by Linda Verji
“What’s with the frown?” Andrew asked the moment he spotted his son.
“Nothing!” Before his father could prod further, Lex countered with, “Why am I here?”
“Ah, the reason you’re here! Sit. Sit.” Andrew ushered Lex to one of the leather couches. “Our guests should be here any time now.”
Lex’s eyebrows shot up. “Our guests?”
Andrew didn’t get the chance to respond because right then his secretary called in. “Sir, Paul Greenwich from Bonfire Encounters and his associates are here to see you.”
“Good. Good.” Andrew grinned widely. “Let them in.”
Lex spent the next hour or so listening in on a meeting that he had zero interest in. Apparently, his father was trying to partner with Bonfire Encounters, one of the biggest international tour companies. It was a good business move; Lex just didn’t know why it involved him. Worse, Andrew kept drawing attention to Lex and gushing about his own successful business. Of course Paul Greenwich and Co were enthralled. Before the meeting even ended, their pens were out, ready to sign any contract Andrew threw at them.
“You brought me here as a bargaining chip, didn’t you?” Lex confronted his father as soon as the guests were gone.
“Of course!” Andrew retorted unrepentantly. He chortled. “They’ve been giving us a hard time the whole month but the moment you show up, they’re ready to lick my boots. Typical!”
Lex didn’t even know how to respond to that! Of course he hated being used by a man who at one point in time refused to be in the same room with him because he was an embarrassment. But he also knew that any protest he made would be waved away, and Andrew would keep doing whatever he liked.
With an inward sigh, Lex asked, “Shouldn’t Eve have been called in on this meeting?”
Andrew frowned. “Why would I call her in?”
“She’s your second-in-command,” Lex reminded him.
“Is she?” The older man made a face. “After that disaster with the homeless-not-homeless man, I’ve been seriously reconsidering it. If it wasn’t for your plan, we would be seriously screwed.”
“Actually, it was Eve’s plan,” Lex reminded him.
“Why are you defending her?” Andrew asked. “It’s not like she’ll appreciate it. If I were you, I’d focus more on getting a foothold in this place. You know how much I want you to take over the hotel.”
“Sorry, not interested,” Lex answered shortly.
“Why not?” His father scowled. “I’m giving you an opportunity here. You could own one of the most successful hotel franchises in the world.”
And stab my sister in the back in the process? I don’t think so. Lex stood up. “I’m late for work.”
“Wait, wait.” The older man stopped him before he could move towards the door. “Your mother’s birthday is coming up next week.”
Which mother? Lex thought sarcastically even though he knew which ‘mother’ Andrew meant. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why Andrew insisted on calling Eve’s mother, Nancy, Lex’s mother. It wasn’t like Nancy had ever been interested in having a son. In fact she’d made it clear that Lex was her enemy, not her son.
Still, Lex nodded. “Yes, I know it’s her birthday.”
“The family will be having dinner together.” Andrew ordered, “Make sure you show up.”
“Fine!” Lex agreed even though eating with his ‘family’ was the last thing he wanted to do. He started towards the door.
“You can bring a plus-one if you want,” Andrew called out behind him.
“What?” Lex immediately spun around to face his father. He’d never made such a suggestion before.
“I said you can bring a date,” Andrew answered distractedly as he picked up a bunch of paperwork. Without looking up, he waved Lex out. “See you next week.”
Why would Andrew make such a suggestion? Lex wondered as he headed to the elevators. Though it seemed like an offhand remark, his father wasn’t the kind of man who did anything offhand. Every word he said was deliberate. He knew about Freddie, didn’t he?
Instantly, a rush of protectiveness overwhelmed Lex. His family wasn’t dangerous, but they weren’t the nicest people either. Nothing good could come from her getting involved with them.
As soon as he got to the office, he tried calling her again. She didn’t pick up.
