There’s more I want to type, but Jaclyn is seeing everything we text. Her slight intake of breath when she reads what I said would worry me if she pulled away. When she stays in my lap, I hope that means she believes what I’ve told her.
“I’m guessing you’ve figured out that Adrian will be here soon. He’s coming up from his office now.”
“Up?” she asks as she leans away from my chest to see my face.
“Yes, I’ll give you the grand tour after we’re done here.” I’m sure she thinks she’ll be going home soon, but I can’t let her leave. I’m going to marry her this afternoon if I have my way. It’s part of the paperwork Adrian is bringing to the office.
Do I believe she’s involved in any of the mess at the office? Absolutely not. However, I believe they will blame her or are setting her up, which will make us both look guilty and force our hand. She can’t testify against me if we’re married. It’s true and protects both of us. But Jaclyn’s it for me. I knew as soon as I looked into her eyes yesterday. Does that make me a creep? Maybe. Ask me if I care.
“Okay, maybe the gardens, too, before I leave?” she asks.
This is the most relaxed she’s been since I had my face buried in her cunt last night. Fuck. My cock was semi-hard as soon as had her in my arms, but now there’s no hiding the thick shaft she’s leaning against.
The moment Jaclyn realizes, she tries to climb off my lap, but I hold on tight. Then Adrian knocks on the door.
“Come in,” I yell so he can hear me through the closed door.
“I should get up before he comes in,” she hisses at me.
“Too late.” I shrug as the door opens, and Adrian strides in with two folders in his hands and raises an eyebrow at me. “You going to just stand there, or…?” I ask, when he stops next to the chair.
He chuckles as he drops into the chair I pulled Jaclyn out of and turns it slightly so we’re facing each other. Then he crosses his leg over the other and places the files in his lap and frowns at the fear still visible on Jaclyn’s face. “You doing okay, Jaclyn? My brother didn’t freak you out again, did he?”
Much to my chagrin, she giggles. I guess I should be happy that she’s not crying or running for Maple Creek, not that I’d let her. But I swear on all that is holy, if Adrian says a word about the marriage before I’m ready, I’ll tear his head off and feed it to the chickens.
“I’m fine. Not sure why he won’t put me down…” she says.
His knowing smile makes me want to punch him in the face, but I can’t—won’t—not in front of Jaclyn. No, I have better ways to torment my brothers, and I do it frequently. What’s the fun of being the oldest if you can’t torture your younger siblings?
“Adrian, cut the shit. Did you bring the records for all the contract attorneys we have on staff?” I don’t even try to hide my impatience. We may have figured out who the rat is, but I have no idea what’s driving this, or who else is involved. I need answers and to protect Jaclyn before anything escalates.
“Yeah, right here. Who are we looking at?” he asks, as he opens the larger of the two folders.
“David Mercier.” As I say his name, Jaclyn turns to look at me.
“You think it’s him? Why?” she asks. “The last thing I want is to implicate someone else. I know how it feels to be interrogated by you.”
“Sweetpea, you just helped me narrow it down. I don’t believe in coincidence. And none of this adds up. There’s something off about that guy. I should have trusted my gut like you trusted yours, and never hired the bastard.”
Adrian looks up from perusing Mercier’s file, and his eyes narrow. “This is Charles and Dina’s grandson? Mom and Dad’s friends?”
“Yeah. He barely scraped through Harvard, as you can see. We were probably his only chance at a job.”
Adrian nods and leans back in the chair. “I’ll give Tris a call and see what he can dig up. What’s our next play?” He nods toward Jaclyn.
“Go call Tris and tell him we need it yesterday. I don’t care what it costs. That slimy fucker is not bringing JNG down. Better men have tried without success. It’s not happening now, either.”
“Got it. I’ll be right back. Do you want me to verify your appointment, too?” he asks as he drops the folders on my desk and walks toward the door.
“Yes, two o’clock, right?”
“Yup,” he replies as he steps out of my office and closes the door behind him.
“I can’t believe David lorded it over me, how he went to Harvard, and I couldn’t get into anything better than UCLA.”
“Never let anyone make you feel less than, Jaclyn. No one knows your story, nor do they have the right to judge you. Keep your head high and know your worth. I sure do.”
Her head swivels to look up at me. Emotions slide across her face. “Do you really mean that?”
