It relieved me to know that it may not have been the board members, but it opened up the pool of suspects to anyone in my building. Only the top floor was restricted. I tipped my coffee mug back and wished desperately it was something stronger.
“Hire whoever you need to help you find the mole. I want it kept quiet, but I want them found immediately.”
“Whoever put it there will already know that you found it. We won’t exactly be taking them by surprise,” Torrence noted. “But it’ll be easier to find them if they’re nervous. I know of a few guys who could help.”
“Someone who will blend in, please. Your poker buddies look like ex-cons.” In fact, many of Torrence’s contacts were ex-cons, but some were military and a little rough around the edges.
He nodded his head and stared at me for a moment. “Do you really think I should ask her out?”
“Torrence, you’re a grown man. Please don’t ask me these questions.”
“But—“
“Leave,” I growled. I sure as hell didn’t want to deal with anyone’s love life right now. Catching sight of the clock on the wall, I hissed. I had a meeting starting in five minutes.
So much for enjoying my coffee and trying to get my thoughts together. Grabbing my notebook and pen, I tried to clear my mind and pull myself together.
The marketing department had pulled together some new ideas of Montgomery’s new line of camping equipment. I’d acquired Galavant Supplies two years ago, but I was just now trying to give it my full attention. Most of the marketing ideas were polished and approved by Steinburg before they crossed my desk, but I liked to make the rounds to all the departments and judge how they were progressing and working with each other.
Walsh met me in the elevator. “Good morning, Mr. Montgomery,” he said eagerly. “I’ve picked up your suits from the dry cleaning and sent flowers to Mrs. Addison for her birthday.”
Helen Addison was the only female member of the board, but she was also the most terrifying. Normally I’d made it a point to never forget her birthday in order to stay on her good side, but this year it had completely slipped my mind.
“Thank you,” I said gruffly to Walsh. He was irritating, but he was on top of his game.
“There’s one last thing,” he said nervously. Cecilia has an engagement lined up for you this weekend, and I’ve been looking at the recent blog posts about you.”
I put my hand out to stop the elevator doors from closing. “People blog about me?”
“Oh yes. The average person gets their news from social media. Anyway, you haven’t brought a date with you anywhere in public for the last couple of months. Some are saying that you’re hiding a real relationship. Some are speculating that your gay, and a few are wondering if your annual membership to an escort service ran out.”
Narrowing my eyes, I glared at him. “Excuse me? All of these rumors are popping up just because I’ve showed up to one or two events alone?”
“Seven,” Walsh said quietly. “You’ve showed up to seven events alone. I know it’s not my place, but you should really have a date this weekend.”
I didn’t cater my personal life around the whims of the media, but an idea was forming in my head. The more I thought about it, the more wicked it became. “Write this down.”
He quickly pulled out his phone and waited expectedly.
“A green dress. Sexy but still appropriate for the function. Have the saleswoman call me when you get there so I can give her the measurements. I’m also going to need a dozen red roses.”
“You’re going to buy a dress for your date?”
“I’m going to make it impossible for her to turn it down,” I said with a sly smile. “I’ve got a meeting. This is your priority. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” he said with a small salute. I snorted as the doors started to close. Just before they shut completely, I thrust my briefcase out.
“Walsh!” I called out.
“Yes, sir?”
“For the love of God, please take Cecilia.” He didn’t respond, and I couldn’t help but smile. Neither one could stand the other, but I didn’t trust Walsh to pick out something that wouldn’t be completely slutty.
The marketing staff was already assembled on the fourth floor meeting room by the time I got there. The department was so big that they spanned ten floors and were headed by eight different people. I had everything from ship building to baby supplies under my umbrella, and while each company retained their own marketing team, I liked to know that my own teams were supervising them.
“Good morning. Sorry I’m late,” I said as I slipped into the room. The chair at the head of the table was open, and I sat down heavily. “I’m just here to observe, so please continue as though I’m not present.”
I said that every time, but I doubted that it had any affect. I’m sure the meeting ran quite differently when I wasn’t around.
Someone slid a box of doughnuts my way, and I hesitated before grabbing one. It wasn’t often that I indulged, but the sugar rush wouldn’t hurt. I snagged a glazed one and settled back. The meeting started, and I aimlessly ran my pen over the paper.
Of course my little wallflower was looking for romance. Most women that I saw wanted more, but none of them dared ever say anything to me about it. In fact, I couldn’t remember the last time a woman had turned me down.
“Most of the Galavant products are geared towards men. In fact, in their ten-year history, they’ve never had a single female in their advertising. I think it’s important to portray that the products are tough enough for men and women,” the girl said nervously up front. She pointed the remote to the screen at the front and an image appeared.
It was a beautiful woman, clearly a model, hiking up a mountain with a large bag strapped to her back. There wasn’t a single strand of blonde hair out of place, and her face was heavily made up. I immediately frowned. I could see where she was going with the idea, but it was all wrong.
“She’s too pretty,” I said out loud. “The average woman who goes camping will turn their noses up at that image. You want someone who isn’t as put together. Someone who doesn’t care if her hair isn’t perfect. Someone who isn’t going to worry about make-up. She’s not there to impress other people. She’s there to enjoy nature. She’s searching for solace and not approval from society.”
