Fair Game Inc (2010) (21 page)

oOf course not.o Barlow dusted off his suit pants and straightened. oJust another point in the smear campaign this private investigator of yours is trying to build against me. Really, Charles. I donAEt care what you do in your off hours, but this liaison has become more than recreational, itAEs damaging the integrity of this firm. People are talking.o

oWhat people--o

Amber shoved the half piece of paper at Grayson before Barlow could answer his question. oPeople are talking all right. And it isnAEt about you and me. ItAEs about the sale of this firm.o

Grayson took the paper from her hands. Dragging his eyes downward, he forced himself to read the three legible paragraphs before the rip.

oThe sale heAEs been arranging behind your back while youAEve been working yourself to death trying to pay his bills.o Amber kept talking. To pause only gave Barlow an opportunity to jump in and persuade Grayson to take his side.

oBelieve none of this,o Barlow ordered.

oThe firm is bankrupt,o Amber continued. She glared at Barlow, afraid even to look at Grayson. If he believed Barlow instead of her, she didnAEt want to know. Not until sheAEd laid it all on the line. oI found the ledger in BarlowAEs files my first day on the job.o

oThose files are my personal property. She had no business being in there. I ought to charge her with--o

GraysonAEs head came up. oI want to see those files.o

Digging in his pocket, Barlow came up with a series of small keys on a ring. oFine. Look all you like. There are no such papers in my files.o

His performance convinced Grayson. Amber watched him falter, shifting ever so slightly to BarlowAEs side of the argument. Truth leant Barlow strength. Even if Grayson did examine the files, he wouldnAEt find the ones sheAEd seen there.

oNot anymore,o Amber interjected quickly. oHe destroyed them.o

Barlow shot her a caustic look. oThat accusation is even more ridiculous than the last. Need I remind you, Miss Shaw, that breaking and entering is against the law.o

Logic tipped the balance a little more in BarlowAEs favor. Certainly what sheAEd done lay on the shady side of the law. But sheAEd been trying to protect GraysonAEs interests. Anger bubbled up inside her, demanding release. Barlow was the one breaking the law, selling off what wasnAEt his. She stabbed a finger in BarlowAEs direction.

oHe knew IAEd been in his office, so he destroyed the evidence. If it wasnAEt for me, his plan would have gone off without a hitch. ThatAEs why he was so angry with you when he came back from holiday. ThatAEs why he wanted you to get rid of me.o

oThen thereAEs no proof.o Defeat colored GraysonAEs expression. He was right. There was no proof, none but her word. Appearances were not on her side. In GraysonAEs place even she would have believed Barlow. She was the one with her hand in the cookie jar. Certain Barlow had won him over, she glanced at Grayson trying to determine whether he believed his partnerAEs word over hers. Guarded eyes betrayed nothing of what he felt. But she could feel his faith slipping away from her as he listened to the hard facts of his partnerAEs argument. As a lawyer, heAEd be more likely to be swayed by cold detail than the longing of his heart. She couldnAEt let Barlow win him over.

oIAEm the proof! IAEm your witness.o Amber took the paper from his hands. oI can tell you what the rest of this letter says. I can tell you how much your firm is in the red, because I saw the papers.o

oDonAEt believe her,o Barlow said, quietly, reasonably. oThough Miss Shaw is an attractive woman, she is also deranged. She has no evidence to back up her ridiculous claim.o

BarlowAEs words a ring of truth to them, Amber reluctantly agreed. She had no evidence, no proof.

oThe ledger has been destroyed,o Amber said quickly. oBut evidence of the sale of the firm is in BarlowAEs pocket.o She did look at him them, openly, without pleading and risked her very heart. oYouAEll just have to believe me, Grayson.o

oSheAEs lying.o The command behind BarlowAEs words was impressive. He must have been a formidable lawyer, Amber thought. Before he lost his integrity. Barlow looked earnestly at Grayson. oBelaoussoff & Bekar did make an offer to purchase the firm, but nothingAEs happened with it so far.o

Without that last paragraph the letter could be interpreted that way. She couldnAEt allow Barlow to convince him of that.

oBelaoussoff & Bekar have agreed not only to purchase the firm, but to assume its debts. The deal is practically cinched. Barlow kindly accepted their offer on your behalf. All he needs is your signature.o She glared at Barlow oWere you going to forge that as well?o

oEnough of this! I wonAEt stand here and be insulted.o Barlow scraped up his papers and rose to leave.

