“And most of those people find themselves on the wrong end of those situations when all they needed to have done was take a beat and think logically.”
Any trace of a smile had been wiped from her lips. Jackson knew he’d met his match.
“Acting on impulse suggests passion,” he said. “When you have passion as your driving force, you are harder to slow down. To stop. To beat. Taking the time to overthink everything suggests that that person doesn’t really care what he’s fighting for.” He shrugged. “And, in my opinion, I would bet that person doesn’t even know what passion is.” The last part was, of course, meant for the woman in front of him. The one judging him like all the others had done before and still did. He raised his eyebrow at her just in case she missed his jab. She wasn’t the only one who could be passive.
The woman’s jaw set hard, her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned slightly. She looked like she was rearing for a comeback when Jonathan walked in from the hallway. He smiled at the two of them and walked over.
“I see you’ve already met the boss, then,” Jonathan greeted.
Jackson’s eyes widened.
Of course she was the boss.
Nikki Waters.
She cut eye contact with him when she answered the man. “We were just having a pleasant conversation in which I think Mr. Fields was implying I needed more passion in my life.”
Jonathan burst into laughter.
“Rough around the edges, remember?” he said.
Nikki held out her hand in response.
“Your contract, please,” she said to Jackson. He handed it to her without a word. Not because he was intimidated or embarrassed, but because he didn’t just want this job. He needed it. Unless he’d already shot himself in the foot. Instead of tearing up the papers like he was afraid she might, Nikki put the folder beneath her arm and fixed him with a fierce stare. “Now, if you two will excuse me, I have an important meeting.”
Jonathan seemed to sober a bit.
“Good luck,” he said. She nodded, turning on her heel. She paused long enough to say something to the trainer.
“And his hair is too shaggy.”
Then she was gone.
* * *
NIKKI TAPPED HER heel against the ceramic tile and desperately wanted not one but several more drinks. She didn’t often indulge in alcohol, but tonight of all nights she found her nerves craved it. Looking at the people around her, all in varying physical descriptors, ethnicities, ages and interests, she questioned why she was even there.
Was there not another way?
Was this her last option?
Would this even work?
“—so I have to stay in perfect shape all the time,” the man across the table from her said, obviously proud. “How could I help people sculpt the perfect bodies if their fitness instructor didn’t have one, too?”
Nikki’s need for another drink was almost as great as the mass of the man’s biceps. She gave him a polite smile that she hoped wouldn’t be construed as romantic interest. The man might have been attractive, but in the two minutes they’d had to talk he hadn’t once asked her a question. If Nikki had wanted to sit in silence, she would have stayed at home instead of coming out to a speed-dating event.
“I actually had a woman come up to me after class and say I changed her life with my w—”
A bell went off and Nikki nearly clapped. The man seemed upset he couldn’t finish his “stories of me,” but she had no doubt he’d continue them with the woman at the next table. He didn’t say goodbye as he stood up and started to leave. Nikki took the opportunity to pull her phone out of her purse and check the time.
Her thoughts jumped to the man back at Orion who had clearly made the accusation that she didn’t know what passion was. Even though she’d known Jackson Fields probably wasn’t the best conversationalist, she’d been surprised at his quickness to undercut her subtle accusation with one of his own. Those blue-gray eyes hadn’t backed down and hadn’t submitted. In his short rebuttal about “passion” he’d been passionate.
Nikki sighed.
He’d also been right about his assumption of her lacking passion.
But maybe, just maybe, tonight would help with that side of her life.
Before she could leave thoughts of him behind, she pictured him again. Even though he’d been shirtless, showcasing a tan and a toned chest, it was his smile that had first caught her attention. Despite his past, it had been strong, showing a man who looked confident, even if his dirty blond hair shagged out over his ears and his cut jaw had sported a little more than a five o’clock shadow. She’d bet he hadn’t been expecting to actually get offered the job. Or else, hopefully, he would have tried to look a bit more kempt. Though she hadn’t necessarily been put off by his appearance, either, shirt or not.
Nikki shook her head, trying to sling off the snapshots of his body. Tonight wasn’t about him or work. It was about Nikki and trying to find someone she could laugh with, share some quality time with. Someone compatible who didn’t scare easily when she told him she ran an agency of muscled men who had protected hundreds of people over the years.
She put her phone back in her purse and pasted on a smile as someone cleared his throat, bringing her attention to the new man in front of her.
She froze.
This man was definitely not the one she was looking for.
“I know we’re supposed to tell each other good things about ourselves in the hope of making a meaningful connection in the next two minutes,” he started. “But how about instead I use that time to tell you about all the things wrong with you?” He gave a smile. It sent ice through her. “What do you say to that, Miss Waters?”
Chapter Two
Jackson couldn’t believe his stupidity. How he hadn’t put two and two together that the redhead in heels and leather pants was the famous Nikki Waters whom Jonathan had mentioned, he didn’t know.
