Broken Process
Page 16
I move to step around her, but she shifts, panic gripping her face as she reaches out to me.
“But sir, the stocks? It’s all over the news,” she says, the strain of anxiety in her voice.
“We’re working on it,” I assure her. “It’s going to correct itself. There’s absolutely nothing going on to be causing this. I promise. It’s just a market anomaly.”
Even as I say it, I realize how absurd it sounds, and I know how bad it looks that our stock is crashing just as agents of the IRS and SEC are showing up in our offices. That rumor is going to get around in no time. Our competition will be throwing parties tonight.
The volume level rises, and I look down the hall as employee after employee exits their office to ask one another questions. Gunner is drawing the blinds in the conference area, and I’m sure he’s fielding plenty of questions of his own right now.
“I’m sorry, Cathy, excuse me,” I say, brushing past her as I hit call on my screen, dialing Emma’s number. I put the phone to my ear, muttering desperate prayers under my breath. It doesn’t even ring, it just goes straight to voicemail. Dammit. I slam my thumb down on the screen, ending the call, resisting the urge to throw my phone against the wall.
I burst into my office, and Trigg turns around from the computer to face me, a dire look in his expression.
“We’re down fifty-two percent.”
Fucking hell. This isn’t a crash anymore, it’s a complete collapse.
I swallow the news and shake my head. “We have bigger problems,” I say with a hard breath. “The SEC and IRS are here with search and seizure warrants. And they grabbed Jude before he could leave.”
Jax’s eyes go wide, and Trigg stands up so fast he nearly upends my desk. “Emma,” they say at the same time.
I nod. “Yes. Take the rear exit and get out of here, now.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before both of them are in motion, charging past me out the door. I steeple my fingers and clamp them against the bridge of my nose, drawing in a slow breath, trying to collect myself.
A knock comes at my doorway, and I turn to see Randall Weirs, the head of our Security Innovations software division. “Umm… sir? Do you mind me asking what’s going on? It’s complete pandemonium out here.”
I turn to Randall, staring as I think of what to say.
In the distance, I can hear Asshole Two barking orders. A news reporter on a television in a nearby office, detailing the on-going stock collapse. The sounds of Cathy quietly sobbing in the hallway. The rumble of my phone vibrating continuously with the fire alerts.
An invisible opponent has called checkmate. Our king is all but captured, our queen’s status is unknown, the board has been tipped over, and pieces are falling everywhere.
But I refuse to accept the taste of inevitable defeat in the air.
This isn’t how this game is going to end.
Emma’s story continues in book four, Risky Business, coming in May 2018.
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THE CODE SERIES
Preorder books in The Code series to have them delivered as soon as they release.
1 Vested Interest
2 Hidden Agenda
3 Broken Process
4 Risky Business
5 Perfect Design
About the Authors
Bethany Jadin is the pseudonym of two female authors and best friends - Elaina & Beth - who enjoy writing unconventional romance together.
They love penning stories about sexy, sweet men who fall head over heels for smart, strong heroines. Their promise to readers is that you will always find witty humor, heartwarming moments, sizzling chemistry, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after inside of every series.
Subscribe to their author newsletter for exclusive content such as sneak peeks of upcoming books, and to be notified when their next book releases!
You’re also invited to join their private Facebook group Jadin’s Maidens, for readers who enjoy reverse harem stories and other unconventional romance. Love Without Limits. Why choose?