I stood in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear. I didn’t know whether this was just a friendly lunch, a pre-interview, or the real thing. Should I bring a resume? Fuck, I don’t have an updated resume… I leaned against the door, resting my hip and shoulder against the wood. It was decision time. I couldn’t stand around in my robe with my hair wrapped in a towel much longer.
Eminem’s “Without Me” began playing. Something about the rhyme always made me feel strong, like I could take control. I pulled out a red, short-sleeved fitted blouse that snapped up the front and a white maxi skirt with a slit up the right side just past my knee. I left the blouse untucked, and I wore large gold hoops in my ears, bangles on one wrist and a wide cuff on the other. I pared down my necessities and used my red clutch. By the time I was done adding gunk to my hair and smoked my eyes, I looked pretty damn good for a girl who hadn’t fallen asleep until after three. An old friend of mine had taught me a valuable lesson that a good concealer and highlighter could erase hours of sleeplessness.
I plugged the address for Forde Limited into my GPS and headed downtown. Since arriving in Indianapolis, I’d tried driving around my new city almost every day. I still wasn’t very familiar with downtown Indy, but from what I saw on Google Maps, the route to the office would be easy to navigate. Layla had sent a text earlier telling me to park in the building’s garage, so another worry was handled. I cranked the stereo in my Audi. Today called for Nirvana—rebellious, with a strong beat. It was one of the reasons I’d leased the car; the sound system rocked. When I entered the garage and started to drive around, I began to worry that I wasn’t going to find a parking place, but, finally, one opened up right across from the elevator.
Layla’s text said that after taking the garage elevator to the first floor lobby, I should walk to another bank of elevators that would take me to the fifth floor. When the elevator stopped, I exited and noticed the bronze marquee stating that the floor contained only two occupants, Burke and Associates and Forde Limited. I turned to the left as directed and headed toward the large wooden door. The brass plate instructed me to ring the buzzer for admission.
Before I pushed the button, I looked up and spotted the camera that was focused on the area around the door. I smoothed my blouse over my hips and pressed the button. The lock made a soft clicking sound as it disengaged, and I entered.
Layla was walking around the corner of her desk. Today, she wore navy capri pants with flip flops and a matching navy and white striped tunic. She’d pulled back the sides of her light brown hair with tortoiseshell clips. I’d never believed the description until that moment, but she was “glowing”.
“Wow, you look great,” I spoke without thinking.
She giggled. “The good thing about being pregnant is that so much of the maternity wear is matchy-matchy so I don’t have to put any time into picking out my outfits. It’s a little boring, but I’m not that into fashion.”
I attempted to study the reception area without being too obvious. It shouted high price services. I’d realized at midnight the previous night that I had no clue what Forde Limited actually did. I’d tried an internet search but had found very little useful information. A basic website with contact info and nothing else. “This place is very posh.” The lighting was muted and the furniture made of heavy cherry wood. The carpet was thick with extra padding, and the walls were cream.
“You mean very masculine.” She looked around also, like she was trying to see it through my eyes. Then she smiled. “Well, I am surrounded by badasses, so I guess it makes sense.” She smiled.
I returned her smile, not that I really knew why. Maybe because she was so sweet. I couldn’t help but like her.
“Take a seat,” she instructed as she returned to her chair behind her L-shaped desk.
I put my clutch on the chair next to me. I felt a little nervous—not uneasy—but the kind right before the interview begins where you realize that everything you did would matter. I crossed my ankles and remembered not to slump.
Layla’s gaze was direct. “I feel like I may have pressured you a little bit about this job thing. I apologize. I like you, and in all honesty, I could see you fitting in here, and that’s important to me.” She rested on her forearms on the desktop across from me. “If I seemed pushy, I apologize.” She dropped her gaze and chewed on her lip.
My stomach took a dive. Was she telling me she’d changed her mind? “It’s totally understandable that you’d want somebody capable, and that you like, to fill your spot while you have your baby,” I said, trying not to stumble over the words.
She tilted her head as she studied me. “Everybody keeps telling me I’m in total ‘mothering’ mode, but I love these guys, and I want things to run smoothly.”
I nodded. “It’s your husband’s company. I’m sure you don’t want him to have worry about anything extra like…filling your position.”
I must have said the right thing, because she let out a loud sigh. “See, when you say things like that…I like the way you think. It’s like you already know us.”
“You all have been very welcoming.” I felt my body relax a little. “I could use some good people in my life. I’ve had a rough time the past couple of years.” I felt my hands start to sweat.
“Sister, you’re preaching to the choir.” She leaned back in her chair and rubbed the side of her belly. “I know how you feel. I...I saw my first husband get shot.”
A shocked sound escaped my throat.
She shrugged off my concern. “He was involved with a gang, and I didn’t know anything about it. I mean, he was a doctor and kind of a low-key guy. I never expected anything like that to happen to us. We lived on a cul-de-sac, for God’s sake. Anyway, I was marking time until the trial of his killer, and that’s how I met Forde. I was the only witness to the shooting, and some of the gang members were trying to scare me.” Her expression changed to one of happiness. “He stepped up to solve my problems, and he fell in love with me.”
