Читать книгу The Paris Assignment - Addison Fox - Страница 12
ОглавлениеChapter 3
Abby fought the urge to clench her fists and wondered how she ended up agreeing with Campbell Steele’s harebrained scheme to be fake lovers. What had seemed like a good idea at the time suddenly felt petty and childish in light of the barracuda wrapped around him.
As Campbell worked to remove himself from the diva’s arms, Abby amended the mental reference to octopus. She was also more than a little surprised to feel a spear of jealousy tunneling its way through the center of her heart. Since the emotion was as unwelcome as it was unexpected, she pasted on a smile as she turned toward Campbell and the opera singer.
“Abby. Let me introduce you to the evening’s entertainment, Carlotta Luchino.”
Campbell wasn’t kidding on the entertainment, but Abby forced every ounce of good breeding into her voice as she extended her hand to the singer. “It’s lovely to meet you, Ms. Luchino. Your performance this evening was beautiful.”
The woman preened slightly under the compliment and did release her grip on Campbell as he made quick introductions. Abby could practically see the question on the singer’s expressive face as the woman’s eyes narrowed. “You own McBane Communications?”
When Abby confirmed she was both owner and CEO, the transformation was nearly instantaneous. A broad smile covered the diva’s face and she barely gave Campbell another glance.
Whatever else she was, Carlotta Luchino was a businesswoman and she knew the success of the evening depended on the generosity of its patrons. The hand she’d left on Campbell’s arm fell as she smiled broadly and gestured to the room at large. “You are enjoying the evening, no?”
“Absolutely.”
The lie tripped off her tongue as Campbell’s freedom from the woman’s clutches gave him the opportunity to resume his perusal of the guests. Although she hadn’t paid any attention to her surroundings until Campbell had pointed out the man, it was all she could do to stay still and not go after him herself and find out what he wanted from her.
And why he was watching her.
When Campbell’s scan of the room turned up nothing—evidenced by a slight shake of his head—he reached for her hand. “Carlotta, while it was lovely to see you again, I’m afraid we’re going to need to get going.”
Carlotta sighed, but Abby didn’t miss the narrow-eyed gaze the woman had already bestowed on an aging widower standing at the edge of a nearby conversation circle.
“That was interesting.”
“To say the least.” Campbell tugged on the collar of his shirt and it brought a quick smile to Abby’s face. While she knew it wasn’t all that broad-minded of her, she couldn’t quite shake the small stab of glee that he’d spent those last few minutes with Carlotta as uncomfortable as she.
And then he went still, his discomfort vanishing as if it had never been.
“What is it?”
“Your friend is back.”
Abby fought the urge to turn around and instead, reached for Campbell’s arm and forced an adoring tone into her voice. “Walk me toward the door? I’m in need of some fresh air.”
He clasped his hand over hers where it rested on his forearm and she followed his guidance as they walked through the throng of partygoers. Her heels were high, but she couldn’t quite see over the people milling around and she’d do far better to simply allow Campbell to lead her where they needed to go.
“Do you see him?”
“Yep. He’s near the far side of the theater and heading for the stairs.”
She felt the impatience in his large body and pressed a hand to his lower back. “Go. Don’t let me hold you up.”
“Stay here among all these people. You’ll be a lot safer here.”
“What if this guy’s capable of real harm?”
“An even better reason you should stay. In fact, why don’t you find security and suggest they head for the parking garages. I’m pretty sure that’s where he’s going.”
The urge to argue was strong; the urge to follow him even stronger.
And stay or follow, it was more than a little unnerving to find herself left behind as he took off through the crowd.
She gave herself the briefest moment to watch him depart, his height ensuring she could see his head as he threaded his way through the crowd.
How the heck did I end up with a bodyguard?
The thought gonged long and loud in her mind as she moved in the opposite direction of Campbell and toward a couple of security guards she’d seen earlier.
The bodyguard thought continued to press at her as she navigated the jovial crowd.
She’d hired a computer expert, not a bodyguard. And now Campbell had placed himself in potential danger on her behalf.
