Fuck, Kara had been a fantasy in that lingerie, and the sex had been better than anything I could have imagined.
The more time I spent with her, the more it felt like I might be falling for L’s sister, an American who complained all German sounded angry to her delicate ears. Like a cruel joke.
I still had Kara’s panties in my pocket. Would she spend the rest of the day like that? I was looking forward to asking her tonight. What color of red would that draw out of her?
When the meeting ended, I fled the conference room and returned to my office completely aware my mother had followed me.
“We’re not going to discuss it,” I said before she could get anything out. She gave me the look she was world famous for, the same one Jason and I had spent our lives trying to perfect. Intimidating and ruthless. There was no arguing with her.
“I didn’t come in here for that.” She moved toward the back wall and gazed down at the production floor. “However, youbrought it up, so I’d like to point out that she’s L’s sister. You shouldn’t burn bridges that don’t belong to you.”
We usually didn’t discuss personal matters at the office, so I was anxious to move past it. “Yes, Jason has explained that to me. I understand.”
“I’m told you’re not planning to attend the fundraiser next Friday.”
“That’s correct.” I sat in my chair, and it took all my strength to block out the memory of what had happened the last time I’d been seated behind my desk.
“Change your plans. You need to be there.”
“No, I really don’t.” It was good policy to host charity events. But sponsoring was one thing—actually attending was another. There were long speeches and bad food, not to mention I found them tedious.
TheForbeslist had made them unbearable. It wasn’t like I was mobbed with women, but the volume had grown exponentially while the quality had declined. One had bragged she was working her way up the list, like that was supposed to impress me. I had to inform her she wasn’t going to make it very far.
Besides, what need did I have for any of that? A blonde American, one willing to challenge me in my own office, commanded my total attention.
“Please just do as I tell you.” She sounded far more like my mother than I’d heard in years.
I arched an eyebrow, displeased. “You do realize what day that is?”
“Your birthday? Yes, I was there.” She didn’t cover her frustration. “The company is expecting you. They want to help you celebrate.”
“That is not how I want to... celebrate.” I said it like it was a dirty word.
“You’re turning forty. I assume you’ve had to do something you didn’t want to in all your years.”
That was the end of the discussion.
The day dragged endlessly. All I could think about was Kara. What she might be doing at that moment. What I would like to do with her when I finished my work.
The last meeting ran excessively long, and I drove faster than necessary to the Palace hotel, eager to see Kara.
I flew into the hotel room, startling her off the bed where she’d been sitting. I needed her in my arms, her clothes off, her body beneath me. I didn’t notice anything else. Only her embarrassed expression when she broke off our kiss gave me a clue something was wrong.
“Hey, asshole,” my brother grumbled. “I’m sitting right here.”
Jason?What the hell was he doing here, sitting on the couch? And why did she look nervous? “What’s happened?”
“Scott Rhodes is dead,” he said. “The man who pulled a gun on Kara at her office.”
“What? How?” I tightened my hold on her, sensing danger. Obviously, her former employee’s mental state had been bad. “Suicide?”
“No. Suspicious circumstances while in police custody.”
My heart thudded slowly. “He was murdered?”
I peered into her icy blue eyes, needing confirmation, and when she nodded, my emotions battled with each other. Worry, confusion, and anger. What did this mean? Juric was gone. She was supposed to be safe.
Jason massaged a hand behind his neck, looking tense. “My friend in Chicago has a contact in New York’s PD. She said they don’t have any leads yet, but this only happened a few hours ago.”
