Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
B ean glanced up at the quick rap on her door. A split second later, it opened, and Gavin walked in. He came to an abrupt halt, a frown growing on his face.
“Why are you at your computer?”
She swiveled in her chair to face him and held back an eye roll. Barely. “Because Doc just left and gave me the all clear.” She waved at her monitors. “I’m catching up on some additional background checks for the McClintock security candidates.”
He stepped into her office and closed the door behind him. Leaning back against the closed door, he crossed his arms over his chest. His frown deepened.
She waited for him to say something.
Anything.
But nothing. Okay . . .
“Did you need something, boss? Because”—she tilted her head toward her workstation—“I have stuff piled up.”
He straightened and shifted on his feet. She arched an eyebrow. What is his deal?
“I need you to come with me to a fundraising event on Saturday night. It’s over in Seattle. Owen’s flying us over so we can be down and back that evening.”
“Why?” From her earlier conversation with Esme, she knew her friend was sick, but Bean was still unsure why she needed to go. When she’d tried to call Esme back for clarification, the call had been pushed to voicemail.
“It’s a long, stupid story, but I need to bring someone. Esme’s sick. She and I talked and think you’re the best person to bring.”
Again, she waited for him to clarify.
And again, nothing.
“You didn’t answer my question, boss man.” Suspicion tickled her spine, and she tilted her head to the side. “Why?”
He raked a hand through his dark hair. “To meet a potential client. To get your opinion on the situation.”
She frowned. Esme had made no mention of meeting a potential client. That was not her area of expertise. At all. Taking a deep breath, she forced her expression to relax. She turned back to her monitors, dismissing him. “No.”
For a few heartbeats, there was blessed silence.
“No?” Gavin sputtered. “But, B, I?—”
“But nothing, Frazier,” she said, opening an encrypted search engine. “Meeting clients isn’t my thing. Take someone else.”
“There is no one else.”
The desperation in his voice had her turning to him. “Sure there is. Xander, Wilson, Tash, any of the Tactical guys. Hell, bring Mel.”
He gave her a get-real look. “Be serious. Besides, Tash is on assignment, and even if she weren’t, she sticks out like a sore thumb. And Mel...” He shook his head. “That would just be weird.”
This time, her eyes rolled. “We’ve known each other a long time, right, boss?” She didn’t give him a chance to answer. “In all that time, have I ever volunteered to go to any social function that included clients?” She waited a split second before she rushed on. “The answer is no. I don’t people well. You know this about me.”
The look on his face spoke volumes. He thought she was being dramatic. “You people just fine, Bean.”
She shook her head.
“Please, B?” he asked, meeting her gaze. “I’d like you there because this client doesn’t know you, doesn’t know you’re a part of Hudson Security.” He held up a hand to stall the question on the tip of her tongue. “We can come up with a cover for you, but I’d really value your opinion on this potential client.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “Who’s the potential client?”
He shrugged. “Not sure. All I know is it’s a colleague and possible business partner of McClintock’s. He was vague on their exact connection and didn’t give me their name, said they want anonymity until we meet.”
She arched her eyebrow. Seriously? “That sounds a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
He nodded, and she pursed her lips in thought, recalling the info she’d pulled up earlier on Edward McClintock. “He has a few start-ups going and a couple in the pipeline. There’s a handful of different business partners I know he’s working with. I can run them all for you if that would be helpful.”
“It would. Thank you.” He settled at the edge of her desk. “But I’d really appreciate you coming with me so you can see this person face-to-face. You have a good bullshit detector, and I’d really like your help. Please.”
She stared at him for a moment. Gavin Frazier rarely asked for help. The man just belted out orders and delegated. Everything else, he took care of himself. This asking-for-help business...
Bean let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. You owe me, though. Big-time.”
The corners of his lips twitched as he rose. “Thank you.”
“Wait,” she called out as he made his way to her office door. “Esme said she’s sending me dresses and stuff. I assume this is a formal event?”
Gavin nodded. “I’ll be in a tux. I talked with her earlier this morning, and she was confident you’d agree to go.”
“Obviously.” She chuckled. “I talked to her this morning too, and she’d already sent the packages here.”
He shook his head, humor lighting his face. “Of course she did. Sick and all, she said she’s working on our itineraries and will send them to us by end of day.” He opened his mouth to say something else but immediately slammed it shut. The wrinkle between his brows popped.
Her eyes narrowed. He was usually calm, steady, and to the point, but he was being... weird now.
Clearing his throat, he ran his hand over his jaw. “Thanks, B.” Before she could acknowledge his comment, he was out the door, closing it softly behind him.
If she didn’t know better, she’d say the man had been uncomfortable, borderline awkward. But this was Gavin Frazier she was talking about. The man was never uncomfortable. He was scary efficient, beyond intense, and a super alpha control freak.
Turning back to her monitors, she shook her head. It must have been her imagination.