Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,47

pushing on with the meeting. “What else do you want to get on the calendar, ladies?”

The next four hours continued in the same vein. Aiden found a way to horn into our activities, events, and trips. He offered to join our basketball games and said we should host a few movie nights on their big screen. Ortega and the other girls jumped on it while I gritted my teeth and agreed.

This man was dangerous. My instincts said to lure him out into the woods and drop his ass in a deep, dark hole where he can’t hurt anyone. I did not want him near my Sallys or the Sams. All the same, instinct was beaten down. I couldn’t learn his endgame without getting close to him and he was giving me every opportunity. I had to take them.

It was pushing six by the time I trudged out of the dining room. A tad early for dinner.

I can get it cooking now and leave it in the warmer for the girls to grab and go. Getting home early, sneaking into Ryder’s office, and fooling around on his desk is what I need to be doing in the next hour.

“Valentina.” Ortega patted my shoulder. “Ready to make dinner? The salad is done. Why don’t I tackle the spring rolls and you the stir-fry?”

“I’ve got it, Miss Ortega.”

“Please, call me Jade.”

“Jade,” I corrected. “You’ve done all of the prep. I wouldn’t expect you to do the cooking too. Chill out for the rest of the night. I’ll bring a plate up to you.”

She covered her grin, eyes shining like I told the funniest joke. “That’d be a nice end to the day—reclining in bed and getting waited on. Thank you, Valentina, but you don’t have to lighten my load. I’m here to help you with whatever you need.”

Jade set off into the kitchen.

I watched her go, keenly aware of the second reason for my weariness. Jade constantly piped up throughout the meeting offering to take over my duties, or chiming in with her addendum to shoot down anything that veered too far off course of Sally traditions.

I was no dummy. There was an addendum to her job description and it was to make sure the ship Leighton left behind kept sailing smoothly.

But again, why? Is she in on whatever is up with this house? I’m here to protect the girls. What is Jade Ortega here for?

Picking up my feet, I went to join her in the kitchen.

I wouldn’t find out the answer to my question by standing out in the hall. She was another person I’d have to keep close.

JAXSON

“Thanks, Paunch.”

I accepted the takeout bags and beat it for the special elevator taking me directly to the top floor.

Dad wanted Thai from the restaurant down the block that delivered, giving me a break from my nightly food run to finish up work for Bianca.

After I drop this off, I’m out of here.

I walked in on my father pouring drinks at the wet bar. He wasn’t alone.

“Hello, Jaxson. Good to see you again.”

Dad’s new friend, Eve Gregson, spread out on the couch, legs crossed and arm draped over the back like she was posing. She was a stunningly beautiful woman but models tended to be. Her shiny, dark crown was styled in a pixie cut and hazel eyes twinkled when she smiled. I asked if they taught her to do that for her job and she laughed a soft, ethereal laugh.

“Hey, Eve. I’m guessing the green mango salad is for you? They threw in tofu free of charge but I told them to put it on the side just in case.”

“Thank you, J.” She grinned at my father. “Top-notch assistant you have here, Levi.”

“I was thinking of keeping him around.” Dad took the bags out of my hand and replaced it with a scotch. He was always lax on the not-yet-twenty-one thing. “Did you get something for yourself?” he asked. “Stay and have dinner with us.”

“Can’t. I’m getting home on time for once.”

“Tomorrow,” he said as he set the food on the table. “Dinner. You and me. We’ll talk about how things are going and what’s next.”

“Legal.”

He gave me a look though I only said one word. “The deal was every department, J. You have to go to legal eventually.”

“I know,” I said simply. The only thing I wanted more than a hundred feet between me and Daniel Meyer at all times—was this label. A few weeks in the legal department and Dad would