Rules of Her Sins (Their Sins #1)

by A. Gorman

  Life had bitch slapped me back into the real world, the world I really didn’t think existed. I wonder what my father will have me doing on my first day here. He went from being my daddy to my father when I had to call him to bail my ass out of this situation. I wish I could have my daddy back, but I guess it’s too late for that.

  When I arrive at the office, my father’s assistant, Dianna, is waiting for me by the security desk. She is getting me a new badge and preparing me for my first day. Luckily, I don’t have to fill out any of the paperwork because they’re already on file from when I worked here in the summers when I was younger.

  Finally, we are on our way to the fiftieth floor. I dreamed of being the CEO when I came back, not an assistant. Right now I have no other choice but to proceed with this job because who would hire a business major that couldn’t take care of their own personal finances to manage their business’s finances? Not a damn person.

  Is it the weekend yet? I’ve already stressed myself out and I haven’t even been here a full day.

  ***

  Aedan

  In the four and half years I’ve been at McCoy Investments, I’ve moved from being a personal driver to being part of the security detail for McCoy and his family. Now my current position is head of security. The countless trips between Denver and Indiana for Jesse’s security came to an end and traveling around the world with McCoy began. The promotion bettered my life financially and I’ve been able to experience the world.

  With the change in positions, my life revolves around McCoy Investments, personal security, and the rest a mix of sleep, my family, and dating. I don’t have much time for the latter. Every time I go out with a woman, I instantly know if it’s going to work out or not during the small talk. Work is my main priority, and I can’t be with someone who is clingy or needy.

  The last couple of dates I went on, instead of having a good time or relaxing, my mind drifted to work and to Jesse. The crush-like feelings I had for her when I first laid eyes on her all those years ago went away, but when I noticed Jesse’s eyes were missing their normal vibrancy when I saw her in the office, the feelings resurfaced.

  I’ve always thought Jesse was beautiful, but after all these years, she’s even more beautiful. I want to protect her; I want to kill the son of a bitch who made her carefree personality vanish. Now that she’s back in Denver for good, I can protect the McCoy family and their business with a more hands-on approach.

  After several security meetings, her father and I agreed that Jesse should move in with his mother, Jesse’s grandmother. Her house would be the perfect place for Jesse. She needs to be around someone who loves her and will comfort her. He also informed me that she would be working as his assistant, which is even better because that means I will be seeing her often.

  Even though Jesse didn’t communicate with her family often when she lived in Indiana, McCoy had people in place keeping her under surveillance twenty-four hours a day. Unfortunately, Chet Boston snuck in under our radar. His curricula vitae and other background checks came back spotless.

  When we noticed something was going down, we couldn’t put a plan in place fast enough before Chet got his claws in her and her money. It was as if he had someone helping him. I wish I could have done something to stop her from having to go through what she did, but McCoy said it would work out eventually. Now it’s time for her to grow up.

  I’m glad that Laney was there for her. I know Jesse tries to put up a strong front, but that asshole did a number on her. I read the financial reports McCoy had put together on Jesse’s state of affairs. Chet left her responsible for everything and made her look like she was a spoiled rich bitch. He will pay for what he has done. Not today, but he will. I’ll make sure of it if McCoy doesn’t.

  Her ex-husband has his hands in some not-so-legal dealings that I am sure Jess isn’t aware he’s involved in. I’m glad he decided to leave her, though, and not pull her down further into the black hole I’m sure his life has turned into. So far, I’ve been unable to pinpoint who he is working for, but I will find out and take them down because I will do everything in my power to protect Jesse from here on out.

  Today is the first day Jesse is in the office, and McCoy made sure that I am the contact on everything to do with her. I know about the contract he made her sign in order to move up in the company. I think it’s harsh, with all she’s been through, but he wants to make sure his oldest child is strong, strong enough to take over his company, strong enough to use her mind and not her body to advance. He knows she’s lost right now; however, she’s a McCoy and will soon realize that her place in the company is where every McCoy should be, at the top.

  McCoy has this plan to make Jesse work for the CEO position, but she doesn’t know that the position is her graduation present. School was part of the contract. He wants to make sure that she has matured and is serious about taking over the company. So, in addition to the contract, he devised a plan to see if she would put goals on hold again to please her desires. I am part of this plan, along with a few members of my alpha security team, and we are the only ones who know about McCoy’s plan.

  The details of the plan are leaving me conflicted because I dislike being dishonest with people, especially when someone can get hurt. I have a feeling I’ll be the someone getting hurt, that I’ll be walking away with a broken heart, but I love working for Pearse McCoy. Although this plan gives me the chance to get close to Jesse, to act on the crush-like feelings I have for her, I think it’s unfair to mess with her emotions. I don’t want her to end up hating me.

  This plan is what Mr. McCoy wants, so that is what he will get. He will make sure all of his children are successful, even if they don’t know how much he has their back, even when it seems like he’s pushing them away.

