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“Us burning our reputation by dropping this information out into the security world and then Triple Z coming back and saying it’s not true and it’s our way of trying to tarnish their reputation.”
The way Gerald ran his business, Ox wouldn’t be surprised if it was all some big scheme to discredit Alliez. Since he’d opened the LA Alliez office, business had taken off. Now they were working with Julian and the FBI, he was thinking of bringing on more people to work their basic security jobs, while he, Irish, Angel, and Growler went out on whatever missions the Feds wanted them for. Or, with Growler now engaged, some of the new guys could rotate through and help with the missions. Nothing was set in stone. The business was evolving, and he’d always do the best for it—and now for this new partnership with the FBI.
“There’s that possibility. I may have only been with you guys a short time, but even I’ve heard from other guys at some of the jobs that we work that Gerald’s not happy we’ve come along.”
Having Growler not shoot down his theory pleased Ox. He didn’t think his friend and teammate was blowing smoke up his ass. If Growler thought Ox was being over the top, he’d call him on it.
“How do we play this?” he asked, even though he already had some ideas on what the next steps would be.
“There’s a couple of things I’d do. First, I’d get Eveline back in and see if you can make her crack and tell you it’s all a ploy. Even if she doesn’t know anything then we’ll go from there. Second, get Cass to see if she can tell if there is some sort of digital footprint that can clarify if the information is real or not. I mean she could probably hack into their systems anyway if you wanted.”
Ox slashed his hand in the air. “No, I won’t do that. As much as I’d like to bury the bastard if what this shows is true, getting Cass to hack into their systems will be a last step. But I will get her to check out the thumb drive.” He paused, hoping to keep his voice as neutral as possible. “As for Eveline, I think bringing her back in will be a good thing to do.”
He ignored the way his body ignited at the thought of seeing Eveline again. He had to remember who she worked for. Had to remember that this could all be a ploy to bring Alliez down.
Had to remember that he’d been fooled by a pretty face once before.
Paranoia wasn’t Eveline’s favorite emotion, yet that was all she seemed to be feeling now. Every time she left her apartment building she feared—and felt—someone was watching her.
During her commute, she was constantly checking to see if a vehicle was tailing her. Not that she could really tell. Cars were always going in the same direction. It didn’t mean they were following her specifically.
Work was even more unbearable. Every time the phone rang, she jumped. Every time Gerald called her into his office, Eveline expected him to find out that she’d taken information she wasn’t at liberty to take.
It didn’t matter that it was no longer in her possession—and she cursed the fact she’d been so emotional and angry at Kyle that she’d left it in his office.
What had he done with it? Had he destroyed it? Had he wiped the thumb drive?
How naïve had she been not to even think about making a copy? Of course, Eveline could recreate what she’d found, but Gerald had been watching her closely the last few days, so she didn’t want to risk accessing the files again—regardless of the fact that she could do it because it was part of her job.
The trill of her cell phone had her almost jumping out of her chair. Her heart beat a fast tattoo.
Taking a deep breath, Eveline picked up her cell, mild panic setting in when no number flashed up on her screen.
Immediately, she hit decline. No way was she going to take a call from someone she didn’t know. Besides, now that the initial panic had died down, sensibility kicked in. It was more than likely a spam call, some robotic voice telling her that the IRS needed her to press two to pay an outstanding debt. She didn’t have an IRS debt.
Two beeps indicated that whoever had called her had left a voice message. Sighing, Eveline hit the voicemail button and waited for the message to load up.
Eveline, Kyle Matthews here.
The sound of Kyle’s smooth voice in her ear teased her. Her skin tingled. The fine hairs on her arm standing on end. The hollow feeling in her belly.
Memories slammed into her transporting her back to their night together. Remembering the way he whispered in her ear how beautiful she was as he’d slid into her body. The way he’d held her as her orgasm had shattered her. The sweet words he’d spoken as he’d brought her back to earth.
Lost in her memories, she hadn’t heard the rest of his message. God, how pathetic was she getting turned on by the sound of voice over the phone?
Determined to concentrate on why Kyle called, she replayed the message.
Eveline, Kyle Matthews here.
We need to talk. Meet me at the office at seven tonight.
The desire that had pumped through disappeared at the autocratic demand he’d given. He hadn’t even bothered with a please. Or even asked if she could meet him. He just demanded her presence at his office.
Eveline’s initial reaction was to delete the message. Not even grace his building.
Why did he want to see her?
Had he looked at the information again and believed her?
