Page 37 of Enticing the Fixer

“Someone wants to make it look that way, but I don’t think she is. My best guess is that someone is trying to set her up, so she’ll sell the company. The stockholders have a lot to gain if they sell.”

“I take it the owner doesn’t want to sell.”

“No, she doesn’t. That’s why the breadcrumbs look too convenient. Someone is trying to set her up.”

“You might be right, but don’t let your impartiality get blinded because she’s a female. Some of the most devious criminals have a vagina between their legs.”

“Point taken.” I take a drink and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

“So…” He smirks. “How are you doing? Enjoying slumming it?”

Kinsley’s face flashes before my eyes. It’s been seven hours since I saw her. Or tasted her. The need should dissipate like the smoke above the man seated at the table closest to the bar, but it hasn’t. It’s growing stronger. “It has its moments.”

“Who is she?”

“Who is who?”

“The woman making you look like you did when Haley Johnson noticed you Freshman year of high school. You look like a dope.” He punches my upper arm. “You can pretend all you want, but I have that same face when I look in the mirror. I know when you’re hung up on someone.” He tilts his head. “Well, actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you hung up on someone.”

How much do I divulge? What do I divulge? I run a hand through my hair. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

He arches his eyebrows and waits. The lead guitarist plays a riff that grates on my nerves. And keeps going. It has nothing to do with the guy’s skills and everything to do with my brother waiting me out. He’s not going to let it go. “Fine. I met someone here Friday night. We hit it off. But that’s the end of it.” I drain the rest of my beer and drop the bottle on the bar top.

“Why?”

“Why did we hit it off?” I grasp the bottle and tip it toward August, who nods and collects us another round. I don’t need another drink but having nothing to do with my hands is a bad idea.

“For starters.” He spins his seat a few inches, so he’s able to look at me. I don’t know exactly what he did in the SEALs, but interrogation is one of his mastered skills.

“She’s not like anyone else. She’s funny, and smart, but a bad decision. Truman told me to stay away from her, but I didn’t listen. We had a great night, but even if I wanted more, I wouldn’t get it. She’s part of the case I’m investigating.”

“Shit, Man.” Jagger shakes his head like he’s either disappointed or feels sorry for me. I don’t like either one.

August sits down our drinks, and I grab the bottle, running my thumbnail over the label.

“She’s, my boss. The owner of the company. Not that I knew it at the time. We were two random people at the time. And now, I’m using mom’s last name to work for her, so she doesn’t know that I’m a billionaire whose ass was plastered all over social media.”

“Wow, that’s a lot to take in at once.”

“No, shit. She’s in the middle of a shitstorm oristhe middle of a shitstorm. And even if all those things were resolved, she’s not interested in a relationship.”

Jagger whistles. “You know how to pick them.”

“Yes, I do.” As if on cue, she walks to a table with the same friend from Friday night. Only this time, she’s with three men, and she has the nerve to laugh at something one of them says.

My teeth grind together as she rubs the forearm of the one closest to her. He has dark hair, ridiculous muscles, and a cocky fucking attitude.

Jealousy rips through me like a tornado swooping down out of nowhere. There was no radar to warn me it was coming. It’s just there. I spin around in my seat and glare at her with my heart thudding in my throat.

“Redhead or the brunette?”

“Brunette.”

“Ah, she’s pretty. Not that the other one isn’t.”

“Yes, she is, but she’s also playing with fire.” It’s stupid and irrational. I don’t have any claim on her. She was clear about that from the beginning.

Too fucking bad. I don’t want her to look at another man like she looked at me. And I sure the fuck don’t want another man touching a woman I’m not done with.

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