Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Adam
Thank fucking God it’s Saturday. The auction and burlesque show and the Bliss grand opening tonight need to be over before I lose my mind.
I’ve stayed at Hayden’s place every night this week.
We’ve watched movies, eaten takeout, and made out.
Lots of heavy making out. I’m about to explode.
And the worst part is, I have no idea when my self-imposed abstinence will end, because for some stupid reason I’ve got it in my head that I can’t touch her until I’m able to be open about the Bliss venture.
It seems right. I want to take a step back until we can be totally honest with each other. I’m trying to be a good guy for once. But for the love of God, this is torture.
I should quit my job. My father can keep his trust fund. I’ll take up handyman work for Hayden on her ever-growing honey-do list. She likes it when I use my hands.
My hands…on her body…
I mutter a curse, just as my new assistant walks in. “Excuse me?” she says.
“Nothing, Diane.” I clear my throat. “What can I do for you?”
“Oh.” She brightens and walks to my desk, her plastic reading glasses dangling from a cord around her neck.
Diane came on board a few days ago, and she’s lifted a load of administrative crap off my shoulders.
After the Bridget disaster, Blackwell relented and allowed Hayden to find a replacement.
Hayden found Diane, so of course my new assistant comes highly qualified.
Whenever possible, I will happily hand off hiring good people to my girlfriend from now on.
“I confirmed that a Mr. Aldridge checked into the casino.” Diane rattles off his room number.
“Thank you. I’ll take it from here.” I pick up the phone and dial Eve’s extension while Diane exits my office.
“Hello, Adam.” Eve answers on the first ring.
Her sultry voice has me mentally rolling my eyes.
Eve is beautiful—and I have never been attracted to her.
She’s sleeping with Blackwell, but that’s not the reason.
I’ve watched Eve lie her way through a meeting at another’s expense, and manipulate coworkers out of bonuses for her own gain.
Working with her has been a means to an end.
She’s one of Blackwell’s top executives, and she’s also heavily involved in Bliss.
“I’ve got one more for tonight. An ex-quarterback who’s a frequent host on ESPN. He’s booked in a room on the same floor as the others.” I give her the room number. “Please deliver the introduction basket and agenda. He’s already arrived.”
“This is a surprise.” I hear the light sound of a pen scraping. “Blackwell will be pleased. How did you say you know this person?”
I didn’t. Eve is fishing for information because she’s been unsuccessful at bringing in new Bliss members. “A friend of a friend,” I tell her.
The one thing about coming from money is that no one questions your connection to others with money.
I contacted Jeb about this evening and we came up with a small plan to ensure Bliss is on the up-and-up. Things will play out the way they will, but at least I’ve done all I can.
I end the call with Eve and check my phone.
I’ve got a few more minutes before Hayden said she’d be leaving for the day.
I button my coat and head down the hall.
And yes, there could be extra purpose in my steps.
Just knowing I’m going to see Hayden in a minute has my body temperature rising in anticipation.
Her office is open and I step inside, quietly closing and locking the door behind me.
Hayden looks up and slowly stands, her hands pressing the front of her skirt above her thighs. “This is dangerous,” she says, her chest rising and falling more quickly as I stalk across the room.
“Is it?” I say lightly, my focus on her eyes, her mouth, her hair, and down.
She leans against her desk as I round it, her red skirt flaring out from her waist. She twists a strand of pearls at her throat. “You’ve created a powder keg,” she says, her gaze dropping to my mouth.
I scan her cream knit top, which is accentuating some of my favorite curves.
Well, that and the shape of her legs, the way her waist cuts in, her beautiful smile—okay, I like all the curves.
I stop an inch away. “Have I?” I say, but I know damn well I have, and I’m helpless to take back what I’ve started.
Without further ado, I reach down and bunch the hem of her skirt, my fingers skimming over her thighs.
Her hands flutter to my chest, her gaze never leaving my lips.
“We can’t go on like this. I give,” she says, and brushes her lips against my jaw.
“You can keep your secrets about Bliss. I don’t need them anyway. ”
My hands freeze where they’re kneading her ass. I pick her up and set her on the desk, inserting my hips between her legs and pulling her flush with me. I brush my mouth across her hairline. “What do you mean, you don’t need my Bliss secrets?” I mumble against her smooth skin.
