by Eve Langlais
“Sure, I actually needed to speak to you too. What’s up?”
Xander shut the door and moved to sit in the chair beside him. “I just talked to Josie, she wanted to make sure that you were still going to pay Ally to be your hired mate. She’s worried that if you tell her too soon, she won’t accept the money. Ally has to have that money.”
Keir frowned in confusion. “Why? What am I missing?”
“Ally’s mom is dying. She signed up for the website to get the money to enroll her mom in a trial of a new chemo that they are hoping will give her a chance.”
“Shit, of course I’ll pay her. Is it enough to cover their expenses? Does she need more do you know?”
“No, Ally told them it was enough with a bit extra for some help around the house.” Xander sighed. “Sara apparently is trying to gather money, but with her kids it’s tight. Maxton is MIA with the military and unaware of how serious things have gotten.”
“How is she holding up with all this on her shoulders? I can’t even fathom it.”
“It’s why she moved here and opened the branch of her company. It came with a bonus and a raise. The worst part is now her mom is alone, an hour away.”
“I love Arlene, she was always so sweet to us growing up. Is there anything we can do?”
Xander shrugged. “Ally hasn’t even confided in you or me about this yet. Our hands are tied until she does.”
“This sucks. She filled the hole in my life after my mother died. Even to this day I get Christmas and birthday cards from her. She’s never once said a word about being sick.”
“I know, not to me either. Julia talks to her at least once a month.”
The two men lapsed into silence as they reminisced about Arlene and all the ways she’d been there for them through the years. Come hell or high water, Keir knew they’d figure out a way to help somehow.
“What did you want to talk to me about anyway?” Xander asked a few minutes later.
“My time at XJ is ending. My father was right.”
“Shit, what happened?” Xander asked furiously. “I can’t imagine anyone cheating him. Everyone he works with at the bank has been there for years.”
“Not at the bank. He hired a contractor to redo the house. It was chance I stopped by when the guy was there. It was a Sunday, who would have thought, you know? Anyway, he was spinning some tale about needing more money to replace leaking pipes and rotted floors.”
“Lies? Is he still alive or do we need to bury the body?”
Keir laughed. “It’s been twenty-four hours. If he was dead, don’t you think I’d have called you already? Can’t leave him sitting around after all.”
“Good point.” Xander laughed. “So what did you do?”
“Threatened him, made him promise to finish the work this week. Oh, and if he attempted to do business with anyone else in this town, I would kill him.”
Xander nodded. “Sounds perfect to me. If it’s not finished properly, let me know. I’ll help you hunt the bastard down.”
“I’ve got a few things to finish up here business-wise, I’ve already gone through and delegated what I could. I can finish up what can’t be given away over the next couple weeks. If you don’t mind splitting me for that time?”
“You know I don’t and you’ll always have a place here if you want it.” Xander paused and nodded his head to the area where his assistant, Bess, sat outside his office. “Have you told her yet?”
“Hell no. I’m scared to.”
Xander laughed. “I’d hate to see her go, but if she wants to follow you, it’s fine with me. She’d be an asset to you.”
“Thanks, brother, that means a lot.”
“So now one last question. Does your mate know how insane these bank functions can get?”
“Get out of my office, you overgrown carpet, and ask Bess to come in. It’s time I told her before she hears it through her spy network.”
“I already know, boss,” Bess said as she opened the door and passed by Xander as he made his way out.
Keir jumped and spun around to face her. “How in the hell do you do that? You know everything practically before we do. Are you psychic or something?”
Bess laughed. “Gossip, it’s the fastest thing I’ve ever seen. So the only question is when are you leaving?”
“I’m going to go back and forth for the next couple of weeks while I finish up a few things, but for the most part I’ll be there. I’ve handed off a majority of the things I was handling. The only question is…”
“That’s not a question; I’ve been with you since you joined the company all those years ago. I’m too old to break someone else in. If you’ll have use of me, of course.”
Keir smiled. “It wouldn’t be the same without you. I kind of hoped you’d want to follow me over. My dad already knew it was a possibility and he was very happy to make it work as well.”
“Good, now on to more important things. How’s that mate of yours? I hear you’ve been spotted out together a couple times.”
“You really are scary, woman. But to answer your question, she is fine. She’ll be attending the bank functions as my mate. Which, by the way, you are invited to attend as well.”
“Sounds like fun, I think it might be beneficial for me to attend. Get to know everyone in a relaxed environment.”
“Oh, and since you know everything or can find out anything as the case may be, I need your skills put to work if you don’t mind.”
“For you, anything.”
“Arlene Fosey, Ally’s mom.”
“The nice lady who always sends you the cards and calls to check up on you. Yes, I know who she is.”
“That’s her. She’s got cancer and is dying. Can you find out anything you can, please? Xander and I want to help, but we’re not sure what we can do. She’s signing up for a trial as well. Can you dig up any information on it you can? Let’s try to make sure things are legit, if possible.”
“I’ll get right on it, boss, but in the meantime it’s four and if I’m not mistaken, there is a dinner tonight for the board of directors that you’re taking Ally to. Might I suggest you leave a bit early and go get ready?”
