Page 2 of Aaron
“How? Wait, they never bothered to check your HR file? I’m losing all respect for these guys. How do they run a billion-dollar company and not start with basic information?” She’s right; it is kind of funny. But also, wow.
“I signed the email ‘J. Tanner,’ and they assumed I was a man. It wasn’t until I showed up that they realized they were wrong. Andrew had kept it all to himself instead of sharing my email with Adrian, who handles their security. He’d probably have checked my files. Maybe billionaires think differently?”
“That’s a giant oops.”
“Right? Maybe I wouldn’t be here if he did.”
“You don’t sound so sure about that. Besides, that would make him a misogynist.” The more I hear about these guys, the more I reconsider calling my youngest brother. Of my four brothers, Matty is the only one who listens to reason—sometimes, anyway.
“Not that it matters since I’m here already. Anyway, they figured out that it’s not me. It’s the fucktard David—the one I always complain about? There might be more people involved, though.”
“Figures—I never liked him. But if they know it’s not you, what’s got you so upset? And how are the feds involved?” I get why she’s upset, but so far nothing is horrific.
“Give me a chance to get there. It’s fucking complicated, because why wouldn’t it be?”
“Truth. Just you’ve got me all worried, and my stomach is twisted into knots.” Butterflies are dive-bombing each other in my tummy like they’re trying to shoot down enemy aircraft. It makes me second-guess the few sips of espresso I’ve taken.
“So, Dickhead David must have gotten worried when he found out that I was on my way to Gallant Mountain. He called the feds and framed me to cover his ass. He told them I was secretly conspiring with Andrew to illegally allow weapons development with JNG’s apps.”
“What? Are you fucking kidding me? The feds actually believed that load of shit?” My faith in the government has never been the best. I mean, look at my family. Still, Jaclyn’s never even jaywalked.
“Nope. I wish. They already raided my office and confiscated all my files. It’s a good thing I have my computer here, or they’d have taken that, too.”
“Are they trying to find you? Are you on the run now?” Ugh. I suck in a deep breath and try to push back my Little side. She always tries to pop out when I’m freaked out. But this is definitely not the time. “You weren’t kidding about the epicness of this clusterfuck.”
Jaclyn sighs loudly. “Nope, exactly. It’s not even all of it.”
“There’s more? Cavolo! I need to sit down for this. And I agree, if it wasn’t happening to you, it would be a great story, especially if a sexy Daddy swoops in and rescues the girl.”
Her gasp and giggle as I drop onto the couch have me staring at the screen as if I can figure out what’s going on. Cradling my espresso cup in both hands, I lean back against the overstuffed sofa.
“Funny you should say that. Last night, I was kind of with Andrew. Now he wants us to get married so we can’t testify against each other if the feds come for us.”
“Hold on. You did what? And now he wants to get married? Girl, you obviously left out a whole lot of shit right there. Did you give him your V-card?”
“No, I didn’t. But he walked in on my mistressbating and… Shit, I can’t tell you all this stuff without alcohol. But, holy hell, he ate me like he was starving. I’ve never come so hard in my life. I didn’t just see stars. I saw the whole fucking Milky Way. And…”
“And what? There’s more?”
“Yeah, he wants me to call him Daddy. He said that protecting me and JNG is important, that I’m his. That I’m the one.”
My jaw drops, and I almost dump my coffee into my lap when I jump off the couch as her words sink in. “Whoa. It really is like my books? A Daddy?” It’s like my dream come true, although Andrew has been an asshole, thinking she’d ever do anything wrong.
Jaclyn picks up on my change in tone instantly. “Why do you sound happy?”
“Because this is so romantic. C’mon, you have to admit it. Your boss sees you and falls for you, wants to whisk you off into the sunset, or in his case, his mountain.”
“Yeah, okay, I get it. But you’re delusional. This isn’t one of your books. How the hell can I marry him? It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. He’ll probably get tired of me after a few days and kick me to the curb. What will I do then with no job and homeless?”
“Merda! You’re overreacting. Do you really believe I’d ever let you be homeless if I’m still breathing? Stop, okay? Tell me what’s really bothering you. Because from here it seems like a plausible solution.” She’s quiet, too quiet. “Jac, did I lose you?”
“No, I’m here. Just thinking.”
“You mean overthinking…” It’s her default setting, and though it’s warranted this time, I can’t let her spiral when I’m not there.
“Shut up,” she huffs.
“C’mon, Jac. What’s really going on in that head of yours?” If she won’t open up to me, I can’t help her work through this. I’m too damn far away. With that thought, I head back to my room and drag my suitcase out of the closet.