She was so distracting, he thought, trying to take it easy on himself. The way she had moved and talked was nothing but confidence and power. He’d dated many women before who had also held their own, but there was something different about the redhead.
Snap out of it, Jackson! You need this job, and that’s your boss.
He walked into his apartment and straight into the shower. The culmination of his workout and meeting the woman—with a bad first impression to boot—had created the need to cool off. He cleared his mind as much as he could while the water ran over him. It helped for the most part. Jackson got out, toweled off and managed to make it through two beers before any thoughts of the woman popped up again.
Jonathan had been honest with him at their meeting. The boss was made aware of his past before she decided to hire him. His criminal history—which wasn’t that bad in his opinion—would show up on the background check. There was no avoiding that...but did she know the rest?
Did she know about his father?
On cue, the echoes of the past shrieked across his memory.
He took a long pull of his drink and tried not to remember. It had been years. He’d grown up, moved away and survived it all.
Nikki Waters had, for whatever reason, given him a second chance. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to waste it.
* * *
ANDREW MILLER LOOKED no different than the last time she’d seen him. Chestnut hair, thick and falling at his chin, always tucked behind his ears. A jaw that was well defined and always cleanly shaven and lips plump yet not overly so. He had eyes that were brown, hooded by brows that were perfectly groomed. His clothes might have changed colors but not style. Even after everything he’d been through, he was still dressed as if he were going out to the opera when in actuality he was sitting at a restaurant that she knew for a fact hosted karaoke on Tuesdays. But Andrew wouldn’t care about
a small detail like that. He knew he looked good and wanted others to know it, too.
The cold that had surrounded Nikki quickly melted.
Then heated up even more.
“What are you doing—” she’d started to hiss when he held up his hand.
“Nikki, why don’t you let me go first?”
Andrew leaned back a fraction in his chair to appear nonchalant. But there was nothing nonchalant about him being there. In Dallas. In the bar. Right in front of her.
No. This was wrong.
“On the outside you appear to be compassionate, thoughtful, driven. Traits that are hailed as a trinity that, together, can ultimately create a good person. What you exude is a persona that many would pay for, fight for. You inspire, you rally, you persevere.” His small smile started to drip down his chin. “But I know who and what you really are.”
“And what’s that?” she asked, no fear, just rising anger.
“You’re an opportunist. A vulture waiting, circling its prey in hopes of devouring everything it’s ever worked for—everything it’s accomplished.” His jaw muscles tightened. He was baring his teeth.
She wasn’t the only one warring with anger.
“Everything I’ve accomplished,” he snarled.
Nikki wanted to glance around at the surrounding tables to see if anyone was catching this non-speed-dating conversation, but there was something oddly transfixing about the man in front of her. Unlike Jackson, who had been intriguing with a good dose of some unknown pull, Andrew was an old face she had never thought she’d see again. And now she couldn’t look away.
“If you’re itching to place blame, just look in a mirror,” she said, fire so hot in her words that they came out cold. “Don’t blame me for what happened.”
Andrew slammed his fist against the tabletop with such force that Nikki pushed back in her chair.
“You are the only person to blame,” he roared.
The chatter around them died. For one long moment, all Nikki could hear were the soft sounds of the radio pumping through the wall speakers. She didn’t move, stunned.
Andrew’s heaving chest settled into a more socially suitable clip. His smile reformed. He seemed to know he’d just caused a scene. He nodded to the people around them, then focused on Nikki again.
“I’m not here to point fingers, Nikki,” he almost cooed. “I’m here to teach you a lesson about cause and effect. About consequences.” He leaned across the table.
Nikki, not one to back down, especially for Andrew Miller, couldn’t help feeling the desire to pull away.
“Cause—you destroyed me. Effect—now I’m going to destroy you.” His smile turned absolutely sincere. “So get ready, Nikki. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
Andrew left the table quickly and quietly, exiting onto the sidewalk and walking out of view from the windows. The bell went off, signaling for the men to switch again. The woman to the right of Nikki leaned over.
“Men like him make me think being single forever is not such a bad thing,” she whispered. Nikki’s eyes stayed on the door.
“Amen to that.”
Nikki collected her things and apologized to her next potential suitor. His eyes traveled to the voluptuous blonde two tables down as he said “No problem.”
Downtown Dallas was buzzing as she followed the sidewalk down toward the communal parking lot. The faux leather pants that had been a daring choice that morning when she picked out her potential date-night outfit now clung to her uncomfortably. The heels that were higher than any others she wore on a normal occasion now bit at her feet. Her hair, curled instead of straightened, hung heavy against her shoulders.
What was supposed to have been an attempt to have a life outside of Orion and her work had been shut down by the one man who had helped her create Orion in the first place.
