He ended the call as quickly as possible without raising eyebrows, then immediately tried calling Morgan. The call went straight to voicemail—she was likely at her medical appointment.
I know several excellent attorneys. It depends on what area of law you need. What’s happening?
Her response came several minutes later:Complicated situation at work. Will explain tonight.
Archer frowned at the cryptic message. Given what he knew about the financial irregularities at Vertex Creative and Richard Jenkins’ apparent involvement, Morgan’s sudden need for legal counsel was concerning. Was she already being implicated in the embezzlement scheme they’d found?
He considered calling his head of legal affairs to get more information on the Vertex investigation but stopped himself. The line between his CEO persona and his relationship with Morgan was becoming dangerously blurred. Using Sullivan Enterprises resourcesto protect her could compromise both the acquisition and their relationship if she ever discovered it.
His phone rang—Kane’s number flashing on the screen.
Archer answered with a low acknowledgement, “Kane.”
“Cameras are installed and operational,” Kane reported. “Basic two-camera setup covering the main living space and bedroom hallway. Secure cloud storage, remote access through her phone.”
“Cameras?” Archer repeated, momentarily confused. “What cameras? For Morgan?”
“The security cameras Morgan asked me to install today,” Kane explained. “She called this morning. Said she came home last night and found her door unlocked, though she was certain she’d locked it.”
Archer tensed, his protective instincts immediately on high alert. “Did you check for signs of entry?”
“Of course. There was nothing obvious,” Kane said. “No scratches on the locks, no evidence anyone tampered with the door. Could have been simple forgetfulness on her part, but..."
“But you don’t think so,” Archer finished for him.
“My gut says no. She doesn’t strike me as the careless type.”
Archer silently agreed. Morgan was meticulous and security-conscious, especially after the situation with her ex-boyfriend. Forgetting to lock her door seemed out of character. Especially since he explicitly left her a note yesterday morning to make sure she remembered.
A new thought occurred to him—one that sent an uncomfortable twinge through his chest. What if the cameras were Morgan’s way of trying to capture his face? What if her trust in him had limits, and she was attempting to discover his identity? It seemed unlikely given everything they’d shared, but the timing was suspicious.
“The cameras,” Archer asked carefully. “Where exactly are they positioned?”
“Main living area covering the entryway and couch, second one in the hallway with a view of the bedroom door,” Kane replied. “Standard home security placement. Why?”
“Just curious,” Archer said, keeping his tone neutral. “Is there any chance she’s trying to... I don’t know, record me?”
Kane’s silence spoke volumes.
“You think I’m being paranoid,” Archer concluded.
“I think you’re overthinking this,” Kane corrected. “She seemed genuinely concerned about security. This didn’t feel like a trap—it felt like a woman who was taking control of her safety.”
The assessment eased Archer’s misgivings somewhat. Kane had excellent intuition about people—it was what made him valuable in both security work and their former military operations.
“Did she mention an attorney situation to you?” Archer asked.
“No, but she seemed stressed about work. Got a text while I was there that made her rush back to the office.”
Archer checked his watch. Almost 6:00 PM. Morgan should be finishing her medical appointment soon.
“Thanks for the update,” he said. “And for installing the cameras. Send the bill to my personal account.”
“Already taken care of,” Kane assured him. “And Archer? She offered to pay. Most people trying to set a trap don’t use someone connected to the person they’re trying to trap. She could have called anyone else.”
Archer smiled despite his concerns. “Point taken.”
After hanging up, he prepared to leave the office, sending a few final emails before heading to the elevator. The situation with Morgan was becoming increasingly complex. Her workplace problems, the security concerns at her apartment, the deepening intimacy between them—all of it pushing against the carefully constructed boundaries of his separate lives designed to give him freedom from the outside world.
