CHAPTER 1
OWEN
Where the hell is Kane?” Knox demands, checking his watch for the third time in five minutes. “Meeting was supposed to start twenty minutes ago.”
I keep my eyes on my laptop screen, reviewing the security assessment proposal for Thursday’s client meeting. The Ghost Security conference room feels smaller when we’re all waiting around, but Kane’s perpetual lateness is nothing new. I’m not going to waste time when I could be working.
“Probably stuck in traffic from that lunch meeting with Harley over in Raytown,” Jake suggests, settling back in his chair and checking his phone. His fiancée, Izzy, just returned to Los Angeles to work on her new album after a short visit here. Jake has been glued to his phone like a lovesick teenager ever since. The man should have taken time off and gone with her, given how distracted he is right now. “Give him another ten minutes,” he adds, finally looking up from his phone.
“I bet he’s knocking boots with Morgana,” Zane laughs.
I roll my eyes. Everyone knows Kane and Morgana are close friends, but everyonebutKane and Morgana can see how much they should be together. Though I’ve seen the way Kane looks at her, and even I can see there’s something there.
“Ghost Security’s been doing well this year. We’ve got the resources to take on bigger projects,”Knox mentions, glancing at our quarterly reports. “Marlon will be happy with these numbers. He’s been making noises about opening up a new office.”
“How’s Hayden doing, Jake?” Reed asks, leaning back in his chair.
Jake smiles as he looks at his phone, then turns it over and places it face down on the conference table. “Really solid, man. He needs a cane occasionally, but he’s walking again, which is more than he thought he would do. He was asking if we might have a place for him here, and I’m going to talk to Marlon about that. Obviously, most fieldwork would be out for him, but he’s great tactically, and he has some computer skills.”
“He’d be a good addition to the team,” Knox says, glancing at me.
I’m territorial about my work, so I’m not sure how I’d feel about bringing someone else in. Although we’re busier than ever, so basic common sense says we need more than one person with critical knowledge. But no use worrying about future possibilities. If it happens, I’ll deal with it then. I have other things I need to focus my attention on.
Reed props his feet up on the table, studying me with obvious amusement. “Owen, what happened to your wall of energy drinkcans? I can’t remember a time your office wasn’t full of stacked empties.”
I don’t flinch because I know exactly what he means—the empty shelf where I used to stack cases of Monster is bare now. “I switched caffeine sources.”
“Those coffee cups from Daily Brew are becoming a regular feature.” Jake grins. “Along with those little white pastry bags. You’re going to have to spend more time in the gym if you’re going to eat pastries daily.”
“I like their coffee,” I say, not looking up from my screen.
“You like...theircoffee.” Knox’s tone suggests he’s not buying it. “Man, for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve preferred those high-octane energy drinks. I never even saw you drink coffee before that coffee shop moved in.”
The truth is, I’ve been running on fumes since theFerdinandassessment. But mostly? I like seeing Vivian. It’s the highlight of my day, always. The way her face lights up when she sees me does something dangerous inside me, but I’m helpless to stop myself from going to Daily Brew.
“Look, I’m just saying,” Zane leans forward with that predatory grin he gets when he spots attractive women, “the owner is sure pretty. Maybe I should swing by, introduce myself properly. Ask her out.”
A hot and territorial reaction surges through me. “She’s off limits,” I say, snapping my eyes up to glare at Zane.
“Off limits,how?” Zane’s eyebrows rise with interest. “You got a claim on her? Because hate to break it to ya, but this is the twenty-first century, and women don’t take kindly to that.”
“She deserves a man who won’t treat her like a disposable fuck toy.” My tone is flat, hard enough that the air in the conference room stills and vibrates with tension. I know he’s teasing, but the thought of Zane circling Vivian makes me see red. I’d fight alongside the man, but the way he treats women is appalling.
“I’m wounded! Wounded!” Zane laughs, clutching his heart like he’s having a heart attack and falling backward.
The room goes silent. Jake and Knox exchange one of those loaded looks, while Reed grins like he won the lottery.
“Well, well,” Jake says slowly. “Sure looks like Owen has a crush.”
“I don’t have a—”
“Oh, you absolutely do.” Reed leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “Protective, possessive, and getting defensive about a woman you see once, maybe twice, a day. Man, do you even know her last name?”
Before I can formulate a response, Kane bursts through the door, backpack slung over his shoulder.
“Sorry, guys. Lunch ran long, then I got stuck behind a three-car fender bender.” He drops into his chair and immediately pulls up files. “What did I miss?”
“Owen defending the honor of the coffee shop girl,” Zane says cheerfully.
