Page 80 of His Rules

He knew exactly what that meant even if he wasn’t a numbers person.

My father had been a very powerful friend, and extremely influential with clients, business associates, and those who would dare attempt to harm his reputation. He’d been successful keeping a circle of friends who would rally around him in a moment’s notice. He’d used that to his advantage time and time again.

I used his method of surprise so that Drake wouldn’t easily be able to hide his unorthodox dealings that he’d certainly prefer never see the light. This was only part one. There were other surprises to come.

“My God. You think someone is stealing from us.”

“I do.” There was no reason to lie at this point.

He was more befuddled than I’d seen him to date.

“That’s crazy.” At least he had the good sense to seem perplexed as well as concerned.

“It’s criminal.”

“They aren’t our normal people,” he insisted.

“No, they aren’t. Atkins and Thompson were booked given the quick notice. This is my father’s old firm, the people completely trustworthy. And they have the time to fill in. Shouldn’t take more than a couple weeks. They’ll try not to be too much of an inconvenience.”

They’d told me with the number of people they’d brought, the audit wouldn’t take more than a few days. That should buy some time to get all my ducks in a row.

He took a few seconds before nodding. “I’m glad you’re doing this,” he said with confidence, although his fake smile told me otherwise. His wheels were turning. He would immediately head to his office and attempt to destroy or move whatever evidence he’d been stupid enough to leave on his computer.

I’d planned for that as well.

“Yes, overdue. So you know, Ms. Taylor will be the point of contact for them. I believe she’s waiting for you in your office. They’re going to start from the top down.”

If I noticed correctly, his face had paled. “Fine. Are you certain she’s qualified?”

“Oh, I assure you, Kacey Taylor can run circles around everyone else in the accounting department. She knows her stuff.”

“Well, good then.”

Point one went to me. The element of surprise was always useful in business, especially in matters of possible corporate espionage. There was a small part of me that didn’t wantto believe he could be behind the subterfuge, but given his reactions, he was attempting to acquire the company out from under me to his benefit.

It was entirely possible and would be highly intelligent of him to find a way to steal the money, holding it in a secure offshore bank account while laying down the pieces of the puzzle, as I was doing with him. As the CFO, they would all lead back to me. I’d be ruined, jailed, and he would take over. Suddenly, there would be an influx of fresh cash making him the hero.

A damn good plan.

I sensed he was nervous.

Good. He should be very nervous, as his life was about to be shoved under a microscope.

CHAPTER 22

Kacey

“This feels like we’re having a sordid, illicit affair,” I said as I leaned over the candlelit table. The restaurant was dark with a gothic feel, the walls stained in a shade of crimson while the black and white tiles added to the intimate appearance. Candles were lit everywhere, the music soft yet with dark vibes like something straight out ofThe Godfather.

I’d been expecting to see men in suits staring at us from the corner of the room.

Instead, the entire place was empty. I was beginning to grow suspicious. What was this powerful man up to?

“Why do you think that?”

Sebastian was completely relaxed and to my shock, he was wearing jeans, his shirt halfway unbuttoned. While he’d worn a casual suit jacket, as soon as we’d entered the restaurant, he’d removed it and rolled up his sleeves. I did so adore a man’s strong forearms. They were a foundation to the man. I’dbeen right that the denim material accentuated his sculpted ass perfectly. The moment I got a full look, I knew I’d become an ass woman. I bit back a laugh from just thinking about it.

In the dim glow of light, his face appeared even more chiseled. I was taken by just how comfortable he seemed in his own skin.

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