“I hope we can still be friends.” Bentley didn’t break eye contact.
“Bentley, I’d like to…” She started but Bear moved his fingers, reminding her that she didn’t need to lower herself to Bentley’s level. Draining her glass, she said in a fake happy tone, “Of course.”
“I need to make my rounds. Maybe we can talk before the party ends?”
Not on your life. “I don’t think we’ll be here too long.”
“Well, then, why don’t you both go and enjoy another drink.”
He swiveled on his polished loafers, and an urge came over her that she couldn’t resist. She caught Bentley by the elbow and stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “I have the financial reports. You should look closer. Especially at Deacon and his motives. He can’t be trusted.” Then she released him and took a step back. He narrowed his gaze before he weaved through the crowd.
Aasia felt her blood pressure return to normal. It helped that Bear still held her hand.
For the first time, having Bear next to her, she didn’t feel like she was alone.
“You can retract your claws now,” Bear said near her ear.
“That man irks me,” she said in a whisper.
“I think he likes having that control. What did you tell him?”
“I told him that Deacon Clark can’t be trusted.” She shoved her empty glass into Bear’s chest. “I need to go to the restroom. Suddenly I’m feeling sick.”
“You okay?”
“Wonderful.” She spun on her heels, lifted her skirt and made her way toward the bathroom. Bentley was insufferable.
Her path to the restroom was sidetracked by a familiar face. Deacon Clark. She had a tug of war with approaching him or leave well enough alone. Her feisty side won out.
“Deacon, what a surprise,” she blocked his exit in the hallway.
The tall, gangly man turned two shades whiter. “What are you doing here?”
“I have every right to be here,” she said. “And since you refused to return my calls, I have no other choice but to speak to you here.”
“You’re no longer with MedLabOne. We have nothing to say to each other. Now let me pass.” He tugged awkwardly at his bowtie.
“What are you hiding, Deacon?” There was no reason to beat around the bush.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. What are you hiding?” She faced him.
“Don’t eat the shrimp canapés. They cause terrible indigestion.” He winked then took a step.
She laid her hand on his wrist. “I know you’re up to something. I wonder how Bentley would feel if he knew you lied.”
After a long hesitation, he said, “I don’t like the tone you’re taking with me. I haven’t lied.”
“And I don’t like that I was fired.”
“I had nothing to do with that,” he said through the gap between his teeth.
“Should I call you Deacon, or is it Mike?” Seeing his face contort, she realized she’d hit a nerve. “Oh, so it’s good enough that Bentley’s manager can dig up my past but not yours? I wonder what everyone would think knowing you served three years in prison for insurance fraud? I think I was let go before I could find out what you’re doing at MedLabOne. I saw the data. Insurance fraud is a crime.”
Anger washed over his features and his limbs shook. “How dare you…you, bitch. You think just because you were fucking the boss that you can say or do whatever you like?” He spit his words.
“This has nothing to do with my personal relationship with Bentley. If you were the one who forged my signature on documents that’s a crime too.” She didn’t flinch. “Bentley didn’t have access.”
