Page 47 of Enchant Me

“Well, it gets better. Seems he spent much of his time this week trying to poach my employees.”

I turn to face my husband, certain my mouth is hanging open with shock. “You hadn’t told me that.”

“It’s news to me as well. Preston just learned about it. A few of the employees who were approached are perfectly happy where they are and reported to Preston about Stone’s advances.”

“That’s horrible,” Jane says.

“On the contrary,” Dallas says. “It’s business. I’m sure he wants the best staff, and I’m sure that Damien has the best people. What?” he says as everyone looks at him. He shrugs. “Just laying it out there. I’m not saying it makes him a good guy. He’s definitely an asshole. But what’s his motive? Does he just want these good people? Or is he holding a grudge?”

“I’m assuming a grudge from the way he spoke to me.”

“Why? Did you steal his teddy bear?”

“More like I didn’t buy him one.” He lays out the theory that Ashton was offended by Damien’s refusal to finance the racing team.

“Have you considered that he might be the one behind your strange texts?”

“We have, but the truth is, it doesn’t seem to be his style. His reaction to me in the office was more of an I don’t like the way you do business comment than you’re the scum of the earth. But until I know for sure, I’m withholding judgment. Because you never really know about people, do you?”

“No,” Dallas agreed. “You never really do.”

“I considered ordering a few strippers,” Jackson said, reaching for his bourbon. “Seemed appropriate for a married-bachelor party, but Sylvia vetoed.”

Damien looked sideways at his half-brother. “Remind me to give her a raise.”

Jackson chuckled. “Seriously, this is perfect.” Damien, Jackson, and about a dozen more friends were kicked back at Jackson’s home in the Palisades, drinking bourbon on the patio, smoking cigars, and soaking up the view.

“This is exactly what I needed,” Damien admitted. So far, it had been a hell of a week, and he appreciated this moment of calm wherein no one had mentioned the videos or Stone’s strange snub.

“I did order one thing,” Jackson said. “Not a stripper, but...”

“Oh?”

“Pizza.” Jackson shrugged. “Alaine offered to cater, but I didn’t want him to be both a caterer and a guest at two events. And after that, the whole thing slipped my mind. By the time I thought to ask Syl for suggestions, she was out the door to Nikki’s party. They’re still doing the strip club, you know.”

“I’m completely fine with that,” Damien said, thinking exactly what he’d do to her when they were both home. Or not do, actually, since that’s what she’d be expecting. How much more delicious to wait for their re-wedding night and keep his wife on edge.

Beside him, Jackson groaned. “You’re thinking very loud,” he said. “And it’s clearly X-rated.”

“Are you talking about the girls’ party?” Ryan asked, joining them just in time to overhear the last conversation. “You know it’s going to be triple X if Jamie’s organizing. And she is.”

He settled into one of the chairs facing the outdoor sofa. A moment later, Quincy came over from where he’d been talking with Alaine, Mason, and Liam. He pulled a chair closer, then plunked down with an exhale, like the sound of a man who’d been on his feet all day.

Preston, Tony and Winston were on the far side of the patio, deep in a discussion of country music, and the rest of the men, most of whom worked for Stark Security, had gone inside to check out the pool table that Jackson had bought not long ago. All in all, it was the perfect party as far as Damien was concerned.

“This view is incredible,” Quincy said, his British accent still thick, even after living so many years in the US. “The house isn’t bad either.” They all chuckled. The home, designed by Jackson, had won just about every architecture award there was, and it had appeared in all of the architecture magazines during the years since he built the house.

Quincy leaned forward, his attention on Damien. “Listen, I know that work talk is off the table tonight, but I keep forgetting to bring this up. Can I say just one thing?”

The other men laughed, and Damien nodded. “Go ahead.”

“There’s this buddy of mine, Jasper Kent, another former operative in MI6. He’s moving to the States, leaving the service, but he doesn’t want to retire. I think he’d be a good fit. I was wondering if we were looking to bring anybody new on at Stark Security. I don’t know about you two, but from my perspective, I think we could use it. The clients keep coming, and we’re all carrying a heavy assignment load.”

Damien started to answer, then looked to Ryan, the man he’d put in charge of Stark Security. Ryan caught his eye, his expression making clear that he hadn’t missed a thing. But he grinned, then answered. “Tell him to give me a call. I’ll bring him in for an interview, get a feel for how he’ll fit with our group.”

“Great. I’ll let him know. I imagine he’ll give you a call in the next week or so.”

Ryan nodded. “That sounds perfect.”