by Lynn Emery
“There’s a ten-ounce steak out there with my name on it.” Shaun slapped his large hands together. “Let’s go.”
“I don’t know how you can eat that stuff and get through the day.”
“I spent the first fourteen years of my life poor as hell. I deserve the good life,” Shaun said fervently. “Money means nothing if you don’t spend it well.”
“On you of course.” Marcus shook his head.
“Who else?” Shaun gave a short, cynical laugh. “Women? Nothing beyond a few expenses up front for the chase.”
“That sums up the Shaun Jackson mating strategy perfectly,” Marcus replied.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Shaun clapped a hand on Marcus’s shoulder, and they walked out together.
Marcus was surprised at the kernel of disgust in his belly. He’d never been bothered by Shaun’s ways before. Still, the idea of Shaun playing his game on Nicole set Marcus’s teeth on edge. When Nicole came down the hall, Marcus had an irrational urge to block the path to Shaun. While he was trying to diagnose what malady had affected his brain, Shaun affected a winning smile that oozed sincerity.
“Lunchtime at last. I’m sure even beautiful tycoons have to take a break sometime.” Shaun put one hand in the pocket of his custom-tailored suit pants.
“Hmm.” Nicole’s expression remained neutral. She turned to Marcus. “I’ve gone over the final report on our Lake Charles office. Can we meet this afternoon?”
“I’ve got that meeting with Andre after lunch and two site visits,” Marcus replied.
“Maybe in the morning?” Nicole seemed not to notice the way Shaun examined her from head to toe.
“I’ll be in around eight.”
“Too early.” Nicole wore a slight frown.
“I know what you mean,” Shaun interjected smoothly. “I do my best work in the evenings.”
“Interesting,” Nicole said in a deadpan tone. “What about around five today?”
Marcus shot an annoyed sideways glance at Shaun. “Okay. We’d better get a move on. I’ve got a lot to do this afternoon.”
“If you need to cancel, no problem. Nicole, have you been to This Is It? The best soul food in town.” Shaun smacked his lips.
“No, I—”
“Of course, I realize you’re not used to cafeteria-style dining. But believe me, it’s more than worth it.” Shaun walked over to Nicole and put a hand under her elbow. He was poised to guide her toward the elevator.
Nicole lifted her arm and stepped away in one graceful motion. “Thanks, but I have plans. My lunch is on the way.”
“You’ll get indigestion eating in the office. A nice relaxing meal with pleasant company makes work go better.” Shaun waved a forefinger in the air.
“Maybe another time,” Nicole said with a restrained smile.
“I’ll hold you to that promise.” Shaun beamed back as though they had a firm date.
“See you later, Marcus.” Nicole walked off.
Marcus faced Shaun. “You’re having memory problems?”
“I was going to use the proven Shaun Jackson method of extracting information for you, my man.” He spread his hands out.
“Yeah, sure you were.” Marcus scowled at him.
“Of course, if she means more to you, just say so. I won’t even do a little harmless flirting.” Shaun’s playful expression sharpened into one of appraisal as he looked at Marcus.
“Nothing you do with women is ever harmless,” Marcus shot back with a smile. “Now I’m hungry enough for a steak. Can we go now?”
“Okay, okay.” Shaun punched the elevator button.
“You just have to see this cute little shop, Russ. It’s adorable,” a female voice trilled.
Marcus groaned inwardly when Russell and his girlfriend appeared around a corner. Russell had a possessive arm around Aliyah’s waist. He seemed totally entranced by her.
“Well, well. Look at this,” Shaun whispered.
“I say we let them have the next ride down,” Marcus mumbled with his back to the couple.
“No way. I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Shaun replied.
Aliyah’s high-pitched titter broke off when she looked at Shaun. Her eyes widened, then she clutched her purse. “Darn! I left my pocket organizer on your desk. Let’s go back and get it.”
“Are you sure? I think you picked it up,” Russell replied.
“No, I didn’t,” Aliyah insisted. She pulled Russell’s arm.
Russell noticed Marcus and Shaun for the first time. His contented smile dissolved. “Marcus.”