“You must have fallen for him at some point,” I teased, “this mysterious Mr. Forde.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Zoe was a huge help through all of that. The way she tells it, when Tony saw her the first time that was it for him. We both weren’t sure we should be in relationships, but our guys convinced us.”
Whatever “convincing” entailed, it seemed to be enjoyable. Both Zoe and Layla got this dreamy look on their faces when they talked about their husbands. “I’m happy for you both—good things for good people.”
Layla wrinkled her nose. “I got a little off track. I blame pregnancy brain. Anyway, I didn’t have any friends during that time. Then I met Zoe and Tony. They were new to Indy, and we clicked. After that, Forde hired me to work here, and now everyone here is my family.” She rested her hands on her bump. “Even if you don’t want to work here, I hope we can be friends.”
“I’d like that too.” I meant that. “Plus, I’m free to babysit or mama sit.”
Her eyes wrinkled at the corners. “I might take you up on that.”
“I tried to do a little research online about this place, but I couldn’t find much. I feel a little silly coming in and knowing nothing.” I shifted in my chair, placing both feet flat on the floor.
“Yeah, Jenn keeps trying to add to the website, but Forde nixes all of her ideas.” Layla chuckled. “I’ll give the basics, and then Forde will answer your questions more thoroughly. Limited does many types of jobs.” She paused for a moment and appeared to be considering her words. “You met Tye last night. He was my ride.”
I nodded. I wouldn’t forget Tyler Burke for a long time.
“His firm practices family law—you know, divorces, custody agreements, and prenups. They send all of their investigative work to us.”
Tye’s firm must be doing an amazing amount of business, because the building was very nice, and if his office was anything like this, the upkeep had to be astronomical. “So, they feed you all their cases.”
“And they pay on time.” She stressed that. “We also do other investigations, but those are usually assigned by Forde. The guys can take side jobs as well, like fugitive apprehension.”
“They’re bounty hunters?” I’d seen a show on TV about a family that did that kind of work, but they hadn’t worked out of a place like this.
“High dollar only,” she said with a nod.
I was starting to understand the badass comment. These were men who had a clear definition of right and wrong, although their code might not be the same as the general population’s.
“Have I scared you off?” She watched me closely.
It hit me that I had already started picturing myself working here. “I don’t know anything about that kind of work.” I knew a little about the criminal justice system, but I didn’t want to discuss that fact. Not yet.
“Don’t worry about it. Neither did I,” she rushed to tell me. “I imagine you’re really good with a computer, and you’re smart. I only have a semester of community college, and I caught on.”
“I usually pick up things pretty quickly,” I admitted cautiously.
By her expression, she was pleased by my answer. “Well, I answer the phone, set appointments, email the guys their appointments, answer the door, but the thing that keeps me the busiest is stocking the break room with snacks and drinks.”
I pursed my lips to keep from laughing at that last bit. So far, the job didn’t sound bad, nothing too stressful. “I think I could to learn to do those things.”
“Pfft,” she rolled her eyes. “I could teach you in half an hour. It would take another hour to list the do’s and don’ts for each prima donna. One doesn’t want any appointments before three, and another would be happy if you never scheduled an in-office meet for him.”
“How many people are we talking about?”
“Working in office are basically, hmm, let me count,” she said, ticking them off her fingers, “Tony, Osi, Rick, and Forde. Then there’s Jenn, who does I.T. stuff. Holly’s turned in her notice, so five that are full-time.”
“Oh, I thought there would be more.” I was genuinely astonished, knowing they must charge incredible rates or bring in high-bond felons to afford their rent.
“We have eight or nine guys who work with us, contractors, but they rarely come into the office. Forde, or now, Tony, assigns them cases, so you don’t have to worry about them unless they call in, and as long as the money hits their accounts, they stay silent.”
I nodded. This was sounding better and better.
“Do you know anything about billing? I do that and some basic background checks,” Layla continued.
“I did the payroll at two different libraries. That was about four years ago.” I was struggling to do backward math. Maybe I should have taken time to redo that resume after all. “We had less than twenty employees, and most were hourly. So I have experience with that but nothing with background checks, beyond calling references.” I wasn’t going to inflate my experience. Clearly, these people would be able to spot a lie.
“Jenn taught me, so don’t worry about the background checks for now.” She pushed up from her chair. “I’m going to start the tour, because I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” she said, her tone wry.
Since she was giving me a tour, I began to feel even more confident that I had the job. Happier, I said, “Sounds good.” I stood also and followed her to an interior door.
“The first time I came here, as a client, the receptionist was like a freaking model. Anyway, she couldn’t remember the code. I at least remember the codes.” She touched the numbers and opened the door.
I followed her through the door and down a hall.
“Our doors are bulletproof and explosion proof. I can’t tell you to what degree, but you’re safe in here.” She didn’t turn around as she told me this. “Plus the guys are usually armed. I know Forde is…always.”
I didn’t care why she chose to share that, but it sounded good. I liked the idea of working in a really safe environment. The tour continued. When we entered the I.T. room, Jenn was on the phone, but she waved. If Holly was there, she didn’t make her presence known.
