28. Isla

28

ISLA

“I can’t believe he made you come with me,” I muttered under my breath as we walked into the building.”

I glanced over at the man, disgusted when he pulled what looked like frog legs out of a bag. “Well…” He paused to pop one of the disgusting things in his mouth. “You did tell him he wasn’t allowed to come to the meeting.”

“You’re not going in with me, are you?”

“He told me not to let you out of my sight.”

“Don’t you have one of those spy cameras you use on Anna?”

He whipped his head in my direction and frowned. “Did she find the latest one?”

“Of course she did.”

His face morphed into a frown as he kicked the floor like a kid. “Man, I thought my last hiding spot was pretty good.”

I wasn’t about to debate the merits or failures of spying on your wife with the man. Whatever relationship they had, it was pretty strange to me. Then again, my own with Kavanaugh wasn’t too much better.

My phone buzzed in my purse and I pulled it out, grateful for the distraction as I headed up to the 24 th floor.

Riley: Please tell me you didn’t get a kitten.

Me: That would be a lie.

Riley: How could you? When I wanted that kitten in high school, you wouldn’t help me sneak it in the house.

Me: We were in high school.

Riley: What’s your point?

Me: I didn’t technically steal this kitten. Kavanaugh brought it home.

Riley: Home. Listen to how cute you sound.

I hadn’t told her about the massive fight between us, or the fact that I was questioning whether or not this could work. Riley was a huge fan of Kavanaugh’s, but even she could see the mounting tension. But if I said something to her, it was real, and I wasn’t ready to admit out loud that we might not make it.

I shoved my phone in my pocket just as we passed the 23 rd floor. I tried not to squirm as I thought about how Kavanaugh had insisted this guy was trying to kill me. It didn’t make sense. Why would a man I didn’t even know want me dead?

Then again, maybe Kavanaugh was right. Was it odd that he got ahold of me out of the blue to work for him? All of these lavish things were tossed at me in an effort to get me to agree to interview for the job. And showing me an office space that was empty, filled with power tools and plastic sheeting…

Christ, now I was sweating just thinking about it. What if this guy really was trying to kill me. And I was walking right into his trap. I showed up here, certain this was the job of a lifetime when all along he was just luring me out here.

The doors opened and I stared at the office space in front of me. Neat and tidy, professional, and not a speck or hint of a crazy person. I glanced at Fox, who was licking the inside of the bag clean, and thought long and hard about who I should be concerned about.

I chuckled to myself as I stepped off the elevator. I was going crazy, letting Kavanaugh’s overprotective nature get to me. This man was perfectly nice and sane, yet I was acting like he was crazy because of my boyfriend’s overactive imagination.

“So, do you want me to come in with you?” Fox asked, licking his fingers clean.

“Nope, I think I can handle this.”

The secretary motioned for me to go ahead as she finished up a phone call. I strode down the hallway with confidence, knowing that if I nailed this, I would have a great little nest egg set up.

Jerry stood as I walked through the open door, smiling congenially at me. But I didn’t miss the way his eyes skittered back to the door, waiting for my crazy boyfriend to follow me in here. Of course, he thought Kavanaugh was my assistant.

“Jerry, it’s good to see you again.”

“You too,” he said, stepping forward and holding out his hand to me. His wife walked around the desk, smiling at me also.

See? This is nice. They’re normal people, just here to interview a qualified person to promote their company and help it rise to the top. There is absolutely nothing crazy going on here.

I took a seat as Jerry walked over to the bar, grabbed a glass, and turned it over. “Drink?”

“Uh, not for me.”

“Oh, come on,” he jeered. “It’s never too early for a scotch.”

It was ten in the morning. “No, that’s okay.”

He shrugged and set the glass down, picking up another. He poured a healthy amount, then came back to the table. But my eyes were still on that glass. Why had he set it down? It wasn’t like I had touched it.

Poison .

Right. The CEO was going to poison me in his own office with other people all around. That made a lot of sense. He took the seat across from me, but no matter how much I tried to ignore the fact that there was an empty glass that he purposely discarded, I couldn’t.

“Isla?”

“Hmm?” I asked, jerking my attention back to the present.

“Still thinking about that scotch?” Jerry laughed.

I chuckled along with him, but it only made me more uncomfortable. I was freaking out about nothing. Kavanaugh had gotten under my skin and in my head. This was absolutely ridiculous!

I focused on the meeting, going over my ideas with Tish, his wife, and describing in greater detail what I could do for them. But I couldn’t get my mind off that damn glass, and every time I had a chance, I glanced back over at it.