“Russell,” Marcus replied. “Hello, Aliyah.”
“Hi.” She gave him a brief smile.
Shaun strode over to Russell with one hand out. “Hi. You might not remember me, but Marcus introduced us some months ago.”
“No, I don’t actually.” Russell gave Shaun a brief handshake.
Shaun seemed not to notice his barely disguised disdain. “It was only a minute. Hi, Ms….?”
She gingerly touched the tips of her fingers to his palm, then drew back. “Hello. Aliyah Manning.”
“Right, Ms. Manning. Say, why don’t we all go out for lunch?” Shaun said.
“No!” Aliyah blurted out with such force that all three men blinked in surprise. “I’m afraid we’ve made plans,” she finished, her voice lower.
“Yes, we have. Sorry,” Russell put in.
“Maybe another time then,” Shaun called out merrily. He grinned at Aliyah when she glanced back at them over her shoulder. Russell gave him a vague smile.
Marcus merely nodded to Russell and Aliyah as they turned and went back to Russell’s office. “You want to tell me what just happened?”
“I love my life, man. Every day is an adventure,” Shaun murmured. He stared at the retreating couple.
“Okay.”
Marcus studied Shaun, then followed his gaze in time to see Russell’s back disappear around a corner. He was silent for another beat until the realization hit him.
“Let’s go. Now!” Marcus grabbed Shaun’s arm and yanked him toward the open elevator doors.
Shaun pried Marcus’s fingers from his sleeve. “This suit costs nine hundred dollars. Don’t handle me up like I’m wearing discount clothes.”
There were three people on the elevator, so Marcus let go without protest. He glanced at his friend several times as they rode down to the parking garage level. Shaun continued to smooth out invisible wrinkles on his jacket sleeves. Two riders got off on the next floor. Once they got to the parking garage and the remaining passenger started off in the opposite direction, Marcus grabbed Shaun’s arm again.
“Tell me Aliyah isn’t an old girlfriend. Please, man. I’m begging you!”
“It’s a small, small world. You know?”
“Damn!” Marcus swung both arms out in exasperation. “How long ago?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Like hell you don’t,” Marcus snarled. “This is important, Shaun. You know I’ve got a big investment here, and if you’re—”
“Chill, all right? Look, we broke up a while ago.”
“What does ‘a while ago’ mean exactly?” Marcus insisted.
“A few weeks, no, months ago,” Shaun said hastily when Marcus muttered a curse word. “You need to relax, brother. All that nine-to-five living has you wound up.”
“Russell has been dating the woman for six months, Shaun.” Marcus glared at him. “Is Aliyah her real name?”
Shaun let out a short laugh. “Man, if you could hear yourself right now. Talk about paranoid.”
“We came off the same street corner and learned the same player rules. What’s the profile?” Marcus stood with his legs apart and his arms folded.
“Let’s get some food. My mind can’t work on an empty stomach.” Shaun gave him a playful tap on the shoulder and strode off.
Marcus had little choice but to follow him. Shaun insisted on driving. They traveled down St. Jacinto in minutes. Though bright sunshine beamed
down on Shaun’s pearl gray Lexus, the dual-control air-conditioning kept them cool. Shaun hummed along with a hip-hop tune on the FM radio station. He expertly wheeled the luxury car around corners.
“Well?” Marcus demanded. He turned down the volume just as a burst of expletive-filled lyrics started.
Shaun sighed like a parent whose patience was being tested. “Okay, okay. So, we had this little thang. No hearts and flowers, know what I mean? Just mutual physical fireworks.”
“I never thought you were a couple,” Marcus retorted. “Not your style.”
“Hey, I’m gonna find a wifey one of these old days. Soon as I find the right girl.” Shaun gunned through a caution light.
“Ms. Right is a lady with a big bank account and some kind of investments, blue chips and real estate preferably,” Marcus deadpanned.
“Say, you know her? Hook me up,” Shaun wisecracked. He pulled up to Pappadeaux restaurant on South Loop W.
“I want answers, Shaun.” Marcus frowned at him.