Grayson stepped in his path. oGive me the paper John.o

oNo.o

Standing so close together, the difference in their heights and ages was even more pronounced. What had drawn Grayson to this clearly unreliable man, Amber wondered. Was he trying to replace the father heAEd lost? Her sympathy disappeared with BarlowAEs next words.

oShe has no proof of her allegations. Who are you going to believe? Your own partner, or the woman you had to sue for her incompetence?o He waited another second, letting the weight of his argument settle, then added, oDonAEt disappoint me, Grayson.o

BarlowAEs words dropped into the silence. For a moment Amber had been certain she had Grayson on her side. Then Barlow reached in to tug on his heart strings, dredging up their long history together. A history that went back a lot further than the brief month she and Grayson had been together.

Grayson weakened, buying into the validity of his partnerAEs argument. What Barlow had done was illegal, no doubt about that. But she was the one whoAEd been caught. Appearances alone accused her.

This was the moment sheAEd been dreading. Amber felt her heartbeat hesitate, as if in suspended animation. It would take a huge leap of faith for Grayson to believe her over his partner. As a lawyer, Barlow could build a much better argument than she. As his fatherAEs partner, Grayson had grown up respecting the older man. Barlow was cool, calm, logical. She had only accusations with no proof of their validity. And a dubious track record at that. Grayson mistrusted her before. Why would he trust her now, when so much was at stake? So much more than an argument. The future of his firm. The future of their relationship.

Anticipation of the disappointment to come seeped into her soul. TheyAEd all proclaimed their love for her, Eric, her father. And theyAEd all been ... lying. She felt her stomach clench, her shoulders tighten, waiting for the inevitable blow. From the moment she knew she loved Grayson, sheAEd worried that put to the test, he would disappoint her bitterly. As Eric had. She tried to catch his eye, to show him the sum of her pure and desperate hope, but Grayson had his attention fixed solely on Barlow.

Amber shut her eyes in silent prayer.

oIAEm going to believe Amber,o Grayson said quietly. oEven if the truth isnAEt what I want to hear.o

oYouAEll regret this.o

Grayson shook his head. oThe regrets will be yours, John. BelaoussoffAEs home number ought to be somewhere in my dadAEs Rolodex. And if itAEs not, IAEll just keep going, even if I have to call Bekar in Bermuda or Karulis by radio phone up north at the chalet. You might as well give it to me. Because I will get that information, one way or another.o

oDonAEt make a fool of yourself.o

oOnce they hear what youAEve done, I doubt theyAEll want you for a partner. But if they do, youAEre welcome to sell your share of the firm to Belaoussoff & Bekar, in fact, I heartily urge you to.o

oI built this firm--o Barlow began.

oMy father built this firm. And I worked my butt off to keep it going. Admit it, Barlow, this partnership isnAEt working. Even my brother can see that. YouAEre right, John. People are talking.o

oCanAEt you recognize a good deal when itAEs right under your nose?o

oA good deal! For whom? You? Belaoussoff & Bekar?o Grayson bent to retrieve his briefcase. Opening it, he shoved the paper inside and snapped it closed. oFirst thing tomorrow morning, IAEm going to decline their offer.o

oYouAEre not the man your father was.o He launched the insult like an arrow at GraysonAEs back.

Slowly, Grayson rose to face him. oRight you are about that. IAEm nothing like my father.o Wrenching the door open, he motioned with a flourish for Barlow to step through. oTake your things and go. From now on these are my offices. Especially since IAEve been doing all the work in this firm.o

oI canAEt believe youAEre asking me to leave.o

oLong over due, I assure you. If my father had severed your partnership he might have lived longer.o He fixed Barlow with a long hard stare. oHow much did you shorten his life by?o

He uttered the words so quietly, Amber wasnAEt sure sheAEd heard him. But Barlow did. Snatching up his coat, he stepped through the doorway, then whirled to face Grayson.o You sound as ridiculous as your crazy PI.o

oActually,o Grayson said. oI think I just went sane.o

He closed the door, cutting off the rest of BarlowAEs protests. His footsteps thudded off down the carpeted hallway. They heard him punch the elevator button, then the muted rush of the doors sliding shut.

