The Boss's Mistletoe Maneuvers by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

Author:Linda Thomas-Sundstrom [Thomas-Sundstrom, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Eight

“She’s gone,” Brenda said when Chaz appeared in her cubicle an hour later. It was probably just as well, he decided, because he hadn’t actually thought out what he’d say to her now that he was here.

In spite of the arguments and his sense of fairness where Kim was concerned, he wasn’t ready to just let her go away, maybe for good, without dealing with her future at the agency. Until he heard back from his intel source, he was willing to try to change her mind on this holiday issue one more time. The Monroes never backed away from a good fight, especially if there was a reward at the end.

“Fine,” he said to Brenda, reordering his thoughts on the new challenge and how he’d have to play it. “It’s you I came to see, anyway. Can you help me in Kim’s place with the party event?”

Brenda raised an eyebrow. “The party that is no party?”

“Oh, there’s a party, all right. Did she tell you there wasn’t?”

Brenda swiveled in her chair. “Now I’m confused. But just so you know, I won’t do anything else that involves my best friend’s feelings for you or her job.”

Chaz withheld a grin. “She has feelings for me?”

“You don’t want to know about the name-calling,” Brenda replied. “From both of us.”

“I suppose I deserved that for my behavior at her apartment, but there is a party, and I do need help. Can I count on you?”

Brenda blinked slowly. “Depends. Are you offering the same deal you gave Kim? Time off after the holidays and a nice bonus?”

“Yes. Okay. Same deal.”

“You’ll sign that in blood? Your blood?”

“Brenda, I might remind you that I’m the owner of this place and have something better than blood.”

“Power?”

He smiled.

“And we’re not supposed to know about you owning the agency, or let that get around, right?” Brenda said sheepishly. “Though a couple of us do know that?”

“You’re a heartbreaker, Chang. I had no idea blackmail made the world go around.”

“I believe I said nice bonus.”

“To which I agreed.”

“So, will you appear at my apartment if I refuse, and...?”

“Never. That’s a promise.”

“Darn.” Brenda smiled back. “Oh well, with an offer like that, how can I refuse? I may have to use the bonus to help support my friend if she leaves the job.”

“I’m not sure Kim would like our deal,” he said.

“I’m positive she won’t,” Brenda agreed. And the really good part, Chaz knew, was that Brenda wouldn’t be able to resist running to Kim with this bit of news. He only hoped that Kim might react the way he hoped she would, and face him down. Again. At least he’d get more time with her if that happened.

Fighting with her was better than not seeing her at all, he had just that minute decided. At least in theory.

* * *

Kim hustled to the floor beneath her office, where the art department had their space. Just one more detail to take care of, and Monroe would be out of her hair for at least seven days.

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