Conflict of Interest - By Allyson Lindt Page 0,44

to take another swallow, pausing when he realized his snifter was empty. “Time for a refill.” He studied Scott for a moment. “I know sometimes you have to make a deal with the devil to keep your soul, but make sure you haven’t signed away more than you bargained for.”

“Of course. We’re always careful,” Scott assured him. He wished he felt as confident as he sounded. He stared at the older man’s retreating back, not liking the ominous warning.

“I can’t believe you told him that. Especially about someone you both work with.” Kenzie’s growl was closer than it should be, her low voice near his ear short-circuiting his thoughts.

She was telling him how to do his job? Her assumption, combined with the brain drain that was his evening, killed the buzz of want, and he spun to face her. “There are some things I still have control of around here, and that’s not your call.”

She stepped back, wide eyes narrowing as irritation replaced surprise. “Of course. I apologize, Mr. McAllister. I should go find a seat before dinner begins.”

Damn it, why had he snapped at her like that? And why couldn’t he find the apology to take the words back? Scott’s fake, painful smile was back. Because this was still his, that was why. She couldn’t corrupt everything. “Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

He turned away before she could, fury and ill ease pumping through him. Grant’s ominous words about Cartee hit harder than he expected. He should be reassured that someone agreed with him. Instead he wondered if he was really in over his head this time. And then Kenzie, assumptive, obnoxious, telling him how to run his own company. And still he felt bad about snapping at her.

He drifted through dinner, thoughts a jumble, the steak tasting like sawdust. He was mechanical through his presentation about their upcoming game. Normally it might have been enough to make him smile, but these people didn’t want to know details. They weren’t interested in how he and his team had come up with the ideas, the engine, the shading on the characters. They just wanted to know how much it would make them.

And his attention drifted several times to the woman in black, sitting next to her mirror image but in a red dress. He told himself he didn’t notice or care when Riley vanished halfway through the meal, making Kenzie’s frown deepen.

As the evening wound down, some people stayed at their tables, sipping coffee and picking at barely touched crème brûlée. Others broke into groups similar to before, or said their goodbyes and took the next forty minutes to make it to the exit.

Scott struggled to keep his eyes from drifting shut. His face felt frozen in a smile. He stood next to Zach and Rae, keeping his attention turned from how happy they looked together, and shook more hands, accepted more compliments, kissed more asses.

He stood straighter, no longer so exhausted, when Kenzie approached. He was still upset about what she’d done with Grant, but boredom and too many phony words had taken the edge off. She shook Zach’s hand. “You were great tonight. Thank you for having me.”

Zach played the roles as well as she did, returning the enthusiasm and her quick hug. “I’m glad you made it. Have you met Rae?”

“No, but I’ve been dying to.” Kenzie was almost a foot taller in heels. Statuesque. Scott pushed the thought away. She shook Rae’s hand as well. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Congratulations on the engagement. It’s my understanding these two wouldn’t be here without you.”

Scott hid his surprise. She’d really done her research if she knew Rae had saved their asses. It had never been public knowledge that the shorter woman’s business plan had gotten them through their second startup.

Rae’s smile was still sincere, but not as bright. “I hear the same about you. But I’m not so big on believing the rumors. I like to find out the truth on my own.”

Scott didn’t know if he wanted to snarl at her or hug her for the comment. Kenzie had reached him, smile softening, sadness tingeing the blue of her eyes. She shook his hand as she had everyone else’s. “You were brilliant. Your investors are lucky people.”

The compliment pushed more of his irritation away, and he hated himself for it. She was just playing a role. A part. Doing her job.

She leaned in, giving him a quick hug as she had with Zach, mouth near