She picked up her pace, moving to the perimeter of the crowd to find the guards.
“So here you are.”
A flood of adrenaline rushed her system as Abby looked up into the face of the man who had been pointed out to her. With her only thought the safety she felt in Campbell’s presence, she took off down a nearby well of stairs and her last memories of Campbell’s retreating body.
“Wait!”
The heavy adrenaline rapidly morphed into sheer panic as Abby worked to keep her high heels steady on the stairs. She felt the man boring down behind her and let out a small scream when he reached out to touch her shoulder.
She had to get away.
Had to get to Campbell and safety.
She saw the gray-tinged lights of the parking garage spread out before her, the glass entry doors that separated the performance building from the parking lot propped open at the base.
The thought crossed her mind that Campbell may have changed course, but that fear vanished as she heard him scream her name.
“Abby!”
Scrabbling footsteps echoed behind her as the man pursuing her realized she had backup. He whirled on his heel, the heavy sensation of his body bearing down on hers vanishing immediately.
From her periphery, she saw Campbell change gears, moving from his path to intercept the man who’d followed her.
And then she could only stare as it all happened in a blur of motion.
Campbell’s long strides had him easily reaching the man, who he collared and slammed into the nearest car, all in one coordinated move. He kept the man pinned to the car and a silent thrill rode her as she observed Campbell’s predatory grace.
“What do you want with her?” The mild-mannered man who’d accompanied her to the opera had vanished, and in its place was a man who obviously understood violence.
“Nothing.”
“Wrong answer.” Campbell pressed harder against the man. “What do you want with her?”
“Nothing, man. Nothing.”
“Who are you working for?”
Abby was torn between watching the exchange and running for help. Although Campbell appeared to have the upper hand, she was afraid to leave him alone. The sound of shouts and heavy footfalls ensured she didn’t need to make that decision as two security guards barreled through the glass doors.
“Sir! Stand back.”
The entire scene ran like something out of a bad movie as Abby watched the two men separate Campbell and the stranger, then drag both of them some distance from the cars.
“I’ve got credentials, if you’ll just let me get them from my pockets.” Campbell grit out the words as his gaze stayed locked on the man he’d had pinned.
The guard holding Campbell waited for a nod from his partner before agreeing. “Can she get it for you?”
“Abby?” Campbell’s gaze met hers. “My inside front pocket.”
Tension gripped all of them in tight fists and she made quick work of the job, reaching inside his open tuxedo jacket. As he promised, there was a small leather folder there and she pulled it out and opened it for the guard.
The guard released his grip and she watched, fascinated, as Campbell extended his arms in front of him to keep the man at ease. “You’re in security?”
“Yes.”
“You want to tell me what’s going on?” The guard handed the badge back while his partner kept a firm hold on the other man.
Campbell provided a quick recap of events both during the cocktail hour and what led them into the garage.
“The man followed you, ma’am?”
“Yes.”
The guy screamed that she was a liar, but it was only while he was screaming that Abby truly caught sight of where his gaze had landed.
On the diamond necklace that encircled her throat.
Understanding flooded her in a rush. “You’re a thief.”
“I am not.”
“That’s what this is about.”
The accusation had little effect on the man’s mood, but it was enough to shift the conversation with the guards to their favor as well as the two additional guards who came down after receiving radio calls.
Abby watched in bewildered fascination as Campbell worked the new guards, reconfirming his license and what had happened.
And she was even more shocked and amazed when, after providing their contact information only, they were both given permission to leave.
“How’d you do that?”
“The license helped.” Campbell’s hand returned to her lower back and he led them toward the waiting line of cars. “I also let the guard know you were a highly respected businesswoman under my protection. They’ll follow up with you.”
Campbell waved in the direction of the limo line and she saw a quick flash of lights from their driver. “Come on. Let’s wait for him over here.”
“Do you think they’ll get anything out of him?”
“Where’d you get the idea he was a thief?”
Abby thought back to that brief flash of insight. It wasn’t anything she could fully describe or explain, but she’d known the moment the man’s gaze had settled on her neck that his intentions were about the jewelry.
