Vested Interest Box Set: Books 1-3

by Melanie Moreland

  “Something funny?”

  I glanced up. “No. I needed to add something before I forget.” As if I could possibly forget. “Wednesday is good.”

  He tapped away at his computer. “Okay. See you next week. I’ll come to the office?”

  “No, I’ll come here.”

  He regarded me curiously. “That’s twice you’ve come to me. What’s going on with you? We usually meet in your office.”

  I shrugged. “Trying to be accommodating.”

  He threw back his head, laughing loud. “Good one. Now, really. What’s going on?”

  Ignoring him, I stood, and smoothed down my jacket, remembering the way Emmy’s hands had held the lapels. “I’ll see you next week.”

  His amusement followed me out of the office. Aiden rose, following me to the elevator, still not speaking.

  “Just spit it out,” I snapped.

  “Oh, feeling a little testy you’re being ignored? Imagine that.”

  I started to speak, and he held up his hand. “We’ll talk when we get to the office.”

  “You’re being—”

  He pushed forward, glaring down at me. I was tall, standing at 6’3”, but Aiden had a good four inches on me. He was tense and angry, and I was certain he had expanded. His chest seemed larger; his bulging arms gigantic.

  “I said the office.”

  I nodded, not wanting to make him angrier. When we got to the car, I busied myself on my phone. Unable to resist, I texted Emmy.

  Have a good day, Emmy. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday evening. When you have a moment, please send me your home address.

  She responded instantly.

  So formal, even in texts. You already have my address. I live above the coffee shop. Apt C. Use the back stairs to come up. I look forward to seeing you, as well, Mr. R.

  She lived above the coffee shop?

  I thought about the building that housed the coffee shop, and apparently, her home. It was two-storied, old, the brick crumbling in places. Located close enough to the school she could walk there daily, but it was in a busy business neighborhood and right on a main street. Hardly the place in which a person could study quietly.

  As I grimaced over the information, my phone pinged.

  Are you in trouble with Tree Trunk?

  I glanced toward Aiden, who was concentrating on the morning traffic ahead of us. From the scowl on his face, I knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.

  Yes, I am.

  Her next text made me grin.

  Want me to rescue you? I could break you out. He wouldn’t know. I’m a seasoned Ninja.

  My lips twitched as I tried not to laugh.

  No, I will take my punishment. It will be worth it having been able to spend some more time with you.

  Her reply was short.

  La, you are a charmer.

  We pulled into the garage.

  La? Now, who’s old-fashioned?

  Simply using words I thought you’d be familiar with. That was one of my Nana’s favorites. You’re still a charmer.

  I’m pleased you think so. Have a good day, Freddy.

  Stay strong, Rigid.

  She followed it up with one of those little faces people used with text. I had no idea how to add one. I hated texting and the way people bastardized the English language, so I always kept mine simple and short. For some reason, I wanted to send her something to make her laugh, but it wasn’t the time to ask Aiden for texting advice. I was certain the two words he would reply with wouldn’t be “for sure.”

  The office hummed as we strode through the hallway. I stopped by Sandy’s desk, Aiden brushing past me without a word. Sandy had been with me since my university days. She was an older woman, refused to take shit from any of us, especially me, and kept the place running. Her gleaming white hair was swept into an old-fashioned chignon, and her hazel eyes, wise. She was tall and imposing; although below the no-nonsense exterior, there was the heart of a warm woman. I’d be lost without her.

  She arched her eyebrows. “Someone is in a mood.”

  “Yes.”

  “What did you do?”

  “What makes you think it was something I did?”

  “He only gets like that when you’ve done something.”

  I took the small stack of messages and papers she had for me. “I may have given him the slip this morning.”

  “Bentley.”

  Her opinion was clear from the way she spoke my name.

  “I will apologize.”

  “You hired him to do a job. Let him do it.”

  She was right.

  “Maddox was looking for you two, as well.”

  “Okay, let him know I’m in and you can buzz him when I’m done with Aiden.” I paused. “Or when he is done with me, I suppose.”

  “All right.”

  “Bring us coffee in about ten minutes, please. If you hear screaming, ignore it.”

  She sniffed. “I intend to.”

  Rolling my eyes, I walked into my office. Aiden was staring out the window, the set of his shoulders tense, his expression serious. I placed the papers I was carrying on my desk and studied him briefly. He seemed to get more massive as the years went on.

  We both showed up to apply as a roommate in a house close to the university campus. I had thought I would try dorm living, but realized quickly I hated it, so I began looking for off-campus housing. Once I met the person who placed the ad and saw the house, I knew I was no longer interested in living there, and I left. Hurried footsteps behind me made me turn, and a huge guy grinned at me.

  “Dodged a bullet there, eh?”

  I grimaced. “I’m trying to get away from the party atmosphere of the dorms, not live it twenty-four/seven.” I indicated the house with a tilt of my head. “I have a feeling it will be party central, daily.”

  “No shit.” He stuck out his large hand. “Aiden Callaghan.”

  I shook his hand firmly, hoping he didn’t crush mine. “Win–I mean Bentley Ridge.”

  He raised one eyebrow but didn’t comment.