Keir laughed. “Yes, ma’am. I’m on my way out the door now.”
It was true; he’d been useless since he’d gotten back to the office after seeing Ally. His every thought was of her and when he could see her again. This pussycat had been pussy whipped and he was loving every single moment of it. Hell, he’d actually caught a couple people staring at him with frightened eyes as he’d walked down the hall whistling.
He couldn’t wait for his father to meet Ally, they’d get along famously. His little firecracker kept things lively and entertaining and that’s just what this bunch at the bank needed, and if things got too boring, he had a special present he’d picked up for Ally that promised fun.
CHAPTER 15
“Mom, stop laughing at me, this is serious. They’re bank executives, that almost automatically qualifies them as pretentious assholes.”
“Darling, stop worrying. Just be yourself, everyone loves you. Now stop fussing, put on the black dress you sent me the picture of first and relax. Your man will be there shortly and you need to make sure you are dressed and not keeping him waiting.”
“I swear, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Well, if I have my way you won’t have to find out. By the way, I called the doctor and told him the money was in. He’s set me up for the first round of treatments at the end of the week.”
“I’ll come up Friday night, I don’t want you alone. We don’t know what the side effects will be, and I don’t want to be so far away.”
“Stop right there, young lady. I have the nurse already on standby. You are not to do any such thing. Enjoy this time with Keir. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
“Mom,” Ally protested as tears poured down her face. “I—”
“Ally, stop. I can hear the tears in your voice. You have a date to
get ready for, stop crying, go wash your face, and show him how happy he makes you.”
“How do you know he does?”
Arlene laughed. “Baby, I can hear it in your voice. Every time we talk love rings through your voice when you mention him. You’re constantly texting me little things about him, or things you’ve done together. You’re in love, and it would seem to me he loves you. I’ve known that man for many years. He’s a keeper, you can count on that.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, now make sure you call me tomorrow and let me know how many of those bankers fell in love with you and your vivacious personality tonight.”
Ally laughed and hung up. Her mom was one in a million. They hadn’t been close when Ally was growing up—being away at boarding school had that effect—but they’d more than made up for it as adults. Her mom was her best friend, confidante, and biggest supporter. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t talk to her mom in some form or another. Cancer was trying to steal that from her and it was unacceptable. They had to find a way to beat it, she couldn’t lose her, not after losing her father already.
The doorbell chimed and Ally threw a panicked look at the wall clock. It was only five thirty, what was he doing here so early?
She pulled the door open, ready to yell at him when she was stunned speechless. “Keir?” she asked quietly in surprise.
“I didn’t want to bring you flowers again, so I thought this would be fun,” he said as he held up a small tan kitten. “It’s a mini lion,” he joked bashfully. “So even if I’m not here, you won’t be alone completely.”
“It’s adorable. What’s its name? Boy or girl? I love it,” Ally cried as she pulled the small body into her arms and cuddled it.
“I’ve got all the supplies in the car, but first, it has no name yet and it’s a boy.” Keir stepped forward. “I missed you, baby,” he whispered as he placed a soft kiss to her lips and turned to head back to the car.
She didn’t know what to say, she was overwhelmed. She stumbled to the couch and sat down. “Aren’t you the most handsome little man,” she cooed as the kitten meowed in reply.
“We have to leave by six fifteen to make it on time. I’ll get everything set up for the little guy while you finish getting ready,” Keir called as he passed by her and placed his packages down.
“I don’t want to leave him now,” Ally cried as she hugged the small creature and nuzzled his head.
“Hhhmmm, I might not have thought this one through. I’m getting jealous of the damn thing,” Keir growled as he stalked forward. “He’s got a play area for tonight. He’ll be fine while we’re gone.”
“He’s so little, what if he gets scared?”
Keir laughed. “What if I asked Josie or Shawna to come over and cat sit for the night? Would that make you go get ready?”
Ally laughed. “Yes, it would.”
Keir laughed but agreed. Ally smiled and raced back to her room to repair the damage to her face from the earlier crying fit and to remove the tiny cat hairs that were now littering her black dress.
“Beautiful, I’ve got one other thing for you,” Keir said as he followed her into her bedroom.
“It better not involve removing any clothes. We’ll never get out of here if it does,” Ally joked as Keir handed her a small black bag.
“Well, that would depend on what you’re already wearing.”
Ally gasped as she pulled out a skimpy pair of panties with an attached vibrator. “I’m so not wearing these tonight.”
Keir laughed and held up the remote control. “Come on, if this gets boring just think of the fun we can have.”
“No. I want to make a good impression on your father and the board, not come across as some harlot. There’s no way, as you found out this morning, that I can be quiet with you that close to me.”
“Fine, but you have to promise to wear them another time for me to make up for this.” Keir pouted good-naturedly.
“Go away, you perv.” Ally laughed as she pushed him out the door. When she emerged from her room twenty minutes later, it was to find Shawna curled up on the couch snuggling with the little kitten. Keir gawked at her as she walked in.
“What?” she asked in alarm as she spun around to face the mirror and see what he was staring at.