“These ideas are fantastic. We’d love to bring you on board,” Jerry beamed.

I smiled hesitantly. I wanted the job so badly, but my damn mind wouldn’t stop going back to the elevator and all Kavanaugh’s questions, and that damn glass. “I’ll have to think about it.”

I stood, but he was on his feet just as fast. “We could offer you an apartment out here,” Jerry said quickly—a little too quickly for my liking.

“An apartment? You mean I would have to work out here?”

“Of course…to cultivate a relationship with the company.”

“I’m not sure that’s the right move for me.”

“We’d pay for it. And utilities,” he added.

“And, of course, a driver,” Tish added on.

Those tiny hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end. They were too eager, too desperate for me to be here. It just didn’t feel right. But I worried if I said something now, they might kidnap me and force me to work for them without pay. But Fox was right outside the door, and I knew he was watching.

I straightened my spine and smiled at them. “It really is a great offer, but I don’t think this is the right move for me at this time. I could refer some excellent designers to you.”

They both looked defeated, but it was all wrong. Something about the disappointment was off. I needed to get out of here.

“I really appreciate the offer. I’ll be out of the hotel by the end of the day.”

I turned on my heel before they could say anything else and got out of there. Fox was already on his feet and waiting for me as I practically stormed out of the office. His hand was on my elbow, guiding me to the elevator with determination. So, it wasn’t just me. Right?

As soon as the doors closed, I sagged against the wall, rubbing my temples. “I just turned down one of the best offers I was ever going to get.”

“Well, you did what you thought was right. You know, things always look better after shawarma. Wanna get some?”

My gaze snapped up to his, and suddenly, I felt very stupid. To everyone else, this was just a job. They would go about their days as if nothing had happened, but I had just turned down a lucrative deal that would not only put me on the map, but was a huge investment in my future. And it was all because of these crazy psychos that entered my life and made me think everyone was out to get me.

When the doors opened, I stormed out, angry with myself for turning down the deal. So what if the guy put down the glass? Maybe he had a favorite that he always used. And maybe they were so eager because they needed me just as much as I needed them! And that office space—Jerry had told me he wanted to show me how much they were expanding. Yet, all I saw was a place for them to murder me because I had a boyfriend who only saw the worst in things.

I couldn’t go back in there now. What would I say? I’m sorry for acting like a psycho, but my boyfriend thought you were trying to kill me. Yeah, that would totally make them want to take me back.

“Isla, would you slow down?” Fox shouted behind me as I rushed to the curb to flag down a cab. “What about that shawarma?”

I spun around and pinned him with a glare. “Do I look like I want shawarma?”

His brows furrowed as he studied my face. “It might help with the constipation.”

“I’m not constipated,” I snapped.

“Really? Then you should really try to change your face. It’s giving off all the wrong signals.”

I stomped my foot, not caring that I looked like a toddler. “I’m pissed, Fox. I just gave up the deal of a lifetime because I let you and your cronies get in my head!”

“It was actually Kavanaugh. I literally just walked you here.”

“It doesn’t matter! I should be in there right now, sipping scotch with that man, but instead, I’m down here, pissed as hell.”

He flinched as tears sprang to my eyes. “Are you crying?”

“Of course I’m crying!”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, because I know how to handle this one.” He straightened and narrowed his eyes at me. “Suck it up and move on. You didn’t get what you wanted. Boo hoo. Are you going to sit here and whine like a little girl or are you going to pull up your britches and be the badass bitch you are?”

I stared at him in horror, wanting to cry even more now. And I never cried! Tears spilled down my face as he continued to yell at me. But I didn’t hear anything over the horrible cry that spilled from my lips.

His eyes widened in horror and he stepped back. “Holy shit. That is not the way Anna reacts when I yell at her.”

Fox was still staring at me like I was about to explode as I made my way up to the hotel room. I was so mad, and I had no clue what to do from here. I’d basically sunk the best deal I would ever get in my career, and it was all for nothing.

“Stop looking at me,” I snapped.

“Sorry!” He faced straight ahead, his muscles locked tight in case I made the slightest move on him.

I rolled my eyes, wanting to yell at him some more for his part in all this, but how would that be fair? The only thing he did was come along for the ride.

“I’m sorry for yelling at you,” I muttered.

He flinched like I was about to attack him, shoving himself against the farthest side of the elevator. “Please don’t hurt me!”

