several of his passwords, or at least I did. Plus I have a few passwords from my ex-assistant.”
Before Dana could remind her how she felt about anyone breaking the law, the front door opened and a petite, well-dressed blonde swept into the room.
“Just so we’re clear,” she announced as she set a black leather briefcase on a desk. “I’m in charge.”
Lexi looked at Dana who was staring at the woman. She recognized the piercing blue eyes, the determined mouth, the flashy diamond cocktail ring.
“Mary Jo?”
“Good morning, Dana. I’d heard you were involved in this mess. What was Garth thinking?”
Dana hadn’t seen the other woman in years. Not since Dana had arrested a bank officer and Mary Jo Sheffield had been his attorney.
Lexi stood. “Who are you?” she asked coolly.
Her tone was “Who the hell are you, bitch?” but Lexi would never say that. Not at a first meeting.
“Mary Jo Sheffield. Garth’s attorney. He told me what you all were planning and I came by to make sure I approve.”
It was the battle of the blue-eyed blondes, Dana thought, not sure if she should back away or pull up a chair.
“Your approval isn’t required,” Lexi told her. “But thanks so much for stopping by.”
Mary Jo didn’t even blink. “I’m Garth’s representative. I’m here to look after his interests.”
“He’s being protected by a girl?” Dana said with a grin. She couldn’t wait to mention that to him.
Mary Jo raised her eyebrows. “Dana, you of all people know what I’m capable of.”
That was true. She’d been in court and watched Mary Jo in action. It had been damned impressive.
“How do you know her?” Lexi asked, turning to Dana. “Who is she?”
“We were on opposite sides of a case. Mary Jo used to work for a big law firm.”
“Now I work for Garth,” Mary Jo said with a smile. “Exclusively for Garth. He has a lot to lose.”
Dana had always liked Mary Jo, but family came first. She moved between the lawyer and Lexi. “The Titan sisters have discovered that not only is their father willing to sell them out to the highest bidder, he arranged for an explosion that nearly killed Izzy. I would say they have a whole lot more to lose than Garth.”
Mary Jo smiled. “That’s my girl. I’m looking forward to working with you, Dana. I know how formidable you can be.”
Dana cocked her head. “Right back at you, Mary Jo.”
“Okay.” Lexi looked concerned. “Can we trust her?”
“I’m standing in the room,” Mary Jo pointed out.
Dana ignored her. “Yes. But she’s not kidding about working for Garth. Don’t for a second think she’s neutral.”
“There shouldn’t be sides,” Lexi said with a sigh. “There should be a single goal.”
“In a perfect world.” Mary Jo smiled. “But we’re in this one. Now where are we?”
Dana let Lexi bring her up to speed. She went to help Leonard with the computers, doing the unpacking while he set them up. Next she tackled office supplies, which she quickly put away. Mary Jo had a heated conversation with the phone company. Fifteen minutes later, all their lines were working, including their high-speed Internet.
Mary Jo and Lexi seemed to have established an uneasy peace. Dana figured there would be trouble later, but she was willing to accept the calm while it lasted.
About eleven, Garth breezed in.
Dana didn’t have to look up from the notes she was making. She could tell he was there by a subtle shifting inside her body. Her chest got tight and anticipation filled her. Talk about acting like a girl, she thought in disgust. This was why she never got involved with anyone like him. She hated that he was on her mind, that she was aware of him in the room. That she noticed he greeted Lexi and Mary Jo before coming over to her.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“It’s not. There’s too much activity. It will be better when the setup is done and everyone gets out of here.”
He laughed. “You’re such a people person.”
“Bite me.”
“All right. I’ll tell you something you’ll like. I’m about to piss off Jed Titan.”
“By doing what?”
“That would be my question,” Mary Jo said, hurrying over to them. “Nothing illegal. We’ve talked about that.”
“Several times,” he agreed, settling on the corner of Dana’s desk. “I’m backing him into a corner. I want him pissed and panicked. Both will cause him to act without thinking. That’s to our advantage.”
Dana glanced at Lexi, who was listening from her desk. “You okay with this?” she asked.
Lexi nodded. “Perfectly. He has to be stopped and this is the only way. It’s not just for us, but for Erin and my baby. We can’t trust him. He’s proven that.”
“What are you doing?” Mary Jo asked.
“I don’t want to spoil the surprise,” Garth told her. “It’ll be in the papers soon enough.”
“I hate it when you do things behind my back,” his attorney said. “It usually means trouble.”
“That’s why you get the big bucks.”
“I might need a raise.”
Dana listened to the exchange with interest. Garth could have hired any lawyer in the city. Or the state. Why had he chosen an opinionated woman who wouldn’t be afraid to tell him he was wrong? Did he want the truth? If so, it was an unusual characteristic for a man used to being in charge. Jed had never liked dissenting voices.
“Do any of you need anything?” he asked. “Except for Mary Jo and her raise.”
“We’re good,” Lexi said, returning her attention to her computer.
Dana nodded.
“That’s what I like to hear.” He stood. “Dana, want to walk me out?”
“It will make my day complete,” she muttered, but rose and followed him. Once they were outside, she faced him and folded her arms across her chest. “What?”
He smiled. “You’re kind of prickly.”
“Part of my charm.”
“It’s subtle. I need to talk to you.”
She braced herself for bad news. He didn’t want to see her again socially. Not that they were dating. They weren’t. They were working together and they’d spent the night together. Big whoop. So he wasn’t interested in sleeping with her again. She didn’t care. She wasn’t sure she even liked him.
He leaned in and kissed her. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. Want to do something?”
Huh? “What do you mean, something?”
“Go out. Have lunch or dinner or both. Help me pick out drapes.”
“You need drapes?”
“No. I’m saying let’s spend some time together.”
On purpose? It wasn’t a date. It wasn’t that specific. It was…
“All right,” she said cautiously.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at ten.”
“I’ll come to your place.”
He chuckled. “Sure. If that’s better.”
“It is.”
“I’ll see you then.” He walked to his car and opened the driver’s door. “Oh, I wanted to tell you. Lexi and her sisters know. About us. They came to see me and asked me my intentions. See you tomorrow.”
He got in the car and drove away.
She stared after him, unable to believe the words. Lexi had told her sisters and they’d gone to see Garth? Obviously she needed to have a very serious talk with all three Titan girls. Starting with Lexi.
“WE HAD TO TALK to him,” Lexi said later as she propped her feet up on a box.
Dana had waited a very long forty-five minutes until Leonard and Mary Jo had both finished and left. Now she