“Let’s have a beer and some fine Creole food. We both know you’ve got a taste for Louisiana delicacies these days.”
Shaun barked with laughter when Marcus’s frown turned murderous. He got out of the car, adjusted his designer sunglasses, and strolled toward the entrance. Once more Marcus found himself trailing after Shaun with no answers and a shorter fuse. Conversation was impossible as they waited in the crowded foyer for a table. Twenty minutes later, they were seated with menus.
“What looks good to you today, dude? Get anything you want.”
“You’re testing this friendship, again,” Marcus said through clenched teeth.
A pretty blond waitress came over. “Hi, I’m Jennifer. What can I get you?”
In seconds she was giggling and leaning over them both, her ample bosom close to their faces. For his part, Shaun participated in the wink-and-smile sport. Shaun enjoyed the attention, but his sights were much higher than a working-class lady. Jennifer bounced off with one last perky grin for Shaun. As though he’d forgotten her in seconds, Shaun’s gaze scanned the room. He smiled and nodded at a pretty Black woman seated nearby. Marcus shook his head once.
“What’s the deal with you and Aliyah Manning, Shaun?” Marcus said. He pointed at him. “Remember, I’ve heard all of your lies at least twice.”
“Hey, everybody wants to get ahead. I can’t blame a sista for that.”
“She’s a player, too.” Marcus groaned beneath his breath.
“Looks like my girl is heading for a real soft landing. I’d say she’s got Russell’s head spinning.” Shaun chuckled low in his throat.
“Russell does everything but sit up and beg when she so much as raises her little finger.”
Marcus cut off his next comment when Jennifer approached. He had to wait through another round of flirting before he could continue. Meanwhile the woman Shaun had smiled at tried to catch his eye. She didn’t seem to care about the man seated next to her. Jennifer noticed her and blocked the woman’s view, finally leaving their beers on the table as she and the woman exchanged stony looks. All this drama over lunch he didn’t need, Marcus grumbled to himself.
“Tell me the worst about this lady,” Marcus said.
Shaun leaned both elbows on the table. “Russell is a grown man. Don’t try to rescue him. Besides, he won’t believe you and not just because he hates your guts.”
“She’s that good?” Marcus already knew the answer by the leer that spread across Shaun’s face.
“He doesn’t stand a chance. Start picking out the suit you’re gonna wear to their wedding.” Shaun lifted his glass of beer in a mock toast. “To the happy couple.”
“I don’t believe all she wants is happy ever after.” Marcus stared at Shaun hard.
“Why not? Russell’s got money and status. I’d say she’s struck gold.”
Marcus leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Listen to me good, Shaun. You better be telling me everything you know or I’ll—”
“Why should you care if she marries old Russ and then cleans him out?” Shaun grinned and slapped Marcus on the shoulder. “Think about it.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“You’ll get yours, Aliyah will get hers, and you’ll both be happy. Right?” Shaun glanced past him. “Here’s our food. Stop worrying, it’s bad for your digestion.”
“Yeah, right.”
Marcus thought about this latest wild card and frowned. He paid token attention to Shaun’s good-natured chatter as they ate. Now he had two women to worry about. Heat moved up his spine when he remembered the taste and feel of Nicole. Shaun was right about one thing. He should let Russell handle his own business. Dealing with his unexpected and uncontrollable attraction to Nicole would be Marcus’s biggest obstacle.
ten
Nicole tried to concentrate on Jesse’s report. Russell didn’t help, the way he kept fidgeting in his seat. She knew he was looking for an opening to attack any decision she might make. Sitting next to Marcus didn’t help either. Not that he did anything purposely to distract her. Still, he seemed to radiate a vibe that made her think of that night at his apartment. Jesse’s voice tugged her back to the meeting. They were all sitting around the wide oval table in the office conference room.
“So, last week things went pretty good. I switched some schedules around. The guys and ladies seem to like the changes. I haven’t had any problems with guards not showing up.” Jesse dropped the single sheet of paper he held and rapped the knuckles of his right hand on the conference table. “Knock on wood.”
