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“You’re fired, Eli.” The boss stepped in behind her obviously, his tone rich and deep, without a hint of amusement. He wasn’t serious, though. She knew he wasn’t serious.
Turning, she caught Eli’s disapproving look as he glared at the other man. “Bullshit. Dammit, Doogan, stop firing my ass. You know our dads will just make you hire me back anyway, so why bother?”
“Because you irritate me.” Doogan shrugged, turning to Zoey now. “He thinks because our fathers are best friends that I can’t fire him. He’s wrong.”
“Suits me fine. Zoey already has a job lined up for me anyway,” he shot back, his look daring her to reveal the nature of that job. “I won’t have to worry about you getting me shot at.”
“What kind of job might that be? Mackay jester?” Doogan snorted, though the barest hint of a wink as he passed her belied the seriousness of his tone.
“I really don’t like you, Doogan.” Eli was almost serious.
That was too funny. Eli didn’t actually dislike anyone, but he obviously had a few issues with Doogan. She had a feeling that complications likely filled their relationship.
“He’s annoyed with me right now.” Doogan sat in the executive-style chair positioned behind a work area and facing the front of the plane. “He’ll like me better once he doesn’t get shot at this time before he gets back.”
Now, that one gave her pause.
Zoey gave Eli a frown. “Before he gets back?” She turned the same frown on Doogan. “That’s not going to work. I have to get back to Somerset before Dawg realizes I’ve disappeared.”
Doogan lowered his head, his gaze on the open laptop, though she doubted his attention was there. He seemed to be choosing his words instead.
“You know the way back, I presume?” Doogan inquired then, his head lifting, his gaze locking with hers. “I didn’t ask Eli if he cared to do it, I ordered him to do it.”
“Go back by myself?” she asked, as though amazed he would make such a suggestion. “But I’m a Mackay. I’ll end up in trouble before I’m halfway there and God forbid I should get a bruise and tell Dawg you sent me home alone.” Her eyes widened, a pretense of sudden, fearful knowledge filling her expression. “I’d hate to see what happened then. He’d come looking for you, though.”
Doogan’s eyes locked on hers. “Then I guess you better stay right here until Eli gets back. It would be terrible if you caused your brother to end up . . . hurting himself. . . .” That wicked smile he flashed her was completely misbegotten. He didn’t care in the least to stir up a little trouble, now did he?
Eli groaned, a defeated, painful sound.
“Eli. Go.” Doogan’s voice changed. It wasn’t holding that playful little undercurrent any longer. He was dead serious.
Eli groaned again. “There goes my chance,” he sighed.
“Your chance at what?” Doogan’s tone deepened at the grin Zoey couldn’t hold back.
Her gaze slid to Eli’s, daring him.
“Living,” Eli grunted.
A second later he left the plane, stomping down the steps like a two-year-old in temper. Though, admittedly, Zoey wondered if perhaps she should be a little worried herself.
“Sending him away really wasn’t nice,” she sighed. “He’s terrified of your little side projects.”
“Which is why he brought you. I’m no fool, Ms. Mackay,” he told her with a softness that belied the steel beneath it. “Eli likes to think he can fool me sometimes. He doesn’t.”
There was more than a handsome playboy that existed beneath that implacable expression, she guessed. And far more than just the boss’s boss.
“And I needed to know this why?” Crossing her arms over her breasts, she glared down at him, though she had a feeling if push came to shove, this man could steamroll right over her if she gave him half a chance.
The look he gave her was one of knowing exasperation.
“Have a seat, sweetheart.” He indicated the chair in front of his desk. “Eli will be a few hours at least. You may as well make yourself comfortable.”
She rolled her eyes at that. “I know my way home. I’m sure I can stay out of trouble that long.”
Hooking her thumbs into the pockets of her jeans, Zoey tried to tell herself she could walk out anytime she wanted to and just ride home. No big deal. So why was she standing there? Why was she letting him hold her gaze, capture her senses?
“I’m certain you do, Zoey,” he stated softly
