by Cat Johnson
“What I want . . . I guess that’s something I’m going to have to figure out.” All humor had gone out of her tone too.
I understood what she was saying. I wasn’t that much older than she was that I’d forgotten what it was like to be in college. I remembered being fresh out of school, overwhelmed by a world of choices and the prospect of having to pick just one.
“Maybe I can help with that too. We can figure it out together.”
“Maybe.”
I took my eyes off the road long enough to glance at her. She raised her gaze to meet mine and I saw something in her eyes. Something deep. Dark.
What was that coloring her tone and her expression? It seemed like more than simple indecision.
Whatever it was, I didn’t like it.
“You have reached your destination.” The GPS announced our arrival at her apartment.
Perfect timing.
I pulled into a spot along the curb and reached out to squeeze her hand.
Determined to erase that dark cloud that had settled over the woman who was currently the brightest light in my life, I leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
It was short but had a lasting effect on my heart and my head.
A knowledge I wasn’t ready for but wasn’t going to fight settled over me. I could fall for this woman. Hell, I was already half there.
And God help me if she didn’t feel the same.
I pulled back. “Shall we go in?”
A frown creased her forehead. “Would you mind if I went in alone? I feel horrible asking that but the place is a mess and I have a roommate who is a bitch and gets pissy if I bring anyone over. There’s a coffee shop right over—”
“Alex, it’s fine. I can keep myself busy. You can meet me at the coffee shop when you’re ready. Or text me and I’ll meet you back here at the car. Your choice.”
“That would be perfect. Thank you so much for putting up with me.”
“Always.” Little did she know I’d do this and so much more for her. “Now go. Get dressed. Do you want me to get you a coffee?”
“No. I’m good. Thanks.”
I watched her disappear inside the building, already planning. Wondering. How many more credits did she need to graduate? I’d have to ask. I didn’t even know which college she was enrolled in.
There was a lot more to learn, for both of us, but I had a feeling I’d enjoy finding out everything about her.
So this was what falling for a woman did to a man. Made him feel off balance and centered all at the same time. Content and anxious. Hopeful and frightened.
It was a hell of a thing and I feared I might already be addicted to the feeling.
With a sigh I unhooked my seatbelt and reached into the console for my cell phone.
I figured I could occupy my time at the coffee shop across the street by checking my email on my phone. Or hell, maybe I’d live a little and not cram work into every moment and listen to an audiobook instead.
I smiled. Maybe love was softening up this workaholic.
Or maybe I was just sleep deprived and lazy today. Given that Alex was the reason why I was up half the night, I wasn’t going to complain.
I slid the cell into the inside breast pocket of my suit jacket and remembered the communicator there that I’d brought with me on Zane’s recommendation.
Could he hear everything now from inside my pocket? Probably. Was he listening? I didn’t know.
All I did know was that I wasn’t sure I wanted Zane listening in on me—not on my date and definitely not in my apartment while Alex was there.
It was one thing if he overheard certain moments when we’d been roommates at boarding school. But him hearing now that we were adults was quite another story.
Knowing Zane, he probably would listen, just to gather fodder with which to tease me.
Considering that, I’d be very happy to get rid of this thing Monday. I’d hit up his office as soon as I arrived in Virginia rather than wait. I was starting to feel like Big Brother was watching me and I didn’t like it.
Inside the coffee shop, I ordered a latte for myself and grabbed a napkin from the dispenser.
An idea hit me and I grabbed another. I’d wrap the damn comm up so tight even if Zane were listening all he’d hear was muffled noise. But I’d still have the unit in case I did need it.
Feeling like a genius from the brilliance of my plan, I carried my coffee and my napkins to a table, settled in a chair and set to work on the satisfying task of smothering Zane’s spy device.
I’d completed my task and was still shopping for a good title on the audiobook site when the door swung open, sending the tiny bell attached tinkling. The sound and curiosity had me glancing up.
“Alex.” My pulse picked up speed at the sight of her. Pushing aside the knowledge that I had it bad for her already, I said, “I would have met you at the car so you didn’t have to walk across the street.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind the walk.”
It looked like she’d put on a bare minimum of makeup but she didn’t need any at all to be beautiful, in my opinion.
She’d changed into an ivory colored shirt, wide-leg navy blue pants and shoes slightly less high than the heels she’d worn last night, but still sexy as hell.
Although maybe it was just Alex and not the shoes, because she’d made even my shorts and tee look sexy this morning.
“You look great.” I wasn’t just saying that to flatter her. She did look great and she’d transformed herself faster than I’d expected. I hadn’t even finished my coffee yet. “We have time. You sure you don’t want something?” I gestured toward the counter.
“No, thank you. Actually, I wouldn’t mind if we got to the event early.”
“Oh, okay. Sure. We can go.” In fact, I liked that idea.
I grabbed my to-go cup and moved ahead to open the door to the street for her. The sooner we got there, the sooner we could leave and go back to my place.
Another night with Alex. That thought had my spirits soaring.