We walked back down the hallway and stopped at an open doorway. Layla knocked on the door frame.
“Come on in, babe,” a deep male voice called.
I followed her into a large office that was decorated in a sunset blue—you know, that deepening, sky-blue right before dusk? The carpet was cream, and the furniture was gleaming and large. The room screamed “Man in Charge”.
“You must be Billie.” He moved toward me with his hand outstretched. “I’m Lucas Forde.”
It was impossible not to notice that the man was hot. I did a mental headshake. He was my friend’s husband, but whoa, he was good looking. I tried not to stare. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Forde,” I said, grasping his hand.
“Please, call me Forde.”
When he smiled, I swear my heart skipped. He was tall and built like a linebacker. His dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail. I liked that he was dressed casually in jeans that were faded and a black button down shirt amongst all of this richness.
“Layla was giving me a tour of your office.” I didn’t really know where I was going with the statement. I babbled when I was nervous, and the intense way Forde watched me made me feel like I was under a microscope.
“Stop doing that.” Layla slapped his arm.
He turned his attention to his wife and smiled. “What?”
She frowned at him. “You know, studying her, evaluating her. It’s creepy, and you’re making her nervous.”
He didn’t apologize. I didn’t blame him. I was new to his wife and their circle. I tried to look innocent and non-threatening. Ha! This man probably knew fifty ways to kill using only his left hand.
However, his expression did relax. “I thought I’d join you ladies for lunch and talk to you about the receptionist position. Answer any questions that you might have. Plus, I know we’d both like to get to know you a little better.” He didn’t flash his full smile, but this smile was no less dazzling.
“That would be lovely,” I told them.
“And no more staring,” Layla said, frowning, “and no cross-examining.”
I felt like I needed to say something in my defense. “Questions are fine.”
“You don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to,” she stated firmly.
“Understood.” I liked it that she had turned protective. It had been a while since I felt cared for, and yet, in one week, Zoe, Tony, and, now, Layla had given me that freely. I just might like it here…
Forde shepherded us toward the inner door then moved in front of us to open it. “Any preferences?”
“I eat practically anything,” I said.
“We’ll make a good team. I’m eating everything in my path,” Layla muttered as she veered to her desk and gathered her purse. “You pick, honey,” she said to her husband.
“Hmm, Billie have you been to many places downtown?” Forde opened the door to the hallway.
“No, not yet. To be honest, this is only my second time downtown since I moved here,” I said as we neared the elevator.
“I’m thinking Markel’s,” Forde said, then glanced at his wife for approval.
“I can walk today. It’s a good choice.” Then she turned to me. “They have a little bit of everything, and the booths are huge, so we won’t be cramped—and it’s only three blocks away.”
“Sounds great.”
The elevator doors opened, and I think my body recognized him before I saw him. I felt my system go on alert, not in a bad way, but in a purely physical response to a gorgeous man. I stood a little straighter, and I might have moved my arms so that my boobs were shown to their best advantage. What am I doing? Tyler Burke exited the elevator wearing a navy suit with a light blue shirt and a silver tie that picked up the thin lines in his suit. His blonde hair was loose and touched his shoulders. He had a black messe
nger bag slung over his shoulder—the picture of a successful, maverick businessman.
He saw Forde and Layla and reacted. “Hey.” He stepped to the side, and we grouped alongside him.
“Busy day?” Forde asked.
“Arbitration, that’s all.” He shrugged. “You guys going to lunch?”
“Yeah, I’m starving, again.” Layla rubbed her round bump.
“I believe that you met Billie last night.” Forde’s words drew his friend’s gaze to come to rest on me.
I swear I felt my thighs quiver. That hadn’t happened in a while, a really long while. I smiled shyly. God, I hope I don’t look like an idiot.
“I remember.” His glance roamed over my body. “Hello, again.”
I rubbed my lips together to make sure I wasn’t drooling. “Hi.” I couldn’t maintain eye contact. There was something about the man I liked. I mean really liked. I had no idea what to do with that.
“Want to join us?” Forde asked.
My head jerked up. I didn’t know if I wanted Tye to agree or not. I had no idea why he was affecting me this way, and I couldn’t imagine having to endure an hour trying not to stare at the man.
“Can’t.” He frowned. “Got a consult and then some conference calls.” He sounded disappointed.
Luckily, the elevator going down pinged before I threw myself on the man and begged him to come with us. I hoped I could get a grip on my body and my brain during our walk to the restaurant. My reaction was so out of the ordinary. I usually distanced myself from strangers in general, and men especially, and feeling any kind of sexual desire was foreign and startling.
Chapter Seven
Billie
I was trying to follow an online yoga class while I waited for Tony to call. When I’d lived in Tampa, I’d taken a class two or three times a week, but now, I was sweating and panting, really out of shape. I should add a gym membership to my list immediately. Well, as soon as I finish this hell.
Thank God, my phone rang. It was from the Alessi home phone.
“Hello,” I said, trying not to breathe heavily into the phone.
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