She’d spent long years reading people and she couldn’t shake the bone-deep certainty that had been his motive.
“There was an avarice in his eyes I can’t quite explain. I’m sure once they run him it’ll become more than obvious he was casing the event to set up a few jobs.”
The car pulled around and their driver hopped out and got them settled. Campbell took his seat opposite her and she sunk against the padded seats, unable to stop the events of the evening from flashing through her mind.
“I’m sure the police will follow up, but I’ll also run that guy through a facial-recognition program. If he’s got any sort of a record, or even a whisper of suspicion around him, he’ll pop.”
“Good.” Abby tried to shake off the lingering feelings of vulnerability that were as unwelcome as they were uncomfortable.
“And just to cover ground I know you’ll be asked again. You’ve never seen him before?”
“No, I haven’t. Which is more than I can say for you and the Sophia Loren wannabe back there.”
Her own words surprised her but they had their desired effect as they shifted Campbell’s focus. His grin was back, whip-quick and more than a little dashing. “You didn’t believe me when I told you I didn’t like opera.”
“I assumed you didn’t care for the music.”
“Among other things,” he muttered as he reached for his bow tie.
Abby held her tongue, the image of those slender arms and luscious curves wrapped around Campbell still haunting her mind’s eye. Not only was the reaction beyond inappropriate—he owed her no explanations—it was damned infuriating to feel like the cuckolded lover.
Even if the lover part was imaginary.
“How about a drink? I want to discuss tonight as well as our plans for tomorrow.”
She flirted briefly with turning down the invitation, but discarded the idea. They didn’t have much time before leaving for Paris and there was still much to go over. Besides, her adrenaline was still so sky-high she knew she was unlikely to fall asleep anytime soon. “Where would you like to go?”
“The Four Winds is on the way to your home. It’s dark, it’s private and it’s a classic with those big wide windows overlooking Central Park. Let’s head there.” After a quick set of instructions to their driver, Campbell dragged the tie from his throat, wrapping it up and dropping it into his suit pocket. A small patch of skin was visible at the open neck of his shirt and Abby felt her temperature spike another few degrees.
Their destination decided, Abby tried to mentally regroup. She had to get a grip on these ridiculous feelings. She and Campbell were going to be spending a lot of time together in close proximity and ogling her newly acquired business associate wasn’t going to help her keep her mind on the game. Already tonight, she’d been more than surprised when he’d pointed out the steady gaze of the tuxedo-clad stranger.
She hadn’t even noticed the man.
“What was your take on this evening?” She saw the bright lights of the Time Warner Center as their driver took the turn at Columbus Circle and she knew they weren’t far from their destination.
“Aside from our criminal du jour, it was a relatively harmless evening. Lots of well-dressed people having stuffy, boring conversations.”
“That’s what you thought about tonight?”
“Sure. Didn’t you?”
A laugh welled up at his frank assessment. “Well, yeah, but aren’t we supposed to pretend we had a good time, drinking in the atmosphere and reveling in the talk of important matters?”
“What for? It was a bunch of privileged people standing around talking about privileged things.”
She couldn’t hold back her curiosity at the entirely unexpected shift in the conversation. “Unless I’m mistaken, that townhome we picked you up at smacks of privilege and wealth.”
He shrugged, the lines of his shoulders stiff and uncomfortable as his gaze drifted toward the window. “It just seems like there’s more to life.”
“Is that why you do this?”
He turned back from the window. “Do what? The business?” When she nodded, he added, “Sure, to a point. It keeps me active and productive and it seems to be working if the profits we’re turning are any indication.”
“Did you ever expect your services would be in such high demand?”
A quick light sparked in Campbell’s eyes and Abby didn’t miss the clear notes of excitement there. “Nothing prepared us for the reaction we’ve had. We knew our parents’ friends had the need for quiet inquiries into certain matters or help managing an enemy bent on destroying them, but we were unprepared for the response we’ve received.”
“So you help the very lifestyle you disdain?”