FOURTEEN
Trying to find street parking anywhere in the vicinity of the museum on a Saturday afternoon was insane.
As I fought the traffic, I remembered one of the key reasons why I no longer lived in Manhattan. I circled the block one more time and then pulled up to the curb in front of the museum.
I flipped on my hazards and turned in my seat to face Alex. “Let me drop you off here in front. I’ll go find a spot and meet you inside.”
“It’s okay. I’ll come with you.”
“It could take a while. And it might be far.”
Lips pressed together, Alex shook her head. “It’s fine. I don’t mind walking. I can use the exercise.”
She didn’t need the exercise. She was in top shape as far as I could see—and I’d seen all of her so I knew. But I didn’t argue. “All righty, then. If you won’t let me be a gentleman, then I guess we’ll walk.”
“I guess we will.” She turned to look out the side window and the discussion was over.
Man, she could be stubborn. It didn’t make me like her any less but I did anticipate some animated debates between us in future since I had a bit of a hard headed streak myself.
“Just to let you know, if you were wearing those heels you had on last night there’d be no argument. You’d be getting out here and waiting for me inside.”
“Luckily, I don’t have on the heels from last night.”
“Pity.” I grinned as visions of her in them flashed through my mind. I saw Alex cock up a brow before I threw the vehicle into drive and glanced over my shoulder to check the traffic.
I finally gave up finding street parking and pulled into a public parking garage on 6th that could take oversized vehicles.
The attendant informed me of the hefty surcharge to park the aforementioned oversized vehicle and I surrendered my keys and my credit card to him.
I didn’t even like letting valets park my cars. I liked tur
ning over control of my vehicle to a city parking attendant even less.
In fact, I hated it, but for lack of a better option, I did it anyway and watched my baby disappear up the narrow ramp accompanied by a squeal of tires.
Cringing, I did my best to pocket my concern over the Land Rover and turned my attention back to my date.
Walking in the city, crossing streets and navigating the crowds and tourists on the sidewalk, was a good excuse to take her hand in mine. I took advantage of the opportunity.
She glanced at me but didn’t pull away. I enjoyed the feel of walking hand-in-hand with Alex. The act had a distinct couple feel to it.
Since my parking escapade had taken so long, we didn’t arrive early, but we did arrive on time. The doors were closed to regular museum visitors, it closed to the public at five-thirty on Saturdays, but it wasn’t closed to us.
We entered and checked into the event under Alexandra Jones and Guest and were directed to the Collections Gallery by the volunteer.
“It’s good you’re off duty.” I glanced down at Alex as we moved toward the escalator.
“Hm?”
“I’m glad you didn’t have to work tonight at the check-in desk.”
“Oh. Yeah. Me too.”
We reached our floor and I saw immediately we were at the right place, judging by the catering staff and guests intermixed with the modern art.
The first thing I always did at any event was locate the bar. I spotted it surreally set up in front of Van Gough’s Starry Night.
The placement made for an interesting juxtaposition. Though honestly, after having eaten dinner with a couple of hundred other benefactors beneath the giant whale at the Museum of Natural History, nothing at these fundraisers surprised me anymore.
It was something a person got used to after a few of these events—partying next to art and antiquities that the general public weren’t allowed within a yard of, and definitely not while they had food or drink in their possession.
I turned to Alex and asked, “Something to drink?”
“No, thank you. But you go ahead.”
“Okay. I will.” I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek and then walked away toward the alcohol, smiling.
Oh, yeah. I could get used to this whole couple thing.
The cell phone in my pocket buzzed before I made it past the Monet. I stepped to the side so I’d be out of the flow of traffic also en route to the bar and pulled the phone out of my pocket.
Zane’s name on a new text notification had me on alert. I opened his message.
GET ON YOUR COMM
All caps. No pleasantries. No jokes.
None of that was like my old buddy Zane. It was more like the new Zane I’d gotten to know. Zane the SEAL. The security specialist. The guy who owned things like comms and leg holsters.
I reached into my pocket and let out a breath of relief that my coffee shop napkin was still there. I pulled it out and unfolded it to reveal the tiny flesh covered device.
Turning to face the work of art on the wall, I pretended to be studying Monet’s Water Lilies as I shoved the unit deep into my ear and whispered, “Hello?”
“Can you confirm who you’re there with?”
“What do you mean?” I angled my head to glance around. “Lots of people. It’s a fundraiser.”
I remembered Alex had handed me the event program after we’d checked in. I’d stashed it in my pocket since it wouldn’t fit in her small purse. I pulled it out now about to read any names I could find to Zane when he said, “No, I mean your date. Who is she?”
“Alexandra Jones. I told you I was with her this morning. The volunteer from the Hamptons event. Why?”
“Because when I put our computer guy on finding out where Mordashov was this weekend I also gave him your date’s name.”
“And how did you know her last name since I never told you?” I asked, remembering that I’d only found it out myself this afternoon.
“I heard you talking over the comm.”
