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“I’d rather kiss my grandma. And get a pair of glasses. You’re as blind as a bat.” He pointed at the line of figures. “Right here.”
“I see it,” she said, and then clicked on the printer icon. As the copy came out of the printer, she laughed. “This is fun. We’re like corperate sleuths.” She picked up a doughnut from the box on the desk and took a big bite before offering it to him. “And you want me.”
“Not even a little.” Jason took a big bite of doughnut.
Before they could spot him, Deacon moved away from the door and continued down the hallway, wondering if he’d created a bad situation that Olivia would have to deal with. Hopefully Jason was professional enough to keep things platonic in the workplace. Kelly certainly wasn’t.
When Deacon reached the elevators, he found Parker talking on his cell phone. He didn’t like the guy. He didn’t like his prissy name. Or his designer suits and the perfect knot of his tie. Or the possessive way he’d been kissing Olivia. And his phone conversation only added to Deacon’s dislike.
“No, I’m not imagining things, Olivia,” Parker said, completely oblivious to the fact that Deacon stood behind him. “The man is interested in you as more than just a business associate.”
Deacon leaned closer and whispered, “But as the boss, isn’t it my job to be interested?”
Parker jumped, and the phone slipped out of his hand. He turned and stared at Deacon with a look that went from surprise to annoyance. “Mr. Beaumont. I didn’t realize that you were still here.” He picked up the phone. “I’ll have to call you back…sweetheart.”
Stifling the urge to grab him by the front of his starched shirt and shake him the way his mother used to shake the dust mop, Deacon waited until he hung up before asking, “So what has you working so late, Mr. Calloway?”
“I had some last-minute sales reports to check.”
“Hmm? So do you have access to all the accounts?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean do you have passcodes for all accounts?”
“Why would you ask?”
The elevator pinged as Deacon pinned Parker with his gaze. “As the boss of French Kiss, I don’t need to give a reason for anything I ask…or do. Something you need to remember, Mr. Calloway.”
The elevator doors opened, and there stood Nash and Grayson. Parker’s eyes widened as Deacon’s bearded, camo-dressed brothers stepped out. Before they could say anything in front of Parker, Deacon dismissed him.
“Have a good evening, Mr. Calloway.”
With his eyes still pinned on Grayson and Nash, Parker sidestepped into the elevator. Once the doors were closed, Nash spoke.
“By the looks of things, I’d say you haven’t made any friends, Deke. Who is that guy?”
“I’m starting to think he’s the guy that’s skimming money from the company.” He headed to Parker’s office to see if he could confirm his suspicions. Unfortunately, a cleaning lady was there emptying a trash can into her cart. When she saw all three of the Beaumonts, she released a squeal and dropped the can. Documents spilled to the floor as she held up her hands.
“I have no money!”
Deacon tried to calm her. “It’s all right. As much as my brothers look like outlaws, we’re not here to rob you. We’re the new owners of the company.”
Her eyes widened before she made the sign of the cross. “Trouble.”
Nash laughed. “That’s probably putting it mildly.”
After Deacon apologized for scaring her, he and his brothers helped her pick up the paper, then headed to Olivia’s office. When they stepped through the door, Grayson released a long whistle.
“Damn.”
Nash glanced around the opulent room. “I guess I can see why you’re not in a hurry to come home. This is pretty much your dream, isn’t it, Deke?”
“And this is an original Monet,” Grayson said as he studied the impressionist painting behind Olivia’s desk. “Do you know how much this is worth?”
Nash ignored him and continued to study Deacon. “But it’s not the office you want, is it, Deke? It’s the power that goes with it.”
It was surprising how quickly Nash had hit the nail on the head. In the last twelve hours, Deacon had enjoyed the power that came with being the boss of a billion-dollar corporation. It was a nice change of pace for someone who had spent his life powerless. Powerless to stop his mother from dying. Powerless to stop his father from gambling and womanizing. And powerless to stop life from crapping on the Beaumont brothers. Now, for once, he had the power. He was in control. But only if he was willing to throw away millions on a failing company.
