Page 8 of Elliot

“No, but I do have an alarm I can set when I leave.”

Elliot stopped and turned around to look at his client. “‘Can set’?”

“I haven’t ever used it because of security in the lobby and the need for a keycard to access the elevator.”

“Keycards can be duplicated. Plus, anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of wiring can bypass the need for a card.” Elliot ran his hand through his hair. “Changes will need to be implemented immediately.”

Maya sat down and took off her high heels. Then she dropped her head back and sighed in relief. The photos of the woman failed to do her any justice. She radiated sensuality, and her body was perfect. When she was relaxed, like now, she was exquisite. Not that he noticed the way her lips parted or her long lashes rested on her cheeks. The rise and fall of her chest held his attention for a heartbeat. He jerked his eyes back to hers when she asked, “Why?” Thank God they were closed.

Elliot pulled out one of the kitchen chairs and positioned himself in front of Maya. No,Ms. Callahan. He cleared his throat, and she opened her eyes.

“Ma’am, the rat in the box was sent by someone with mental issues. There’s no doubt in my mind that whoever sent it isn’t finished. Your car tires were slashed.”

“That could have happened any time. I had a Porsche I never drove. Jessica was going to take it for routine maintenance and found it with four flat tires. She called a tow truck, and themechanic said all the tires were slashed. I asked the dealership to sell the car. They did. It wasn’t like I ever drove it.”

“And the news media release Jessica mentioned?”

With a sigh, Maya nodded. “That was extremely concerning. A whistleblower on a very insignificant detail about my company's process to manufacture our products. But we showed the government representatives the tip was completely false. It did, however, cost us about six months in slowdown toward the launch of our IPO.”

Elliot lifted his eyebrows. “And who would benefit from that slowdown?”

She shook her head. “I’ve wracked my mind, and besides competitors who are years behind in our technology, I can’t think of anyone.”

“Have any of those competitors reached out to you before or after the incident?”

Maya blinked and cocked her head. “Yes. Chandler Kates has repeatedly asked me to meet with him. I don’t believe his interest is only in the business.” Maya rolled her eyes. “He’s a known womanizer, and because he has nothing I want or need, I’ve declined every invitation.”

Elliot narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, nothing you want or need?”

Maya stood and picked up her shoes. “In my world, relationships are built to align business interests. Everyonealwayswants something. If someone does something for me, it’s because they work for me or want something from me. Chandler Kates wants my access, my connections, or my money.”

“Could it be he’s interested in you for you?”

Maya laughed sadly and shook her head. “No. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to take a shower.”

“Of course. If you show me to my room, I’ll bring up my luggage.”

“What? You’re staying here?”

“Yes, ma’am. You’re my responsibility twenty-four-seven.”

The woman stared at him blankly for a moment. “Follow me.” She was about four inches shorter without her heels, and he’d peg her as five-foot-five inches tall. She stopped at the first door of a long corridor. “You can sleep here.”

“Where do you sleep?”

She pointed to the end of the hallway. “There.” He went down the hall and opened every door. The room directly adjacent to hers shared a doorway between the two rooms. “I’ll sleep here.”

Maya, who had followed him down the hall, put her hand on her hip. “I’m not sure I like that idea.”

Elliot looked down at the woman. “Ms. Callahan, let me be frank. I don’t care. I’m here to protect you. Your schedule is sacrosanct; I understand that. I’ll be unobtrusive; your people won’t notice I’m around after the first couple of days. I’ll blend in. It’s what I do, but I will mandate changes to your deficient security measures that should be in place already simply because you are who you are. That is also nonnegotiable.”

Maya crossed her arms, and her hip jutted out to one side. She smiled, and Elliot knew it wasn’t a happy one. “Really? What if I fire you?”

“Before you do, you should ask yourself, what would be worse, me sleeping in the bedroom next to yours or having something else dead delivered to your door, or God forbid, a maniac jumping you in front of your office building as you wait for a rideshare?”

The woman’s arms dropped, and she diverted her attention and stared past his right shoulder. He could see the wheels in her mind turning as she processed what he’d said.

She lifted her chin. “There is no reason to believe I’m in danger.”

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