When He's Bad (Walker Security Adrian’s Trilogy #2) - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,27

in meetings. All is well. Call you later.

The next message is from Cindy. “What is going on? Why are you and Ed, and even Ed’s secretary MIA? Should I be scared right now? Please call me.”

I press my fingers to my temple. I don’t even know what to say to her besides, yes, probably, and that’s not a good way to handle this. For now, I text Grace: Can you tell Cindy all is well too, please?

Her reply: You’re sure you’re fine?

Better if I had chocolate right about now, I say, but yes. All is well. Gotta run.

Thankfully she accepts that answer, and I finish going through messages, scribbling notes as I listen to mostly work-related content from that point onward. Then there is the final message, from Logan. “We need to talk. In person. It’s urgent. Call me.”

He’s connected to my case, protecting Waters even, I fear. My gut says I should talk to him, but then again—my brow furrows and there’s a pinch in my chest. Would he set me up and lure me out and into Deleon’s reach? Would a man I was engaged to, who was supposed to be my husband, do such a thing? I can’t ignore that call but I’m not sure what to do about it. I’m not even going to try to figure it out right now. I need sleep. I know I need sleep and my mind will be clear on a lot of things. Maybe even Adrian.

Tiredness sweeps through my body, and I leave behind my work and curl up on top of the bed. I set my alarm for two hours, which will still have me up before noon. The minute my eyes shut, I’m back on that cavern mattress, naked with Adrian’s mouth on my body. But then the images shift and I’m back in time, back to a moment when I was still engaged to Logan.

Suddenly, I’m drifting back to the last holiday party for my father’s firm that I attended as a member of the staff, inside a private mansion rental. The mansion is decorated with at least a half dozen trees, while fancy lights seem to flicker in unison with the nearby violin player. The crowd is large, mingling here on the lower level, as well on a wraparound porch and outdoor area, complete with a dance floor. The guests, who’ve traveled in from all over the country, are dressed in fancy gowns and tuxedos. As for me, Logan did the whole Pretty Woman routine and had my gown delivered to my house, a far too expensive, emerald green floor-length gown, with a tasteful slit and a square bodice.

“What’s going on with Logan?” my mother asks, catching up with me on the porch, on my way to the outdoor area. She looks seasonally lovely in a red dress with just a hint of sparkle. I wonder if Dad chose it. That’s the thing about the men in our world. No matter how strong we might be, they like their hands in everything, even our attire.

Tonight, it’s stifling. Often lately it’s stifling.

My brows dip. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“He and your father were off to the side of the house, and I do believe I heard shouting.”

“The golden boy and Dad? Really?”

She nods. “And tonight, of all nights. They both avoid scandal like the plague.”

“Can you try to find out what’s going on?” I ask.

“Of course, I’ll try, but I think you might have a better shot with Logan.”

I snort. “They’re two of a kind, Mom. I’m not sure why either of us put up with it.”

She tilts her head. “Oh no. What’s that about?”

I wave her off. “Nothing for tonight. Where is he now?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I’ll go get him a glass of that expensive whiskey he likes and hunt him down. Never fear, Mother, I’ll try to get the answers we both know we’ll never know.”

“You’re not yourself tonight.”

At just the right moment, one of my mother’s girlfriends appears by her side. I embrace the opportunity to escape inside. I head to the second level of the mansion where a VIP bar is set up. At present no one is in line, and the guests are mingling around expensive leather furniture. I’m about to order Logan’s whiskey, when he’s suddenly by my side, catching my hand.

“Come with me.”

He’s already walking, tugging me along with him, and I’m grimacing. The man is proving my point about being controlling. He heads down a hallway and enters