Page 48 of Bride By Committee

“But you don’t think so.”

She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to clear up Mr. Bradford’s problems today. But I doubt he’ll be happy with what we find.”

“I’m willing to bet he knew that even before he called us in.”

Madison touched Harry’s arm and the biceps bunched beneath her fingers, warning of his sensitivity to her touch. It would seem she affected him as keenly as he affected her. “Harry?” He simply waited, his gaze watchful, and she forced herself to continue. “You’re not going to be happy with what we find, either. In fact, you’re probably going to be very angry.”

“Why?”

He was biting off his words already. She peeked uneasily at Kent who stared at them with open curiosity. “I’d rather not explain until I’m certain of my facts. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Accounting was on the lower level of the building and the three of them took the elevator without speaking. Kent had picked up on her anxiety and an unnatural strain settled on his youthful features. The door to Linc’s office was closed and Harry took the lead, opening it without knocking.

Madison stepped into the office first. One glance confirmed her worst fears. “Hello, Lincoln,” she greeted her younger cousin. “I was hoping I wouldn’t find you here.”

“Madison!” A variety of emotions swept across his face—astonishment, followed by anxiety, before a blustery panic set in. “What’s going on?”

“I think you know.” She fought for calm. “I see Dad’s brought you into the family business.”

“I’m an accountant, if that’s what you mean.”

She began to tremble and nothing she tried would stop it. Not balling her hands into fists, nor gritting her teeth, nor using the silly mantra that Aunt Dell intoned whenever she got lost and was on the verge of panicking. Not even having Harry at her back helped. Instead, it only seemed to make it worse. “Accounting isn’t the family business and you know it. At least, it’s not the real one.”

“And what is the family business?” Kent bitout.

Hot color blazed in Madison’s cheeks and she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. “Embezzlement.”

In desperation, Linc addressed his employer. “Mr. Bradford, you have to listen to me. This woman is crazy. I’m an accountant. Anumber cruncher. Iwrite checks and balance accounts. That’s it, Iswear.”

“I hope that’s the case,” Kent said with surprising equanimity. “But I think we’ll examine some of those checks and accounts to be on the safe side.”

Harry stepped forward and held out his hand. “I believe that’s my cue to introduce myself. The name’s Jones. Iguess you could say I’m the man who watches out for Bradford. Imake sure no one pulls any nasty tricks with his money. I’m also the person who gets to take them down if they try.” He bared his teeth. “Fair warning. When I take them down, they stay down.”

Linc’s eyes widened. “Jones? Harry Jones?” He stumbled to his feet and backed rapidly away, regarding Harry’s hand as though he’d offered a fistful of razor-sharp claws.

It was then Madison knew for certain. Her cousin was guilty as hell. She also knew something far worse. Harry was every bit as intimidating as he’d always claimed. Ever since she’d been trapped on the elevator with him, she’d foolishly tried to deny his innate power. She was probably the only person in the entire world who hadn’t recognized it at first sight. Even Rosy understood his dominance. She just chose to contend with it in her own unique fashion.

Madison closed her eyes. She’d called Harry a lion almost from the first, but she hadn’t believed it, not really. That was why he’d insisted she accompany him. He wanted her to see him for what he truly was. Apredator. Aman who went for the throat with a ferocious ease that could only come from years of practice. Confronting that truth didn’t change how she felt about him. But it might change how he felt about her, especially once he learned the rest of her background.

“I gather you’ve heard of me.” Harry addressed Linc. “This will make our discussion much easier.”

“My uncle warned me—” Her cousin broke off abruptly as he realized what he’d been about to say. “I’d like to call him, if you don’t mind.”

“You need a criminal attorney, not an accountant,” Madison said gently. “Don’t bother with Dad. Isuggest you call Uncle Tyler.”

She couldn’t take any more. Not only was one of her closest relatives involved in a nasty case of embezzlement, but her father had probably helped. At the very least he would have advised her cousin every inch of the way. And there was another part of this whole horrible incident that distressed her, apiece of her past that she couldn’t bring herself toface.

Without a word, she turned and left the office. She didn’t stop once outside. The brisk tap-tap of her pumps echoed off the walls, the sound quickening with each step as she bolted toward the entrance to Bradford’s. Shoving open the door, she pelted down the stairs leading to the walkway as swiftly as her heels would allow. She had no idea where she was headed. She simply knew she had to get as far away from Linc and the memories he’d resurrected as she could.

She never heard Harry coming. One minute she was racing down the walkway and the next an ironlike arm yanked her to a stop and spun her around. “Where are you going?” he demanded.

“I don’t know. Idon’t care.” Her words came in swift, frantic pants. “Anywhere that’s not here.”

“Why? Don’t you realize how helpful you’ve been? If you’re right about Linc, you’ve probably saved Kent’s company. Or at least a good chunk of it.”

“Dammit, Harry! Don’t you understand? His name isn’t Linc Smith. It’s Adams. Lincoln Adams. And he’s family, my cousin to be exact.”

“I’m sorry, Madison.” Compassion vied with ruthless intent. “You know that doesn’t change what has to be done.”

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