Her hands go still on my chest, where she’s unbuttoned my coat and shirt and worked her palms against my skin. “You were right.” She runs her hands over my abs. “I shouldn’t have asked you to talk about something confidential.”
I grab her ass and press her to me. She moans and I nip her earlobe. It’s all fun and games until Hayden agrees with me. Then I know I’m in trouble.
“Hayden,” I say. “What are you not telling me?”
Her body stiffens and she tries to pull away, but I wrap her arms around my neck where they stay, though I’m not holding them in place anymore. Her golden-brown eyes regain their focus and she sighs. “Nothing. Just that you have your secrets and I have mine.”
“Secrets.” My tone is flat. “About Bliss?”
She plays with the collar of my shirt and bites the inside of her lip, her eyes not meeting mine. “Maybe.” At my frown, she hurries on. “We both have secrets when it comes to the suites, so we can forget about this no-sex rule.” She slides her hand down and flattens it against my erection.
I let out a growl and step away, planting my fingers on my hips, the sides of my suit jacket pushed back. My body is on fire, but my mind is actually working for once. Because what she said has my anxiety level spiking.
Snooping around Bliss activities won’t only get Hayden fired, it could get her harmed.
Or worse. Blackwell put an obscene amount of money into Bliss.
What would he be willing to do to silence her if she found something incriminating?
What would the career criminals and ex-military he had me hire be willing to do?
“I suggested we take things slow because I want something real with you, not something founded on lies.”
“You’re right.” Hayden’s gaze wanders to the side. “I can’t believe you’re right, but you are. We don’t need more secrets between us.”
Her hands drop to either side of her hips on the desk. “It’s not really a secret. I’m sure you heard that Mira and Tyler found a Blue suite used to distribute illegal drugs a few months ago.”
“What? No. Tyler never said anything.”
Paul mentioned an earlier version of Bliss, which must have been the suite Mira and Tyler found.
She takes in my expression. “I’m sorry. I thought Tyler said something. I should have brought it up earlier. What do you guys talk about in your spare time if not things like this?”
Beer. Women. Sports. “Usually nothing important.”
She purses her lips together, gaze thoughtful.
“You know, you also weren’t working at Blue then.
Tyler might not have thought to mention it.
We weren’t sure what was going on. We sort of lost the suite.
That’s what I’ve been looking for and why I’ve been interested in Bliss.
Your friends and I don’t believe everything ended with Drake’s removal.
Those files you had the facility manager relocate were the first real lead I had to take to the police. ”
The corner of her mouth twists down, as though it were my fault that she lost the paper trail. Which it absolutely was. I had the facility manager move the files somewhere Hayden wouldn’t find them, because it’s safer if she doesn’t know any more than she already does about Bliss.
“Each of us has been touched in some way by Blackwell and his Blue Stars. I was never assaulted, but I’ve been used as a pawn by Blackwell while he works around the system.
He’s criticized me, devalued my position in front of our peers, and threatened me should I look into those you’ve hired.
He’s horrible and he’s running this place and the Bliss suites.
They won’t let me in one of them to look around, but I’m certain that’s where they’ve relocated the drug operation. ”
“Threatened you?” My tone is dark.
She waves me off. “Over your new hires. He wanted me to stay out of it—said I wouldn’t like the consequences if I didn’t.”
I force out a sigh. “Then why would you dare go against him?”
Her face turns red. “Because he’s a bully! I won’t—I refuse to let someone do that to me again. He has no right! How can you be involved in Bliss, knowing what he’s using it for?”
“I didn’t know about it until they promoted me. At least, not the full extent.”
“But you know now. Why aren’t you doing something?”
“I never said I wasn’t doing anything. I said it isn’t safe for you to be involved.”
“But it’s safe for you?”
I don’t answer, because she’s right. It’s not.
But I’m in it and she isn’t. As far as Blackwell is concerned, Hayden doesn’t know anything.
If she starts waving red flags, that won’t last long.
“You need to stop, Hayden. You can’t go up against our CEO.
I’ve been around men like him my entire life. He’s powerful.”
She hops off the desk and crosses her arms. “Finding evidence of what he’s up to is the right thing to do. I’m not running from this.”
I settle my hands on her shoulders. “There’s nothing wrong with running if it keeps you safe.”
She steps to the side and glares. “Yes, there is!”
“This isn’t about some punks throwing rocks,” I say, my voice rising.