The reaction was beyond ridiculous. “Fox, you’re stronger than me.”

“Right, but you’re a woman. And more than that, you’re Kavanaugh’s woman. And even further than that, Anna would castrate me if I laid a hand on you. I have no recourse here if you attack me.”

“Why would I attack you?”

“Because you’re a woman. Because you’re pissed at all men. Because I have Funyun breath. Take your pick!”

“I’m not pissed at all men,” I grimaced, looking up at the numbers flashing at the top of the elevator.

“Just remember to tell Kavanaugh that when you see him.” The doors opened and he slipped out, barely sparing me a glance as he rushed down the hall. Even in the short time I knew him, I could tell his actions weren’t normal. Was it all my fault? Had I broken Fox?

That was something to think about another time. In the meantime, I still had to go to my room where Kavanaugh would be waiting. I was almost positive Fox had sent him some kind of alert on our way here. Maybe Kavanaugh saw the SOS and got the hell out of dodge before I could get home. If only I could be so lucky. I was in no mood to deal with him right now, even if he was super sweet and rescued that kitten for me.

I stopped in my tracks as happy thoughts filled my head. That kitten was so sweet and she was all mine. And it was all due to Kavanaugh. Fuck, I really hated it when you wanted to be mad at a man, but then he did something super sweet.

I took a deep breath, determined not to start fighting the moment I walked through the door. Kavanaugh was sweet most of the time. And it wasn’t totally his fault—even though my decision to walk away today was based solely on his ridiculous paranoia. We were adults and we would talk about this like rational, sane people.

Now that I was feeling a little better, I finished the walk down to my room, only to be cut off by Fox, who suddenly appeared in the hallway with a huge grin on his face.

“Isla! Long time, no see!” He charged at me, wrapping me in a massive hug. It was like he had totally forgotten he’d been afraid of me not two minutes ago.

“Uh…Hey, Fox,” I said, patting him on the back. “I just saw you.”

“Did you?” he asked, pulling back from me. “Gosh, it seems like it’s been forever!”

“Well…it hasn’t.” I tried to step around him, but he shifted with me, blocking my path.

“You know, I was thinking, we sort of got off on the wrong foot. I didn’t offer you any Funyuns, we had no sing-alongs, and I didn’t even offer you my new drink.”

The last thing I needed was to go on a shopping trip with him for snacks. It was time to tell him a hard truth. “I don’t actually like Funyuns.”

He gasped, stepping back in shock. “You…” His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “It’s okay. You’re alright. It’s not the end of the world if someone doesn’t like Funyuns. It just means there’s more for me.”

I waited impatiently for him to pull himself together. I had no idea my revelation would hit him so hard. They were just a snack. Then again, maybe I would react the same way if someone said they didn’t like to go to flea markets. I thought they were amazing, but not everyone could have such good taste.

His eyes finally opened and a smile graced his face. A very large, almost frightening smile. I smiled back, wondering when he was going to move. “Fox.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I get in my room?”

He scoffed out a laugh. “Of course you can.”

As I stepped, he shifted with me.

“Do you like musicals?”

“I feel like we’ve had this conversation before.”

“No, we most definitely haven’t. I remember every conversation I’ve ever had about musicals. It’s sort of my thing,” he said, his smile growing.

“Well…maybe another time.”

“How about now?”

“How about another time?”

“You already said that.”

“That’s because I meant it.”

“Right, but you didn’t really,” he chuckled.

“I really did.”

“No, you only think you did. But deep down inside, you have that feeling growing in the pit of your tummy. Right here,” he said, grabbing my lower stomach and squeezing. “Right there, can you feel it?”

“I feel nothing but a strong desire for you to remove your hand from my stomach,” I deadpanned. Any other time, I was all for Fox and his antics, but I couldn’t take it right now.

He slowly retracted his fingers and resumed his cheery stance. “So, how about that musical?”

“Fox—”

“We have Oklahoma , which is a personal favorite. I watch it with every female who joins our ranks. West Side Story is another good one, but I have to warn you, it puts me in a mood you might not be comfortable with.” He glanced away and started tapping his chin. “Let’s see…a good movie for you might be Funny Face or Mary Poppins if you need something with a bit more cheer. And then there’s?—”

“Fox, I really don’t want to watch a musical,” I snapped.

“But you haven’t even finished hearing the list. Perhaps you want to step inside and get the full rundown. I could even perform a few numbers for you.”

