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51
Callie
Walking into an event on Jonah’s arm is surreal. Nerves make my palms sweaty, but Jonah is a steady presence beside me. His tux is midnight black, his hair combed back in the way that makes him look more intense than usual. His eyes are black ice as he watches the crowd in the ballroom. A little bit predatory, a little bit irritated. Just the way I like it.
People sneak glances at us, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
“Jonah,” I mutter. “People are staring.”
He arches a brow. “Of course. You look hot. They want to know who you are and if you’re taken, or if you’re here on business.”
“And am I?” I tease.
His face darkens briefly. “You are very much taken. Don’t test me, Thompson. I’ll drag you into a closet and show you just how taken you are.” My pulse jumps at his words. Taken. I love it. “But if you want to network, you can be here in your own right. It is a media event, after all.”
“You’d do that?” Even though I think you still hate what I do?
He dips his chin. “Of course. You don’t belong to me.” He tilts his head. “I won’t let you fade into the background.” His eyes are serious and steady on mine. He knows exactly what he’s saying. Pick me. He’s different from Eric. He’ll put me first.
I give him a brilliant smile. “Thank you.”
“Careful how you wield that thing, Thompson. You could blind a man.”
My smile grows at his grumpiness. “So what are we here for?”
“Dylan,” he says shortly. His jaw flexes as he scans the room. “I don’t see him yet or his board members.”
We’re still waiting for the remainder of our FOIA documents, and Jonah has been trying to contact the employee who sued Dylan, but we haven’t had much luck.
“Board members? I thought you wanted to go after him directly?”
“It’s a backup plan. If I can’t ruin him, I’ll buy the company.” His shoulders slump. “The first step is approaching the board members and offering to buy their shares. They shouldn’t be so damn difficult to talk to. But he’s got them locked down tight.”
“Maybe he has something on each of them.”
Jonah gives me a sharp look. “I didn’t think of that.” He tilts his head, considering. “Find their secrets, then use the leverage.” He looks grimly satisfied at the prospect.
“I didn’t say that,” I murmur.
“Too late. You’re in it now. Remember the female board members you read about? Melissa and Erin? I need you to get close to them. Maybe follow them to the bathroom. See if they say anything bad.”
I nod. This is a skill in my wheelhouse, whether Jonah likes it or not.
* * *
“There he is.” Jonah’s voice is dark and low in my left ear. His hand on my waist tightens. I look at the entrance and spy Dylan’s gelled blond hair and large frame. He’s tall but paunchy, with skinny arms and all the markers of wealth. As he approaches, I take in his expensive suit, his ostentatious watch, his garish silk tie.
“Not much of a dresser, is he?” I mutter, and Jonah laughs into my hair.
“He thinks he is.” He squeezes my waist. “Go time.”
He steps into the aisle with cool confidence. “Dylan.”
Dylan’s head jerks and his face twists with hatred before he smooths it away. “What do you want?”
“Just want to chat,” Jonah says mildly, but I can tell how angry he is from his tone. I could practically spoon up the tension between these two. “How’s business?”
“Better than ever,” Dylan says smoothly. Liar. His profits are down this quarter, and his company’s valuation is dropping. I read the reports Jonah gave me. “How about you?”
