Chapter 2
SYDNEY
(Or maybe she’s still pissed)
“No, no, no, no, no. Hell no.” I glare at Sawyer, then turn and give Cole the same scathing look.
“You haven’t even thought about it,” Cole says.
Neither man squirms.
Damn them for being immune to my ire.
Lesser men cringe at the ice queen expression, and I use it more often than should be necessary. It comes in handy during nights out when my date ultimately shows his true colors. These two act like it’s a normal occurrence.
Whatever.
I cross my arms, holding my ground just inside the door.
“I don’t need to think about it. I would rather gouge out my eyes with a rusty fucking spoon than go undercover on a reality dating show,” I spit.
That was the topic of today’s meeting.
And not the creation of a dedicated cyber security arm of SAFE Haven. A system I’ve spent the last year hounding them about. The hope in my chest shrivels like a grape in the sun.
No, I’m here because Featherlight asked Sawyer to send someone in undercover to protect this season’s searcher. According to my boss, the guy is getting creepy stalker fan mail.
“I don’t do that kind of shit. I’m better behind a screen. And he’s asking for a security detail. Isn’t that what you two do?”
“They want someone who can blend in with the contestants. Apparently the person sending the letters claims to be coming in as a contestant as well,” Sawyer explains with a patience I’ve never understood.
But I’m not exactly known for my self-restraint.
I am learning, though, thanks to the two men who are more like surrogate big brothers than my bosses. Except for right now.
“Then find someone else,” I huff. “Someone who’s actually interested in all the bullshit. How am I supposed to ‘blend’ when I have no desire to be in a relationship?”
Yeah, relationships? Hard fucking pass.
I have zero interest in any kind of long-term commitment with the opposite sex.
Men are good for a night, but even then, my toy collection is just as effective, if not more, and a lot less hassle.
Cupid may have assassinated my two best friends with Jessie happily married and Leigh ecstatically engaged, but I have no intention of falling victim along with them.
“She has a point,” Cole says. “Sydney isn’t really a makeup and fashion kind of girl.”
Anger surges like a hot spike in my stomach. “Fuck you. Just because I don’t wear that shit doesn’t mean I don’t know how to.”
He raises his hands. “I’m not trying to offend you, Syd. I’m agreeing with you.”
“Oh.” Warmth creeps into my cheeks and the anger dissipates as quickly as it formed.
Sawyer sighs. “Our contract with Featherlight is under negotiation. So while this may have been worded as a request, it’s actually an ultimatum. If we can’t do this, chances are our time with Featherlight is up.”
Shit. That contract is a big one. It pays for all kinds of equipment, possibly including the necessities for the proposal I submitted.
A cyber security arm. A division of the organization I would head as a full partner with Sawyer and Cole.
Sawyer said he would look at what he could do with contract negotiations to make that a reality, but he couldn’t guarantee the money would be there.
Cole is fully on board. All we need now is the one thing Sawyer is hinting at.
“I thought you said the contract with Featherlight was going to pull in more money?”
Sawyer doesn’t say anything. But then, when does he ever?
Cole huffs a sound that’s half laugh, half frustration.
“It’s been a little difficult to negotiate since you called the studio’s golden boy a half-witted fuckwad and told him that the day his beard was fuller than you could grow your bush, he might have a chance.
Adding an elbow to the face that gave him two black eyes didn’t help either. ”
My smile is instantaneous. Fuck, that was a good line. Even for me.
“It’s not funny.” Sawyer crosses his arms, his expression stern.
“I didn’t think so either. But that only happened after I politely asked him to keep his hands to himself and declined his invitation when he offered to ‘rock my world.’ That level of TDE was far more than I could handle.”
Cruz grabbed my wrist when I tried to walk away.
No man has the right to lay hands on me without my express permission, so in the end, he was lucky I only gave him two black eyes.
Cole frowns thoughtfully. “TDE?”
“Don’t ask,” Sawyer says.
“Tiny dick energy,” I explain.
Both men groan.
“You asked,” Sawyer tells Cole.
“I know. That was my fault.” Cole pinches the bridge of his nose.
“It’s like you guys don’t know me at all,” I grouse.
Sawyer sighs. “Langdon absolutely shouldn’t have put his hands on you, but—”
“He should have accepted my answer. No is a full sentence. Instead, he just tried harder.”
“I can’t argue there. Regardless, Featherlight is less than impressed. They had to delay production to give him time to heal, and that cost them a couple hundred thousand. So negotiations aren’t going that well.”
“Would they really go to another firm? We’re the best.” A pit of dread opens in my stomach.
This is my fault.
“This is not your fault,” Sawyer says.
Damn. The man doesn’t say much, but his ability to read people is freaking crazy.
“Had either of us been there, that asshole wouldn’t have touched you,” Cole adds.
Their protective big brother attitude warms me from the inside out and reminds me of why I still work here. Why I want to keep working with them. Having grown up without siblings, I’d never experienced this kind of loyalty until Sawyer hired me.
“By doing this, you can show the leadership at Featherlight why they should agree to the new contract. And you can show that you are a valuable member of the team,” Sawyer says.
If he were making demands, it would be easy to say no. Instead he’s phrased it as a logical statement. One that I can’t argue with.
Dammit.
But… “As a contestant?”
He nods, his lips pressed together. “That’s what they said.”
My muscles tense and my brain screams at me to say no, but what choice do I have? “Ugh. Fine. I’ll do it,” I groan, dropping my face to my hands.
It’s not like Jessie or Leigh are around to hang out with.
Maybe a break from my computer will do me so good.
“Who’s the searcher?” I ask.
If the guy’s cute, then maybe it won’t be a complete waste of my time.
Cole cranes his neck, scanning the folder on Sawyer’s desk.
“It’s a celebrity this time. According to James, they’re hoping to increase ratings for the show,” Sawyer says.
James Ellery, the head of Featherlight. The person I supposedly need to impress if I want even half a chance of getting the dedicated cyber security arm.
“It’s not Cruz, right?” I shudder at the thought of having to be close to that smarmy asshole.
“Ah. Found it. Celeb’s name is Cyrus Darby. He’s a boy bander turned actor,” Cole reads.
The pit in my stomach grows into a chasm. Fuck. My. Life.
I’d rather have Cruz.
I open my mouth to say hell no. To tell them they’ll have to find someone else. But Sawyer’s steady gaze shuts me up before I begin.
I can’t say no.
They depend on me.
My dream depends on this assignment.
And my ability to hide how intensely I despise Cyrus Darby.