16. Cici
CICI
The flight to Aspen was uneventful.
Which was exactly how I liked my flights.
The Gulfstream handled the trip without issue, and by the time we touched down, I was already looking forward to a hot shower and an early night.
The past few days had caught up with me.
Maybe it was the stress. Maybe it was the fact that my life had become one giant circus since meeting Todd Archer.
Whatever the reason, I felt exhausted.
After shutting down the aircraft and completing the post-flight paperwork, Mike headed for the hotel while Todd lingered near the tarmac speaking with someone on his phone.
I grabbed my overnight bag and started toward the waiting SUV.
"Cici."
I turned.
Todd was walking toward me.
His suit jacket was slung over one shoulder, and the late afternoon sun caught the silver at his temples.
My stomach did that stupid little flip again.
I hated that it still happened.
"What's up?" I asked.
He stopped beside me.
"I have a few meetings this afternoon."
I nodded.
"Okay."
"Afterward, Bunny and I are picking Justin up from rehab."
His expression softened slightly.
"I thought maybe you'd like to come."
The invitation caught me off guard.
Not because I didn't want to go.
Because I did. I really wanted to meet Justin.
Still, all I could think about was crawling into bed for a few hours.
"I appreciate the offer."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But?"
I forced a smile.
"But I'm tired."
That wasn't entirely a lie.
"I think I just need a little down time."
Concern flickered across his face.
"You feeling okay?"
"Yes, I’m just worn out."
He studied me for another second.
Then nodded.
"Get some rest."
"I will."
"I'll see you later."
I smiled.
"Later."
Neither of us moved right away. The familiar tension stretched between us. Then Bunny leaned out the SUV window.
"Todd."
Her voice carried across the parking area.
"We should probably go."
Todd glanced toward her before looking back at me.
"Get some sleep, freckles."
My heart squeezed. Then he turned and walked away.
I watched him climb into the SUV before forcing myself to do the same.
Because apparently I enjoyed making bad decisions.
The hotel room was cool and quiet.
I kicked off my shoes.
Dropped my bag.
Pulled the blackout curtains closed.
Then collapsed onto the bed fully clothed.
I didn't even remember closing my eyes.
The knocking dragged me out of a deep sleep.
For a moment I had no idea where I was.
Another knock sounded.
I blinked at the dark room.
The clock on the nightstand read 7:17 p.m.
I had been asleep for hours.
The knocking came again.
Slowly, I sat up.
My head felt fuzzy.
I crossed the room and peered through the peephole.
Todd.
I unlocked the door.
He stood there looking entirely too handsome.
"Hey."
"Hey."
His gaze swept over me.
"You look like you were sleeping."
"I was."
"Sorry."
I stepped aside.
"Come in."
He entered and shut the door behind him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
Mostly.
At least I didn't feel like I could sleep for another twelve hours.
Todd loosened his tie.
"I haven't eaten."
I laughed softly.
"That's a shocking development."
His mouth twitched.
"I know."
"How ever did you survive?"
"Barely."
I walked toward the desk.
"Room service?"
"Already planned on it."
Once we settled on our dinner choices, he pulled his phone from his pocket.
"Dessert?"
"Whatever you want."
While Todd called downstairs, I sat at the desk and opened my laptop. The screen illuminated the room. My email loaded up. Then something caught my eye.
I frowned.
A small black USB drive protruded from the side of my laptop. My hand froze.
I stared at it because I knew I didn't own a USB drive. Not this one. In fact, I didn't recognize this one at all.
A strange feeling came over me. Slow and cold. I looked over at Todd. He was still on the phone ordering our dinner.
When he noticed me watching him, he gave me a small nod. A simple acknowledgment. Like he'd seen what I was looking at. Like he knew exactly what it was.
My pulse slowed slightly.
Okay.
Maybe it was his and he'd left something for me to review.
Maybe—
I clicked on the drive.
A folder immediately opened. Dozens of files filled the screen. I didn’t understand what I was seeing. None of it looked familiar.
I opened the first document.
Numbers.
Charts.
Financial projections.
Corporate valuation reports.
Another file.
Acquisition documents.
Another.
Executive travel schedules.
Another.
Private flight manifests.
I stared at the screen.
What was this?
My confusion deepened as I clicked through several more files.
Most carried the same company insignia. Todd’s company. Archer Consulting.
The same formatting. The same professional structure. With some of the dates making absolutely no sense.
I opened another file. Then another. My stomach dropped.
Several documents were dated months before I'd ever started flying for Todd. Months before I'd even signed the contract. I had never seen any of this before.
I didn’t recognize any of it and I certainly didn’t understand why it was on my computer. The room suddenly felt colder. A chill slid down my spine.
Why would Todd give this to me?
"Todd?"
The word came out softer than I intended. Concern immediately crossed his face.
He ended the call.
"What is it?"
I pointed at the screen.
"Is this yours?"
Todd walked over.
"What are you talking about?"
I shifted aside so he could see.
He leaned forward. The second his eyes landed on the monitor, everything changed. Every trace of warmth vanished from his expression.
His jaw locked and the color drained from his face. A muscle ticked in his cheek.
I had never seen him look like that, not once. Fear crept up my spine.
Todd stepped closer. His eyes scanned the screen. He opened document after document.
The silence stretched.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Very slowly, he looked at me.
"Where did you get this?"