It was the first time I’d ever made a suggestion at one of the meetings, and a hush fell over the room. I pitied the poor young girl in the front. “It’s a good concept. I absolutely want to market equally to both sexes, but we’re not selling glamour. We’re selling equipment. The idea is excellent. You just need a new model. Someone with long and unruly curls. Someone with soft skin but tough eyes. A genuine smile. No skinny frames or large fake tits. A real woman.”
“That’s very specific,” she said nervously. “I’ll start a search immediately.”
It was specific. Too specific. Pissed that I’d let Sloan distract me from work, I nodded my head to encourage her to continue. If there was one thing that I prided myself in, it was my focus on the job.
Today I was thinking about her silky skin. The way she’d arched into my touch. The look in her eyes when she’d rubbed herself on my hard cock.
While the meeting droned on, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the email Torrence had sent me on Sloan.
Both her parents were still alive and living in Washington. Her mother was a school teacher and her father was an engineer. She had no siblings. Graduating at the top of her class, her undergrad professors had given her glowing recommendations to the graduate program. Torrence wasn’t wrong. Not only were there no red flags, but there wasn’t even a traffic ticket to her name.
She’d lived with Randi Jones for the past two years. There was only one noted relationship. Victor Willis.
I made a note to check out this Victor Willis. I didn’t even bother trying to convince myself that it was for the case. I just wanted to know what he was like.
I
wanted to see who Sloan Whitlow had said yes to.
Chapter Nine
Sloan
My eyes slid over the paper as I mentally tried to rehearse what I was going to say to Dr. Elliot. I had a meeting in an hour, and if I couldn’t get him to approve of my paper thesis, I’d be even more behind. As it was, I was already having a hard enough time catching up.
I reached for the cereal, but the box slid across the counter. Frowning, I looked up to see Randi holding it up. “No breakfast until you tell me what happened with your date Friday night. You’ve spent all weekend avoiding me.”
“I’ve spent all weekend at the library. And it wasn’t a date.”
“When Lucas Montgomery takes you out on a Friday night, it’s a date. I can’t believe you’re not making a big deal about this. He is the number one hottest bachelor in the city, and he doesn’t take women out. Please tell me you climbed on top of him for a nice, long, hard ride. And then give me the details.”
“Randi!” I exclaimed as I snatched the cereal box. “Of course not!” Although I still wasn’t sure how I’d walked away from him. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his hands on me. “He just took me out to dinner to convince me that I needed his protection until this whole thing blew over.”
“You’re not looking at me. When you don’t look at me, it’s because you’re lying. What are you not telling me?” She narrowed her eyes and stared at me. I felt a flush creep up my cheeks, and she gasped. “You dirty, dirty minx. You did do something scandalous with him! Details.”
I poured the cereal and shook my head. “There’s not a lot to tell. He made it clear that he wanted me, but you said it yourself. He doesn’t date. He fucks a woman for a short time and then moves on. I don’t do casual relationships.”
“You don’t do casual relationships because you’ve never done casual relationships,” she said with a sly smile.
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the milk from the fridge. “I’ve never done heroin either, but I don’t see you making that argument.” Taking a bite of my cereal, I immediately spat it out. The rancid taste of the spoiled milk caused my eyes to tear up, and I immediately turned on the faucet and ducked my head under to wash away the taste.
“Jesus,” I hissed when my gag reflex finally died down. “When was the last time we went to the grocery store?”
“You were supposed to go this weekend,” she smirked. “But you were too busy hiding from me.”
“For the last time, I wasn’t hiding from you. I was busy.”
“Right. Busy. How do you expect to have a relationship with someone when you can’t even remember to buy milk?”
“All the more reason for me to stay away from Lucas Montgomery,” I muttered, but I already knew what she was going to say.
“All the more reason for you to enjoy some hot and dirty sex with a hot and dirty man. It’ll help you relax. It might even help you focus a little better.”
I grabbed my paper and shoved it in my bag. If I hurried, I might be able to grab a bagel from the coffee shop before my meeting. “And just how do you know that he’s hot and dirty?”
“Please,” she snorted. “Anyone looking at that man can tell that he knows what he’s doing in bed. If you don’t jump on that, I will.”
“Be my guest.” We both knew that it was an empty threat. If there was one person I could always count on to have my back, it was Randi Jones. “I have to go. We’re not going to talk about this again.”
“It’s like you don’t even know me,” she called out as I escaped the apartment.
As usual, I scanned the parking lot for signs of Lucas’s men, but if he was still having me followed, they were much better than the first crowd.
Campus was still fairly empty, and I snagged a parking spot close to Professor Elliot’s office. With just enough time to spare, I bought a bagel and cup of coffee from the coffee kiosk. Scarfing the plain bagel down, I entered his office breathless and with my mouth full.
“Ms. Whitlow. Good morning.”
I swallowed, and smiled. “Good morning, Dr. Elliot. Sorry about the bagel. Spoiled milk.”
He frowned sternly. “I have no idea what that means. Please have a seat. I assume that, by your excited email, you have something to show me?”
