Need You Now (1001 Dark Nights)(11)

“The board fires me and lays off half the staff.”

My fingers dig into the arms of the chair. “What? Half the staff?”

“They’ve demanded I do it and I’ve refused. I presented a plan for growth rather than one of destruction. Now, it’s in Jensen’s hands to approve it, amend it, or sign off on the board’s proposal. I need you to accommodate any request he has in the process.”

“He wants me to take him to the other locations. I’m not qualified to be his tour guide. I don’t know enough.”

“What you don’t know can’t hurt you or me. That’s exactly why you’re the chosen one. That and you’re loyal. I need you to do this for me and for the staff.”

There’s a desperateness to her tone that is disarming in every way. “I appreciate your faith, but I really think you need to do this. I don’t want to screw it up.”

“He doesn’t want me. He wants you.”

I tilt my head to study her. “Didn’t you choose me?”

“No. He did. And I was as surprised as you, but the more I think about it the more I think this is a right choice. He thinks you’re close to me so you have my secrets. He thinks this will rattle me. Like I said. What you don’t know can’t hurt us.”

At this point, I have no idea who made me the chosen one. Only that one of them is lying. “I thought you said he was helping you.”

“I said he was helping himself and if he loses faith in what I’m doing, he’ll hand me to the board.” She leans in closer, allowing me to see just how bloodshot her eyes are. “Please, Danny. This is good for everyone, not just me.”

The use of the word “please” stuns me. She demands. She does not ask, especially not politely. This can only mean she’s not exaggerating the situation. Her job, and others, are on the line. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

She lets out a breath I didn’t realize she’d been holding. “Thank God.”

“I’ll get someone in to cover for me here.”

“No. I don’t want anyone but you close to me or this office right now.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Positive. And shouldn’t you be checking on Jensen?”

I glance at my watch and push to my feet. “Yes. He’s meeting with all of the department heads and he has another meeting about to begin.”

“Let me know your travel schedule,” she instructs. “And call me each evening from the hotels.”

Each evening from the hotels. Where I’ll be with Jensen. “Yes. Yes, I will.” I rush to the door and pause with my hand on the knob, turning to ask the question ringing in my mind. “Did he ask for me by name?”

“I told you he did.”

Her tone has that familiar edge that is so Meredith, and while it normally makes me bite my tongue, this time I press onward. “He asked for me,” I prod. “Not your assistant.” And just to be clear, I add, “He asked for me by name.”

“Semantics, Danny.”

I hesitate, wanting to say that it’s not that simple, but for reasons I can’t seem to explain, saying more feels wrong. Whatever Jensen Miller’s motivation for involving me in this is, I’m caged in, unable to do anything but the obvious. I’m going to take him on the tours.





Part Five: Hungry Like A Wolf



By lunchtime, I’ve picked up lunch for Meredith and paraded a line of department heads through to Jensen’s office, all the while fending off snappy attitudes and curious prods over his demand for appointments. One by one, each manager leaves his office, either smiling or scowling.

By one o’clock, I dial his office to see if he wants food. “Your 1:30 moved to 4:00, so you have time to eat.”

“You plan to poison me?”

“Not until we’re on the road,” I say, snapping out the rebuttal after years of word wars with a stepbrother from stepfather number two. “I don’t want to risk someone else getting the credit.”

Jensen surprises me with a deep, sexy laugh, showing no signs of agitation at my reply. “Sounds like I need to keep an eye on you.”

Aware that the hardness of his voice earlier today has been replaced with a subtle sexiness, my mouth goes dry and I’m not sure how to respond. Is he flirting? Or am I simply reading into his tone because, well, the man still has my panties.

“Are you there, Ms. Woods?” he prods when I’m silent too long, not even sure how long too long is at this point.

“Yes. I’m here.”

“What do you suggest for lunch?”

“The kitchen makes a good blackened chicken sandwich or I hear the burgers are good. I wouldn’t know. I don’t do big, greasy, and fat-laden.”

“Sold. I’ll take the burger.”

His obviously lighter mood puzzles me, but I don’t have time to analyze it as the elevator dings and I glance up to see a visitor stepping into the lobby. “Your next appointment just arrived. I’ll bring him to you and then walk to the kitchen to get the order.”

“I’m ready and waiting, Ms.Woods.” There’s a raspy, almost intimate quality to the way he says my name, a quality that I must have imagined. The man has made it clear he hates me, but then, I’m pretty sure my mother has proven there’s a fine line between lust and hate, love being the furthest from most people’s minds.