“Yes?”
“You could hire another assistant. I don’t want you to burn out,” Xander said.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and nodded. “I know. It’s okay if I just do it for a while. Claudia wants to get back as soon as she can.”
“Nonsense,” Xander said. “Let her take the time she needs.” Hiring good people and keeping them by rewarding their loyalty and giving them what they needed, like time off, was how Xander kept a tight lid on what went on in Axis Management.
“Of course,” Harper said. “How was your meeting?”
His hand reached out, taking a long strand of hair in his fingers. “It was fine. I’m meeting with our tech team tonight. What are your plans?”
“I was going to grab a bite with Logan, but I can stay,” she said.
Damn it, yes, he wanted her to stay. “They are going to be working through the night. If you can arrange a midnight food delivery and breakfast, I would appreciate it,” Xander said, letting her hair fall through his fingers.
“No problem,” Harper said, reaching for the phone on her desk.
“Thanks,” Xander said.
She smiled at him while talking on the phone. His chest twisted. Keeping her safe had been his number one priority for years, but now, when he looked at her, all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her.
And he wouldn’t stop there. He would kiss those perfectly shaped lips until they were swollen and make her scream his name as he brought her to climax over and over. The blood rushed to his cock at the thought.
In his office, he quickly changed and hanging up his jacket, he remembered the tickets to the orchestra. Damn Ares, he wouldn’t give up.
Xander ran a hand over his scruffy face. So many reasons why he shouldn’t pursue Harper. He was too old for her; he didn’t want to ruin the relationship they had now. But one night at the orchestra and maybe it would end his longing for Harper. He scoffed at the thought.
“Harper?”
“Did you need anything else?” Harper turned from packing her bag.
“No, I was wondering—”
“Hey boss,” Erik Knight said.
Xander returned the man’s fist bump.
“I’ll talk to you later,” he said to Harper, giving her a nod. He gestured for Erik to go into his office.
“Thanks for coming in. Did I interrupt your evening too badly?”
“No, I was running security for Zee’s place, but I got someone to cover,” Erik said.
Xander pursed his lips, taking in the built like a brick wall man with shorn hair. Erik Knight was the guy he went to when he needed it done fast. He was the best at reconnaissance and did his job well. Though he served at the same time as the Bandit Brothers and was one of them, he wasn’t tight with the group and he never got the story as to why. But Jordan brought Erik to him. Xander smiled, thinking of his friend. I’m not the only one with strays.
“I want you to get me everything you can on this woman, Nadia Albu. I want to know it all,” Xander said. He had to check out Ian’s ex-wife. It was a hanging thread.
“This is a full-time job. Why don’t you quit your other jobs, if it’s a question of money,” Xander started.
“No, it’s not the money. I like being busy,” Erik said.
The man had his demons, that was for sure, and he always came through, so Xander didn’t have an issue.
“All right, thanks Erik,” Xander said.
“You got it,” Erik said,
Xander followed him out, on his way down to meet with the Tech Team.
