Chapter 12
JARED
I sat on the beach and enjoyed the sun warming my skin.
Kiernan was grumbling about needing lunch, but I was only half paying attention.
I was too busy watching my bodyguard and my lawyer.
Alex was all tattoos and chiseled muscles, and Aiden was a natural canvas with copious freckles and red hair. Both men had a strong physical presence, so I couldn’t help but stare.
They complemented each other perfectly.
At first it looked like they were flirting. Aiden was at least. Then after their race at the edge of the water, I noticed Aiden talking and gesturing with his hands.
It didn’t look like an argument, but Aiden’s fierce expression told me whatever the topic was, he was making his case. Alex replied, but I was too far away to read his lips.
Then Aiden gripped Alex’s neck and for a moment I thought they were going to kiss.
Instead of feeling jealous, I began to sweat in earnest.
Fuck, just thinking about the two of them together made my blood run hot.
And on top of that, I was curious about what had been said. Should I go over there or leave them alone?
Before I knew it, I was on my feet and headed towards them.
Alex spotted me first, and then Aiden looked over his shoulder, letting go of him. Each step closer had my heart beating faster.
“If I’m interrupting something, just tell me and I’ll head back,” I commented as I drew near.
“You’re not interrupting anything. We were talking about dinner tonight. Since Alex lost the race, he’s treating,” Aiden replied.
I glanced at Alex, and I could see something like pain swirling in his eyes.
“Sounds wonderful. Is that all you were talking about?” I asked, then realized what I’d said. “I’m sorry, that was rude. It’s none of my business.”
I made to turn until I heard Aiden’s reply.
“We were talking about going out,” Aiden paused. “And about you. Much as we come off as unfeeling arseholes, we care about you. And we want to do everything we can to support you.”
“I’m not a damsel in distress that you need to save,” I snapped.
“We know that,” Alex intervened, stepping closer.
His blue eyes pinned me in place.
“We just want to help. You need a friend as much as you need a bodyguard. And a barrister.”
I nodded and sighed. “You’re right. And I really am sorry for interrupting. And you know, if you want to go out just the two of you, go for it. I’ve got Kiernan and Charlie with me.”
“Oh God,” Alex groaned and rubbed his head.
“What? Let’s not play dumb here, okay? I can tell the two of you have chemistry. There’s no problem.”
“Not everything is about sex,” Alex grumbled.
“It isn’t?” Aiden asked him with a wicked grin.
Before I could say anything else, Kiernan’s voice called out. “Lunch is ready!”
I turned and waved. “We’ll be there shortly.”
Kiernan walked down the path, leaving us alone on the beach.
“As I was saying…”
“Stop.” Alex held a hand up. “Don’t try to play matchmaker. I don’t need or want help in that area.”
“Okay, sorry. You’re so tense, I just thought maybe a good, hard?—”
“Jared,” Alex growled and gave me his iciest glare.
“You’re one to talk,” Aiden replied, then turned to me. “Earlier, Alex suggested I take you out.”
“He what?”
For some reason that hurt.
As much as I wanted Aiden, I wanted Alex too. I didn’t want to have to choose. And I wanted Alex to choose me in return.
Shit, this was getting all kinds of complicated…
“Look, we’re under enough stress,” Alex intervened. “Adding sex to the mix is just asking for trouble we don’t need and can’t afford. And that’s exactly what would happen if we let our fucking hormones take control.”
I thought about the weeks ahead, and he was right. There was too much at stake to screw it up.
“All our attention needs to be focused on our endeavor,” Alex continued. “Uncovering your stalker and winning your case, and since the two are likely linked, the sooner the better.”
“Agreed.”
“You’re right,” Aiden nodded. “Well, we should go and have lunch.”
“I just need to grab my stuff,” I replied and walked out of the ocean.
I gathered up my shirt and stuffed it in my backpack, then wrapped my towel around my waist. I sauntered over and all three of us headed back up the pathway.
“But you’re still taking us out for dinner, right?” I asked Alex.
“A bet is a bet,” he replied. “And besides, I think a friendly dinner is just what we all need.”
I didn’t reply and neither did Aiden.
I had a feeling both of us disagreed.
AIDEN
I tried to enjoy lunch, but my stomach was in knots. It had nothing to do with the exceptional food.
We were all quiet.
Except for Kiernan, who ate half the pad thai and almost all the pork dumplings, all the while chattering away. Charlie got a word in here and there when he could, then spent the rest of the meal asking us if we were okay.
And it wasn’t like me. I didn’t worry or angst unless something was wrong.
And there was no reason.
Alex was right.
Thinking with my dick was not a smart move. I loved sex and flirting as much as the next gay man, but mixing business with pleasure was not a good idea.
A shame, really.
It was rare that I found not only one but two men as stimulating outside the bedroom as I’m sure they would be in it.
Still, if the need got bad, I had uncomplicated options to find my release. In fact, that’s just what I’d do. I’d find a handsome man to have fun with and then I’d stop fantasizing about Alex and Jared.
