A Dom is Forever (Masters and Mercenaries #3)(98)

He’d changed. Her heart ached with sympathy for him. He’d had to fight, and it hadn’t been easy.

Could Liam be wrong about her boss?

“Avery, sweetheart? What on earth are you doing?”

She gasped a little. Thomas was right behind her, and she’d never heard him move. Usually whatever braces or cane he was using that day made a scratching sound on the floor, but she hadn’t heard a thing today. She turned and gave him what she hoped was a brilliant smile. “I was looking for some pictures or articles we could use in the Black and White Ball promo materials. I thought I would put together a bio sheet for the packets we’re giving to our donors.”

He shuddered lightly. “No one wants to read about me, dear. Focus on the celebrities who are performing and whatever you do, don’t put pictures of me in there. We’ll scare people off.”

“Really? I don’t think so. You’re quite a fascinating man. I was just reading about how courageous you were after your accident and you were so young.”

“I don’t like to think about it much. I suppose we have that in common.”

She nodded. “Yes, we do. It can be so hard to even get in a car sometimes.”

“Well, I don’t have to worry about getting on a horse again.” He sighed and a sad look flitted across his face. “I’m going to lunch now. I’m meeting my friend. I don’t think I’ll come back this afternoon. I have a few things to take care of at home.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

He shuffled out, a distant look on his face.

Could MI6 have it all wrong? What if Thomas wasn’t involved at all? What if he was exactly what he appeared to be? Someone else could be the arms dealer or someone from outside could be using the UOF and no one knew.

She stood up. Maybe the evidence would exonerate her boss. She wouldn’t know until she found it. Once she did she could be out of the whole mess and out of Liam’s life. She pulled the spare key out of her desk and watched Thomas disappear into the elevator.

She was alone for the moment. She might not get a better chance. Hurrying to get to the door, she tripped, wrenching her knee. Pain flared, combining with frustration. Avery got to her feet. Patience. She needed some patience. Being calm and cool was the only way to be. It was perfectly normal for an administrative assistant to be in her boss’s office.

Calm down, girl. Take it slow and easy.

She could hear Liam’s voice. He’d lectured her all the way to the building. He’d spoken in her ear while they rode the Tube, his breath warm on her skin.

Act like you own the place. Wait for the right time. It doesn’t have to happen today. This thing happens when you make it happen and not a minute sooner.

She wanted him to be here. If she called him, would he come rushing over? Thomas was going to be gone all afternoon. Would he leave his assignment behind and rush to her side? Would he hold her hand and promise her everything would be all right?

With shaking hands, she got the key in the door and straightened up. She didn’t need Liam. He had his job to do and she had hers. They couldn’t really figure anything out until this operation was over. Deep in the night, she’d decided that if Liam felt anything for her it was likely temporary, an effect of being undercover. It would go away when he wasn’t living with her, and she had to prepare herself for that eventuality.

She was in. Thomas’s office was pin perfect. There wasn’t a file out of place. His desk was clean of the debris that regularly littered hers.

She strode across the room. Thomas had the corner office. A spectacular view of St. James’s Park in the distance greeted her when she turned to the windows. He always kept them open. He claimed to love the view of the park. The windows ran from almost the ceiling to the floor, giving the whole office the illusion of being up in the air, the world spreading out in front of her. It was sensational.

It was something that would make an agoraphobic man think twice.

Could someone really get over a deep-seated fear so completely that he would love an expansive view?

Avery turned away and decided to start with his desk. He didn’t have filing cabinets. He preferred neatness and minimalism. The files had to be in his desk.

Avery opened the side drawer. Sure enough there were a few files there, but they looked like employment files. Nothing but names and addresses and compensation packages. She dug deeper, but only came up with some proposals and plans for events to benefit the charity and Thomas’s most recent stock portfolio.

Where the hell was that file? She’d given him the Lachlan Bates file herself. Was it possible he’d taken it home?

She opened the drawer on the other side and sighed. Nothing but some breath mints and a white bottle of saline and what looked like a case for contacts.

“What are you doing, Avery?”

It took everything Avery had to slowly close the desk. Monica stood in the doorway, her lovely face frowning.

“I’m looking for a list of the donors attending the Black and White Ball. I can’t find mine, and I have to finalize the seating chart.” Her voice was steady, but she could feel her skin flushing. “What are you doing here? Is there something I can help you with?”

“I was looking for Thomas.” It seemed like it was Monica’s turn to blush. Her pale skin went pink.

“He’s at lunch, but he’s not coming back.”