James Martin's Holiday Shopping Guide by G.K. Parks

Author:G.K. Parks [Parks, G.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

“James,” Lucien Cross extended his hand, “I’m so glad you could make it.”

I peered around the executive floor of the Cross Security offices. Unlike my office party, Cross hadn’t splurged on elaborate decorations or catering. I expected he would have until I realized this wasn’t a party for his clients. It was only for his staff. No wonder people were staring at me.

“Thanks for the invite.” I spotted a man surreptitiously eyeing me from across the room. He smiled when he realized he was caught and toasted in my direction.

“Can I get you a drink?” Cross led me to the bar he’d set up on top of his assistant’s desk. “Scotch, right?”

“Please.” I placed the gift bag I’d been holding on top of the desk. “Happy holidays.”

Cross looked at the bag, confused as to why he was receiving a gift. “That wasn’t necessary.”

“I wasn’t sure of your preference,” I said, taking the offered scotch and giving it a tentative sip. It was an eighteen Macallan. Cross had done his research.

He pulled the bottle of gin out by the neck and read the label. “This is excellent. It’s what I normally drink.”

I looked around the room. “Where’s Alex?”

Cross frowned. “I haven’t seen her.”

“She’s hiding in her office,” the man who’d been ogling me said. He extended his hand. “Kellan Dey. We’ve met before.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Kellan.” I shook his hand, unsure if Alex had stopped feuding with him.

“I’ll take you downstairs. It’s about time we free our girl from all that work, work, work.” Kellan headed for the elevator, glancing back to see if I was coming.

“We’ll catch up later,” Cross said.

I joined Kellen in the elevator.

“Ten bucks says Alex made a break for it the moment the hallways were clear,” Kellan said. “Or she went all Mission: Impossible and crawled through the air ducts.”

I chuckled. “Twenty says she rappelled down the side of the building.”

“Not possible. There’s no window in her office.”

“Shit, that’s right.” I reached into my pocket, but Kellan put his hand on my wrist, stopping me.

He shook his head. “I don’t want your money. It was a joke.”

I studied him carefully, knowing Alex’s issues with him. “Do you watch out for her?”

“As much as she’ll let me.”

“Good man.”

He turned back to the mirrored doors. “You know, she’d hate you asking me that.”

“I’m aware.”

“And yet you asked anyway,” Kellan said. “You’re either very brave or very stupid.”

“Or I love her too much to care.”

He grinned, a big cheesy smile. “You wouldn’t happen to have a gay twin brother, would you?”

“Sorry.”

“Not more than I am.”

The doors opened, and I stepped out. Kellan tried to follow, but I shook my head. “I know the way.”

“All right.” He retreated deeper into the elevator car. “But if you can’t find her, let me know and I’ll help you look.”

I went down the familiar hallway and stopped outside Alex’s office door. She was behind her desk with the phone to her ear. Another man, Bennett Renner, had pulled up a chair beside her and was scanning the paperwork.

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