have so much time on your hands to watch over her when you’re supposed to be working. So I’m agreeing to Kallan’s proposal for him to only work during the evenings and other times you can’t be with Emma. I understand you’ve already told Emma you’d like to take her to and from work?”
�
��Yes. And I’m also with her every weekend. So Kallan doesn’t want to work full-time?”
“No,” Addison said with a frustrated head shake. “But this arrangement is good enough.”
“You said before you have reasons to put Kallan in that role. Can you now tell me what those are?”
“Not yet. And I’m sure I don’t need to remind you not to speak to anyone, including Kallan, about any of this.”
“Does that mean he doesn’t know about the Fixers?” That would be downright interesting.
“You only need to know what you need to know, Bryce. Just do your job in making my daughter ignorant of our underworld lives. And keep making her fall in love with you. I’m sure you’ll have fun doing that,” Addison added with a laugh.
Fucking bastard.
Bryce kept his face expressionless despite his anger at Addison’s words. Did this man actually care for his daughter or had he reappeared in Emma’s life to get some kind of information from her?
At least there was no plan on Emma getting roped into the Fixers at this time.
But before he was dropped off, he had to try and get some information on Jester. “So when do you think the Indie Rebels will collapse?” he asked casually.
Addison let out a harsh breath. “It’s fucking taking longer than I want. But soon, I hope.”
Bryce prayed for much longer than that. He tried to probe further but, unfortunately, Addison was finished answering any questions.
Soon, they were in the city, and Ernie pulled up in an available street parking space.
“Don’t forget to follow everything I told you,” Addison said. “I like you a lot, Bryce. But that doesn’t mean anything if you cross me.”
Bryce nodded, reluctantly getting out of the car. Ernie handed him his suitcase, and got back in the driver’s seat. Then the vehicle sped off.
How fucking frustrating that he hadn’t gotten very far today, and now he was being ordered back to Sydney.
He looked around, wondering if the two IRs were watching him right now. If he could only communicate with them, he’d tell them both to follow Addison’s car. More likely, though, at least one of them would be staying to watch him, assuming he’d be meeting with someone else. They’d be sorely disappointed.
Bryce: The Project (Indie Rebels Book 3) Page 13
