Chapter 18
Deacon
Iadded the last of my clothes to my small suitcase, zipped it shut, and set it on the floor next to the closet. My flight left early tomorrow morning, and while it wasn’t even eight, I considered going to bed. I had no work to occupy my time, I wasn’t much for watching TV, and earlier, I couldn’t lose myself in a book like I normally could.
I was restless and out of sorts, and as much as I tried to pretend, I knew the reason for it. I wouldn’t see Charlotte this weekend.
I grumbled a curse and walked to the kitchen, grabbing a beer from the fridge as I stared moodily out the window. It’d only been twenty-four hours since I’d seen her, and knowing I’d have to go another five days pissed me off. I didn’t want to go that long to touch her soft skin, to taste the sweetness of her cunt, or watch her ride my dick.
Whoa. Ride your dick?
I drank a few swallows of beer, trying to convince myself that thought was just a meaningless blip. I didn’t want to fuck Charlotte. I’d been very clear with myself that if I started using the agency again, it wouldn’t include fucking. Fucking complicated things. It had a way of making a person feel things they shouldn’t.
Besides, even if, hypothetically speaking, I did change my mind on the no fucking clause, Charlotte had the same rule, and the sisters had expressed more than once that she wouldn’t change her mind about that.
I decided to book Charlotte for Monday night instead of waiting for Wednesday. I immediately felt better and reached for my phone to text the sisters. The doorbell rang, and I frowned before heading to the front door.
Maybe it’s Charlotte.
That was utterly ridiculous. Why would Charlotte show up unannounced on a Friday night?
Maybe she wants you to fuck her.
Again, completely ridiculous, so why did I have a flicker of hope in my belly?
I opened the door, staring in surprise at the dark-haired man. “Aiden? Hey, come in.”
“Hi, Deacon.” Aiden stepped inside and shut the door behind him. “Christ, it’s cold out tonight.”
I took his jacket and hung it in the closet as Aiden blew on his hands and rubbed them together briskly.
“Do you want a beer?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, thanks, but I’ll take a coffee if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“It isn’t,” I said.
Ten minutes later, we were sitting at the kitchen island, my beer left on the counter and a steaming cup of coffee in front of both of us.
Aiden sipped at his coffee before saying, “Sorry to show up without calling first.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “How’s Lina?”
Aiden’s face softened. “She’s good. Really good.”
“And Noah?”
Pride washed over him. “Amazing. That kid is so fucking smart and kind, and he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Lina and me.”
“Good,” I said.
“I took a chance coming by tonight. I figured you’d left for Vegas tonight for Michael’s birthday weekend.”
“I leave early tomorrow morning,” I said. “You change your mind about going?”
He shook his head. “No. Lina’s too close to giving birth. She told me to go, said she would be fine because she isn’t due for another two weeks, but I won’t risk it.”
“Understandable,” I said.
We sat in silence for a moment or two. I had known Aiden for years. We’d met at university and graduated the same year. When Aiden decided to start his own business, I was just starting mine, and he’d been my first client. I’d been his CFO for a year, hired a finance team, implemented the policies and practices to keep the finance department running smoothly, and helped him hire a permanent CFO. In return, he’d repeatedly recommended me to his clients needing help with their company’s finance department. We didn’t see as much of each other as we used to before Aiden married Lina, but that wasn’t completely unexpected. Our university friend group had solidly divided into two groups, single and not single, and the only time we all got together anymore was for special events like Michael’s Vegas birthday weekend.
“So, what’s up?” I finally asked.
Aiden grinned at me. “Can’t I just visit a friend unexpectedly on a Friday night?”
I laughed. “Sure, but that’s not your style. I know you need something from me. Tell me what it is.”
A flicker of rare trepidation crossed his face. “You’re right. I do need your help. I should have called you first, but I dropped by instead because, honestly, I’m in a real fucking bind, and I figured you’d have a harder time saying no if I was in your face and potentially crying.”
I laughed hard, and Aiden grinned at me. “You laugh, but I’m not afraid to cry if it means you’ll help me.”
“Christ,” I said, “you must be desperate.”
“I am,” he said. The smile dropped from his face. “You heard I hired Victor Rainer as my new CFO when Jamie Parker left?”
