“I don’t believe you.” I step closer, palms flat on his desk. “There’s a reason she’s here. You know her, or her brother, and I want to know why. I’ll dig until I find out.”
He leans back in his chair, studying me like I’m an impatient child. “You’re better off leaving it alone. Trust me.”
“I want to know who’s working for me. How the hell can I trust her?”
“She’s no threat,” he says with a smirk. “You’ve seen how clumsy she is. I doubt she even knows her brother is on our payroll.” He chuckles. “Stop worrying about her. She isn’t important.” His eyes narrow, that familiar edge of mockery returning. “You’re not fucking her, are you?”
“Christ, I have taste!” I snap, my temper finally slipping. “I had Anthony beat her brother for stealing money and drugs. Now he’s holed up in her apartment… which, by the way, is another fuckingcoincidence,because she just so happens to live in the same building as me.”
My father’s brow lifts slightly. “Really?” He turns toward the window, watching the skyline like it holds all the answers. “I didn’t look at the address on her résumé.”
“Likely story,” I bite out. “I don’t know what game you’re playing or what she’s ever done to you, but remember this, she’s unaware of us, ofwhatwe are. She doesn’t need to be dragged into anything.”
He glances back over his shoulder, smirking faintly. “You seem awfully concerned about the girl. What are you hiding, Warren?”
“Maybe I just don’t like you keeping me in the dark!” I snap, slamming a hand against his desk before turning on my heel.
The door rattles as I storm out, my pulse hammering. I can feel his eyes on my back, amused, like he already knows exactly what this is, and that pisses me off even more.
Leoni is staring down at her phone when I pass her desk. I scowl, stopping short.“Personal calls are not allowed during work hours,” I snap.
She jumps, then looks up at me with that infuriating smirk. “You dragged me back here. You could’ve let me quit. I secretly think you like me.”
“I don’t likeanyone, Leoni. Get to work.”
“How come you’re not married?” she asks. I keep walking, heading for my office. Of course, she follows. “I mean, you’re clearly loaded,” she adds.
“What?” I ask, irritation lacing the word.
“Rich,” she clarifies, like I’m stupid.
I frown. “I know whatloadedmeans. I just don’t see why that would make a difference.”
“Women usually go for personality and looks,” she says brightly. “You have neither, so I picked money.”
“Just because I forced you back, doesn’t mean you can cross the line,” I snap.
She shrugs, completely unbothered. “My theory is if I annoy you enough, you’ll fire me.”
“I assume you followed me in here to take morning notes?” I mutter, dropping onto the couch in the corner.
She waves her notepad at me, grinning. “I could sign you up for a dating site instead.”
“Do I look desperate?” Her smirk widens. “Forget I asked,” I say dryly. “Start with the morning business.”
“Mr Hanke cancelled his eleven o’clock,” she says, glancing down at her notes, “and Ms Winters called to book a lunch meeting. You were free, so I slotted her in at twelve. She said it’d be a long lunch, so you’re marked out of office until three.”
I stare at her. “MsWinters?” She nods. “She’s coming here?”
“Nope. She’s booked the Marriott.”
I rub my forehead. Nancy Winters—the police chief’s daughter and my least favourite headache. Her father’s as crooked as mine, and she thinks sleeping with me will buy her influence.
“Right,” I mutter, lowering my hand. “You’re coming.”
Leoni laughs. “To lunch?”
“Yes, Leoni. For lunch. Ms Winters needs to think I'm off the market, you’ll help me convince her.”