  “So, I assume you’re still looking for a place?”

  “I am.”

  He smiled. “Why don’t we look together?”

  “I’m pretty private.”

  “No worries. I’m not looking for a party place either. I need a quiet place to study and a room to put my equipment.”

  “Equipment?”

  “I work out a lot. A basement would be great.”

  I studied him. He was taller than I was, and broad, his muscles rippling under his shirt. He seemed like a decent guy. I hated it in the dorm, and I could afford to live alone, but I wanted the experience of living with other people.

  “At least come have coffee with me, and we can get to know each other before you say no.”

  I nodded in agreement. “Sure.”

  I cleared my throat. He turned, arms crossed, and not a glimmer of his usual humor in his eyes. He was seriously pissed.

  I started to speak, and he held up his hand, stopping me.

  “Why did you hire me?”

  I sat down at my desk with a sigh. “Because you’re my best friend, and I trust you.”

  “You trust me?”

  “Totally. There’s no question about it. You and Maddox are family to me.”

  “You let Maddox handle all your finances. Millions of dollars. You listen to what he says. No questions asked.”

  “Of course I do. He knows what he’s talking about.”

  He stormed toward me, stopping in front of my desk. He leaned on the thick wood, hands balled into fists. “And I fucking don’t?”

  “I never said that.”

  He tossed a white envelope on my desk.

  “What’s that?”

  “My resignation.”

  I was horrified, and I pushed the envelope back his way. “I’m not accepting it. Aiden, all I did was go for coffee.”

  “You deliberately didn’t tell me where you were goi
ng this morning. You didn’t trust me with that information. I’m supposedly your right hand, and the head of your security.”

  “It was coffee. No one is going to notice if I go for coffee.”

  “That’s not your decision to make.”

  “Aiden—”

  “Bentley,” he interrupted me. “Someone is watching you. Someone knows your movements. All they need to see is a pattern. You sneaking out to meet your new fixation for coffee is going to be noticed. It’s a fucking invitation for someone to get to you.”

  “Don’t call her that. She isn’t a fixation.”

  “Jesus, you don’t even know her.”

  “Sort of the point of taking her on a date—to get to know her.”

  “Emaline Harris,” he stated. “Born in Ontario. Parents deceased. One sibling. Lives alone. No arrests, or convictions. Works part-time in Al’s Coffee Shop, and attends Toronto School of Design.”

  “Is that all you got?” I asked dryly.

  “I was in a coffee shop. I’ll have more by the end of the day.”

  I rolled my eyes at his matter-of-fact tone. Even if I told him not to dig, he would do it anyway.

  “Those are just facts. That’s not getting to know her.”

  “I’ll know more, once I check deeper.”

  “Leave it alone,” I warned.

  He shut his eyes as he blew out a long breath. “You’re missing the point.”

  “Which is?”

  He tossed a picture on my desk, taken of me yesterday, watching Emmy walk away. She was out of focus, but I recognized her sweater. Did they see me talking to her?

  “Fuck.”

  He bent close, his voice low. “Did you think about the fact if you’re being watched, perhaps they’ll watch her, too? If I can find that information in twenty minutes, so can they.”

  I felt myself blanch under his stare. I hadn’t thought of that fact. All I had thought of was seeing her again.

  “I’m supposed to take her out on a date. On Friday.” I shook my head, reaching for my phone. “Damn it. I’ll cancel.”

  “Stop.”

  I met Aiden’s gaze. Some of the anger had gone, but he was still concerned.

  “I didn’t say you couldn’t see her, Bent. I’m asking you to be careful. I’m asking you to trust me to do my job.”

  “Like going on a date with a chaperone will be so much fun for her. How do I explain it? My security thinks I may be in danger, and therefore you are, as well. Can I see you again tomorrow?” I snapped.

  He shrugged. “I can be discreet. All you have to tell her is I’m around.” He grinned. “It’s not like I want to sit at the table and watch you make kissy faces at her.”

  “I don’t plan on making kissy faces at her.”

  “Like you didn’t plan on giving her your tie? Fuck sake, Bent. That tie was five hundred bucks. I was with you when you bought it. It took me ten minutes to convince you the color wasn’t ‘over-the-top’.”

  I shrugged, not giving a shit about how much the tie cost. I had a hundred more at home. And it looked cute on her.

  “There’s something about her, Aiden. I want to get to know her. She . . .”

  “She what?”

  “She makes me laugh. She doesn’t give a shit about all this . . . stuff.” I indicated the luxurious office around us. “She would have no idea how expensive the tie was I gave her.”

  He studied me for a moment. I pushed the envelope toward him again. “Don’t do this, Aiden, please. I’m asking as your friend. Not your boss.”

  “On one condition. You stop doing shit like today and let me do my job. I’m with you when you’re out of the office or the house. Plus, I’m adding more cameras around the house.”

  I wanted to groan and tell him to forget it. But I knew if I did, he was serious. He would walk away.

  “Discreet.”

  “That’s my middle name.”

  “Funny, I thought it was Joseph.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “You first.”

  He chuckled at our usual banter, then grew serious again. “I mean it, Bent. Until we figure out who took the picture, and what they want, we need to take this situation seriously.”