Shit. I was right. He could hear us on the comm in my pocket and the bastard had been listening. “You mother-fu—”
“Brent. Listen to me. This is important.”
I didn’t like the tone I heard in my friend’s voice. My heart picked up speed as I asked, “What?”
“She doesn’t exist.”
“What do you mean she doesn’t exist? She was sitting next to one of the event organizers in the Hamptons. They called her by name. Then last night, she had two tickets to the charity reading and after party with the damn poet laureate of the United States. And today here at the MoMA she checked in under—”
“Stop ranting and let me finish. That name for that girl doesn’t exist on any public records that we can find.”
I glanced up and saw Alex watching me. She probably wasn’t the only one. I was starring at a Monet arguing with no one as far as the other guests could see. I needed to move somewhere private.
Catching Alex’s eye, I forced a smile and motioned toward the men’s room.
She nodded and I practically ran for the bathroom.
Inside a stall I figured it was safe to talk. Anyone listening would think I was on the phone.
I was no good at this spy crap. I probably should have whipped out my cell before and pretended to be speaking on it.
But it was better I was in private for this disturbing conversation anyway.
I turned my focus back to straightening out this mess with Zane. “I drove her to her apartment today. In Queens. Check this address.” I was about to relay the street and building number I’d parked in front of to Zane.
I didn’t have time before he said, “I already checked out that location this afternoon. Nothing.”
I frowned. “How could you have checked this afternoon?”
“Your comm has GPS. I saw you hanging out in Queens today while this whole Alexandra thing was breaking so I had my guy specifically check out that area. There’s no evidence of her there either.”
“She said she has a roommate. Maybe Alex’s name isn’t on the lease.”
“Did you go inside the apartment?” he asked.
“No.” I shook my head, not believing any of this.
She had to live at the apartment in Queens. She went inside wearing one set of clothes and came out in a completely different outfit.
But his silence in response to my answer spoke volumes.
He really believed I’d had the wool pulled over my eyes by this woman I was possibly falling for.
It was crazy.
What Zane was saying couldn’t be true. I just had to convince him of that.
“She’s a student. She said she’s getting close to graduating. Check students enrolled in classes in the area.”
“Which school?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Check all of them in the five boroughs. Hell, check Yonkers and the southern suburbs too. Or maybe she’s taking classes online. Can your guy check enrollment for those too?”
“He’s on it now, but Brent, you need to face the fact she might be lying to you. She isn’t who she says she is.
Shit. I was beginning to realize exactly how little I knew as far as cold hard facts about Alex’s life, but that didn’t matter because I knew her. Intimately, in fact.
“Zane. That can’t be. We spent the night together.” I hissed that last detail, low but with fervor. It was an important detail.
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“No, you’re wrong.” I shook my head. “You don’t understand. It wasn’t a hookup or a one-night stand. We had coffee together in Montauk. We had dinner last night before the reading. We spent all day today together. We’ve been holding hands, for God’s sake.”
“Brent, that’s what they do. She’s been grooming you.”
I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. “Why? What could I possibly have that she wants—” It hit me. “You think she’s after my money?”
“Possibly. Or wo
rse.”
“Worse? What could be worse?”
“What if she’s after something else that you’re involved with?”
“Like what? Hearst Corp.?” I was one of many board members, and part of an even larger family. I had no sway over votes or acquisitions.
But she did know my name and my public net worth and had since the moment I stepped up to that check-in table in the Hamptons and announced it to her.
“Brent, corporate espionage is a reality.”
“Jesus.” I’d always been careful of gold diggers. Always took care of birth control myself to prevent any paternity claims. But corporate espionage?
Would someone really pretend to like me just to get corporate secrets? That was something I’d never considered and certainly hadn’t planned for.
“I don’t believe that’s what Alex is doing. But just in case I’m mistaken and until I can prove to you I’m not, what do you suggest I do?”
“Pretend nothing’s wrong but be on alert. Reveal nothing to her. And don’t leave her alone with any of your papers or electronics.”
“I have a log-in code on my computer.”
“Pfft. Passwords are child’s play for a real expert.”
I covered my face with my hand, unable to believe this was happening to me.
Maybe I didn’t have to believe it because there was still the very good chance that Zane was wrong.
“You have the gun on you?” he asked.
“No. You told me not to.” I had been trying to keep my voice low, but it was hard to after that question.
“I know. It’s fine.”
I laughed, because right now nothing seemed fine. “Then why did you ask that question?”
It wasn’t as if I was going to shoot Alex for lying to me even if I did have the gun with me.
“Because there’s always the possibility that she has something to do with the Russians.”
Another theory? I was starting to think my friends had gone off the deep end. He was seeing conspiracies everywhere.
“How? You said the Russian isn’t even in the country.”
“Correct. But you said Viktoria is going to be there. And she and Mordashov were together in the Hamptons. And so was Alexandra. So . . .”
“So there could be a deeper connection between them all.” I drew in a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll keep my eyes open and my comm in.”