“I did,” I said. “The guy’s brilliant.”
“He is. He’s also arrogant, opinionated, not a team player, and I found out earlier today, abusive to his admin staff.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
“I’m not. Lina was at the office today and stopped by to say hi to Victor’s PA, Riley. Victor called Riley into his office and started screaming at her. Lina immediately texted me, and when I got to his office, Victor had the poor woman backed up against the wall and was screaming in her face. Riley was terrified and close to crying.”
“What the fuck,” I said.
“It was a fucking shitshow,” Aiden said. “I don’t know Riley well, but Lina and Parker have said she’s sensitive. Parker always got along well with her and had nothing but good things to say about her. He said she was the best assistant he’d ever had. I assumed there wouldn’t be any issue with Victor, but apparently, he’s been abusive the entire time.”
“Jesus, that’s rough,” I said.
“Riley wouldn’t tell me shit other than Victor was difficult to work with, but Farah told me later that day that she’d heard Victor screaming at her more than once. Our Controller, Richard, also had a few horror stories about witnessing Victor’s treatment of Riley.”
“So, you fired him?” I asked.
“On the fucking spot. That arrogant bastard had the gall to be surprised. He’d fired Riley a few seconds before I got there, and he honestly thought I would take his side. I watched that cocksucker screaming in her face and accusing her of fucking Parker to keep her job, and he believed I’d think that was perfectly acceptable.”
Aiden raked a hand through his hair. “I’m still pissed, to be honest, and worried that Riley will quit despite me firing Victor. Lina doesn’t think she will, but I don’t know. She’s very… timid.”
“Sorry, man,” I said. “It really does sound like a shitshow.”
“Yeah,” Aiden said. “Our year end is in a month.”
“Shit,” I said.
“Double shit,” Aiden said. “I talked to our Controller, and while he’s good and competent, he’s also young. I didn’t promote Richard as CFO when Parker left because, by his admission, he doesn’t have enough experience yet. I told him why I fired Victor, and while he understands, he’s also freaking the fuck out and, honestly, so am I.”
He took a few swallows of coffee like he was fortifying himself and said, “I know this is a long shot, and you’re probably already working with a client, but is there any chance at all that you can step in to finish the year end and help me hire a new CFO?”
I grinned. “It’s your lucky day, Aiden. I’m in between clients and will be until late next month.”
The relief on Aiden’s face was almost comical. “Are you serious?”
I nodded. “I am, and I’m happy to help.”
“Fuck me,” Aiden said.
“You’re not my type,” I said.
Aiden laughed before reaching out to shake my hand. “I can’t thank you enough, Deacon. Can you start Monday, or will you need a day to recover from the Vegas debauchery?”
“I’m way too fucking old for debauchery,” I said, “but I don’t fly home until Monday morning. I could be at the office by eleven.”
“Tuesday is fine,” Aiden said.
I shook my head. “I’d prefer to get right to work. You can introduce me to the finance department, and if Richard’s available, I’ll meet with him that afternoon so he can get me caught up on where we’re at.”
“I’ll make sure he’s available,” Aiden said.
He hesitated, and I raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Riley is a good PA. Parker wouldn’t have said she was if she wasn’t, and she’s covered off for Farah enough times for me to know she’s highly competent. But you might have to handle her with kid gloves for the first few days. I’m pretty fucking sure she’s been traumatized, even if she won’t admit it. But I also understand we’re on a time crunch, and you don’t necessarily have time for that. Tell me now if that’s the case, and I’ll switch out Riley and Farah while you’re here.”
I grinned. “Yeah, because you’re well known for treating your PAs with gentleness. Tell me again the story of how Lina stormed into your office, called you a heartless son of a bitch, and quit?”
“She called me a fucking asshole, not a heartless son of a bitch, and I’ll have you know that I’ve changed my ways. Farah thinks I’m awesome.”
“Does she, though?” I said.
Aiden laughed. “My point is, I can be on my nicest behaviour with Riley if you don’t want the added stress of a PA who may cry if you look at her the wrong way.”
“It’ll be fine,” I said.
Aiden let out his breath. “Fuck, man, I owe you.”
I grinned. “Yeah, you do. I’ll see you on Monday.”