The room was silent. All of them stared at me in shock.
“Screw that. You’re angry with me? Fine. Fire me. But I don’t regret it. I will do whatever it takes when it comes to Becca. What I did not only helped her, but some other people who were caught in this fraud ring. The information I sent to the police will help the bank and the fraud squad stop these criminals, and the only thing I feel is relief I was able to help. For your information, I knew the risks and I was prepared for those consequences.” I stood so fast my chair toppled over. “But I wasn’t prepared for this bullshit. I thought, of all the people who knew about it, you three would understand and support me. Obviously, I was wrong.”
I turned toward the door. “I’ll be in my office. If you want me out of here, let me know, and I can be gone in an hour. You won’t have to worry about me embarrassing your company again.”
I stormed down the hall, ignoring Sandy and headed to my office. I shut my door hard enough the hinges rattled and headed to my desk. Dropping into my chair, I held my head, cursing myself.
What had I done?
I’d yelled at my boss who had the right to be angry with me. Basically, I told him to fire me. I pulled on my neck muscles. I had let my temper get the best of me. I reacted instead of thinking, the exact way Rodney used to warn me against doing.
I was an idiot.
I glanced around, sadness and regret replacing the anger. It wouldn’t take me long to clean out my office. I knew there were some filing boxes in the cupboard, and I dug around to find them. I set them on the sofa, but I sat down again, unable to start the process of transferring my things into the containers. They had just given me a condo, which I was certain they would take back. Where was I going to go?
How was I going to explain this to Becca? She would be so disappointed in me. Of everything I could think of, that would be the hardest part to handle.
I wondered if Bentley would allow me to apologize. Thinking about what I had said, I was sure the answer was no. Nobody spoke to him the way I did a short while ago. Not if they wanted to work for him. I had blown it.
Defeated, I hung my head again, not even bothering to lift it when the door opened and I heard heavy footsteps.
“I haven’t touched the computer, Aiden. You can take it and change all the passwords while I pack up,” I mumbled. “Leave Maddox to watch over me so you know I don’t steal anything or touch the system.”
“I don’t need your computer,” Bentley’s voice informed me.
I lifted my head. He stood inside my office, his arms crossed. Aiden and Maddox were beside him. This was my only chance, and I wasn’t too proud to try.
“I’m sorry,” I croaked. “I’m really fucking sorry, Bent.”
“For what you did, or for telling me off?”
“Telling you off. But even losing my job, I don’t regret what I did.”
“Did you quit?”
“No.”
“I don’t recall firing you.”
“I assumed that was why you were here.”
“You assumed wrong. I came to apologize.”
My mouth opened, but no words came out.
“You’re right, Reid. We can’t expect you to use your hacking abilities and extreme knowledge when we need you to for our own purposes, then forbid you to use them when you feel it’s necessary. That would be unfair to you and extremely selfish of me.”
“But?” I asked, sensing there was more to his words.
He shrugged. “Everything you said was right. We have asked you to lay yourself on the line when need has called for it. And you have never refused us. I hope never to ask you again.” He stepped forward, loosening his arms. “I hope you never are put in the position of deciding the result is worth risking your freedom.” He sighed. “I overreacted, and I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mean to call your character into question. I know how much BAM means to you. I know everything you do for me—for this company.” He shifted on his feet. “I was upset when I heard what happened, Reid, but not for the reasons I stated earlier.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You have become like a younger brother to all of us. The thought that you put yourself out there without our protection upset me. The thought of you going back to jail horrifies me. I can’t imagine this place, or our lives, not having you in them.”
“I didn’t do it to upset anyone. I try, Bent. I stick to the law. I don’t look for opportunities to hack. This was an exception. What I did for you guys were exceptions. It’s my way of protecting you.”
Our gazes locked. His was serious and concerned. Mine determined and sincere. But not angry. That emotion had passed for us both.
“No more, Reid. We need you here.”
“All I can promise is to try. Maybe you guys need to stay out of trouble too.”
They all laughed, breaking the tension.
Bentley held out his hand. “Deal.”
I stood, and we shook firmly. “So, I still have a job?”
He rolled his eyes. “As if I’d ever let you go. You know you’re too valuable to us.”
“Would this be a good time to ask for a bigger budget? I want to expand the server room.”
He laughed. “Nice try.”
I shrugged. “It’s what I do.”
He clapped my shoulder. “You do so much more than that, Reid. So much more.” He squeezed the muscle tightly. “You’re part of the team. Be sure to stay around.” He studied me. “You stood up to me. Very few people do that.”
“Yeah, I did. I guess I should apologize for my rudeness.”
“No, I deserved it, so I’ll let you off the hook this time.” He smirked. “You’ve come a long way, Reid.”
He turned toward the door, then glanced back with a wink. “Don’t make a habit of it, though.”
He pulled open the door and left. Maddox clapped me on the back and followed him. Aiden regarded me, shaking his head.
“What?”
“You keep things interesting, kid.”
I chuckled.
