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Another woman sits outside his office. This one is slightly older, and she smiles as soon as she sees him approach, but it’s not like the predatory I’m undressing you with my eyes smile that Joan gave him.
“Good afternoon,” she says sweetly, and he greets her, not quite warmly, but I figure it’s about as warm as this guy gets. She hands him a white envelope. “Mr. and Mrs. Ryan dropped this off for you a half hour ago.”
He turns the envelope over in his hand. “Thank you, Helen.”
“You have Mrs. Thorndyke in at one fifteen.”
He winces. “Can you push her back fifteen minutes? Then call Kinross and tell him I need the deposition by two.”
She nods. “And your three o’clock?”
He groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The club, right?”
She smiles. “That’s what he said.”
His dark brows furrow. “Tell my father I’ll be there.” He turns to us again. “Coffee?”
Romeo licks his lips. “I’d love some.”
Ace and I nod, and Helen excuses herself to go make a fresh pot. We follow Nathan into his office, which is bigger than any office needs to be. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer an incredible view of the city, and I wander over and look out over the iconic skyline. Shelves upon shelves of books line one side of the room, and the opposite wall is dominated by a huge landscape painting. Probably painted by some fancy artist and cost millions of dollars. Moving to stand in front of it, I admire the stunning beach scene. The artist captured the waves and the motion of the sea so perfectly that I can almost feel myself drifting along on the current.
“This is beautiful.” My voice catches me by surprise, and I guess Ace and Romeo too because they’re staring at me like I’ve grown another arm. And it’s only now that I realize I’m smiling.
“Yeah. It’s a one of a kind,” Nathan says, and I could swear there’s a hint of a smile on his face as he stuffs his hands into his pockets and comes to stand beside me, admiring the art like he’s seeing it for the first time.
“One of a kind, huh? I bet it cost you a fortune.”
“It cost me nothing. My mother painted it.” He takes a seat behind his desk.
Wow. “Your mom?”
He nods and indicates we should sit, shutting down any further conversation about art. Helen comes in a few seconds later and pours us each a cup of coffee before silently slipping back out.
Ace clears his throat. “Lorenzo said you might have a lead for us to follow.”
Nathan’s gaze drifts to the white envelope Helen gave him. “He contacted me the day Mia disappeared. I believe what you’re looking for is in here.” He slides the envelope across the desk.
I frown. “You found him? Already?”
“I haven’t found anyone, but fortunately for you, one of my clients happens to be the best hacker in the country. I don’t know if they found this man you’re looking for, but I can guarantee this will eventually lead you to him.” Nathan’s eyes burn into mine, and I get the feeling he isn’t used to having his word questioned. Ever.
“But you haven’t even looked in the envelope.”
His eyes narrow, and I shrink back in my chair. This man intimidates me, and I have no idea why. But I don’t like it.
“I don’t need to.”
Arrogant ass. I roll my shoulders back and remember who the fuck I am. “Your hacker, he’s that good?”
His lips twitch. “She.”
“Kinda sexist of you to assume it was a man, Fuck-up,” Romeo says, flashing me a grin.
I ignore him, annoyed with myself for the assumption. But the fact Nathan considers a woman the best hacker in the country makes me like him a little more. I offer him a smirk and he returns it, his dark eyes twinkling.
Ace snarls and takes the envelope from the table. Opening it, he pulls out a couple of photographs and a few pages of printed information.
“Is it our guy?” Romeo asks him.
