The cool air was refreshing as I climbed out of Benjamin’s car in front of my building. Stepping onto the curb, I turned and offered Olivia my hand to help her out. She emerged gracefully, but somewhat timidly. Understandable, but regrettable. The fire in her sweet little body was one of my favorite things about Olivia. But now she seemed shrunken, shivering, even her gorgeous big hair somewhat deflated. I removed my jacket and draped it over her shoulders without a word.
“Thank you,” she said softly, clutching the jacket around herself. I wanted to say it was the least I could do, considering how my actions had led to her fear, but I only exchanged a glance with Benjamin. He didn’t approve of some of my choices, but that’s the thing about being the boss – they’re always my choices to make.
We stepped into the elevator up to my top floor residence. As the doors slid closed and the elevator began its smooth ascent, I stole a few glances at Olivia. She seemed lost in thought, her dark eyes clouded with hints of the self-doubt and anxiety that she was trying so hard to hide. Struggling to be brave. A big part of me wanted to reassure her again that everything would be fine. But I couldn’t manage to lie to her again.
I strode through the door into my penthouse, Olivia and Benjamin on my heels. Olivia still looked shaken up by what we’d seen at her apartment. A pang of guilt flared in me. But what I saw in my living room snapped me back to the moment.
Celia, Ash, and Brynn were in my living room. I groaned. “What’s going on here?”
“About time you showed up,” Celia said from her spot on the sofa, dressed head to toe in black, as always. She was tapping away at her phone without skipping a beat in the conversation, her keen eyes locked on me. Unnerving as always.
Brynn and Ash stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, deep in what looked like a heated argument. Ash’s face was tense, his body rigid as he leaned toward Brynn. Her lips moved rapidly, voice too low for me to make out the words. The way Ash’s jaw clenched and Brynn’s eyes flashed spoke volumes. She was clearly pissed about something, and he wasn’t backing down.
I started toward them, ready to demand answers, when Celia stood up to get my attention. “Marcus,” she said evenly, “we need to talk.” Her eyes flicked to Olivia. “Privately.”
I rolled my eyes and barely managed to bite back a sharp retort. Celia was one of the few people I knew who actually made me want to be polite. She was brilliant and terrifying, always able to get information in seemingly impossible situations. And, from what I could tell, she had sources all over the world at every level of society. Not someone to piss off because I was annoyed in general.
Before I could respond, Olivia stepped up beside me, chin high. “Marcus and I don’t keep secrets anymore,” she said sharply. “Whatever you tell him, you can say in front of me.”
Celia’s mouth opened and closed without making a sound.
I slid an arm around Olivia’s waist, meeting Celia’s gaze. “You heard her. Out with it.”
Apparently finished arguing with Ash, Brynn decided to throw her two cents in. “Oh, so now sleeping with Marcus is all it takes to earn a seat at the table?” She sneered, her eyes locked on Olivia.
My blood boiled at the condescension dripping from her words. “Brynn, I don’t know who the fuck you think you’re talking to like that in my goddamn house. In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re all in deep shit right now. We don’t have time for petty jealousy.”
“Jealousy?” Brynn scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. “Please, Marcus. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Enough!” Benjamin barked, stepping between us and shooting a glare at Brynn. “Celia has important information, remember? Let’s focus on that.”
I took a deep breath, trying to regain control of my temper. Celia watched the exchange, her expression unreadable, then continued. “I’ve learned that Jonathan Ware might be a police informant. My sources have heard rumors of his involvement with an ongoing federal investigation.”
I froze, stunned. Out of everything I’d expected her to say, that wasn’t it. “Son of a bitch,” I bit out. “This changes everything.”
Celia nodded, her expression impassive as always. “As I was saying, I’ve only been able to gather whispers about Ware’s involvement. The case itself is highly classified, very hush-hush.”
I absorbed this, thoughts racing. It made perfect sense. Ware had always been opportunistic, willing to sell anyone out if it benefited him. “Let me guess,” I said. “He’s feeding them dirt on his competitors, trying to clear the field. Knock out the big players so he can swoop in and take over.”
Celia inclined her head. “I can’t say for sure, but it certainly seems like a plausible explanation.”
Olivia spoke up from where she stood close beside me. “I don’t understand. Why would he go after Marcus’s businesses if he’s working with the feds? Shouldn’t he be focused on staying under the radar?”
I shook my head, a wry smile twisting my lips. “You don’t know Ware like I do. He’s always respected me as a businessman, albeit grudgingly. But he hates me as a person. The feeling is mutual. Any chance to fuck me over and save his worthless hide? Ware would probably take it.”