“What I really want right now is to go into my room and take a hot bath before I pack and fly home. I don’t want to sing musicals, or talk about musicals, or even think about musicals. My life is not a musical number right now. Do you get that?”

“Of course,” he nodded, his brows pulled in a frown.

This time, he let me sidestep him, but only until I got to the door.

“I don’t suppose I could interest you in a nice margarita?”

I was about to tell him exactly where I would shove a margarita if he didn’t leave me alone when I heard voices on the other side of the door. My gaze slipped to Fox and I shot him a questioning look.

“Is someone in there?”

“How would I know?” he asked, pulling at his shirt collar. “I just got here. Same as you.”

“Fox…”

“Yeah?” he croaked out, taking a step back. He was guilty as hell.

“Who’s in there?”

“I do not know.”

“Fox,” I warned.

“The senator and Kavanaugh’s fake fiancée. But you didn’t hear it from me.”

And just like that, he slipped back into his room and left me with that bombshell. I pressed my ear to the door, trying to hear what they were saying, but it was muffled behind the wood. I should probably walk away. It was rude to listen in on other people’s conversations. But then again, this was my room and I didn’t invite them over. And why should I leave when Kavanaugh’s fake fiancée was in there? It was about time I met her and found out what her intentions were.

I pulled out my keycard and slid it over the mechanism. There was no turning back now. I was going to get my answers one way or another. I turned the handle and stepped through the door, but no one seemed to hear me enter over their heated conversation.

“You’re needed on the campaign trail,” the senator snapped. “You have no job now. There’s nothing holding you back.”

“I’m not here for me. I’m here for Isla—my girlfriend.”

The senator scoffed in disapproval, which wasn’t a surprise. He never cared for me. “She’s a grown woman. She can take care of herself. Besides, with her name all over the news, you’ll need to fix what you broke.”

“What I broke? Are you fucking serious? I know you leaked her name to the news. This is what you wanted, right? The killer headline to keep you front and center.”

“How does your scandal keep me front and center?” the senator snapped.

“Bad news is still news, right, Senator?”

“Alright, everyone calm down.”

It was a female voice. This had to be the fake fiancée. I was still surprised they hadn’t figured out I was here, but with the way the room was designed, they must be in the sitting area on the other side of the wall.

“Listen, Bradford, I understand that you’re unhappy with the way things are going. It’s a difficult situation, but remember what you told me about your brother? I know you would want to honor his name, and this can really make a difference.”

His brother?

“I told you that in confidence. Not so you could use it against me.”

“That’s not what I’m doing. And I would never use the trust you gave me to hurt you in any way.”

The rest of what she was saying faded out as I ran her words over and over in my head. The trust you gave me … I didn’t want to believe that anything happened between them when he was working with the senator, but I also didn’t miss the intimate tone in her voice when she was speaking about their conversations. What had happened with Spencer? I knew he died, but Kavanaugh never told me the circumstances of his death. And I hadn’t thought to push because it seemed like a sensitive topic. Now, I was wishing I had just so I had some fucking clue of what was going on.

“The fact is, you need to cut her loose. She’s a liability at this point,” the senator snapped. “If you want to see this bill get off the ground, I need your help on the campaign trail, and that means coming out on the road with your fiancée and me. It would be a shame if it failed all because you wouldn’t help.”

I heard the disbelief in Kavanaugh’s voice. “You’re threatening to kill the bill if I don’t dump Isla and go back on the trail?”

“It’s what needs to happen.”

“It’s also a fucking joke.”

“Do you know how much funding this bill would bring in for veterans?”

“I wish I had a sound bite of this,” Kavanaugh laughed. “If only the American people could hear how you truly feel about veterans.”

“Don’t you dare threaten me, son.”

“I am not your son,” Kavanaugh bit out. “And I will not walk away from Isla to please you.”

Well, at least I had that on my side. But there was so much about this conversation that I didn’t understand and wasn’t sure I would ever really find out about if I didn’t make myself known. It seemed the only time Kavanaugh ever told me anything that was going on with him was if I caught him red-handed. But the last thing I wanted was to see the senator, knowing he despised me so much.

“We’re done here.”

My head jerked up at Kavanaugh putting an end to the conversation. I spun around to slip out, but I wasn’t fast enough. My briefcase hit the door in my haste and everyone in the room went silent. Biting my lip, I knew I had been caught. Then I heard his footsteps and the heavy sigh that left his lips.

My name coming from his mouth always sounded so amazing, but right now, the torture in his voice sunk deep in my gut. “Isla.”