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I shrugged, not quite defeated but not exactly full of energy for the subject, either. “It’s a long task. But hopefully we’re drawing to the end. We’re going to finish sorting through the contracts that Dad thought were important enough to store outside the office.” I shrugged. “We’re verifying between us any that seem off, and setting them aside for further investigation.” I sighed. “That’s a bridge I’ll cross when I get there, I guess.” I was a little out of my depth, really.
I’d rarely come across anything criminal when I’d worked at Rosary, and the incidents that did raise red flags for me had always been handed up the chain to be dealt with by the people who knew about those kinds of things. They’d never been my responsibility to see through to the end.
Only now,everythingwas my responsibility.
“I might be able to help you out there.” Patrick slid open a drawer to his right. He pulled out a business card and offered it to me. “This is the contact details for Seth McGovan, an FBI agent I contact whenever I come across anything illegal or dangerous in the companies I’m buying. He’s very well-versed in exactly what to do and which steps to take at every stage in the process. And he’s completely trustworthy.”
I didn’t doubt that. I got the feeling that anyone Patrick dealt with had been thoroughly checked out to ensure their capability as well as their moral character.
“Thank you.” I curled my fingers around the card and gripped it like it was a lifeline. “I’ll certainly bear him in mind if we find anything.”
I didn’t know what I was hoping for anymore. To discover that everything was in order, or to vindicate Dad and find if there were criminal elements at work inside Gold Moon. There was a lot going on, and it felt like a lot of people were suddenly involved, especially with the extra protection Patrick had put in place for me, and now business cards for strangers who knew about these kinds of things.
I slipped the card into my pocket and Patrick stepped toward me, lowering his head to mine for a kiss. It was soft and gentle, and held more promise than passion.
“Thank you,” I whispered again.
Patrick laughed. “On the contrary,” he said. “Thankyou.”
My cheeks warmed again under his appreciative gaze. “I should really get back. And Girard is probably waiting…” That was the slightly embarrassing part. Girard had probably been waiting this whole time that I’d been having sex in Patrick’s office. I didn’t even want to think about what he might be aware of.
“I’ll walk you out.” Patrick moved to step forward, but I waved him back.
“I think I’ve taken up enough of your time already this morning.” I said it with a smile, and he returned to his chair.
“And left me with some very good memories,” he confirmed.
My core pulsed again. I had my own very good memories, and my body ached in all the right ways. Just enough to let me know he’d been there.
I stepped out of the office and walked farther down the corridor before Girard appeared from one of the rooms and fell into step beside me. “There’s a driver with the SUV. I’ll let him know we’re on our way.” He made a quick, terse call as we approached the same elevator that had brought us up from the parking lot.
I glanced at him, wondering if he’d ever leave my side or if I’d picked up a companion for life.
My newest best friend. The thought twisted my mouth into a smile. I was finding friends everywhere now, and it wasn’t entirely unwelcome.
As if he could read my thoughts, Girard looked at me as the elevator doors closed. “Patrick and Brody have assigned me the duty of protecting you.” He grinned. “And until I’m called off security detail, you’ll be seeing a lot of me.” He was almost apologetic as he spoke, but the idea of so much security brought me a relaxation I hadn’t expected to feel.
Patrick’s idea of care and protection could have been suffocating. But instead, it warmed me and left me wanting even more.
24
PATRICK
Istraightened my desk, picking the items up from the floor that Jo and I had knocked off when we were…busy. I smiled. I liked being busy with Jo. We could have lots more business meetings if they were all conducted like that. And she was always welcome to drop by anytime, even if she only walked around my office and left the scent of jasmine everywhere she’d been.
There was a knock at the door and it opened. Not Davina this time, but still not anyone prepared to wait for me to grant them access before they entered my domain.
I looked up. Jackson. Typical. How could it have been anyone else? The man helped himself to my office as easily as he helped himself to my pool, although at least he knocked here. I should probably have been grateful for small things like that.
He came in first and Brody followed him. Jackson glanced around as though looking for someone, and he breathed deeply.
Excellent. “You’ve seen Davina.” I didn’t ask a question; it was a statement. Of course he’d seen my sister, and now he’d come to my office to check things out for himself. Luckily, Jo was gone — she didn’t deserve to be the subject of speculation. “Not one word, Jax.” I warned him. “I don’t care what my sister has told you.”
His grin widened and he held his hands up. “I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Patrick.” Brody caught my attention. He clearly wasn’t here simply for the latest gossip.
“Yeah?”