  I looked down at the picture. I would have to tell her and give her the choice. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise. The thought of her being in danger, because of me, made me feel ill.

  I held out my hand. “Deal. Now take back your fucking resignation. Shred it.”

  He shook my hand, and picked up the envelope, sliding it into the shredder.

  He sat down in front of my desk. “So. Where are we going on Friday?”

  Emmy

  I flipped through my notes, finally finding the reference I needed. As I was transcribing it into my assignment, a body slid into the chair next to me. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was.

  “Hey, Cami.”

  “Hi, yourself.”

  With a grin, I glanced at my best friend, Cami Wilson. Her long, rich brown hair was thick and wavy, and today she sported purple highlights woven into the curls. I never knew what color they’d be next. She grinned back at me, grabbing one of my carrot sticks, chomping away. Her green eyes danced with mischief the way they always did when she was planning something. Cami was always planning something.

  “Friday,” she drawled. “I got us complimentary passes to the Art Gallery for the new exhibit. There’s a reception too, so free food and booze! And hey—that’s not your usual tie with that outfit. Is it new?”

  Normally, I’d be excited. I loved going to the art gallery, but I couldn’t indulge very often, with my limited budget. I enjoyed walking around on free Wednesday evenings, but it didn’t include the special exhibitions.

  “I can’t go.”

  She frowned, mid-chomp. “What do you mean you can’t go? It’s the art gallery, Emmy. You can study on Saturday.”

  “I’m not studying. I–I have a date.”

  My announcement got her attention. She leaned forward, green eyes huge with curiosity.

  “You have a date? With who? Oh God, tell me you didn’t finally say yes to that awful Roger guy who keeps pestering you.”

  I scrunched my nose. “Eww. No. I, ah, met a guy at the coffee shop the other morning. He came back today, and we talked. He asked me out.”

  “Are you nuts? You’re going out with a stranger? Emmy, that could be dangerous!”

  I patted her hand. “He is perfectly safe.”

  “How do you know?”

  I sighed and showed her my laptop. “I checked him out.”

  She gaped at the screen, then me. “That is who asked you out? Bentley Ridge of BAM?”

  “Yes.”

  Her eyes narrowed back on the tie, then to the screen. “Are you wearing his tie?”

  I chuckled because of course she would notice a detail like that. She always did.

  “I couldn’t find my tie this morning.”

  “Laundry day?”

  “Yes.” I laughed because that was exactly what he had guessed, too. “Bentley, well, he put this on me as we were saying goodbye.” I looked down, stroking the silk. “It was the sweetest thing ever.”

  “Do you have any idea how much a tie like that costs?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “More than your rent.”

  “Shit,” I swore under my breath. “I need to give it back.”

  “I don’t think he cares if he gave it to you. You might insult him.”

  “I can’t keep something so expensive!”

  “If he gave it to you, yes you can.”

  I mulled over her words. She was probably right, but I was still giving back the tie.

  “He has a bodyguard.”

  “Really? How exciting!”

  “He’s massive. His arms are like tree trunks.”

  “Is he coming with you on Friday?”

  “Probably. Bentley showed up this morning without him, and he arrived not long after. He looked pretty
pissed.”

  “Is he cute?”

  “Bentley?”

  “No, the bodyguard, you idiot. I can see what Bentley looks like.”

  “Oh. Um, well, he is very tall and big. He has dark, curly hair, and a beard. His eyes are so unique—one green and one brown, and he has a great smile. Although, he wasn’t smiling much this morning.” I tapped on my keyboard and found a picture of Aiden with Bentley. “That’s him.”

  She stared at the screen. “My dream come to life,” she muttered. “Holy shit, he’s hot. Look at that tattoo on his arm.” She peered at the screen. “Are both arms done?”

  I had to think, then shook my head. “No, just the one.”

  “Hmm. I wonder what it signifies.”

  I looked at the picture. He was good-looking, but I preferred Bentley. He was classically handsome, while Aiden had a bad boy look about him. Cami always liked bad boys.

  “I don’t know,” I murmured. “I didn’t ask.”

  “I might have to find out.”

  I chuckled as she continued to stare at the screen.

  “Should I get you a napkin for your drool?”

  Rolling her eyes, she ignored my remark, and pushed my laptop back to me. “Where are you going on Friday?”

  “I don’t know. He promised it wouldn’t be anywhere too fancy. I told him I didn’t have the right kind of dress to wear to the places I think he would normally frequent. He said he wouldn’t wear a suit, but I’m still worried I won’t have the right thing to wear. I don’t want to embarrass him.”

  She shook her head. “You could never be an embarrassment. Come over tonight. Between the three of us, we’ll figure something out.”

  “I doubt Dee wants me rifling through her closet.”

  Cami waved her hand. “She won’t mind at all. She’ll be thrilled to help.”

  My heart warmed thinking of Deirdre, Cami’s older sister. The two of them were family to me. Cami and I had hit it off right away when she came to Al’s for coffee one day. We started talking, and that was that. We ended up at the same school a few years later, but different courses. We were in the same business classes, and helped each other get through them. We were a great team.