“Completely understand that. I’m honestly shocked this didn’t happen sooner.”
“Maybe I just needed a push,” I murmur, referring to Claire and how she’s made me reevaluate my job at the minimum.
“Well, we’ll keep you updated and give you plenty to work on. You still have paperwork to get done from the Cano assignment.” He smirks, knowing I’ve been putting it off.
“Ah, now I see this is all just a ploy to get my paperwork up to date. I’m onto you, Woody.”
“Yeah, well, I’m onto you as well, Loverboy. Go enjoy the downtime; you’ve more than earned it. And keep me updated on the baby. Maybe we can arrange a little dinner so we can all meet Claire in a better setting.”
“Thanks, man, I’d like that.” I shake his hand and leave, almost completely running into Juliette, who has her head down toward her computer.
“Hey! I have you all set up. Satellite phone here …” She slams it into my hand. “Another computer equipped with our operating systems, like facial recognition software, and a company card,” she rambles.
“I don’t need a card.” I grab the laptop.
“Too bad. Big Papa says you need one for food and shit.”
“Big Papa? Does Woody know you call him that?” I grin.
“Only when I’m annoyed with him.” She winks. “Have so much fun with Claire and the baby, and I’ll be in touch!”
Then she disappears to God knows where. There aren’t many places to hide in our offices, yet she somehow does it on a regular basis.
“Your woman is scary, Stone,” I mutter as I pass him to pack up what I need from my desk.
“She’s not my woman. God, I expect it from the other jackasses, but you’re never here. I thought you’d save me from the bullshit.”
“Nah. Messing with the two of you is too much of a good time.” I toss my hand up as I head for the elevator.
“We won’t miss you!” Stone yells back, making me laugh.
I’ve never been the guy who stays in the office for any real amount of time. I thought I’d have to adjust to that once the Oscar case was over, but I somehow dodged that bullet yet again.
I don’t care how it happened; all I care about is that I get to spend some real time with the woman I can’t get out of my head. I get to show her how I can take care of her and our baby.
It’s time she sees who the real Adam Morrison is.
Chapter 24
Claire
The front door lock jiggles, causing me to grab my bat immediately. No one is due back here for a while, which means the conclusion I jump to is that one of Cano’s men found me.
When the door swings open, I don’t hesitate, just like Lex taught me when I was first moved here.
“Dear God, please don’t swing that bat again. My hand still is killing me,” Adam says from behind the still closed door.
“Holy hell, you scared me … again. What are you doing back here?” I rush to open the door. The visual of his hand in a brace makes me cringe.
“I’m back here until we need to move you or the case is closed.” The goofy smile on his face is unlike anything I’ve ever seen from him.
“What do you mean you’re back here?” I usher him in, where he drops off a couple of larger bags.
“I mean, I’m staying with you. For protection, of course. And to get to know you as Claire, not Nova. And for the baby. I don’t want to miss anything else with the baby.”
“And this was your team’s decision?” I ask cautiously.
“Truth?” He asks, and I nod. “It was my boss’s. I haven’t been super productive without you, so he thought it would be a good idea for me to work where you are. It helps that I’ll have access to you if we need any identification as well. It’s not all self-centered.”
