Secret Weapon Spouse - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,25
up this, as well?”
“I got his woman.”
A disapproving sound was made on the other end of the line. “You messed that up, as well, and you know it.”
He ground his teeth. “DeLeon is too well guarded.”
“Figure it out. But in the meantime, make sure you finish up the other job you were given. No mistakes this time. Clean up the mess you’ve made of this.” The phone slammed down.
He sat for a moment, then clicked off his cell phone.
SAMANTHA SENSED Alex standing in her office doorway. Her gaze came up to meet his. For a moment neither spoke. She wouldn’t have heard him over the hammer of her blood anyway.
He stepped in, closing the door behind him as he cleared his throat. “Sorry to bother you. I hate to ask but I was hoping you could help me with something. What happened?” he asked in alarm as he spotted her bruised, skinned cheek.
“Just clumsy,” Samantha said. “I can’t even remember what I bumped into.”
She’d been expecting him but still her heart had started pounding when she’d looked up and seen him standing there. The man had that kind of effect on her. What had she been thinking telling Rachel she could handle this?
“Help you?” she managed to ask.
“I need to go see my father. I’d appreciate if you’d go with me. It might make it easier.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will when you meet my father. We don’t get along.” There was pain in his tone. “Truthfully? C.B. will be forced to be cordial with his daughter’s wedding planner there. Otherwise, hell, it could turn into a knock-down-drag-out fight.”
“I’m sure he isn’t that bad,” she said, smiling.
“Oh, I think you might be surprised.” His smile lit up the office.
She looked down at the work on her desk just to give her a chance to regain her equilibrium. This was crazy. But this man of all men had awakened feelings in her she thought long buried. It was the last thing she needed. Or wanted. Especially under the circumstances.
“If you think your father will be more forthcoming with me there,” she said, “then I’d be happy to help.”
He chuckled at that, his gaze heating as he looked at her. “My father has always had an appreciation for beautiful women.”
She started to object since she was far from beautiful. She worked at being unexceptional. “You must be desperate. You’re resorting to flattery.”
“Just the truth,” he said softly.
His eyes seemed deeper, richer and more vibrant tonight. But it was his gaze that started a slow simmer inside her. It had been so long since she’d felt anything. She fought the heat that shot through her veins and sent her pulse pounding in her ears. It scared her, feeling like this.
But at least Alex Graham had no clue as to who she really was. As long as he never got a glimpse of the woman she kept hidden, she was safe. She drew in a shaky breath and let it out slowly.
It was getting harder and harder to fight the feelings Alex Graham stirred in her. For that reason alone, she should have taken off running in the opposite direction.
ALEX WANTED TO believe Samantha’s story about how she’d gotten the bruise on her cheek. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t imagine her being clumsy. Nor could he shake the feeling that there was a lot more she wasn’t telling him.
Not that it was any of his business.
He felt guilty. He’d coerced her into helping him. Dragging her first to Caroline’s condo last night and now to the Graham lion’s den. He knew what visits there were like. Hell. So why had he thought bringing her along would help?
Because there was something about her. Samantha tended to smooth troubled waters. She’d worked her magic on him and he’d seen the way she handled Caroline yesterday in her office.
But he knew his real reason. He still hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that she knew more about what was going on than she was letting on. She’d at least spent time with Caroline—and Preston Wellington III—over the last six months. Maybe more time than anyone in his family.
He was also curious how she would fare with his father. C. B. Graham tended to overpower everyone he came in contact with. Would C.B. rattle Samantha? Alex was anxious to see. If he had to put his money on anyone it would be Samantha. She seemed impervious to the kind of browbeating his father was so good at. Hell, the woman