Page 56 of Convenient Rivals

“Perhaps she did. Now, that’s the boring stuff out of the way. What’s been happening with you and Captain Bow Tie?”

Oscar felt his face heat.

“That good, eh? Come on, details. I need to live vicariously through my friends.”

Oscar smiled at Daniel referring to him that way. It had only been a couple of weeks since they first met, but they’d just clicked and he did regard him as a friend already.

“I’m sure there are plenty of muscle queens queuing at your door.”

“Muscle guys don’t really do it for me.”

“So why did you agree to go on a date with me, then?”

“Because you’re hot, and I’m not dead. Plus, the whole ‘flung around the bedroom’ thing piqued my interest.”

“That woman doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut.”

“I’m not your type either, though, am I?”

“For a night, maybe,” said Oscar with a shrug.

“Interesting. Well, if Gregory doesn’t pull his finger out of his arse, I’ll help you with the healing process.”

Daniel was looking at him deadpan, and Oscar couldn’t help but laugh. He would have to introduce Daniel to Abby, although the thought of the two of them joining forces against him when he was being an idiot was too terrifying to comprehend.

“What is your type, then?” asked Oscar.

“I’ll let you know when I see it,” he replied, standing up. “I’ll get a contract over to you later today, and then we’ll get cracking on this response. Who’s leading on this internally?”

“Er... me, I guess.”

“Do you have a compliance manager?”

“We just use law firms when we need advice.”

“For fuck’s sake, Oscar. You’re a regulated firm. Who holds the senior compliance officer function?”

“My CFO.”

“Right, add a senior compliance person to your hiring list as well. I’ll send you some names for interim solutions, but they’re contractors by trade so you’ll need a perm one.”

Oscar walked Daniel out of his office and then stopped.

“Josh, what are you doing here?”

“I heard about the investigation, sir. I thought you’d need me here.”

Josh looked and sounded awful. Oscar needed him here, but not at the expense of his health.

“I’ll see Daniel out, and then we’ll talk.”

“Who’s that?” asked Daniel as they walked towards the lifts.

“My assistant.”

“How old is he?”

“Twenty-five, why?”

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