Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Adam
“You look like crap,” Jaeger says.
I loosen my tie and walk across the pavers, meeting him at the door to his woodshop.
If it weren’t for his knee injury years ago, Jaeg would be a professional athlete right now.
Instead, he makes dainty wood art. I give him a hard time for his choice of profession, but I gotta admit, he’s a talented son of a bitch.
When I feel like doing something with my hands, I head over to Jaeg’s to saw shit up.
It takes the edge off. But tonight I just need his tools. “Not possible. I always look good.”
Jaeg snorts and moves to the saw table. He’s wearing work gloves and there’s sawdust in his short brown hair. I obviously caught him in the middle of a project. “What brings you here?” He blows wood dust off the table. “You need a board and saw to vent your frustrations?”
“Can’t. Don’t have time. I’ve got to go back to work.” I glance around. “I came by to borrow a few things.”
I have no idea what Hayden wants me to build this weekend, but I figure I should grab tools while I can spare a minute. I’ve got the basics at home, but Jaeg invests in the good stuff. I play with his gear whenever I get the chance.
Working with power tools takes me out of my head and relaxes me. Which is why, despite the load of work I have at Blue, I don’t mind paying off my bet to Hayden this weekend. Matter of fact, in some twisted way, I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m beginning to wonder if I should have taken the job at Blue,” I say. “Maybe I should quit and cut my losses.”
The pressure at work continues to build.
I knew Bridget’s background. I could have laid down better guidelines when I hired her, like Hayden said.
But I didn’t. I assumed Bridget understood that a side business selling images of herself in compromising positions to lonely coworkers was not acceptable.
Ingenious, because she obviously established a nice little following, but not appropriate.
Obviously that sort of thing needs to be spelled out to some people.
I asked around. Paul confessed to knowing what Bridget was up to.
He figured it wasn’t hurting anyone, so he didn’t say anything.
I suspect he was receiving the images as well, considering I found him in her office handing over his business card along with the rest of the douchebags we work with.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Paul had received some sort of kickback for keeping quiet, dirty bastard that he is.
According to Paul, the guys at work were thrilled to shell out money for Bridget’s naked photos, when they could have easily viewed that sort of thing for free online.
Bridget in her prim and proper secretary attire by day sending them updates of her after-hours activities was too tempting to pass up.
Jaeg sets down a measuring tape, his brow furrowed. “Cut your losses? What are you talking about? You never quit. Unless it comes to women—then all bets are off.”
I drop onto the leather couch in his workshop and rest my elbows on my knees, my head in my hands. “I might need to change that philosophy. There are people at Blue who make the depraved billionaires at Club Tahoe look like upstanding citizens.”
“It’s casino life, what did you expect?”
“I get that, and I’m no saint.” Jaeg makes a sound in the back of his throat and I shoot him a halfhearted glare.
“It’s more than that. I don’t trust these guys, which is tough, because I want my job.
My father pressured me to take it, like he normally does, but it’s worked out, you know?
There could actually be a future there. Especially now that there’s no conflict with Club Tahoe.
The old man has done a one-eighty on me.
He’s been calling, and has even expressed remorse for holding the trust fund over my head all these years. ”
“Seriously?” Jaeg turns around and stares. He’s spent time with my dad. He knows what the man is like.
“Not in so many words, but he admitted to holding me back.” I chuckle.
“Supposedly, he’s been calling my brothers too.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall during those conversations.
The old man must be going through some sort of midlife crisis.
Admitting he was wrong to me is one thing, but strained doesn’t begin to describe the history he has with my brothers. ”
Jaeg leans against the table, his head tilted down. “I remember.”
My friends witnessed plenty of shouting matches between my brothers and my father when we were growing up. The fights usually led to Hunt, Bran, Wes, Levi, or some combination of the four storming out of the house and not returning for several days.
“Levi said the calls have been so awkward he actually felt sorry for the old man.” I shake my head.
“But all of this is beside the point. I’ll figure out what to do about Blue.
In the meantime, I lost a bet. I need to build something for Hayden this weekend.
” I glance at the wall of tools. “You mind if I grab a few things?”
Jaeg scratches his jaw, his gaze zeroing in on my face. “Why are you making bets with Hayden?”
I made the bet to protect Hayden and keep her away from the Blue bastards we work with. The irritation in Jaeg’s voice doesn’t sit well. “What’s the deal? Are you playing big brother again? Or is there some other reason you don’t like the idea of me spending time with her?”
His jaw shifts. “I don’t like what you’re implying. You’ve had a difficult day, so I’m going to let that one slide. But just in case it’s not clear, Cali is my life. Hayden is a friend and someone I don’t want to see get hurt.”
“Sorry.” I scrub my face and shake my head. “I didn’t mean it that way. You’re right; it’s been a hell of a day. I know what Cali means to you.”
Jaeger turns and picks up a rag from the table.
“Forget about it. I won’t ask what your intentions are toward Hayden, because I’ve already done that.
The only thing I’m going to say is you had better not hurt her.
” He glances back. “And if you think I’m warning you because I’ll kick the shit out of you, you’re wrong.