“You look like a goddess,” Keir said in awe. “I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than you. We need to leave before I peel that dress off right here on the living room floor.”
Ally blushed and shrugged in apology to Shawna.
“It’s sexy. Don’t apologize for him wanting you. That’s the way it should be. Now, go have fun and rest assured me and the little lion here are all set for a night in. Don’t hurry home or hell, don’t come home. It’s fine either way,” she said with a waggle of her eyebrows.
The drive to the restaurant was short. They pulled up to the valet and Ally smiled as the attendant whistled as she climbed out of the car. The poor guy was scared shitless when Keir walked up and growled. “Stop frightening the boy,” Ally chided good-naturedly.
“He shouldn’t ogle you like that, it’s rude.”
Ally didn’t reply, his caveman tendencies were out in force tonight, but for some reason she found it sexy. To her and all the other women they passed he was courteous, to the men he stared them down if he felt they were watching her a little too intently.
“I think you gave that last patron a heart attack. You really need to stop growling at the old men. Their hearts can’t take it.”
“I know what they are thinking and it’s wrong. They have their own dates they need to be paying attention to, not mine.”
Ally couldn’t refute that comment, it was true. One or two of them had actually turned around to stare at them as they passed, leaving their partners in the lurch. It was rude and ungentlemanly. She was glad when the maître d’ escorted them to the private and reserved room away from the crowds and lingering stares.
“Father, I’d like you to meet my mate, Ally. Babe, this is my father, Kenneth Harper.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Harper. I’ve heard wonderful things about you. Keir speaks very highly of you.”
Kenneth laughed. “Is that so. I shudder to think of the things he probably told you in truth, but you’re a born diplomat I think. I can say with perfect honesty that he has spoken of you often and with great affection. He failed to do your beauty justice, though.”
Ally smiled. “I see where Keir got his glib tongue from. You Harper men are sweet talkers.”
Keir laughed and leaned over to whisper in her ear, but Ally knew as soon as the words had left her mouth what he was going to say. “Don’t you dare, Keir. I know what you’re thinking and you shush.”
It was Kenneth’s turn to laugh now. “Oh yes, I like this one a lot. She’s feisty. You need that, son. Ally, if you’d do me the honors, I’d love to introduce you around while my son fetches us a drink.”
“I’d be delighted,” Ally said with a slight curtsy, which made both men chuckle.
The hours dragged on as Ally sat through one boring conversation after another. Occasionally she’d catch a glimpse of Keir as she was pulled from one person to the next, everyone eager to welcome her to the bank family.
The first chance she got she was going to apologize for not wearing the damn toy. Keir was right; this party was going to be the death of her.
“Would you mind if I stole my mate for a moment?” Keir interjected when one long-winded executive took a breath of air. “I really need to speak to her, I apologize for interrupting you.”
They quickly walked to the back of the room and to a darkened corner. “I think my ears are bleeding. How much longer?” Ally pleaded.
“They’re serving dinner now. After that we can escape and no one will think twice. Can you hold up for a bit longer? I promise this is the worst of the events,” Keir replied with a soft kiss to her forehead.
“I’ll try, but please tell me I get to s
it next to you. I can’t handle much more of these old men slobbering over me.”
Keir laughed. “Yes, between my father and myself. You should have some buffer now. If it helps, everyone loves you. I’ve been congratulated by most of them on landing a woman as special as you. I have to admit, I agree with them. You are a jewel. Thank you for putting up with this for me.”
“If it wasn’t for you, I doubt I’d have stuck around this long. Money or not, I’d have walked two hours ago.”
* * *
Keir had been right, Ally thought later that week. The dinner had been the worst of the events. Not that she could compare Tuesday’s date to anything she’d ever done. Keir had outdone himself. A lovely dinner at Ricardo’s followed by a leisurely stroll to the park where they’d watched an old black-and-white film on a blanket he’d set out and had held ready for him till they’d arrived.
Wednesday she’d planned on staying home and relaxing, but Keir had shown up with takeout and a movie. Not that she had any idea what movie he’d brought with him. They’d never it made that far. Thursday had been another date, this time he’d picked her up and brought her back to his house where he’d cooked for her. Who would have guessed he was a gourmet cook? The food had been orgasmic, as had the rest of the night, she thought with a blush.
Friday had been her favorite event with the bank. The employees and their families were fun, loud, and everything the board wasn’t. The baseball game had been a blast despite the home team losing. They’d shared hot dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn until they got in a fight with it. Kenneth had taken it away with a roll of his eyes, grumbling about kids these days.
It was Saturday and Ally was lying in bed recounting the week’s adventures to her mom on the phone, as Arlene listened quietly. She’d had her first chemo treatment of the new trial drug one day before and it was wreaking havoc on her body. Ally had never heard her mother sound so weak and frail.
“I told you … he was a … keeper,” Arlene rasped a few moments after Ally finished talking. “Sounds like … love to … me.”
Ally didn’t reply, she had a lump in her throat that made it impossible to speak around. She couldn’t help but wonder if the treatment was worse than the disease at times like this.