His hand fell on my shoulder. “Be careful, Reid. We need you here. Becca needs you here.”
“I will, Aiden. I swear. I had no choice. Not with that.”
He nodded. “I know. But we care.”
It was my turn to clap his shoulder.
“I know. You’d be lost without me.”
He flexed his shoulders, grinning. “Whatever, kid. I just like having you around to order pizza.”
“Should I charge it to Maddox today?”
He opened the door and winked. “I think Bentley.”
“I’m putting your name on it.”
“Right on,” he called, walking down the hall. “I’m good with that.”
* * *
Becca came into my office, holding her laptop. “Reid, this is . . .” Her voice trailed off as she took in the boxes still sitting on my sofa.
“What’s going on?”
I waved my hand. “Nothing. It’s fine.”
She set down her laptop on my desk and looked behind her. “Why are there boxes on your sofa?”
I sighed. “Bentley wasn’t overly happy with me, and we had words. I might have yelled and told him off.” I shrugged. “Or something to that effect.”
“Because of what you did? For me?”
“Yes.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Well, I have something to say to him myself.” She headed toward the door, determined and angry. I jumped up, catching her around the waist before she made it there, and pulled her back. I closed the door as she tried to wiggle out of my hold.
“Hold up, tiger. We’ve settled everything.”
“You aren’t losing your job over this!”
“I won’t. I didn’t. We had words, and we cleared the air. Everything is fine,” I soothed. “You can retract your claws now. No need to go for the kill.”
She huffed out a snarl, making me laugh. She flung her arms around me, pressing her lips to mine. Surprised, I yanked her
close, kissing her enthusiastically. She was breaking one of her own rules when it came to heavy petting in the workplace.
I was good with that. So good, I decided I needed to shuffle over to the sofa, and get rid of those boxes, then put it to a far better use. Namely, Becca under me, moaning my name. It would ease the tension of the morning.
Becca, however, had other ideas. She eased back, pressing one final kiss to my mouth.
“What was that for?”
“For being you. For putting me first. For being so . . . manly.” She growled the last word.
I punched my hips into hers. “Why don’t I show you how manly I am?” I reached behind me, flicking the lock. “The sofa is very comfortable.”
She watched me, her brow furrowed in contemplation. I could feel her indecision.
“I can be fast, baby.”
She slid her hands up my arms. “That would be so naughty.”
I nodded. “I like naughty.”
She rose on her toes, and I lowered my head eagerly just as the door behind me shook with fierce knocking. “Reid! Pizza is here, and Bentley is out for blood. You didn’t get him any goat cheese.” The door handle rattled. “Come on, dude!”
“I’ll be right there!” I bellowed, hoping he would go away. But I knew the moment was broken.
Becca’s wide eyes met mine. “I guess I’ll have to give you a rain check.”
“Yes. You owe me.”
A grin curled her lips. “Maybe a private dance later? I learned a new move on the pole I haven’t shown you.”
I loved watching Becca dance using her pole. She made every fantasy I had come true, and sex was always wild with her after she was done.
If I allowed her to finish a routine. I wasn’t sure I had ever seen one in its entirety.
She was too sexy for her own good. Or mine.
I bent down and kissed her.
“Deal.”
Reid
The sound of the engine in the plane was a muted hum. For the second time in a month, I was on a trip. I glanced around the interior of the private plane in awe. Leaning over, I grinned at Becca. “Good thing we didn’t fly private the first time. Commercial would have been an extreme letdown after this luxury.”
She laughed. “Don’t get used to it. I don’t think we can spring for this ourselves.”
“Probably not.”
Once again, I pulled my passport from my pocket, still amazed at how a small booklet could make me feel so joyful. I could travel now, and once Bill finished the work needed to expunge my record, I would be free to travel anywhere Becca wanted to go. My past would no longer restrict my life.
I met Sandy’s caring gaze. Maddox and Dee had offered to put off their wedding, but she insisted they keep their plans. They agreed as long as she came to the wedding, since it was important to both of them to have her there. After some consideration, she decided to join us. Still grieving, she had sadness about her, although she did better when surrounded by people. I continued to go over a couple of nights every week, with Becca often accompanying me. We knew no matter how happy Sandy was for Maddox, she would find it difficult, and we planned to stay close to her as much as possible. I smiled at Sandy, and she winked, returning to the book she was reading.
I gazed past Becca at the vast, blue sky.
“What kind of wedding do you want?” I asked quietly. Marriage was a topic we spoke of frequently in passing. We’d talk and ask questions, and then move on to another subject. It was our way of feeling each other out with no pressure. I wanted to marry Becca. I liked the idea more all the time, and I was certain she felt the same. We had never discussed details, though.
She pursed her lips. “Small, intimate. I’d like my dad there. Friends. A pretty dress and some flowers.”
I thought of Bentley’s wedding. “Cake?”
She chuckled. “Yes, cake too.”
“So, in BC, then?”
“I don’t think my dad could travel, so it would have to be.”
“Okay.”