Olivia frowned. “But if he wanted you out of the picture, he has enough evidence to make that happen, right? Why is he sabotaging you as well?”
“It’s because he knows how fiercely I protect what’s mine.” I began to pace, adrenaline spiking through me. “Ware is aware if he threatens my power base, I’ll move heaven and earth to stop him. I’ll cause chaos, get attention. That keeps me, and any other potential threats to his little scheme, distracted and too busy scrambling to see what he’s up to.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Olivia replied, but I could tell from her voice that she wasn’t convinced. And frankly, neither was I.
“Ware’s a spoiled little rich boy and an asshole, but he’s not stupid. He’s in business with every dangerous dude in this city. Getting caught snitching is a guaranteed death sentence.”
I stopped and turned to Celia. “If it is him, we need proof. Undeniable proof.”
“Easier said than done. The case details are sealed up tight. My sources can’t access them without drawing suspicion.”
“So, what do you have?”
“Not much, really,” Celia admitted. “The only thing I could confirm and substantiate was a local law firm connected to the case. I was able to track down some billing records that correspond with what my source told me.” She paused, her expression unreadable. “The firm is Palmer, Foster, Bennett & Associates.”
The room went silent as if someone had sucked all the air out of it. We were each lost in our own thoughts, processing the shocking revelation.
Ash eventually broke the silence. “Am I missing something? What does that mean?”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I muttered under my breath, the weight of the situation hitting me like a ton of bricks. My eyes met Olivia’s, and I could see the shock and disbelief etched across her beautiful face. She looked as if she was trying to reconcile this new information with everything else we had learned so far.
“Olivia…” I started, but found myself at a loss for words. This was one fucking huge mountain of a coincidence. If it was one at all.
“Marcus, I didn’t know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I swear, I didn’t.”
“Hello? Know what? Why is everyone freaking out?”
I sighed deeply and answered Ash’s question. “Palmer, Foster, Bennett & Associates is where Olivia works.”
“Oh,” was all he said in reply.
The tension in the room was heavy, an unyielding weight that threatened to crush us all. I clenched my fists, knuckles turning white as I tried to regain control of my emotions. The last thing we needed was for me to lose my shit, but goddamn, it was getting harder and harder to hold back.
“Marcus,” Brynn hissed, grabbing my arm and pulling me aside. “Don’t you see? This is too fucking convenient. Olivia’s firm being involved with Ware? It reeks of something more.”
I stared at her, taking in her ice-blue eyes filled with contempt and suspicion. “The firm is massive, Brynn. They’re probably connected to half the wealthy pricks in this city. It could be a coincidence.”
“Or you’re just too blinded by your lust for her to see what’s right in front of you,” she snapped, her words like venom. “She could be our downfall, and you’re falling for it hook, line, and sinker. You’re letting your obsession with that girl cloud your judgment!”
“I’m not blinded by anything. And I don’t need you to tell me how to run my life.” My anger flared, hot and dangerous, so close to exploding.” With that, I turned away from her, rejoining the others.
Olivia sat silently, her expression one of deep thought as the rest of us discussed options to get the information we needed. More dicking around with ideas, no actual results.
“Okay, enough,” I said. “All of you go do your jobs. I’ll figure this out. Actually, Benjamin, you stay.”
Ash, Celia and Brynn filed out silently, all looking annoyed and miserable.
Join the club.
Once they were gone, I sat down next to Olivia and took her hand. It was shaking. “It’s okay, baby. I know you have nothing to do with this. Don’t worry about anyone else’s opinion on the matter.”
She squeezed my hand and nodded, but her beautiful face was drawn with anxiety, her lovely brown skin greyish.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Azalea’s number, pacing restlessly as I waited for her to pick up. When she finally did, her voice came through, cool and collected. “What’s up, boss?”
“I need you to break into Palmer, Foster, Bennett & Associates’ system,” I said urgently. “Find anything you can on their connection to Ware.”
“I’ve already tried,” Azalea said, frustration evident in her voice. “Celia asked me a little while ago.”
“Try again,” I said coldly.
“Marcus, please. You know I tried everything possible. There is no remote access to case files. That firm’s security is top-notch in general, and even higher for something as delicate and dangerous as this. The only way to see what those files say is to go into that office and read them. And from what Ash has told me, breaking in isn’t going to be an option either. I’m sorry. Unless you know something I don’t, it just isn’t happening.”
Unfortunately, I did know something. Or rather, someone.
“Thanks, Azalea. I’ll call you back.” My voice was barely a whisper as I hung up the phone, dread settling heavy in my gut.