15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

THE NEXT MORNING

JAMESON

Wyatt won’t tell me what the surprise is. All I know is that I’m fucking salivating for something sweet while fielding calls from Reggie. There’s been a few texts as he pleads for me to call him but I’m not doing that either. Gramps left a message that Reggie left soon after we did last night and that staying apart for the time being is better than trying to resolve things.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Axel hasn’t checked in but I don’t expect him to. His girlfriend is probably doing damage control the same way I did with Wyatt. I’m glad he has someone in all this mess.

“Got a moment?” Eugene peeks his head into my office, not waiting for my answer before slipping in and closing the door behind him. “Before I say anything else, I’m not happy Kylie brought you that portfolio. It’s a huge conflict of interest. However, I know you’re an honorable son of a bitch and a damn good auditor. That account is a fucking shit show. Those extra files wouldn’t have been caught if you and Kylie hadn't been as meticulous as you were.”

He plops into the chair in front of my desk and I just stare at him. “I was hoping that it wasn’t that bad. Reggie isn’t that horrible of a person but money isn’t his thing. He shouldn’t be anywhere near that. Hell, none of those guys should be.”

“Exactly. Apparently, it’s just a fronting company for something else. It’s not actually pulling in much money at all and what money it does drag in isn’t from car sales. I called the CEO this morning to let him know that we’ll no longer be working with their account but I had to report it. They’re going to be investigated.”

I sigh as I lean back in my chair and thread my fingers together behind my head. “And you’re giving me a heads up because I know Reggie and they’ll want to talk to me.”

“Absolutely. In a way, Reggie saved your ass by going to me. You didn’t officially touch that portfolio and while you did some research, your name isn’t anywhere on any of those documents. You dodged a bullet, James.”

I don’t feel like I did. I feel like my entire life is about to implode. “What happens now?” I know what happens now. Reggie is going to find someone at his place of business, asking a bunch of questions in the next week. Depending on how deeply ingrained the fraud is, he and his friends are going to be hurting for years. My real question is what was the point?

I wave off Eugene and stuff a few papers in my bag. My boss was more than happy to give me the afternoon off after we explained the account. There wasn’t even a discussion. He took one look at my face and told me not to come back after lunch, which works for me. Wyatt still won’t tell me what my surprise is.

Hurrying, I speed down the road to the bakery, intent on taking him out to a quiet place for lunch when I get a text.

Are you here yet?

Just got here.

Use the key.

I frown as I slip out of the car and stare at the small shop. There’s a ‘closed’ sign on the front. I try the door, not surprised to find it locked.

Where are you?

Use the key.

A smile plays on my lips as I sift through my keys to reveal the one key I haven’t ever used. Wyatt handed it to me and Axel months ago, just in case but it’s been hanging from the ring, abandoned for the most part. A tendril of excitement runs through me as I unlock the door and step inside. The door shuts behind me and automatically locks, a system Wyatt would have had to turn on.

Confusion sweeps through my expression as I stand in the empty shop, the soft blues winding around me not as calming as they usually are.

“Wyatt?”

Silence.

“Wyatt?” I call out again. My big burly soldier appears from the back, grinning at me over the counter. However, that isn’t what steals my attention. It’s the lack of clothing beneath his apron. I move closer until I can see his bottom half, my eyebrows raising near clean off my head. “Wyatt, what are you doing?”

“I thought we could bake together. It’s quiet here.” His smile is contagious as he holds out a hand for me to take, leading me around to stand beside him. “There’s something I wanted to try.”

“I’m going to make a fucking fool out of myself, babe. You can’t cook naked in front of me.”

Wyatt chuckles as he leans down to press a kiss on my forehead. “ Watch me. ”