She didn’t think JT needed more guilt. The poor man had been through a lot this morning. He’d found out his one-night stand was going to turn into a week-long nightmare, and that people he’d trusted had betrayed him. She knew what that felt like all too well. “I can make it work. I can certainly keep an eye on the admin. Or rather, she’ll keep an eye on me since she’s already accused me of being a hooker.”
Big Tag looked right at Drake. “A hooker is a woman who sells her sexual services for cash. Although some might take credit cards now.”
Drake’s eyes rolled so far back Nina was almost certain he could see inside his own brain.
“And we should call them sex workers,” Charlotte added.
“That’s what I thought, too.” It was good to know they were on the same page. Girl power. “She seemed very rude.”
“She is. You’ll have a time with that one,” Michael said. “I’ve never understood why JT didn’t fire her.”
JT pushed back off the table and stood. “Is that all? Because Nina and I should probably get to work. What’s your wardrobe like?”
“It’s like clothing. Normal amount of cotton blends. I brought a nice pair of trainers,” she admitted.
JT shook his head. “We’re going shopping. You’re supposed to be the fiancée of a billionaire. I assure you Deanna will know exactly how much your clothes and shoes cost. We’ve got a week until we go to the island. I have to do some work at the office, but with my father being sick, they can’t expect me in every day. However, I’m going to assume it might help for them to see you coming up to the office to spend some time with me. You’ll need to be dressed properly, and by properly I mean expensively.”
Charlotte sighed. “I like the makeover part best.”
Makeover? But he did have a point. Her clothes were perfectly fine for an assistant coming to her first retreat. Not so great for a coddled and indulged fiancée.
“I think you two should spend a lot of time together between now and the retreat,” Big Tag announced. “You need to get your stories straight. I mean it. I want you to speak in one voice when someone asks you how you met. You need to figure it all out right down to where you proposed. One person is already dead. I’m not going to lose Damon’s newest operative because of chemistry.”
“Our chemistry is…” she began.
JT put a hand on her arm. “Of course. We’ll work on that this afternoon. Maybe I can make her like me by buying a shit ton of expensive shoes.”
Charlotte sighed. “It always works for me. Go to Nordstrom and ask for Helena.”
“We’ve put three of Helena’s children through private school with Charlie’s purchases.” Big Tag stood and gave his lady a hand up. “Come on, baby. I can hear Travis from here.”
Sure enough, a low wail was coming from the hallway. Charlotte Taggart had recently given birth to her fourth child, a son they’d named Travis Taggart. There was a daycare on this floor, so the employees didn’t have to be far from their children. Damon was talking about expanding the nursery they kept at The Garden for Oliver Knight and Nathan Carter. When Hayley went back to work, her and Nick’s daughter would be joining the boys.
She liked the daycare, liked having the children close.
“Mrs. Taggart, he woke up hungry.” A young woman strode in carrying a tiny bundle in her arms.
“He’s always hungry.” Big Tag held out his arms and took the baby. “Come on, son. Let’s go to my office. I’m not going to miss a chance to see your mom’s boobs. Now remember, you’re only renting. I bought.”
Charlotte laughed as she followed them. “Have fun. I’ll expect all the Pretty Woman-like details the next time we talk.”
“Yeah, I suspect we’ll definitely have a talk very soon.” Michael was watching his brother like he didn’t want to let him go.
But she rather thought JT’d had enough of his brother’s opinions for one day. She reached for his hand. “We should probably get used to showing each other some affection in public.”
His fingers immediately tangled with hers, sliding in like they were puzzle pieces. “Yeah, we should. I’m known for being pretty affectionate with my girlfriends.”
“You are?” Michael’s brow had risen.
He squeezed her hand. “I am. You’re not around much so you wouldn’t know. Come on, baby. I’m going to call you baby.”
It’s what he’d called her the night before when he’d held on to her so tight she thought he would never let go. Just the word coming out of that man’s mouth sent a shiver of desire through her.
“Ms. Blunt, could I have a moment of your time?” Drake asked.
JT took a step back, and she hated that she felt colder without his hand in hers. “I’ll go pull my truck around. I’ll meet you out front.”
Michael followed his brother and she was left alone with the CIA agent.
“I know I’m young, but don’t underestimate me.” There was a hint of steel in Drake’s gaze. “This is my op. I don’t care what Taggart says. If I’d had my way, I wouldn’t have called any of you in, but Malone wouldn’t work with an Agency team.”
“Good for Malone.”
“I have to wonder about that. Given that his son used to be on an Agency team, I would have assumed he understood, but we all make do with what we have, I suppose. I checked into you.”
She stood up a little straighter. “I would expect nothing less.”
“I read about the situation that led to you leaving Interpol. I will assume you’ve learned from your mistakes.”
“I hope so. If you have a real problem with me, I can get on a plane back to England this evening.” It might be for the best. But she also hated the idea of JT going in alone. He was obviously out of his depths, and one person
