Page 4 of Single Greatest Threat
“Right?” Shaw really got into things. “When I first spotted this a few months ago, I thought maybe it was a clerical error. I decided to dig out the client’s file and go line by line to see if theywere accidentally overcharged. They were, yet the right amount was deposited in the bank. So I called the client. The higher amount was paid. This led me down a rabbit hole.” He swept his arm wide. “Nearly every file has been the same. At this point, I’m just adding up the overcharge amount and making a list of how much is owed to each client.” He hesitated again. “I need a full total to prosecute Kayla.”
Joesph’s lips parted in surprise. He didn’t know what to say. “Kayla? Are you sure? She’s been here forever.”
Shaw nodded and picked up a file that had been singled out from the rest. “This is the oldest one I’ve found. The overcharge fees are smaller than the rest and they grew from there. This is from a year after she started working here.”
Joesph was dumbfounded. Shaw was right. The only person it could be was Kayla. While they had several paralegals and a dedicated accountant, Kayla handled billing and payments. She made their deposits and kept the paperwork for the accountant. Literally, no one else touched any of that.
“What do you need me to do?”
Shaw’s sweet smile stole Joesph’s breath. He didn’t see this real and kind version of Shaw often. It was the version he loved. “Go home. I genuinely don’t want you to feel the way you did before you quit. Maybe I’m a slow learner, but I got it. You deserve much better than you’ve ever gotten from me.”
“I never meant for you to take on everything. All I wanted was your help. You’re helping now. Let me help you.”
“I started counseling.”
Nothing could have shocked Joesph more than that confession.
Shaw didn’t stop. “The night you told me you didn’t want me in your life anymore, I had a huge revelation that won’t surprise you at all. I’m the problem.”
Joesph might have laughed if this didn’t seem so important to Shaw.
Thankfully, Shaw kept going and didn’t expect him to confirm or deny because, yeah, Shaw was the problem.
“I’m cold and narcissistic. My only thoughts are about my happiness. I refused to help around here once Dad left. In my mind, I had proven myself and earned my freedom. But you’re the only opinion I’ve ever cared about, and you said you were done.” He shrugged, looking uncomfortable now that his confession was out there. “So, I’m working on me. Though I’m not sure if it’s actually working.”
A smile pulled at the corners of Joesph’s mouth. He was so proud of Shaw. “It is. The old you would’ve never admitted any of that to yourself, much less to me.”
For a moment, that felt way too personal. Shaw held his stare. “I miss you.”
Damn. He really was screwed. “I miss you too.”
Shaw nodded and straightened in his chair. He heard Shaw’s back pop. Shaw rubbed the back of his neck. “You should head home. I’ve already kept you late. Thanks for validating that I’m not insane.”
Joesph chuckled and shook his head. He wheeled his chair backward. “Don’t overwork yourself too much. Kayla’s probably getting suspicious of all these files.”
Shaw nodded. He waited until Joesph made it to the door to speak again. “Hey.”
Joesph glanced over his shoulder.
Shaw looked uncomfortable. “Can I take you to dinner?”
Fuck. His heart wouldn’t let him say no. “I’d like that.” Joesph knew he was an idiot. He didn’t doubt Shaw would make him regret this. There was only one way to find out. Joesph had to fling himself against the wall again and hope he didn’t break.
Shaw was a little proud of the way he managed to move at a normal pace. He wanted to jump from his desk and rush to the door. Instead, he stood and gathered his phone. He stuffed it in his pocket before locking his office door and pulling it closed behind him.
“Come on.” He took control of Joesph’s wheelchair. It was a move he knew Joesph equally appreciated and hated.
As expected, Joesph argued. “You don’t have to push me. I got it.”
Shaw didn’t stop. “Look, I know you hate feeling like a burden, but I’ve never seen this that way. I love spending time with you and taking care of you. You’re my best friend. I know I should’ve said that a long time ago, so I get it’s my fault you don’t want my help.”
Joesph didn’t respond, but he stopped arguing. Shaw took what he could get. Joesph set the alarm and then they backed out the door. He handed Joesph his keys so he could lock the office. Working together, Joesph was in his passenger seat and Shaw had the wheelchair stuffed in his trunk in no time. The satisfaction Shaw felt once he was on the road with Joesphtrapped was off the charts. There was no way Joesph knew how much Shaw missed him and wanted him here.
“Where would you like to go?”
Joesph laughed. “I have no idea. You asked me.”
Shaw realized he was smiling and couldn’t stop. “That’s right. You’re the guest. You should choose.”