  Chapter Two

  Jesse

  I’ve been working for my father for six months. Now my office is on the forty-ninth floor. Since my father isn’t in his office as much, he thought it would be better if I were down a floor so I can assist the head of security, Aedan Asshole Hughes, if his assistant is ever indisposed. Also, I’ve been getting some strange emails. Though I told my father they are probably from an unhappy investor, he still wants them checked out by security.

  I’m still at my grandmother’s house. Well, it’s my house now. Moving in with her when I came back was my father’s idea, and I’m glad I went along with it. She passed away shortly after I moved back. She took good care of me, but I didn’t realize I was getting her house when she departed.

  I guess my father knew because he made sure I was at the reading of the will. My brother and sister didn’t want the house, so there wasn’t a fight with them, and my father is an only child, so there weren’t any uncles or aunts to fight over the house either.

  The downside of owning the house is that I’m responsible for all the bills. I make enough to cover everything, and my grandma gave me some money before she passed away, so I’m not too pressed for money. She said she thought my father was being a little harsh with me, so she put some money away for me in the safe in the house. I won’t say I’m the favorite grandchild, but yeah, I’m sure I am.

  Sometimes, coming home to a quiet house is bothersome. I get strange feelings occasionally that someone might be following me, especially after I’ve been out sinning, but I think it’s my overactive imagination. Perhaps I should get a dog or some kind of pet so I’m not alone when I’m here, although a pet is a lot of responsibility and I’m not always home at a decent hour.

  After my grandma passed away, I stepped it up with my clubbing and sexual explorations. I love sex, but I don’t do the relationship part. Sex in the bathroom of a club? Been there and done that several times. Finger fucked on a packed dance floor? Tricky, but it’s been accomplished a few times. Giving head in the hallway outside of the bathroom? This girl doesn’t mind getting on her knees. As long as the guy knows he isn’t coming home with me, it’s all good with me as long as he wraps it up.

>   Tonight starts my weekend of fun at the clubs. I try to make myself look nothing like Jesse McCoy and that of my alter ego I call Ana Gray—brunette wig and all. Real unique, I know, but the guys at the clubs don’t get that the name is a reference to the main character of Fifty Shades of Grey.

  I need to get some money out of the safe before I get ready to go clubbing, so I head down the stairs to the safe, which is in the office. I pick up an envelope that I think is full of money, but it’s not. Instead, it’s a letter from grandma to me. After grabbing a couple hundred dollars out of the safe, I shut it. I take the letter to the kitchen, get a bottle of water, and sit down to read it.

  My Dearest Jesse Rae,

  I’m sure that you’re reading this because you’re in need of money. Money to go out and do what you think I don’t know you’re doing when you go out. But this old woman knows a thing or two about needing to go out and enjoy life. I understand sometimes you need to be carefree, but living the fast and wild life you’re living isn’t you. You aren’t acting like the woman your mother wanted you to be or the woman I know you truly are.

  Please be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt like you have been before. Use the money wisely and on something that makes you truly happy.

  I love you,

  Grams

  I can’t hold back the tears or the emotions that I’ve held in for so long. I completely break down, screaming and cussing out Chet for making me like this. Why couldn’t he love me? I know I’m not that hard to live with. I tried my best to make him happy. Why couldn’t he have been honest with me? I feel like a complete failure.

  I wipe the tears from my eyes and read over my grams’s letter again. Maybe I do need to take her advice. She was always my rock after Mom went to heaven.

  I’m going to take this money to the mall; I need some clothes to make me feel better about myself instead of using a guy or his cock to make me feel better.

  I am going straight to Victoria’s Secret. New lipstick and panties always make me feel better.

  ***

  Aedan

  Ruffling Jesse’s feathers is one of my favorite things to do. I love seeing her all flustered. I was standing right there when McCoy dropped the news that she has to assist me, and the expression on her face made me chuckle to myself. He said he needed to boost up her motivation. Since I’m able to get under her skin, maybe she will become as vibrant as she used to be.

  I still haven’t figured out why Jesse doesn’t seem to care about me. Maybe it’s because I treat her like I do every other employee and not give her special treatment because she’s a McCoy?

  I decided to take over Jesse’s private security detail last minute this weekend because plans with my sister and her family were canceled, and I’m interested in seeing if she does anything different from what the reports I’ve received states. I’ve kept the details of her private life to a minimum with McCoy if it doesn’t have the possibility of coming back to bite her.

  I know that McCoy wouldn’t want the attention on the company or Jesse. The girl is smart, but sometimes I’m not sure she thinks things through. She likes to act before she thinks. I know she was raised knowing how powerful her family’s company is, but I don’t think she realizes all the people out there that would do anything to knock Pearse McCoy out of the investment world and international corporations.

  What matters most is protecting her and checking out the people she’s with so she doesn’t go home with anyone we can’t check out, but she seems like a here and now kind of woman. We haven’t seen her take anyone back to her place. Jesse is the one night stand type of person, according to the reports, and I wish she would find someone that would make her happy, someone who would offer her stability.

