Page 13 of Office Affairs

I turned and walked away. Things felt too raw and emotionally charged for me to do anything else. And Chase was blowing up my phone with texts and calls that I’d ignored. I jabbed his name on the screen on my way back to the elevator. “On my way.” I ended it without waiting for his reply. I loved him like a brother and respected him as my boss and fellow CEO. But I drew the line at being harassed over being late to a meeting we agreed should start later anyway.

By the time we made it to Leon’s office and were shown into the plain glass and chrome room, my anger had reached a boiling point. We’d been shuffled in like criminals and even told to wait in Leon’s outer office.

Chase fumed beside me, his body radiating enough heat to roast a chicken. I’d had enough drama for one day. After my reaction to Sabrina, I was ready to call it and go home to a fifth of whiskey. I’d never reacted that way to a woman before. Why Sabrina? Why had it happened today? I’d always been quick-tempered and protective, but not over a complete stranger. It made zero sense.

“Sorry.” Leon stepped into the room and shook hands with all three of us like we hadn’t been friends for years. “Crazy day. We’re about to launch a new app and the design team found a problem with the logo. Apparently, some punk kid in the IT department thought it would be funny to hide a dick in the logo. We didn’t catch it until this morning.”

I snorted a bark of laughter and settled into one of the executive chairs spaced around the room. “Been there.”

“So, what’s going on?” Leon took his seat and kicked back like he didn’t have a care in the world.

“You tell me.” Chase made it clear it was an order and he expected nothing less than complete compliance. “How are things with the contract on the Super Speedway game?”

He mentioned the stolen tech with the kind of casualness that belied his tension.

Leon’s brows furrowed. “It’s fine. The lawyers went over the contract with a fine-toothed comb. There are no concerns.” He leaned forward, his expression intent as he locked onto Chase. “Why the interest?”

I mimicked Leon’s expression. We’d decided to keep it quiet, but that couldn’t last much longer if Leon continued this line.

“Who brought the tech to you? I’d like the name of the person or company on the contract.” Chase’s intensity never wavered. “What you’ve told me of the app is remarkably similar to something we’ve had in development for almost a year.”

Truth but not the whole truth. Chase managed to reel Leon in without giving away the theft at our company.

“I can’t share that information. The contract has a confidentiality clause. I’m borderline crossing that by even discussing it this much with you.” Leon rocked in his chair, his concerned expression believable as he looked us over. “You said you’ve been in process for a year? Can you give me the name of your designer?”

Chase shook his head and stood. “Sorry. Same problem. All our designers sign NDAs and we’re not at liberty to discuss upcoming projects.”

Stalemate. Fuck. But Leon didn’t throw us out of his office, so I count it as a win. We’re not any closer to finding the culprit behind the thefts. We’ll find them. A bastard like that can’t stay hidden forever.

“I’ll have my lawyers continue to investigate.” Leon stood and walked around the desk. “Maybe we can get together next week for drinks?”

“Sure.” Chase smiled. It had a hint of coldness to it that Leon missed.

Was someone trying to sabotage Grady International? How does Leon fit into the whole thing?

8

SABRINA

One week. I made it one whole week at Grady International. If I could do that, I could keep the job forever. Excelling in my studies was one thing. Answering calls and fielding meetings for Chase, Russell, and Garrett is entirely different. Exhaustion slowed my steps as I walked into my apartment on Friday afternoon.

Keith bounced by my side, his brown eyes alight with his usual mischief. “Guess what I get to do. I get to make a volcano for science class.”

“Really?” I don’t have to feign curiosity or enthusiasm, not for Keith. “At school?”

“At home.” He throws his arms out straight and jumps up and down, forgetting for a minute that lately he’s been trying to act more grown-up than any eight-year-old should. “Then I get to film it and send it to my science teacher.”

“You’re going to make a volcano at home?”

He rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand. “Not a real one. Mr. Michaels emailed you the instructions. He says we should make it in the backyard.”

Relief rushed through me. Not that I’d mind destroying the kitchen with Keith, but calling the housekeeper to clean up the mess wasn’t an option anymore.

Keith zoomed into the apartment, his voice carrying back to me. “I’ll start gathering the ingredients. Mr. Michaels made one in class, so I remember what to do.”

“Don’t start it yet.” I checked my watch. “We have to go see Grandpa for dinner.”

“I’m just getting it ready.” A crash sounded from the kitchen, followed by Keith’s “I’m okay.”

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