Dez reviewed the list of meeting attendees. “Why didn’t we meet with her today?”
“She disappeared after their deaths and I couldn’t find her,” Marjorie said. “Losing her devastated me.”
“There was a lot going on when I bought Francesco, but I don’t recall meeting the owners’ daughter,” Colton said.
“You didn’t,” Brigit blurted.
The room quieted. Everyone looked at her.
Way to go, dummy.“Er, um, I…” Brigit’s cheeks heated.
“Chop, chop! Everybody out!” Marjorie threw open her door. “Time to catch a plane!” She shooed them into the hallway and bustled toward the elevators.
Thank you, Mrs. Mic.
The driver, waiting at the curb, exited the vehicle and popped the trunk. Marjorie lit up and inhaled. “God, I needed that.”
After they said their goodbyes, the five headed toward the waiting sedan.
“Oh, Brigit,” Marjorie called. “Can I borrow you for a quick second?”
Colton checked his watch. “We’ve got time.”
Brigit returned to Marjorie and the two huddled close.
Watching, Colton rested his arm on the roof of the car. “Those two seem cozy.”
“Brigit’s easy to like.” Dez opened the front passenger door and got in.
After a quick hug, Brigit ran-walked to the waiting vehicle. She slid inside and Colton followed.
“You two looked like old friends,” Red said.
Clearing her throat, Brigit said, “Nah, she’s in need of a new wealth management firm. I told her I’d connect her with Seth.”
Colton stole a glance as she swiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Whew, it’s windy here in Columbus,” Brigit murmured as the driver left the parking lot.
In silence, they rode to the airport. Their afternoon of intense meetings had changed Colton’s position on Dobb. He no longer bought Dobb’s bullshit story and wanted to wring his neck. From the get-go Dobb had been a staunch supporter of Crockett Boxes and advised Marjorie to keep things under wraps for as long as possible. And now, with product weeks from rollout, MobiCom had wormed their way into the picture. Coincidence? No fucking way.
Colton ground his teeth. He could lose Francesco.I need to let off some steam.After texting Vonn to bring the Mercedes to Dulles, he stared out the window as the blurred stream of blinding white lights whizzed past.
The flight home was as uneventful as the one to Ohio, something Colton never took for granted when he taxied the bird to a stop. While the quiet group waited for the valet to bring the Bentley around, Vonn pulled up.
“Thank you all for your efforts today,” Colton said. “I think we should prepare for a tough fight. Vonn will drive you home.”
“Later dude,” Chad said to Colton.
As Colton opened the Mercedes door, he glanced at his crew. Brigit stood on the sidewalk watching him. Even during the intense afternoon meetings at Francesco, the chemistry between them had been palpable. He sought her opinion and found himself looking at her even when she didn’t have the floor. He was attracted to her in more ways than he’d imagined.
He needed to pull her into his arms, take her into his bed, blanket her with his body and let her intoxicating essence soothe his troubled soul. But he couldn’t, which only made him want her that much more. Driving away he punched up his playlist and headed east onto I-66, toward D.C. His mind was cluttered. Time to clear his thoughts and relieve his stress.
Forty minutes later, he parked in the familiar lot and strode across the street to the unmarked door on Waterway Street in Georgetown. Three taps and the door opened.
“Hey, Big D, Spencer Lockhart,” Colton said.
The door opened and Colton stepped inside.