By the time evening came, he was on the edge of panic. Was she even okay? Had her family done something to her? Earlier in the day, he’d been nervous about seeing Ari at the bar, but now he was desperate to see him. Maybe then he could ask him if Freddie was okay. Unfortunately, Ari didn’t show up at the bar.
“Yo!” Red greeted as he slipped into the seat next to Michael and across from Logan. His eyes on Lex, he asked, “Did something happen between you and Ari?”
Everyone’s attention immediately turned to Lex.
Lex swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“I tried to pick him up on my way here and he said he wasn’t coming,” Red said. “I asked him why. He said he doesn’t want to see your face.”
“Did you two fight or something?” Michael asked, concern written all over his features.
Lex only shrugged.
“No. That won’t work this time,” Logan chimed in. His expression grave, he prodded, “What happened between you two?”
Lex thought of not answering the question but realized that they’d find out in time anyway. He pulled in a deep breath then confessed, “He found out that Freddie and I are dating.”
Michael blinked then blinked again.
Red’s jaw dropped in shock. “What?”
Logan’s eyes widened as he stared at his brother. “He found out what?”
“That Freddie and I are dating,” Lex repeated helpfully.
For a while nobody spoke. They all just gaped at Lex in open-mouthed shock. Then they burst into expletives.
“Holy Hell!” Michael grabbed his mug of beer and tossed down a healthy gulp. “Are you serious?”
“You’re dating Freddie?” Logan still couldn’t get past that.
“You’re kidding us, right?” Red piped in. “You know she’s holy ground, right? Christ! I’m surprised you still have a head on your neck.”
Logan asked, “When did this dating start?”
“Not long ago,” Lex answered evasively.
“Jeez!” Michael dragged in a long breath. “I mean I knew you liked her but I never thought you’d actually have the balls to go after her.”
This time Lex was the one who was shocked. “You knew I liked her?”
“Of course,” Michael returned. “Anyone with eyes could see it.”
“What are you talking about?” Red stared at Michael in confusion. “I didn’t see it.”
“I didn’t see it either,” Logan added. “And I’m his brother.”
“That’s why I said anyone with eyes,” Michael countered sarcastically. Before their other friends could come back with an appropriate retort, he turned to Lex. “You must really like her if you actually told Ari.”
For the first time today, Lex smiled. “I do.”
His confession was enough to shut everyone up. They watched him for quite a while as if trying to gauge the sincerity in his words.
“Well, at least Ari didn’t kill you.” Logan patted Lex’s shoulder reassuringly. “It means you’ve still got a chance with him.”
“Have you tried talking to him?” Red asked.
“I tried calling him but he won’t take my calls,” Lex said.
“Give him some time,” Michael advised. “He just needs time to get used to the idea of you and Freddie dating.”
“You’re not just playing with her though, right?” Concern flashed in Red’s face. “Because that’s a ticket straight to your grave.”
“No.” Lex shook his head. “I’m not playing with her.”
“You’re serious about her?” Logan’s eyes widened. “Serious – serious? Marriage-serious?”
&nbs
p; Lex had never really thought about it. But now that the matter had been brought up, he had to wonder; was he interested in marrying Freddie?
Yes. The answer was unequivocal. Freddie was the perfect partner for him. She was generous, smart, fun to be around, and would make a great mother and wife. How could he not want to marry her?
His expression grave, Lex nodded. “I’m serious.”
The declaration was enough to shock the other men again. They gulped their drinks as if in unison.
“Well, hell!” Red drew in a deep breath. “I guess we finally have a real couple in the group.”
“Never figured he’d be the first to date seriously,” Michael said. “I always thought Ari would be first.”
“Maybe we should introduce him to someone,” Red suggested. “It might help him forgive Lex faster.”
“Good idea.” Michael took out his phone. “Who do you have in your address book?”
“You’re dating Ari’s sister.” Logan suddenly burst into raucous laughter. “Poor Ari.” He laughed again. “It’s always the quiet ones.”