“It’s not disdain—”
Intrigued, Abby sat quietly, waiting for him to say more. She sensed something underneath his words she couldn’t quite identify and for some reason it was suddenly very important to her to understand what drove him.
His words were quiet when he finally spoke again. “I want more out of my life than watching my stock portfolio all day.”
“Your parents raised you and your siblings with a work ethic. There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s also nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of your labor, however you choose.”
“This from a woman regularly known to work ninety-hour weeks. Tell me, Abby—” he leaned toward her across the expanse of the limo, his voice husky “—how often are you enjoying the fruits of your labors?”
She could hardly argue with the assessment, even if it suddenly struck her as a rather cold view of her life. “I enjoy a full life.”
“Outside the boardroom?”
She laughed, the sound surprising her with its hollow echo. “I lead a privileged life. I’m hardly in a position to complain.”
Their driver pulled to a stop and Abby sensed their conversation was at an end. “Speaking of privilege, what you do does have a few perks.”
“Perks?”
“You weren’t exactly fending off the advances of a world-renowned diva, now were you?”
She purposely looked away from Campbell’s widened eyes as the driver held her door open. Abby took the man’s proffered hand and stepped from the car, satisfied that—for the moment—she’d had the last word.
* * *
Campbell walked behind Abby through the ornate entryway to one of his favorite bars, his gaze returning again and again to the long cascade of her hair falling rich and lush over her back. The woman was a sight and he couldn’t quite shake off the small kernel of enjoyment that Carlotta had gotten to her.
He also thanked his lucky stars the diva hadn’t ruined his cover.
Carlotta had a rather sizeable chip on her shoulder at her ill-fated seduction attempts and this evening could have gone sideways faster than a computer virus in a mainframe if she hadn’t recognized the financial value in sucking up to Abby.
He could only offer praise to the few brain cells he possessed that he’d never taken the diva up on her more than generous offer—one given while stark-naked—the previous fall. She was an assignment—the victim of a high-end ring of identity thieves—and he didn’t mix business with pleasure.
So why was he struggling to keep that in the forefront of his thoughts as he spent time with Abby?
And what the hell was he thinking coming on to her in the limo? He had no idea how she chose to live her life and insinuating otherwise was seriously out of line. Despite the knowledge he needed to stop this ridiculous curiosity about his newest client, he couldn’t deny how the woman intrigued him.
Nor could he deny the overwhelming urge to wipe away the sadness he saw in the depths of her lush brown gaze.
He was neither a fanciful man, nor a poetic one, so the fact that thought even crossed his mind was proof positive he was far more gone than he’d realized.
The hostess led them through the bar to a prime seat in front of the oversize windows. The south entrance of the park sat open before them and he could see several horses with their riders waiting to ply their trade.
With deliberate movements, he slung an arm around Abby’s shoulders once they were settled on a small high-backed settee before the window.
“There’s no one here,” she hissed as she looked up at him.
“What’s the matter? Not enjoying my company?”
“That’s not what I meant. The event is over and we’re not on display any longer. You said the evening didn’t seem out of the ordinary.”
His impressions earlier in the day as well as observing her throughout the evening were one of a woman used to being in control. Add on her comments in the car when he tried to probe deeper and he knew she wasn’t used to giving up one precious bit of that power.
Whether it was his own stubborn, subversive nature that his family regularly cursed him for or the fact that the woman tantalized him like no other he wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t resist baiting her.
“Just because the evening didn’t seem out of the ordinary didn’t mean there wasn’t anyone watching. Nor does it mean we don’t need practice for our trip to Paris.”
“Practice?”
“Of course. People have to believe we’re really together. If a few drinks together can’t loosen us up, there’s no way we’re going to convince a room full of people who’ve known you for years that we’re an item.”
“They’ll just think we’re not a very affectionate couple.”
The pert retort gave him the exact opening he needed. With deliberate slowness, Campbell leaned in, pressing his lips toward her ear. “Like anyone would believe you could be cold and indifferent in a relationship.”