She peeked up at me. “Yeah?”
“As long as you’re my wife at the end of the day, I’m good with that.”
She looked confused. “We’re just talking, right? You’re not asking?”
I kissed her hand. “I can do better than asking en route to another wedding surrounded by people. So, yeah. Just talking.” I bent low to her ear. “But ‘yes’ is looking pretty certain now, isn’t it?”
She kissed me. “Yes, yes, it is.”
I sat back and relaxed, not hiding my grin. “Good.”
* * *
Dancing with Becca on the sandy beach was a little trickier than dancing on a smooth floor, but somehow, we managed. Maddox and Dee exchanged vows under the bright sun, then we spent the afternoon enjoying the island. Dinner happened at sunset, followed by a short speech by Maddox himself, before the real party started. There was champagne and music. Laughter and stories.
And love. It saturated the entire day.
I look down at Becca, holding her tight in my arms. Luckily, she was content to sway to the music, happy simply to be close. Looking at the moon glimmering on the water, I squeezed her hand lying on my chest. “Wanna take a walk with me?”
With a smile, she agreed, and we slipped away. The air was warm and sultry. We were both barefoot, and we walked along the edge of the water, letting the cool waves brush against our skin. From behind us, we could hear the faint strains of music and the laughter of our friends.
I tucked her into my side, enjoying the island breeze and her closeness. When we came to the outcropping of rocks, Becca stopped and sat on one of the large, flat boulders and patted the space next to her. We watched the waves kick up on the beach, the silence between us easy. I entwined our fingers, lifting her hand to my mouth for a kiss.
“You want children,” she stated unexpectedly.
“Yes, I do. I want a family.”
“How many?”
“Well, I think it’s easier when they come one at a time.” I nudged her playfully. “But I would like a couple of them, I think.”
She chuckled. “How soon?”
I frowned. “I hadn’t thought much about that, to be honest. We’re young still, so there isn’t any rush. In the next few years, I guess?”
“I want to establish my career, and I want to work after I have kids. I went to school for a long time to get my degree, and I want to learn my craft.”
Her words made sense. “I get that.”
“You wouldn’t mind getting married and waiting a while for kids, then?”
“No. It makes sense in many ways. If we have kids, we’ll need a bigger place. We can save and be ready for them.” I squeezed her fingers. “We could live in my new place. It would be big enough for the two of us until we’re ready to move on.”
She stared out at the water, nodding slowly. “Yes, that would work.” She slipped from the rock, and I stood to join her. I glanced down and brushed the sand off my pants. Looking up, I expected to see her waiting for me. Instead, she was down on one knee. In her hand was a slim silver band.
My heart rate picked up. “Becca . . . what are you doing?”
She smiled up at me, tears already in her eyes. “Reid Matthews, I love you. We’ve shared a lot of firsts together, but I wanted to add something you weren’t expecting.”
“BB . . .” I breathed out her name.
“My mom gave my dad an engagement ring. He wears it with his wedding band. I wanted to offer you one.” Her voice quivered. “I want to marry you, Reid. Will you let me be the first for the rest of your life?”
I stared at her, shocked. With a grin, I joined her on the sand, then pulled the ring I had brought for her from my pocket. “I would love to, Becca Holden. As long as you’ll be mine.”
She laughed as we slid a ring onto each other’s finger. “I can’t believe we both planned this.”
“I can. We’re made for each other.”
She stared down at her ring. It w
asn’t huge and wildly expensive like the one Bentley or Aiden purchased. Sandy had taken me to see Darlene, who helped me pick a simple setting and a beautiful diamond. It suited Becca. Becca suited me. It worked.
My hand felt strange with the addition of the thin band. But it felt right.
My entire life finally felt right.
I kissed her. “I love you, Becca Holden, soon to be Becca Matthews.” I grinned. “Or since you asked me, am I going to be Reid Holden?”
She laughed. “No, I guess I’m old-fashioned in that sense. I want to be Becca Matthews.”
“Nothing would make me prouder.”
Her smile lit my world.
“I love you, Reid Matthews. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
I grinned.
I was good with that.
Five Months Later - REID
I glanced around my desk, making sure everything was in order. All that remained were a few files of things I had been working on over time—nothing that anyone had to take care of while I was gone. The system was in top form, and I knew my staff would maintain it while I was gone for two weeks.
Honeymoon or not, I also planned to check in. Becca knew me too well; she asked that I limit it to once every couple of days, and I do it while she slept. I was still a night owl, and normally, she was out by eleven, so I had no issues with that. I was sure she’d sleep well after days spent on a hot beach and exploring the ruins in Mexico that she wanted to see. Plus, I planned to wear her out by making love to her as often as possible.
Just the thought of sex with my wife got me going. I was looking forward to exploring her as often as possible.
A gentle knock on my door brought me from my thoughts, and I looked up. Sandy smiled at me. “The boys want to see you in Bentley’s office.”
I frowned. “Everything okay?”
“Yes. I think they want a last word before you go.”
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 24