I might, but it’s Cali you should be afraid of.
Mira and Nessa have filled her in on all the things Hayden puts up with at Blue.
Combine that with what happened to Hayden in high school, and Cali will neuter you if she thinks you hurt her. ”
“Duly noted.” Cali is a fiery little thing, and Jaeg’s right. It’s the females I need to worry about. “But I have no intention of hurting Hayden. Believe me, I’m staying far away.” I stand and cross the room to the shelves of tools and other equipment.
“Doesn’t seem like it,” he grumbles, and glances at the tool I picked up.
I look down at the jumbo leveler in my hand. “Yeah, well, this is for the bet I lost. Otherwise, I wouldn’t go near her house. You’re not the only person whose shit list I’m on. I don’t like getting on Hayden’s bad side. Gives me a complex to have a beautiful woman hating on me.”
“Never bothered you before,” he says wryly.
I shoot him an annoyed look. I don’t need Jaeg telling me how different I am around Hayden.
I’ve heard it before, and I’m well aware.
But it’s not easy to stay away from her when we work together.
What can I say? Her presence is intoxicating and it stuns my brain into stupid territory.
But I’ve got this under control. I’ll head to her house Saturday, take care of whatever the hell it is she needs me to work on, and be done with it.
Jaeg takes in the jigsaw I absently grabbed. “What are you building, anyway?”
“No idea.” I rub my forehead, a bear of a headache building behind my temples.
He reaches across the table and tosses a pair of work goggles and a mask at me. “Maybe you should wear protection.” He quirks a brow.
“Haha.” My voice is flat. But I’m happy Jaeg’s joking about my relationship—fuck, friendship—whatever, with Hayden. Reassures me there’s nothing simmering between them. They’ve both said no, and I believed it, but for some reason I’m extra sensitive where Hayden is concerned.
She’s a drop-dead, make-you-stupid beautiful girl, and I’m not talking about what I see on the outside, which I could easily write an ode to. She’s smart, opinionated, and she’d keep any guy on his toes. I know Jaeg loves Cali, but it’s good to know he’s as hooked on Cali as I am on—
No one. I’m not hooked on anyone.
Hayden is beautiful, that’s all. I’m tired and hallucinating.
“Thanks for these.” I hold up my loot. “I better get back. I’ve got more work to do.”
Jaeg waves me off. “Yup. Let me know if you need anything else once Hayden gives you your honey-do list.” He snickers.
“Asshole.” I stumble out the door and drop the gear in the back of the XKR.
The trunk of my sports car is too small and clean to hold this crap, plus my equipment from home. I’ll switch cars after I return from work. At midnight. Jesus. I can’t wait for the Bliss suites to be up and running. One less thing to have to deal with.
I return to the office and the place is almost dead. Only security personnel and a skeleton crew remain on the executive floors in the evenings. I’ve seen Hayden here a few times, but she’s not here tonight. Which is good. I don’t like the idea of her working late by herself.
I send out a few messages regarding luxury features Blackwell wants complimentary in each of the Bliss suites.
I’ve hired three out of the dozen or so people on his list of potential bodyguards.
Now, because I’m handling every aspect of the hiring, I’m also working with the legal team on very dubious, if you ask me, contracts that have someone on the outside listed as the hiring company for the new employees.
And on that disturbing note, I rest my head against the back of my chair and check the time on the wall clock. It’s already past eleven.
I should set up a time to meet Hayden at her place on Saturday.
I could text her tomorrow, but I’ll be in meetings all day, and for some reason I feel the need to reach out now.
Maybe it was my conversation with Jaeg, or maybe it’s my disturbing desire to connect with her, even if it’s to argue. Either way, I send her a text.
Adam: I’ll be there at 10AM Saturday.
I set my phone down, and not one second later it buzzes.
Hayden: Be ready to get your manicured hands dirty.
I grin. Without thinking, I shoot off a reply.
Adam: For you, my hands are always ready to get dirty.
A bit suggestive, but whatever. Today was terrible, and I’d rather flirt with Hayden than fire people and feel Hayden’s wrath. The banter is purely for my pleasure. Because I’m exhausted and I need Hayden’s sass, which makes every day better.
Hayden: Boundaries. Don’t you think enough of them have been crossed after Bridget’s illustrative text?
Adam: Touché. Until Saturday. Go to bed, Hayden. You have to work tomorrow.
Hayden: Go home, Adam. I know you’re still at Blue. My spies tell me so.
Damn.
Blackwell might alienate her, but Hayden knows more about what’s going on around this place than most. Which is a problem.
Blackwell is a fool not to utilize her—she’s more talented than half his management crew—but I worry about the reason for his animosity.
If I knew why he treats her the way he does, it would help.
Since I don’t, it’s just better if she stays off his radar.
My heart is lighter as I pack up to leave.
I try not to think about why. Jaeg was right to be worried, though I wouldn’t admit it.
I’ve got to be careful when it comes to Hayden.
As argumentative as she is, I sense the attraction is mutual.
I also sense her vulnerability. And I know what I’m capable of.
Caring for a woman? Sure.
Loving a woman? Not possible.