  I guess her being this way will be an advantage for me since McCoy wants to put his plan into motion soon. The plan involves me trying to crack Jesse’s resolve not to break the contract. In a way, I’m nervous because I will have to come on to her. McCoy doesn’t know I have feelings for his daughter. I don’t want this to go too far, but I really want to be the man she goes home with at night. I wish I could fix her, but I can’t, not right now. Work first.

  Jesse’s garage door opens and she slowly backs her car out. When she heads down the road, I quickly slouch down in the seat of my SUV. My daydreaming almost got me noticed.

  When she’s several cars ahead of me, I start following her. I hope she goes somewhere where I can get something better to eat since I didn’t prepare very well for a night of surveillance.

  Chapter three

  Jesse

  I can’t seem to shake the sensation someone is watching me. I used to get this feeling occasionally, but now it’s almost daily. I pull into the mall parking lot, making sure to park close to a light post. I might be young, but trust me, I’m not dumb about my safety in public. I look around again, but I don’t see anyone pulling in after me. The mall is somewhat dead for a Friday night.

  I’m starving, so I head to the food court first. On my way there, my cell phone starts ringing. When I pull it out of my purse, I notice that it’s Laney.

  “Dial-a-Whore. Queen Whore speaking.”

  “Oh, bitch, that’s a good one.”

  She laughs.

  “What’s up, Laney Lou? I was going to call you tomorrow because it’s kind of late in Hoosier land,” I say, thankful for this call.

  “I hadn’t heard from you in a few days and I thought I would call you before you go out for sins.” She sighs.

  “Well, it’s better to say that instead of fucking, right?” I laugh. “You’ll be happy to know that I am going to tame my ways. My grandma reached out from the dead and slapped me into reality. She knew what I was doing, so it makes me wonder if my father does.”

  “If he hasn’t said anything, I’m sure he doesn’t. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.” She sounds relieved that I’m thinking about making a change in my life.

  “I think it might be time to settle down, or at least be in a steady, no strings attached, just fucking relationship or something. Or maybe invest in a ton of battery operated boyfriends.” That gets a huge laugh from her.

  “Oh, I would love for you to find a B.O.B. that could keep up with your freakiness.” We both start laughing.

  “I know. I need to do something because shit got real at work. My father is making me move floors and work with that guy I was telling you about the last time I called, Aedan Hughes. He is an asshole and annoys the piss out of me. When he looks at me, I feel like he’s undressing me or something.”

  I order a drink from a pizza place while Laney tells me about how things are with her at work. I finally get my Dr. Pepper, and just as I’m taking a large gulp of it, I start choking when my eyes land on Aedan.

  “Girl, you okay?” she asks.

  I can’t answer her. The moment my eyes meet his, I’m at a loss for words. His gaze is so seductive, it’s as if he is trying to seduce me with his sexy smile and delicious body. What the hell? No, no, no. This is Aedan, Mr. Asshole.

  “Jesse!” Laney screams through the phone, breaking Aedan’s hold on me.

  “Holy shit, Laney. He’s here.”

  “Who?”

  “Aedan,” I scream in the phone.

  “Go in the opposite direction,” she tells me.

  I do, and, as I’m rushing into the lingerie store, I nearly run over the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

  “Laney, I’m going to let you go. Something has come up.”

  I press end, stand there, and let this fabulous, sexy man help me find something to make me feel better about myself.

  Maybe tonight will turn out a little better than I thought.

  ***

  Aedan

  Not wanting to freak her out, I order something to eat and sit down at a table that faces the direction she has to pass to get back out to her car. I wonder what she is buying. Hmm, I would love to see her in some of those sexy little outfits that are in the window of the ling
erie store she went into.

  She comes out twenty minutes later with two bags. Oh, how I want to go over there and see what she has in them. One day.

  I make sure to maintain a safe distance behind her because I don’t want her to know I’m following her. She looks to be going in the direction of her car, so I wait a few moments before I go to mine. I can follow her without being right on her tail, but I like making sure she is okay. Because she is McCoy’s daughter, you never know who is going to come after her.

  I’ve already had to take care of one asshole who thought he could plan to kidnap one of the McCoy children and demand a ransom. His plan didn’t work out so well for him. Good luck trying to find him. You mess with McCoy’s family and, well, you’ve pretty much signed your death wish. I’m waiting for the day I can take care of Mr. Boston. That fucker will get everything he deserves.

  I turn on the GPS program on my cell phone and see that I’m a few blocks behind her. She looks to be at Starbucks. In a few minutes, I catch up to her. I’m surprised she isn’t going out tonight. Normally she is heading downtown by now, but she’s in workout clothes. Maybe a night in? I hope I don’t have to break up a party.

  I continue to follow her as she heads home. I turn on the security system McCoy had installed for her home, which will send me an alert if she moves from home base. I sit outside of her house for thirty minutes to see if she is going to leave, but instead, her office light comes on and she sits down in front of her laptop.