CHAPTER 18
“Are you done yet?” Dr. Walker asked as he walked into the lab.
“Just…. about…” Freddie snapped a few more pictures of the man on their table then declared, “Done!”
“All right then. Let’s begin!” Her boss turned to face the clock. “Current time, ten-oh-five a.m. on the dot. I will now begin the autopsy.” He moved his gloved hands over the corpse, touching it, pressing it and keenly studying it. “Right side of the forehead, laceration.”
“Right side of the forehead, laceration,” Freddie repeated as she noted down his observations.
“Hmm.” Dr. Walker frowned as he took in the tiny holes on the man’s left arm. “Two needle marks on the brachial artery of the left arm.”
Freddie noted it down. “Two needle marks on the brachial artery of the left arm.”
“How old do these look?” Dr. Walker asked as he pressed the skin right above the needle marks.
“I don’t know.” Freddie leaned down to take a closer look at the marks. “But they don’t seem too old.”
“Take a good picture,” the doctor ordered. Freddie complied. Once she was done, the doctor ordered, “Let’s turn him.”
Freddie put aside her camera to help. Once the man was leaning on his side, Dr. Walker held him while Freddie took pictures of his back.
“There doesn’t seem to be much external injury or any damage done by an external force,” Freddie observed as she took more photos.
“You’re right,” her boss agreed. He gripped the man’s fingers and took a look at them. “He has short nails too and they’re clean.”
“He didn’t resist at all,” Freddie concluded.
“No, he didn’t,” Dr. Walker agreed. “Okay, let’s cut him up.”
The two examiners worked in rhythmic tandem, like teammates who’d worked together for so long that they didn’t even need words to figure out what the other was thinking. Once they were done, they sewed the body back up, covered him and maintained a minute of silence for the man on their table.
“That was good work in there,” Dr. Walker praised as they walked out of the lab. “I can see that you’re getting better at this. You’ll soon be able to do an autopsy on your own without me watching.”
“Thank you, sir,” Freddie beamed. Getting praised by Dr. Walker was like manna falling from heaven. It rarely happened, and when it did it was a miracle.
The doctor offered her a half-smile. “Looks like I had nothing to worry about.”
Freddie was confused. “You were worried? About what?”
“About your ability to handle your job and not get distracted.” Dr. Walker gave her a sideways glance. “I mean you’re juggling so many men, it’s a surprise you can even think of anything else.”
“Umm… Juggling men?” Freddie swallowed hard. How did her boss even know about the men in her life? He wasn’t the type to care about other people’s personal lives.
“Yeah, men. First, the one who came here the other day,” the doctor said. Freddie assumed that he was talking about Wesley. “And now you’ve got another one waiting for you outside.”
Freddie’s eyes widened. “Another… another one?”
Dr. Walker ignored her question. He turned to shoot her a glare. “Sort your life out, Dr. Latham. And keep it out of the office. Let’s be professional, huh?”
With that rebuke, he strode away, leaving Freddie stewing in embarrassment.
“Oh! So embarrassing.” Freddie cupped her hot face in her hands. “So embarrassing.”
It took a while for her to get herself together enough to recall the information her boss had unwittingly shared. Someone was waiting for her. She strode towards the reception but when she got there she didn’t see any familiar faces.
“Oh, Freddie,” the receptionist drew her attention. “You finally showed up.”
“You were looking for me?”
“Yeah, you had a guest,” the receptionist told her. “I asked Dr. Walker to tell you.”
Oh! So that’s how he knew! Freddie asked, “Who was it? Did he leave?”
“He said his name was Lex. Yes, Lex Bishop,” the receptionist said. Freddie’s heart immediately skipped a beat. The receptionist added, “I asked him to take a seat, but when you weren’t here for close to an hour, he said he’d wait in his car. I don’t know if he’s still there though.”
