you say, boss.”
Chapter Four
Beck arrived at the GO offices promptly at six the following evening. Toting the equipment he’d need for the night on a flatbed, with his dinner packed in a small travel cooler, he should be good to put in at least five or six hours that night. The sooner he finished, the better.
The money Sarah had promised to deliver would guarantee he could work for himself. At last. With half the money already deposited in his account, just like she’d promised, Beck could all but see himself as the master and commander of his own small enterprise.
He only hoped this crucial step of getting there wasn’t a mistake.
Pulling his cart over to the spot he’d been the day before, Beck glanced around surprised—but frankly relieved—to discover that Sarah wasn’t waiting for him. He had no doubt she’d be by to check on him sooner than later, but maybe he could get a little work done without her breathing down his neck.
Or, rather, without him wishing she’d get close enough to breathe down his neck.
He shrugged off that thought and went to work, setting up his materials. Ducking his head to survey the wire again, he saw he’d need to cut the power before he went any further. For that—unfortunately—he’d need to find someone in charge. And that someone, in all likelihood, would be the very person he most wanted to avoid.
He briefly considered risking electrical shock, but quickly dismissed the notion. Much as he wanted the money this job would give him, he wasn’t willing to die for it. He could afford to give up a little of his pride, he supposed.
Pulling out his phone, he was about to call Sarah when someone cleared his throat. Swiveling around, Beck came face to face with Bryant. It had been years since they’d last crossed paths, but Beck would recognize him anywhere. Back when they’d dated, Sarah had spent most of her waking hours with the other man. If Beck had wanted to see her, it meant hanging out with her business partner as well.
The green-eyed monster had always poked his head up every time Sarah had stayed late at the office. Beck could admit it now, but he’d envied Bryant for all the time he spent with Sarah. More, he’d been jealous of the implicit trust and confidence she’d given her partner.
It was more than she’d given him.
It’d bothered Beck to be that clingy then, and it sure as hell bothered him now to revisit it. Fighting to dismiss the feelings he’d promised he’d ignore the next few days, Beck pushed himself off the ground and shook the other man’s hand.
“Good to see you,” Bryant said with a nod, releasing his hand. “You have your work cut out for you.”
That was an understatement.
“Where’s the boss?”
Bryant arched an eyebrow. “She’s finishing up a call with one of her overseas partners.”
“And she sent you to babysit me in the meantime?”
“Do you need a babysitter?”
Beck’s jaw set. “I think the better question is, does Sarah think I need a babysitter?”
The other man’s eyes crinkled around the edges then.
“Maisie was right. You are the best person for the job.”
That comment didn’t make much sense, but Beck wasn’t going to give it any more thought.
Beck shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m going to need to cut the power.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Bryant motioned for him to follow. “Sarah thought you might need some help with that, so she sent me over.”
A little of Beck’s annoyance eased up. He had to give her credit for thinking of everything. She could make an Eagle Scout look like a novice when it came to being prepared.
Bryant showed Beck to a room that housed the building’s main server and power sources. He explained what did what, even though Beck could’ve figured it out for himself. This was his area of expertise.
“Do I need to let anyone know before I cut the power?” Beck asked.
Bryant shook his head. “The rest of the GO team is off for the night, and Sarah came prepared to work off the grid, so to speak.”
He had no doubt.
“I’ll leave you to it. Cut the power whenever you like. I’ll take the stairs.” Bryant turned to leave but hesitated at the door. “Hey, Beck.”
“Yeah?”
“I meant it when I said you were the right person for the job. It’s good you’re here.”
On that note, he left Beck alone to cut the power and consider the other of the man’s cryptic messages.
Even though Bryant