Guarding His Obsession(23)

I flip through the folder before heading for the elevator. Pink follows me. I hit the button for the bottom floor and keep reading over everything.

“She’s the easiest target. That’s how I look at it. She’s the easiest to get to. She’s just creating the encryption software for a new round of satellites that are being launched midsummer. If the encryption is messed up, no way will Ensore get the project. They’d be done for,” Pink says.

I shut the folder when the elevator hits the ground floor, trying to process everything.

“And I’m sure Green Shore already has their own system set up. They’ll pitch that when Ensore fails,” I say, looking over to Pink.

“From what I gathered, yes. All they need is an invitation to pitch it.”

“So what are we thinking here? Green Shore hired someone to break into Zoey’s and get their hands on whatever it is she’s doing? Either f*ck it up or find a way to f*ck it up later?”

“In the simplest terms, yeah. I don’t understand half the shit.”

“Me neither,” I say, making my way down the hallway before opening the door to our offices. I’m thankfulthat I’d chosen to turn one of the condos in the building into our offices. Now I’d always be close to home, where Zoey would be since she worked from home mainly. Or maybe I could put her a desk in my office down here for her. I really liked that idea. I’d watched Zoey work last night, and I couldn’t make head or tail of anything she was doing. All I saw were lines and lines of numbers, but she could easily do that down here in my office. Our office.

Sherrie pops up from behind her desk as we enter the offices.

“I need a list of all employees at a company called Green Shore.” I hand her the folder. “I also want a list of their family members and close friends. Look hard into anyone with a criminal past, no matter how small. I even want to know if they have sealed records from when they were snot-nosed kids, and I want those records unsealed. Call in favors, I don’t give a shit.”

“How fast you want it?” she asks, dropping the folder on her desk and sitting down.

“Call a few of your sisters to help, and use any of the men if you need leg work.” I hear Pink sigh behind me. He hates when his sisters come in to help out. They might run their mouths a lot when they’re in here, but they get shit done. No one multi-tasks like a woman.

“So…yesterday.”

“Yeah,” I confirm because whoever they hired to get what they wanted from Zoey has lost control of that person. Things are bound to be sloppy, and it’s going to make it a whole lot easier to figure out who it is.





15





Zoey





I open one eye to see Elle lying in bed with me.

“You’re naked,” she says, and I bury my head back in my pillow, feeling the bed shake as she laughs.

“What are you doing?” I ask, pulling the covers fully over myself while rolling to my side to look at her. She’s completely made up in a gray pencil skirt and pink silk blouse. She has on make-up and her hair is styled. I’m surprised she isn’t worried about wrinkling her outfit. She must have a meeting or something today.

“How’s this place so clean with you living in it?” Elle rolls to her side, too, looking at me and ignoring my question.

“Is it?” I lean up and look around the room. I hadn’t really noticed, but it’s oddly clean for a space that I’ve been living in.

“He cleans, too? You hit the man jackpot.” She reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear.

“He really is perfect, isn’t he?” I can’t help but agree with her. Because Drake is perfect. Perfect for me. It’s like we’re made for each other, and he likes all my odd little quirks. In fact, they seem to turn him on.

“They are something,” she agrees, dropping back down on the bed and looking up at the ceiling. She’s finally admitting her feelings for Pink.

“So you admit it.” I smile at her, making her roll her eyes, but I see right through her. “Why are you denying it so much?” I don’t get it. I wanted Drake and I just went for it. Seems like the logical thing to me.

“Because I didn’t want it at first. The attraction was fast, and I’d never felt anything like it before. I’ve been burned a few times with guys who didn't have good intentions.”

I knew she had been. It’s why she stopped even trying with guys anymore. Elle always wanted a big family with a white picket fence and a house full of babies. A big family. It’s something I’m sure Pink could give her if she let him. He’s got family popping out from everywhere.

“But I like him teasing me. I know I can be a little much with how I like things done and everything in order. Initially, I thought my personally would drive him away, but he just kind of steamrolls over me, and I like it when he does. Is that stupid?” She throws one arm over her eyes “Grr. I don’t know.”

I just laugh. I’ve never seen Elle so out of sorts before. I like it, too.

“I don’t really think it matters what you do at this point. I’m pretty sure he’s said over and over that you’re his and you’re not going anywhere. Soooo…” I shrug.

She just smiles.

“Never thought I’d see the day we fell for a couple of friends.”