Page 96 of Beguiled

I sat with my legs crossed on the couch, hunkering over my laptop. A half-consumed pizza from my favorite takeout Italian eatery still in the box, my glass of wine yet to be consumed, and my notes everywhere. I’d changed clothes, comfy in my sweatpants and sweatshirt with socks. My hair was down, my heart racing. The pages I’d copied were in front of me. Churning out one spreadsheet after another.

The blackmail information provided a mecca of companies for a potential purchase or investment. I was surprised he hadn’t thought that far ahead. Or maybe he had and had deemed the move too overwhelming with the current staffing arrangements. That’s where I could come in. A nice easy transaction after putting every company on notice.

Working on the closing argument, as I liked to call the final push in my presentation, I was one eager girl, unable to contain my excitement. With Stash providing additional numbers, I couldsee a domino effect of wealth for everyone involved. That was based on limited research of companies that were eager to sell off stock, looking for investors, or simply unable to remain in the black.

If I had my way, the boys of the Bratva could toss aside whatever illegal activities they’d engaged in. I was no fool. I’d heard the same rumors. They were arms dealers to some very savage people in several countries. The higher ups had never been imprisoned, but they’d suffered losses like everyone else.

There were crazy stories, barely snippets of information about the lives of the three brothers. One had disappeared altogether from the scene. I had a feeling there was a damning story there, but it was none of my business.

I sat back, staring at the screen just as I noticed a flash on my phone’s screen. I’d turned off the ringer on purpose, trying to give myself every opportunity to remain focused. Not only was Tawny calling, but from what it appeared, it was her third call. She’d even left a message.

That sent prickles down my arms.

“Tawny. I’m sorry. I was working on a very detailed project and didn’t see you’d called. What’s up?”

“I don’t have much time to talk. Mr. Kilborn called me in for a special performance.”

She laughed, but the sound was strange. Maybe she was in the subway. “Really? What kind of performance?”

“I don’t know. I don’t get to ask. You know? But I need to talk to you about something. Can I come over after work?”

I glanced at the time on my laptop screen, grimacing as I did. It was already close to ten, which meant she wouldn’t come over until after one at the earliest. I had to be at the office bright and early or face additional punishment. Hmmm… Not such a bad thing. However, I heard something in her voice that was rare. Stress. “What’s going on, girl?”

“I took your advice and called my dad. I just… You need to hear a couple things. Remember when I asked you to work for me?”

“Of course. What about it?”

“Shit. Patrick is calling again. I can’t talk about it over the phone. There are some things you don’t know about me. I’m just…”

“You’re making me nervous, Tawny.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine at the club. Maybe I’ll make enough money to get the fuck out of here once and for all.”

What the hell did she mean? To her new place? Or was there something more sinister? “Absolutely, you can come over. Maybe you can plan on staying the night. Just us girls.”

“Yeah,” she said, completely relieved. “I’d like that. I’ll come right over. Shouldn’t be too late. Just… Thank you. Okay?”

I’d never heard her so nervous.

“Then it’s a date, brat.”

“You bet, bitch.”

While we both laughed, her tone was stilted and my stomach formed knots. Tawny had always been cagey about her past and her family. Hell, I’d barely said much to her about mine, mostly out of remaining protective of my parents. They’d tried so hard in their life to be decent people and do the right thing, but onething led to another and my father had managed to get himself in the crosshairs of some politically corrupt slime who was doing everything to ruin him.

My parents had insisted I have a life of my own, barely sharing the gory details of what was happening and how my father had spent every dime of their retirement trying to save the ranch. But I knew. I’d seen all the signs of a daughter worrying about her family in Tawny, a reason we’d connected so quickly and had become fast friends.

That and our wicked sense of humor.

I tried to push aside my concern, returning my attention to the project, which is what the report was turning out to be.

With the screen staring me in the face, I grabbed my wine, sitting back and contemplating what should be the final push to convince my boss my idea was tastier than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Raspberry jelly.

As I took a sip of merlot, I shifted my butt back and forth on purpose. The early evening had been impossibly more than I’d anticipated. I’d thought for certain I’d be out on the street pounding the pavement looking for another job.

Then my life had turned upside down. Or rather I’d taken all the balls, forcing them into my court. Including his. A giggle erupted, a sigh following. Being with Stash was nothing I’d expected and everything I’d craved. All wrapped up into a neat, sexy package.