Freddie tapped her pocket to find her phone then remembered that she’d left it at her lawyer’s office the previous day when she’d gone to discuss filing a restraining order against Wesley. Nervous that Lex might have left, she hurriedly exited the building and headed to the parking lot. Relief pulsed through her when she saw his car. He was seated in the driver’s seat, seemingly asleep.
A smile creased her face as she edged closer. Poor baby! He’d been waiting out here for more than an hour. How desperate had he been to see her? As desperate as she’d been?
After the whole confrontation with Ari, she’d thought it was best to give him a night to calm down. Yesterday morning, she’d been so preoccupied with the restraining order that she’d forgotten to call him. When she remembered, she’d realized she didn’t have her phone with her. The plan was to pick her phone after work then call him, but here he was. Her smile widened.
She knocked on the driver’s window. Lex’s eyes fluttered open, and he turned his head. When he saw that it was her, he immediately sat up then with a smile, opened the door and got out.
“Hi,” he greeted.
“Hi.” She wanted to kiss him so badly but there was no forgetting the dressing down that she’d just received from her boss. Brushing her fingers lightly over Lex’s arm, she suggested, “Can we go talk somewhere else? Too many eyes here.”
“Sure,” he agreed quickly and opened the passenger door for her.
Soon, they were cruising past the entrance gates. As soon as they were a safe distance from her workplace, she reached for his hand. Lex’s eyes immediately widened as he stared at their linked hands then at her.
“What?” Freddie asked with a cheeky grin. “Can’t I hold your hand?”
He paused then revealed. “I thought you were mad at me.”
“I was?” She pointed to herself with her free hand. “Me? Why would I be mad at you?”
“You didn’t pick my calls.”
“You called?” When he nodded, she quickly explained, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ignore you. I left my phone at the lawyer’s yesterday.”
His eyebrows shot up in question.
“What I was doing at a lawyer’s office?” she guessed. When he nodded, she explained, “I was trying to get a restraining order against Wesley.”
This time he spoke. “You’re getting a restraining order?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “After everything that happened and talking to my mom, I decided that it’s the best thing to do.”
Lex’s lips widened into a sm
ile. Immediately, her heart leaped in her chest. The man was gorgeous but when he smiled he was something else, something more.
He reached over and patted her head proudly. “Good job. You did the right thing.”
She smiled back. “My lawyer says it will take about a week or two for us to know the date of hearing.”
His gaze concerned, he asked, “Is there any way I can help?”
“Not really.” Right now no one but her family and her lawyer knew that she was taking out a restraining order so the process was easy enough. The real drama would start after the court hearing because then everyone would find out about hers and Wesley’s relationship. If she hadn’t spoken to her mother, Freddie would be quaking in her boots already. But for some reason, she felt calmer now. Let what comes, come! I’ll deal with it then.
She changed the topic. “Have you eaten yet?”
Lex shook his head.
“Could we drop by a restaurant?” She gave him a sheepish grin. “I’m starving.”
Lex took his eyes off the road for a second to give her a surprised look. “Weren’t you just doing an autopsy a few minutes ago?”
“Yes.” She gave him a confused look. “So?”
Lex grimaced in obvious disgust. “How can you eat after cutting up a dead body?”
“Do you know how many bodies I deal with in a week?” Freddie laughed. “If I stopped eating after every autopsy, I would be all skin and bones. And that would suck, cause I kind of like my curves.”
Lex smiled at the response then he gave her a hot onceover that left her shifting nervously on her seat. His lips crooked in a half-smile, he murmured, “I kind of like your curves too.”
Freddie could’ve sworn that she stopped breathing. This man!
For the rest of the drive she felt strangely warm and jittery. When he parked his car at the parking lot of a popular restaurant, she didn’t want to get out of the car. She wanted to take the wheel and take them to a secluded place, somewhere they could be all alone. Somewhere where they could…
“Aren’t you getting out?” Lex yanked her from her lascivious thoughts. When had he circled the car and opened her door?