She stares like she can’t believe what she’s hearing. “Those punks nearly killed me.”
I rub my forehead. “I’m not trying to lessen what happened.
It’s just—This is different. If you keep pushing, you’ll be hit with much worse than rocks.
” I gentle my voice, because I need for her to listen.
“Whatever you’re thinking about doing? Don’t.
Just give me time, Hayden. You said that you would. ”
“To do what? Get yourself put in prison? I care about you.” Her voice quavers and her eyes grow watery. “But if I find something—even if it involves you—I’m taking it to the police.”
“You think I’d willingly be a part of this?”
“Aren’t you? You accepted the ring. And you’re involved in the Bliss suites.” She steps forward and hits my chest with the side of her fist. Not hard, but laden with frustration. “Why, Adam? Why the hell did you do it?”
I capture her fist in both of mine. “The simple answer is, because my father ordered me to work at Blue. That Blackwell brought me into his…exclusive group…was coincidental. The ring means nothing.”
“It’s symbolic.” She shakes her head. “Do you do everything your father says?”
“Historically? Yes.”
Her chin wobbles and her voice softens. “Well, maybe it’s time you didn’t. You can walk away.”
I glance past her out the window, barely seeing the mountains and lake. “No. I can’t.” My gaze tracks back to hers. “I’m serious when I say you need to stay out of this.”
She pulls away and grabs her purse.
“Where are you going?”
“Out.” She doesn’t look back as she heads for the door. “Don’t wait up.”
I return to my house, which feels like a shell of a place. How have I lived here for so long without feeling lonely?
Right. I did. I just never knew the difference until I started seeing Hayden. I filled the void with shallow women, nice cars, and trips to Ibiza. Now I don’t give a damn about any of that. I just want tonight to be over with so that I can make things up to Hayden.
I change into an evening suit and check my phone. I texted Jaeg an hour ago and told him to call me as soon as he could, but my screen shows no messages. I pull up Tyler’s contact information.
“It’s Adam,” I say after he answers. “Have you—heard anything? Something that might be going on tonight? Hayden left work and I got the impression she was going out, or had plans.”
There’s a pause on the other line. “You two not talking?”
“We’re talking, we’re just having a slight disagreement.”
Tyler lets out a loud breath. “I can’t say anything or Mira will kill me.”
“Jesus Christ, Morgan. You’re afraid of a hundred-pound female?”
“She’s a buck twenty, and hell yes, I’m afraid. She holds my balls in her tiny hands. And don’t even think to respond to that. I see the way you are with Hayden. You’re not one to talk.”
I squeeze my forehead. “I’m worried about Hayden.
I think she’s getting involved in something that could make her a target for the wrong people.
She’s pissed at me for keeping things from her, and I’m worried she’s going to do something reckless.
” I press my fingers against my eyebrows, pushing back the pressure that’s building there.
“The thought of anything happening to her is making me crazy.”
“I hate to say it, Cade, but you’re right. She is up to something.”
My voice lowers menacingly. “You fucking asshole. If anything happens to her—”
“Hold on. First of all, I can’t control Mira or Hayden. They’re a vicious force when combined, and if that makes me a wuss, so be it. Second, it’s my understanding that this—thing—Hayden is doing tonight is harmless. A bit of dress-up. Mira’s convinced it’s safe.”
“Will Mira be there too?”
“Well—no. We have dinner plans with my editor, who flew in for the weekend.”
“Then who will look after her? Jaeg? I haven’t been able to reach him.”
“Yeahhh, that’s because he’s out of town. Something about needing to talk to Cali’s mom.”
“What the fuck! Who is keeping an eye on Hayden?”
“Dude. That’s your job.”
“She won’t let me! Whatever she’s doing, it’s behind my back. She’s pissed as hell at me right now.”
“For starters, try simmering down, or you’re going to push that girl away.”
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter. “I’ve turned into my father.” I stalk across my living room, turn, and stalk the other way.
“So your girlfriend’s pissed at you, and you can’t control her?” At my grunt of assent, he chuckles. “In that case, welcome to the club, buddy. The women we’re with are smart and ruthless.”
“Too smart. Too headstrong.”
“Yep. That about sums it up. Wish I could help you, but Mira and I are about to walk out the door. Hayden left a while ago. I’ll have Mira check in with her, but like I said, my understanding is that whatever she’s doing, it’s safe.”
Why do I doubt that?