Amber sagged against the door, as if Barlow might come crashing through it again. With a deep sigh, Grayson sat on the corner of the desk and rested his head in his hands.

oI canAEt believe I did that.o

oGrayson--o

His reply was muffled by his hands. oWhat?o

oI was telling the truth.o

He held out his hand, and when she stepped into range, grasped her and pulled her close. oI know.o

oWhat made you so sure?o

oI love you, Amber. I just knew.o

oKind of the way you just know someoneAEs guilty when they insist theyAEre innocent.o

oSort of.o

oSo what now?o

oI suppose I have an early morning meeting at Belaoussoff & Bekar.o He ran a hand over his face. oAnd a ton of work to do if IAEm going to set up my own firm.o

oHe wasnAEt an asset to you.o

oRogerAEs been telling me that for a long time.o

oWell, heAEs right.o

oRoger? Right? Ms. Shaw, have you completely lost your mind?o

oPerhaps IAEm just developing a deeper appreciation of your twin.o

oIAEll believe that one when I see the hard evidence.o

She nuzzled deeper against his chest. oThat shouldnAEt be too hard. After all, he does have a few qualities in common with you.o

oDoes he now? I wouldnAEt have expected to hear that from you.o

oGrayson! I am trying.o

oIAEm sure Roger will appreciate that. He likes you, you know.o

oSo you keep saying.o

oHe thinks youAEre the woman I should marry.o

oWhat do you think?o

Grayson rested his head against hers. His arms tightened around her. oI think heAEs right.o

Eyes closed, she traced the outline of his chin with her lips until she located the center of his warmth. And for a second she was lost in the feel of him, his weight pressed against her. She laced her hands through his dark curls, reveling in the thick rough texture of his hair.

Knowing finally Grayson was truly hers.

Knowledge settled like a warm reassuring weight within her. BarlowAEs betrayal strengthened their relationship instead of breaking it apart as sheAEd feared. The firm was safe. And she had Grayson.

The pressure of his lips urged hers apart. His hot probing tongue invaded her mouth. A gentle invasion of the most welcoming sort. He made no pretense of his intention. He wanted her. She burrowed deeper into the V made by his legs answering his unspoken question.

His mouth left hers. She felt the brush of his kiss against the pulse behind her ear, then the pale column of her neck. Warm breath puffed against her collar bone as he set to work on the tiny buttons of her blouse with his teeth.

She laughed, her slight movement throwing him momentarily off target. Undaunted, he returned immediately to his task as if he intended to chew through the thin fabric to get to her. Maneuvering one button open, he moved to tackle the next. The roughness of his unshaven chin rasped against her bare chest, and she shivered anticipating more. Deciding he could wait no longer, his mouth fastened on the peak of her breast. Warmth seeped through the silk and the insubstantial barrier of her bra. Within it Amber felt the flick of his tongue and moaned, deep and low in her throat.

With Grayson sitting on the corner of the desk, they were almost the same height, his body ripe for her plundering. AmberAEs hands slid over the roughness of his wool suit jacket, sliding down over his lapels, until she could reach in between the layers of wool and the smooth cotton of an expensive manAEs shirt. Muscles bunched beneath her questing fingers. Her small hands dipped lower, finding the waistband of his pants. Then, deciding it was all out of order, went to work on his tie instead.

The tight knot proved to be beyond her patience. She wanted to rip open his shirt beneath it. Large hands covered hers before she could destroy his clothing and came to her aid. Deftly, he worked the knot open, tossing the thin strip of material aside. Amber spread her fingers over the expanse of his chest, weaving them through the thick hair. Her mouth closed on the copper circle of his nipple. His chest rose then fell as he sighed and tugged her closer.