“There’s cold and indifferent and then there’s wildly inappropriate. I wouldn’t be inappropriate at a business function.”
Her spine was arrow-straight and her face was a mask of that indifference he’d accused her of and suddenly, despite the fact she was a client, he simply couldn’t resist seeing where she was willing to take things. With deliberate slowness, he ran a finger down the length of her forearm, the soft feel of her skin beckoning him. “Shame.”
“Wh-what’s a shame?” Her voice was breathless as he trailed his finger once more over that delicate skin, turning her hand over so the expanse of her wrist was bare to him.
“It’s a shame that you wouldn’t allow even the tiniest bit of passion to make its way into your business meeting.”
“The boardroom’s not the time or place.”
“I suppose you’re right.” With a quick shift, he put some space between them as their waitress came over to take their drink orders. He gestured Abby to go first, then ordered his standard whiskey and soda.
And settled back to see what move Ms. Abigail McBane decided to make next.
* * *
“Don’t think I’m not on to your game.”
Campbell’s gaze was diverted as he scanned the room but his words held no hesitancy. “I’ve no doubt you are.”
Yet again, Abby felt herself caught off balance as he fully acknowledged what had roared to life between them. “Oh.”
He finished his perusal and turned the full power of that vivid blue gaze on her. “We’re attracted to each other. It’s a wee bit inconvenient, but some of the best things in life are.”
She watched his face in the subdued lighting of the bar, curious at the mix of ennui and matter-of-fact sincerity in his tone. “You’re rather practical.”
“There’s that word again. I just prefer to think of myself as honest.” He reached for a pretzel nestled in a small silver bowl on the small cocktail table between them and popped it in his mouth. “There’s a difference.”
“Honest? You know all about the inner workings of computer fraud and high-level hacking. Isn’t that a bit like saying the fox should have access to the henhouse?”
“It all depends?”
“On what?”
He leaned in once more and Abby couldn’t fight the delighted shiver that raced down her spine at the warmth emanating from his body. “Whether or not you open the door.”
A discreet cough from their waitress caught Abby’s attention and she watched as the woman set down a glass of cabernet. Abstractly, she wondered if the wine matched the flush trying to work its way across her face.
Why was she so upside down over this man? She’d attended meetings with the President of the United States, damn it. She could do this.
Even more important, she had to do this.
This strange attraction might have thrown her for a loop, but she’d be damned if she were going to behave like she was a slave to her body. This was a business arrangement and it was time to start treating it like one. She waited until their waitress left them before pushing their conversation back onto safer ground. “I’m on the committee for the opera charity. I can probably get a list of attendees tonight if you think you could do something with that.”
He took a sip of his drink before setting it down. “Good. That’ll save time and I’ll run it against a few of the databases I’m pulling from your systems. I set a few other things up to run overnight and I can look at the data in the morning.”
“You were busy this afternoon.”
He shrugged. “A few simple programs to begin organizing your staff lists. I’ll take it up a few notches after we get to Paris and get set up at your offices there.”
“I can get you access to the Paris office but I won’t be able to join you. I’m holding the meetings at my home.”
Her words hit a mark she wasn’t even aiming for as he put down his glass without even taking a sip. “You can’t be serious.”
“Of course I am. I use this week of meetings to entertain and I always do it from my home. It’s more personal that way.”
“Abby. You’re dealing with a security breach that may have originated with your staff. You can’t put yourself at risk like that.” All hint of teasing and innuendo was gone as he stared at her with that stark blue gaze.
“Nothing’s going to happen in my home. And no one stays there. They’re brought in from a nearby hotel.”
“Doesn’t change the fact they’re there for hours on end. Do you have any idea how easy it will be for someone to slip away for a few minutes and get a sense of the house?”
Abby had been diligent about tamping down her own sense of paranoia, unwilling to allow the out-of-control feelings to invade her annual meeting plans and in a few brief moments, Campbell had managed to bring them welling right back up to the surface. Forcing a sense of bravado into her tone she didn’t really feel she pushed back. “It can’t be that bad. I’ll add some additional security detail.”