My stomach tightened again, but I ignored it.
Kiernan stuffed another dumpling in his mouth and mumbled. “Where are we off to after this?”
“Wat Koh Samut, the island’s only temple. I’d like permission to film there, but we’ll see what the Buddhist monks have to say,” Jared replied.
“Is there a religious component to the film?” Charlie inquired.
“No. There’s a scene with a car chase through the island. The main character escapes the burning car and runs into the temple to get help. Or that’s how the screenplay goes. If the monks say no, we’ll need to rewrite the sequence.”
“If it doesn’t work out, you could try a larger island nearby. There are temples that have been abandoned. Maybe you could use one of those instead.”
“I’ll keep that idea in mind, Charlie, thanks,” Jared replied.
We were finishing up the meal with green tea when my mobile rang, interrupting the tranquility of the day.
It was Lairin.
“Excuse me.” I headed inside the house. “Lairin, what have you got for me?”
“With Jared’s consent, I reached out to the hospital in Los Angeles on his behalf.
They have a record of Jared’s visit the morning of March 23, but they can’t find the blood test results.
They’re missing. And there’s more bad news.
There was no indication that his medical complaint was due to assault. ”
“Are you kidding me?” I bit out.
“No. The doctor’s notes state that Jared was complaining of feeling dizzy, nauseous, and had consumed alcohol the night before. That’s it.”
“That can’t be right. Check it again.”
“I read it twice to be sure.”
“I don’t have my laptop with me, but as soon as I get back on board tonight, I’ll review the record myself. Meantime, I want you to contact the admitting doctor and set up a call for me, one on one. I need to talk to him. And send me everything.”
“Done,” Lairin paused. “Wait, you took a day off?”
“Yes. Jared dragged me out to an island for the day with Alex. We’re just finishing up lunch.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I wanted you to know right away.”
“Don’t apologize. Oh, and send me Jared’s insurance information also. And send a request to the PI, tell him to get a move on his research.”
“Okay. I’ll be in touch.”
“Cheers.”
I tapped end and took a deep breath before heading back outside. I was not looking forward to giving Jared bad news.
But best to get it over with sooner rather than later.
I opened the patio door and wandered back out to the dining table.
“Everything okay?” Jared asked.
“No, it’s not. I have an update to share.” I paused and looked at Kiernan. “If you’ll excuse us.”
Kiernan and Charlie got up and headed inside.
“The hospital has a record of your visit, but there’s no mention of sexual assault as your complaint. The only thing they noted was that you’d consumed alcohol and you felt dizzy. Not only that, there is no record of any blood test. There’s a requisition but no results. I’m sorry.”
Jared’s face fell, and I reached out without thinking.
He grabbed my offered hand and squeezed it tight.
“But how can that happen? I was clear in my communication with the doctor. I told him I’d been assaulted. That was the whole reason for being there. Something is wrong. This is wrong.”
Jared withdrew his hand and stood up, walking over to the edge of the deck, looking down at the ocean below.
Alex got up and stood beside him.
“Do you remember which insurance company you used?” Alex asked.
“I can’t remember the name, but it was one that was part of my work package.
The studio had a program for all contracted employees.
I remember because it was a big deal at the time to have benefits.
Seuter had a press junket when the program was rolled out, to show that the company cared for its employees. What a load of crap,” Jared scoffed.
My thoughts spun around, and it all centered on that missing blood test.
“I have a bad feeling that Seuter may be the reason why your blood test went missing.”
“You think he found out I went to the hospital?”
“I think he didn’t trust that you’d stay quiet, especially since your memory prior to the blackout is pretty detailed. If he’s as nasty as we think, I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“Oh my God!” Jared exclaimed.
“What?”
“My corporate credit card. I used it for everything: cabs, meals, medical stuff. I took a cab that morning to the hospital and used my card. And the insurance forms. My assistant had a copy of all those records, which means the studio had a record.”
“That’s how he found out you’d gone to the hospital. He must have accessed your expense reports through finance. I need to get hold of whoever worked there at the time, your assistant, and the finance department,” I muttered and created a note on my phone.
“I don’t think my assistant Kit would have willingly given them those records.”
“He may not have had a choice, or even known about it. Expense records usually go through a series of approval stages,” Alex commented. “That’s my experience, at least in the military.”
“Alex is right. And if the head of the studio asked for a report, do you think they would have denied him?”
Jared shook his head.
“Exactly. And that means my team will have more people to contact.”
Jared looked at his phone. “We better get going. Our tour starts at 2 p.m.”
Charlie arranged for a taxi to take us into the main town on the island.
Jared met with the monks at the temple and was able to secure their approval to film outside the temple and one scene inside.
I hardly noticed the ornate beauty of the structure, the hum of nature around us, or the smoky smell of street vendors nearby.
I was lost in my thoughts. Ruminating about Jared’s case.
Every time I thought we were making headway, there was a new roadblock barring my path.
And this case felt different. I felt different. For the first time in a long time, the case was personal.
I wanted justice for my client. But I wanted closure for Jared.