Her thoughts slid to Oliver Quinn, Mark Tranton and Jonathan Carmichael. If Andrew was in town, her original three agents would want to know. She could picture their faces as she told them, all contorting in the anger she still felt burning when she thought of the man. What Andrew had done, or rather hadn’t done, had changed all of their lives. Nikki and the guys had come to Dallas seeking redemption. They’d spent the last several years trying to save as many people as they could, protecting them without worry of turning a profit.
Apparently Andrew hadn’t sought the same.
And now he was in Dallas.
Why? Was he really here to mess with her?
She thought about the man she used to know quite well. He was clever and brilliant and certainly selfish. Was he stupid enough, malicious enough, to try to hurt her?
No. He’s just blowing off steam.
He had been right. After what she’d done, she doubted everything in his life had gone back to the way it was before. Beautiful women hanging on his arms, an exuberant amount of money and a reputation built up on pillars of gold. Andrew Miller had been a rock star in Chicago.
Until...
Nikki shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. If Oliver, Mark and Jonathan could find happiness and balance, then she could, too. All work and no play had been her resounding motto for the last five years. It was time to step away from work after-hours. To think about things other than Orion Security Group.
Which seemed like a hard task when she finally got to her car.
Spray-painted in red across her light blue car were the words Orion Bitch in big bold letters. She walked up and ran her finger across the O. It was dry. Apparently Andrew’s steam hadn’t yet gone out. The anger reserved only for him began to flame up again. She fisted her hand and retraced the words with her eyes.
Slowly the flames abated.
She let out a long stream of air between her dark red lips and wondered if trying to find a suitable date would always be this hard.
* * *
JACKSON GOT HIS first chance to score some points with his new boss early the next morning. His phone belted out a series of rhythmic beeps until he woke up, alert and ready to throw a punch. It took him a few seconds to fight out of the disorientation of sleep to realize someone was calling.
The number was unknown but looked familiar. He answered it, cautious.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is this Jackson Fields?” a woman asked. He couldn’t place the voice.
“This is.”
“Good! This is Kelli Tranton, filling in as the Orion secretary.”
Jackson thought back to the name. It definitely sounded familiar. “Tranton...”
“My husband is Mark, one of the lead agents.”
Bingo.
“Jonathan mentioned him,” he said.
“Funny you should say that, because Jonathan is the one who told me to call you,” she said with a laugh.
That made Jackson pause. He’d had the job less than twenty-four hours and now he was getting called in already? Looked like this job’s pace was a bit quicker than he’d originally thought. “What’s up?”
“Nikki called with car trouble, which normally wouldn’t matter on the weekend, but we have a conference call with a potential client in about an hour. I was going to go get her, but Jonathan said that you might benefit from showing the boss you don’t mind working above and beyond what’s required.” She said the last part like she was repeating a direct quote.
Maybe Jackson wasn’t the only one who thought he needed to get back in Nikki’s good graces. “Yeah, I can go grab her.”
“Great,” she chimed. “And good luck!”
Jackson hoped he wouldn’t need luck for the simple task of taxiing his boss to work but, either way, he dressed with speed and headed out.
Half an hour later he was standing in front of apartment 203, knuckles rapping against the weathered door. To his surprise, the almight
y boss woman didn’t live in a new construction but an older complex that didn’t even have a buzzer. It was interesting to find that a woman who had created a security organization didn’t live with an ample amount of, well, security. Anyone could simply walk through the shared front entrance and up the public stairs to her door.
It concerned him and he didn’t know why.
“Coming,” he heard on the other side of the door. Moments later the dead bolt slid open and the chain lock fell. Then it was just Nikki staring, obviously surprised, at him.
“You aren’t Kelli,” she stated, door not fully open. Instead of the not-so-work-appropriate outfit she had been sporting the night before, Nikki wore a pair of light blue jeans, a dark red blouse and black heels. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun, while her makeup was toned down, lips glossy instead of dark red. This was a casual look, he was sure. One she probably didn’t take on during the week.
Jackson was surprised that he still found her sexy as hell.
“I was sent instead,” he said, avoiding implicating Jonathan.
Nikki didn’t look disappointed, but she didn’t look pleased, either. She reached beside the door and grabbed a purse that made her casual outfit somehow more proper and began to shut the door. Her face was pinched, concentrated, and she looked like she’d not slept well at all.
“So, what’s wrong with your car?” he asked, trying to make conversation as they trailed down the stairs and into the lobby. “My uncle was a mechanic. Taught me some things. I could take a look really quick.”
Nikki tensed.
“I’m sure it’s nothing too serious,” she said, oddly dismissive. “I just didn’t have time to take it in this morning. I’ll do it later.”
Jackson looked at his watch.
“We have enough time to make your meeting,” he tried. “Come on, I don’t mind. It might just save you a trip to one of the price-gouging shops around here.”
As he was talking, he switched directions and started to walk out the back door toward the parking. He wasn’t a grade-A mechanic, but he had been taught enough. What better way to get on Nikki’s good side than by potentially fixing her car? Even taking the time to at least look at it should score him some more points, right?
Suspicious Activities Page 2
