Losing Control - By Robyn Grady Page 0,6

Thoughtful, she ran a thumb over the remote's keys. "I was on such a high, so convinced I'd do a great job, but after meeting Cole, I have to wonder if that green light is fast turning red." She set the remote down on the corner of her desk. "Roman, can you set me straight on something? Because I'm a little confused. Which Hunter is in charge here? I know control of the branches of the company was split a few years ago between the three sons, but I assumed Guthrie still pulled all the strings."

Beneath a flop of dark sandy hair, Roman's high brow creased. Then he held up a cautionary hand and, although they'd been speaking quietly, he crossed to close the door.

"Word is that after his wife's death," Roman said, moving back, "Guthrie lost all heart. No one knows for sure, but if you put it to a vote, most will say he gave up all control."

"You mean Guthrie has no say? What's he doing then, hiring me?"

"Guthrie was down for a while but when he married again, he got his wind back. Staff here were chuffed. It was as if he'd got another chance at life and he didn't intend to waste a minute. The wedding was big, expensive - " he hiked a brow " - and fast."

Of course Taryn remembered the publicity surrounding that big day, a huge celebrity bash with a bride who had looked thirty years the groom's junior - which was nobody's business but their own.

"At my interview, Guthrie seemed genuinely excited and behind my show," she said.

"Then he must believe in it."

"While his son's hand is twitching on the guillotine rope. He told me unless I can come up with an extraordinary twist, I'm out."

Roman thought for a long moment before giving a mischievous smile. He purposefully set down his empty cup. "Right-o. We need sketch pads. Markers. A plan."

She blinked and then brightened. "As in you and me 'we'?"

"Two heads, and all that. What say we come up with a twist that hits Cole right where he bloody well lives? He'll either love it or..."

"Or he'll love it." He had to. Taryn moved to scoop her laptop out from its bag. "Let's get started."
Chapter Three

When Cole stabbed the loudspeaker key and realized who was on the phone, he flung down his pen and grabbed the hand piece. It was past six - closer to seven. He'd been hanging out for this call all day.

"Brandon, thanks for getting back to me."

"Just got back into the country." Brandon Powell's familiar deep drawl echoed down the line. "What's up?"

Cole gave his friend a summary of events - the attempt to run his father's car off the road three weeks ago, the near miss with shots fired this morning, how Guthrie, to his mind, didn't appreciate the seriousness of the situation.

"You want to fix your father up with protection," Brandon surmised.

"He's already hired someone."

"Then I'm not sure what you want me to do."

"For starters, put a trace on Eloise."

"Your father's wife?"

"Second wife." Cole's lip all but curled. "I have a hunch she might be behind it all."

"You're accusing Eloise of attempted murder - based on what?"

"Based on the fact she's a - "

Cole let loose a few choice adjectives and nouns that had been building for years, starting when he'd first got wind that a much younger woman - a so-called family friend - was making a play on a man who'd recently lost a loving wife. None of the boys had thought Guthrie would be interested in her batting lashes and syrupy condolences. When it had become apparent the two were an item, their father was already hooked.

Brandon's reply was wry. "I take it you haven't warmed to your stepmother yet."

"I still can't believe he married her. My mother's best friend's gold-digging daughter."

Shame on Eloise but more shame on his father.

"I hate to mention this," Brandon said, "but Guthrie's an adult. He makes his own decisions."

"And I make mine. How soon can you organize a tail?"

"If you're sure - "

"I'm sure."

"Give me a few hours to track down the right guy and brief him. But I need to warn you. If your father has his own man on the job, there's a chance he'll find out you've done this behind his back. And if Eloise ultimately isn't implicated..."

Cole knew what his friend had left unsaid. Guthrie took the well-being and loyalty of his entire family seriously. His father had a five-year-old son