The Dangerous Thief (Stolen Hearts #3)(39)

The stranger got off about midway up the building and James took his exit on the security level. He didn’t look back as the doors closed and Jennifer was on her way up. Now he was mostly on standby. Because Jennifer now had his access card, he’d have to get a new one. Luckily he knew where the easiest mark in the building was. And he happened to be in the room without security cameras.

James walked into the main security office to find Ike Shriver surrounded by a sea of empty coffee cups and takeout boxes. The room smelled rank, as if Ike had been there for days without leaving.

Ike stiffened when James came in, but when he saw who it was, he sat back down. “Oh, it’s you, New Guy.”

In terms of nicknames, James could think of millions more creative. But Shriver wasn’t exactly the most creative guy. “I wanted to check in.”

“Babysitting boring? I heard Willa can be a bitch. If you need help tag teaming her, you let me know. I know we’re shorthanded, but I’ll figure something out.”

He really didn’t want to know, but he found himself asking anyway. “Tag teaming?”

“You know. You’re on guard duty and I rough her up a bit. Nothing too bad. Just enough to get her to follow orders like a good girl, you know?”

James closed his eyes and pulled on all of his self-control to keep from punching Shriver right in his face. “I can handle her on my own, thanks.”

“Just offering.”

James picked up one of the containers of food and eyed it warily before he tossed it into the trash. “So have you been working overtime?”

“Not sure if you heard, but they’re outsourcing. I want to make sure I’m here when the new guys come.”

Outsourcing. The last thing they needed. Hopefully they’d be long gone before the new help got in. “What do we know about the new guys?”

“Drake Securities,” said Shriver. “Besides that? Nothing. They’re nowhere online. They came very highly recommended, whatever the fuck that means. They’ll be looking at our system from bottom to top. I think you’ll have the easiest time.”

Shriver was probably right about that. If James were legit, as the newest member of the team he could plead ignorance to anything shady that happened in the past. Though if they looked too deeply, they could also discover that all the shady dealings that Jadon had discovered were planted by Toni.

He would have to get out sooner rather than later.

“I’m in Jadon’s office,” said Jennifer in his ear.

Which meant it was about time to head upstairs. As worried as Shriver was about this new security team coming in, he wasn’t doing a damn thing to be more secure. His badge sat right on the outside of his jacket, which was on the back of his chair. He didn’t even have to try to be subtle as he picked it off the jacket.

“I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you think,” said James, lying. Shriver’s job would never survive a thorough look-through.

Shriver scoffed. “Sure. Sterling’s guys aren’t known for being forgiving,” he said under his breath.

“Sterling?”

Shriver rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Forget about it. I never said anything.”

“James, what’s your position?” asked Toni.

“I have to head out. Hang in there.” James left and made his way to the door.

“You never told me what you were doing here,” said Shriver before James could make a clean break.

“I’m in the safe,” said Jennifer.

Fuck. It had only been a few minutes and she was already in the safe? “I’m just here to check in. I needed a break and the backup showed up at the girl’s apartment.”

He put his hand on the door when Shriver’s phone started to buzz and Shriver cursed. James debated just leaving but decided against it. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a breakin. Someone’s in Belli’s office. Let’s go.” Shriver pulled his jacket on and James let the keycard fall to the ground so Shriver wouldn’t know it was missing.

“What do you mean someone’s breaking into Belli’s office?” said James loudly.

“I’m on it,” said Austin. “ETA is three minutes.”

James had no idea how Austin thought he was going to get past security and up that fast until Toni said, “They know they’re compromised so I’m about to take over control of the elevators. Austin, you make it there and I’ll take you up.”

“Getting down will be harder though,” said Scott, who was probably in the van on the street with Toni. “James, we know every aspect of this security system. I need you to figure out what tipped off Shriver.”

James and Shriver were both getting on the elevator. “So we should be there in what—sixty seconds?” he said, letting Jennifer know what kind of time she had. “What was the notification you got?”

“There was an advanced scout from Drake here earlier. He beefed up everything. And it was his system that was tipped off, not ours. Fuck.”

James took out his sidearm and loaded a round in the chamber. “I can subdue and you can call the police.”

Shriver waved a hand dismissively. “The cops are never going to make it here. Drake’s guy should be there any second now.”

“What?” snapped Austin.