Chapter 7 #2
“Look, a business colleague of mine got in touch,” Easton said. “He passed on some information that might be relevant to Dennett, and whatever was in that bag. But I don’t want to talk about it over the phone.”
Saxon’s hands flexed on the wheel. “We can come to you.”
“Great. I’ll have my assistant clear my schedule.”
“Gia?” Saxon said.
“I’ll message Ashley and have her cancel my early calls.”
Not long afterward, they pulled up in front of the tall tower downtown that housed the offices of Norcross Inc. Easton had the top two floors. They passed through security and headed up in the elevator.
Saxon followed Gia toward Easton’s office. While Gia’s offices were feminine, bright, and funky, Easton’s were modern, slick, and expensive.
An attractive blonde rose from the desk in front of two glossy, wooden, double doors. She wore a crisp, white shirt tucked into a tight, gray skirt, and was tall and curvy.
“Hello. You must be Gia, Mr. Norcross’ sister. You have my condolences.”
Gia blinked and Saxon raised a brow.
“Ah, where’s Mrs. Skilton?” Gia asked.
Saxon had met Easton’s fierce assistant once. From memory, she was in her sixties, with gray-streaked black hair, and possessed an iron personality. She ran Easton’s calendar with military precision, and no one got past her.
This gorgeous woman was not Mrs. Skilton.
“I’m Harlow Carlson. Mrs. Skilton took leave. She has a new grandchild. She picked me to deal with Mr. Arrogant, Bossy, and Self-Important.”
Gia broke into laughter, and Saxon grinned.
Easton’s new assistant continued. “Mrs. Skilton said he needed someone competent. Who wouldn’t cower before him, or strip naked on his desk.”
Gia’s laughter increased.
Easton strode out of his office and shot a hot glare at his assistant. “What did you do now?”
The woman smiled sweetly. “Just meeting your lovely sister.”
Gia touched the woman’s arm. “Get my number from Easton. Let’s have coffee sometime. Or cosmos.”
Harlow smiled. “A pleasure to meet you. And your man.”
Easton scowled. “Saxon isn’t her man, he’s her bodyguard.”
Harlow turned her back to Easton and raised her brows at Gia.
“Coffee,” Gia said again.
Saxon nudged Gia into Easton’s plush office. He really needed to talk to Vander, Rhys, and Easton about what was going on between him and Gia.
“You are not having coffee with my sister.” Easton called out as he followed them in.
“I can have coffee with whomever I want, Mr. Bossy,” came the reply.
Easton slammed the door closed.
“I like her,” Gia said.
“She’s a menace.” Easton circled his desk and sat. Behind him, the floor-to-ceiling windows framed a perfect view of the city, with the Transamerica Pyramid in the center, and the bay in the background.
“A gorgeous menace,” Saxon added.
Gia swiveled and frowned at him. “You have always had a thing for leggy blondes.”
“Do not hit on my assistant,” Easton growled.
Saxon raised his hands. “I find myself partial to brunettes lately.”
Gia looked like she was fighting a smile.
Easton waved at the guest chairs in front of his desk. “Despite her personality failings, Ms. Carlson is an excellent executive assistant. Most of the admins from the shared pool are terrified of me.”
“No idea why,” Gia drawled dryly. “And I guess the rest of them are trying to become Mrs. Easton Norcross.”
Her brother growled. “I don’t like working with fools, or people who can’t keep up with me.”
“Did one really strip naked on your desk?” Saxon asked.
“Ew,” Gia exclaimed, eyeing the desk.
“No comment,” Easton said. “Now, Dennett.”
Saxon leaned back in his chair.
“I heard on the grapevine that Dennett stole an incredibly rare, valuable diamond,” Easton said.
“What?” Gia breathed.
“Well, he didn’t steal it, exactly. He won it in a very high-stakes poker game. The previous owner is well beyond pissed. I had a business colleague who was at the game.”
“So, Dennett wants the diamond back,” Saxon said. “And its previous owner does as well.”
“I took a look at the stones,” Gia said. “I didn’t see a diamond.” Her nose wrinkled. “I was busy imagining some ruby and emerald jewelry at the time.”
Of course, she was. Saxon paused. She’d look beautiful in rubies or emeralds. Vibrant colors against her bronze skin and dark hair.
He might need to get her some. He’d never felt the desire to buy a woman jewelry before, but with Gia, he liked the idea of seeing something of his against her skin.
“My contact said rare,” Easton said. “The diamond’s probably colored. And it has some sort of history behind it.”
“Wait!” Gia cried. “There was a large, pale-pink stone.”
“A pink diamond.” Saxon nodded. “Pinks are worth up to twenty times more than white diamonds. And if it’s old, that would make it invaluable.”
“God,” Gia breathed.
“Did your contact say who the previous owner was?”
Easton’s jaw tightened. “Albert Sackler.”
“Fuck,” Saxon said.
“Who is he?” Gia demanded.
“Eccentric old guy,” Saxon said. “Made his money from tech, but the rumor is he trafficks women for fun behind-the-scenes.”
“You can’t be serious,” Gia said, horror on her face.
“It’s best we steer well clear of him.” There was no way in hell Saxon was letting that sick fuck anywhere near Gia.