As I reached for the papers in my bag, the strap slid down my shoulder. When I tried to grab it, I spilled my coffee all over me, and I inhaled sharply. “Shit.” Snapping my mouth shut, I immediately colored. It wasn’t exactly appropriate to cuss in front of my advisor. “I am so sorry.”
“That’s all right. You’re having a trying month. Why don’t you go to the bathroom and clean yourself off while I review the paper?”
Luckily, my paper wasn’t soaking in coffee. “Thank you Dr. Elliot. I’ll be back in just a minute.” Leaving my bag, I hurried down the hall towards the bathroom. The professor had been so patient with me, and here I was acting like a bumbling idiot in his office.
At least he was forgiving.
Throwing some paper towels under the running water of the sink, I started trying to dab at the stain on my red top. Since the shirt slung off my shoulders, most of the coffee hit my chest, and luckily, it wasn’t scalding hot.
How did he know that I’d had a trying month?
I froze and stared at my reflection. For a second, I was aware of every sound in the bathroom. The flushing toiled from the men’s room on the other side of the wall. The footsteps of people hurrying by the door. My own heart pounding in my chest.
“He’s just talking about your paper,” I scolded myself. What the hell was wrong with me? I was either shoving the threat on my life from my mind, or I was suspecting everyone who walked past me. There seemed to be no reasonable in-between.
Angrily throwing my paper towels in the trashcan, I threw open the bathroom door and glanced down the empty hallway. “This is all his fault,” I said to the stealthy men that I knew had to be somewhere close. “If it wasn’t for him, I could actually focus on my school work. I wouldn’t be suspecting people who are close to me. I wouldn’t be weeks behind on my thesis.”
A large man stepped around the corner and leaned against the wall. He regarded me coolly, and there was only one word that came to mind when I saw him. Danger. “You have reason to suspect your professor?” he asked in a low voice.
“No,” I snapped. “I have no reason to suspect anyone. I just wish that whoever it was would make their move already so I could go back to my normal life. I’m a graduate student. I don’t lust over ridiculously wealthy playboys. I don’t get kidnapped by weirdos, and I sure as hell don’t have people like you following me around!”
Rather than respond to my crazy rant, he simply stepped back and disappeared around the corner again. Alone, I closed my eyes.
Tell me what you like, Sloan. I’ll take you anyway you want tonight. I’ll fuck you senseless right across this table. No one will bother us.
Lucas’s promise never seemed to leave me. Even angry, paranoid, and alone, my body still responded to the memory of his touch. His breath hot in my ears. His eyes staring into mine.
“I’m not this woman,” I whispered to the empty air, but there was no one to convince but myself.
Chapter Ten
Sloan
By the time my day ended, I was in desperate need of a drink. Dragging myself from the car, I rubbed my temples and waved half-heartedly to a couple out walking their dog.
There was a large box in front of my door. Frowning, I checked the mailing label. It didn’t have one, but it did have my name scrawled across the front. It wasn’t heavy. I opened the door and pushed it inside with my foot.
When I got it settled on the kitchen table, I stepped back and stared at it. A box just appears on my door without a mailing label? That sounded like an excellent reason to call the police, but maybe that was because I watched too many crime dramas.
With a pair of scissors, I slowly sliced through the tape. “Please don’t be a severed head. Please don’t be a se
vered head,” I chanted as I cautiously pulled the flap back and peered inside.
Instead of a bloody scene, I found two more boxes. A long narrow box from Lotte’s Florist and a bigger box from Goddard’s Women’s Boutique.
I opened the florist box first and gasped. Inside were a dozen long-stem red roses with a note. “I would very much appreciate your company to the Harrison-Belle Gala this evening.”
There was no signature, but I already knew who it was from. I wasn’t big on current events, but I knew of the Harrison-Belle Gala. It was an annual event where the rich mingled and gave away insane amounts of money to a charity of their choice. The Harrison and Belle families both had lost children to cancer, and they’d hosted this event each year. The Children’s Cancer foundation was always the headlining charity, but the gala also invited four other charities to join the event. The only person that I knew who was wealthy enough to even get an invitation to the gala was Lucas Montgomery.
Was this an apology? My hands tingled in anticipation as I opened the other box. Inside, nestled in tissue papers, was a beautiful green shimmery fabric. I pulled it gently out by the straps and gasped as the gorgeous dress flowed to the floor.
“So much for saying that I have nothing to wear,” I whispered.
There were plenty of reasons I should turn down the invitation. I had work to do tonight. I had class in the morning. Any type of press with me on Lucas’s arm would be bad. Simply being near Lucas was bad.
But he had bought me a beautiful and expensive dress. And roses. How could I say no to that?
You just want to see him again.
I pushed the accusation aside and grabbed my phone. “Sloan,” he answered in a low voice. “I take it that you got my invitation?”
“I think this counts as an expensive gift,” I said with a smile.
“You seem to have an affinity for jeans and t-shirts. I wasn’t sure if you had anything appropriate to wear.”
“And the flowers?”
There was a pause. “I just thought it would be polite,” he said softly.
Shattered: A Billionaire Romance Series (Contemporary Romance Novels) Page 30