Page 24 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
Chapter Seven
A little after five, Fazil appeared in Todd’s cube, his laptop case hanging from his shoulder. “Hey.”
“All done?”
He nodded and stepped close. “How are we going to do this?” He kept his voice soft. “If I leave with you...”
That would look out of place. “No executive stuff tonight?”
“No.” Fazil’s brow furrowed. “Apparently it’s the weekend.”
No shit.“So you and Eli need a ride back to your hotel?”
“Yeah. Eli canceled the car service in the evenings because of all the wining and dining.” Fazil backed out and called down the hallway. “Hey, Eli?”
“Turns out, I live in that direction.” Todd grinned.
Eli peeked around the corner of the cube. “Yes?”
“Need a ride to your hotel?”
Eli leveled alookat Fazil.
“He offered. Lives that way.”
The devilish chuckle was nearly inaudible and right then, Todd decided the man was okay even if he was an executive. “It wouldn’t be a problem.”
“That would be nice. Saves waiting for a cab.” Eli smiled at Fazil, who blushed.
Mr. Finance certainly knew what was going on. “Give me a sec to wrap up. I’ll meet you in the lobby downstairs?”
They both nodded. Todd’s fingers flew across the keyboard, finishing up his daily report to Stephen. He clicked send, locked his computer, and was down the hall, car keys in hand. Stairs were faster than the elevator. He came to a halt, though, when he saw Eli and Fazil talking to Sandra. It was a fairly benign conversation, from the looks of Eli’s placid face and Sandra’s smile.
“Todd,” Sandra said. “Eli tells me you’re playing chauffeur.”
He tried to keep his face neutral, despite the hooded look Eli gave him. “Well, they need a lift, and homeisthat way.” He shrugged. “Also, gives me and Fazil some time to catch up, you know?”
She nodded, and a car honked outside. “Speaking of rides, there’s my husband. Have a good weekend.”
Once Sandra left, Todd exhaled. “Shall we go, too?”
They followed him out and got into his car, Eli in the back and Fazil next to him, where he belonged. He patted Fazil’s knee.
“Do remember I’m in the backseat,” Eli said.
Fazil snorted. “Somehow, I doubt you’d care if we did anything.”
“Oh good, you’re learning.”
Todd’s pulse hit the roof, because he knew that banter and that tone. From the gleam he spied in Eli as he backed out, Fazil wasn’t off the mark. “Are all of you like this in Pittsburgh?”
“Well, Fazil isn’t,” Eli said. “Which is a shame.”
“I’m not. And it’snota shame. Eli’s worse there, especially with Justin.”
“I’m allowed,” Eli said. “Even have the paperwork to prove it.”
Todd glanced in the rearview mirror, and Eli wiggled his ring finger at him. Right. Husband. Anderson’s assistant. How the hell did that work? “Sounds like a fun place.”
