“He’s not my Declan. He’s my boss, and you didn’t tell me what you think.”
Xander leaned on the counter, spinning his phone in circles on the slick surface. “I don’t know what to think. I believe you. But it’s also impossible. It’s a lot easier to believe that Dark is a liar and that he’s just a bad person than that there’s something more…fantastic going on. I was going to say supernatural, but this isn’t really supernatural is it? Or paranorm—”
“Xander. Focus.”
“I don’t know, Ro, okay? I can’t speculate on something that makes no sense. I need…proof or—”
“Yes,” I said suddenly. “That’s what we need. Proof.” I walked to his table of computers and peered in the basket of equipment he’d brought down. “Where’s that camera? That little one I had when I went in there for my fake interview?”
Xander came over and folded his arms. “Why?”
“Because I’m going to show you. I’m going to film it—all of it—and then you’ll see. He’s going to do it again.”
“Do what? Move faster than the speed of light and let you get it on camera?”
I grinned. “Yes. And then you’ll see.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
“I don’t know. I’ll knock over a glass of water or trip in my heels or something. Eventually, he’ll do it again.”
Xander angled his head, considering this. “I mean…I guess that could work. But you can’t just wear a camera everywhere. You need to camouflage it or something.”
“Yes. Perfect.” I walked back to my room, and when I returned, I handed him my mother’s brooch. It was just a small pin she used to wear, one I’d given her as a kid because she always called me honey. It was a sparkly bumblebee. I’d proudly told her that bees make honey and then I’d given her the pin—I think I was eight at the time and I’d bought the brooch at a yard sale with my own money. “Can you use this? Like, glue the camera to it or…?”
He looked at the pin from all angles and then sat. “That camera won’t work. But I think I have something that will.”
“I’ll order dinner,” I said, encouraged. He’d get me a camera and I’d make sure Xander was fed. Sounded like a fair exchange to me.
Once the food was delivered Xander brought his box to the table to finish what he was doing. I put on music in the background and paced behind him because I couldn’t sit still.
When my phone buzzed on the counter, I walked over and froze.
Declan’s name appeared on the screen over a brief text message. I’d saved his number after the surprise call last night.
You did good work today.
I smiled, ridiculously pleased for a moment before I remembered he was still a liar. A super-fast one.
I frowned but typed the answer Samantha would have given. Thank you.
His response was lightning fast. We’ll be working on the office tomorrow. Regular attire.
Yes, sir, I returned. Yeah, sarcasm. But he deserved it.
When I didn’t get a response, I bit my lip. Dammit. I never did know when to keep my mouth shut.
After several minutes, he wrote, Goodnight, Miss Thompson.
I set my phone on the counter again and mumbled, “Goodnight, Mr. Dark.”
“What was that?” Xander asked.
“Nothing. How’s it looking?”
He swiveled in his chair and passed over the pin. “Try this. Put it on.”
I did what he said, clipping the pin to my robe.
“Now walk to your room or something. Let me make sure it works.”
I made a trip to my bedroom and then returned to the kitchen, walking around the island twice before Xander said, “Yep. It’s good. You got yourself a super-secret, super-spy bumble bee camera pin.”
I grinned. “Nice. Thank you, Xander.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
I walked to him and put my arms around his shoulders. “I really do appreciate this, you know.”
“I know. Just do me one favor,” he said.
“Anything.”
“Make sure you get a few good shots of him in his suit, okay? And maybe a few from the back, too.”
With a laugh, I saluted him. “Absolutely.”
“Great. Now let’s forget about work and eat.”
We sat on the couch with a movie on the television as we ate our dinner. I was able to set aside what had happened today with Dark for a few hours until it was time for bed.
Then I made sure my outfit was ready—my sexy heels and tight pin-striped suit for sure. Anything I could do to get under Dark’s skin. I set the brooch/camera with the outfit and patted it.
Tomorrow, I was going to do everything I could to figure out Declan Dark’s secret.
“Two can play at this game,” I said aloud before turning off the light and falling into a deep sleep—one that was full of Declan with naughty promises on his lips.
Chapter 10
When my Uber driver showed up the next morning, I was surprised and pleased to see it was Randy, the same man who’d driven me to the hospital.
My heels clicked on the sidewalk as I walked to the back of his car and opened the door. He whistled when he saw me.
I mean, sure, Randy was probably twice my age and I swore I saw a wedding ring on his finger, but it was still enough to make me blush.
“Do I look like a businesswoman?” I asked him as I climbed inside.
“You look like a business goddess. Queen of mergers and acquisitions—or whatever it is you do.”
I closed the door and put my purse on the seat. “To be honest, I have no clue. This is my first real day in the office.”
“Oh yeah? Who do you work for?”