“Amen,” Andre added with a grin.
“Excellent, Jesse.” Nicole smiled at him, then grew serious. “Now about the Phoung account and the case of the missing groceries. The police are checking out a list of store employees that have been fired in the last year or so. Also, David Phoung was a little careless with warehouse keys.”
“Nicole found out that Mr. Phoung’s brother-in-law wasn’t very conscientious about retrieving keys from fired staff,” Marcus added. He glanced at her sideways. “Good detective work.”
“Thanks. I just spent time chatting with his current employees. Most of the top assistants are his relatives, as you all know.” She looked around as heads nodded. “His ever helpful but not too smart niece gave out the security code too freely.”
“Well, that’s it, then. He can’t blame us,” Andre said.
Marketing director Imani nodded with vigor. Petite and stylish, her natural hair was cut boyishly short, making her look even younger. “For real. I like it.”
“Now your spin won’t be such a challenge, huh?” Jacinta’s black eyes flashed humor.
“Spin is everything, chica,” Imani flipped back with a grin.
“Tameka’s butt is saved once again. She has a way of landing on her feet.” Jesse laughed as the others agreed.
Nicole smiled as they traded jokes. She didn’t interrupt for several minutes. They all needed the release. The past week had been tense for everyone. Though they had all worked together, she still felt like a kid with her nose pressed against the window. Imani and Jacinta were good friends outside the office. Jesse acted the role of the kindly uncle to the rest of the young staff. All of them had the easy working relationship of several years as a team. Nicole felt a stab of envy at inside jokes being lobbed across the conference table.
Russell cleared his throat loudly. “So, I’m assuming we’re all through with business?”
“No, not quite,” Nicole replied.
“Good. I’d just like to say one thing about the recent wave of difficulties—”
“Excuse me, but we covered the issues and the actions taken to address them,” Nicole said in a controlled voice.
“What about the damage to our credibility with customers?” Russell glanced around at the others. “I don’t think they’re likely to simply forget. Any perceived weakness in our procedures can have a devastating effect.”
“We’ve all done our best to demonstr
ate that we can act quickly and effectively when problems occur. As someone pretty new to Summers Security and to this business in general, I’d say you folks have done a damn good job.” Nicole looked around at the employees. Several were nodding.
“Thanks, Nicole.” Imani smiled at her.
“Me, too. It was even worth being a suspect for about a minute,” Andre joked.
“The last few weeks have been a trial for all of us. Probably more for me, since I came here knowing exactly zero about the security biz,” Nicole said with a laugh.
The rest of the staff—with two exceptions—joined in. Marcus wore a blank expression, his hands folded on top of the conference table. Russell wore a sardonic half-smile to show what he thought of her. Nicole ignored them both, for now.
“So, lunch is on me. Party on.” Nicole raised a palm when they started clapping their hands with glee.
“You’re kidding! You’re spending company money to feed everyone?” Russell’s eyes widened.
“Naturally I get to deduct the entire meal. Business lunch, right?” Nicole lifted a shoulder.
“Hey, you’re not your uncle Hosea’s niece for nothing,” Imani said with a sassy wink.
“Imani!” Jacinta’s mouth formed a large circle. The others looked a little uneasy.
Nicole laughed. “Relax. I knew my uncle very well, thank you. Now what are you in the mood for today?”
A spirited debate broke out. After ten minutes they were still arguing passionately between Mexican and Italian. Marcus scribbled notes as though oblivious to the merriment around him. Russell blew out a noisy breath in disapproval. No one seemed to notice when he finally left in a huff. Nicole tapped the keys of the laptop in the conference room. She saved comments about the meeting into her database, exited the program, and shut down the computer.
“Excuse me,” she said in an attempt to get their attention. “Hey!”
“Yeah, boss?” Jacinta waved at the others to be quiet.
“It’s only ten o’clock. We’re not going to spend two hours arguing. Either you decide or I will.” Nicole arched her eyebrows at them.
“Chinese,” a chorus of voices said, mixed with one groan.
“I never get to choose!” Jacinta complained and stamped a foot.