“So you have some? At the house now?”
“I have a state-of-the-art alarm system, installed a year ago, and maintained with monthly software upgrades.”
He was already reaching for his phone when she stilled his arm. “What are you doing?”
“Getting someone in there now. You can’t just rely on the technology, especially if the person we’re dealing with has the skills we suspect.”
“There’s nothing to be done for it tonight, Campbell.”
“It’s five in the morning in Paris and the best don’t sleep anyway. I want a team in there immediately and I want the house swept for devices and bugs before you arrive tomorrow.”
“It’s a good system. Custom designed.” She couldn’t resist adding that last bit, more than a little embarrassed to have her ability to protect herself found lacking.
His eyebrows rose at that as he reached for his whiskey once more. After a hearty sip, he turned toward her. “I’m not trying to scare you, Abby. Believe me, that’s the last thing I want to do, but I don’t understand why you aren’t taking this seriously. You were concerned enough to call my sister to secure our help. Add on you can’t account for a significant problem in your security protocols.”
“I am taking this seriously.” She snapped out the words. “I’ve been through this before and it was nothing. I’m not going to look like I’m crying wolf and running around like a helpless little woman. I won’t do that again.”
His already sharp gaze grew even more pointed. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. It was a long time ago.”
“Then why’d you say it?”
She took a deep breath, willing her raging emotions to cool. Why had she even mentioned it? She wasn’t helpless. She was a strong, resourceful woman and she knew how to take care of herself.
So why the hell couldn’t she find her balance?
“I don’t want to live in fear. That’s not a way to live.”
“No, it’s not. But ignoring the problem isn’t going to make it go away. And ignoring the true root of your feelings isn’t helping, either.” When she remained silent, he pressed on. “So what happened?”
“I had an incident about a year after college—almost seven years ago, I guess. I was assigned to our London office and one of my coworkers took an inappropriate shine to me.”
Campbell nodded, the hard set of his jaw tight as he listened to her story.
“It was little things at first. A few emails. Mutual trips in the elevator as I was leaving. Then it got worse with a visit to my flat.”
“What did you do about it?”
“Gently rebuked his interest at first. Then more forcefully when he wouldn’t take the hint.”
Although time had faded the memories, Abby was surprised by how quickly she could pull it all back. “I escalated it up when it became evident he wouldn’t stop and Human Resources took care of him. European employment laws are different than the U.S. but the owners’ daughter gets a bit of extra special attention. It was all a moot point in the end.”
“Why’s that?”
“He was found dead about two weeks after the human resources department arranged for his departure.”
“Did you investigate it?”
“Of course. Nothing turned up and the cause of death was ruled a heart attack.”
“How old was the guy?”
“About thirty.”
“And you didn’t find a heart attack suspicious?”
“It was ruled a condition from birth. One of those strange circumstances of nature.”
Campbell’s intense focus—complemented by a heavy dose of skepticism at the story of the man’s death—had her rethinking the incident in light of her current situation.
Was it possible there was a connection, even a distant one?
“And you’ve never dealt with anything else?”
“You mean other than the routine, vitriolic letters that come into the McBane press office, suggesting I’m the spawn of Satan for running a company that sends satellites up into orbit?”
“Something like that.”
“Then no. Nothing has happened since London.” She hesitated, the need for reassurance warring with the concern that she was just being silly. “Do you think there’s a chance they could be connected?”
“I think I’m glad you told me about it so we can rule out any connection.” Campbell reached for her hand, his voice thick with the shades of his whiskey. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Abby. You do believe me?”
“Yes.”
His fingers returned to the sensitive skin of her wrist and he rubbed gently against the small space with the pad of his thumb. Desire wrapped around her with sly tendrils, soft fingers of need that beckoned her toward him. The urge to simply lean forward and kiss him—to find out if the strength she sensed in him would follow through to his ability to draw a response from her—had her nearly acting on the impulse.
In the split second between desire and action, the bar exploded in confusion. The heavy, unmistakable sound of a gunshot echoed through her ear as the window opposite them exploded into a million pieces.
