Teasing Jonathan (5 page)

“Because he keeps showing up at my doorstep.” She bit her lip. “Do you mind if I stay here a few days until he gets the hint and stops coming by?”

“Did you tell him you were breaking up?” More than once she’d forgotten to inform an ex-boyfriend of his ‘ex’ status.

“Of course,” she snapped.

Kai didn’t fall for her assurances. She had a long track record of ignoring unpleasant things.

“Why don’t you call the police?” Kai prodded. He didn’t want to play host to his sister for an indeterminate amount of time. Not when he had plans to seduce Jonathan. Besides, as much as he loved her, he knew his sister thrived on the dramatic.

“Because he hasn’t done anything criminal yet. I mean he’s persistent, but he hasn’t threatened me or anything. Other than trespassing on my lawn, what can I accuse him of?”

“Stalking?” Kai offered.

Jeni tilted her head as if considering the idea. “Maybe, but it’s flimsy and I doubt they’ll give me a restraining order on the I-think-he’s-dangerous defence.”

Kai sighed. “Fine. You can stay until you feel safer. You know where the spare bedroom is. I know a security company we can have watch your house to make sure he doesn’t do anything, and to protect you while you’re at work. The police might not take you seriously, but we can have you privately guarded.”

And if that guard happened to be a certain sexy man with a lush voice to die for, Kai wouldn’t complain. He’d call Jonathan in the morning and he could hook him up with whoever scheduled new clients. Not only would he be able to be the good guy with his sister, but he’d have a legitimate reason to talk to the sexy bodyguard again.

Relief crossed Jeni’s face. “Thanks, Kai. I really appreciate this. I hate depending on you this way, but Deke really freaked me out last time. I don’t think he’s doing drugs, but his behaviour has gotten really erratic lately. The money thing was the last straw but not the first problem we’ve had.”

A flash of concern went through Kai. Jeni really sounded worried and not in her usual overly theatrical way to gain attention. “You really think he’s after you, don’t you?”

Jeni nodded.

Kai made a decision. “Go get settled. When you’re done I’ll make you some toast and you can tell me everything you know about this guy.”

A watery smile crossed Jeni’s face. “Okay, be right back.”

The expression of hope on her face was like a kick in the gut. Jeni always knew he was always only a phone call away if she ran into trouble. Unfortunately, trouble didn’t just find her—it hunted her down and roughed her up on a regular basis.

Kai wandered to the kitchen to put some bread into the toaster. Their English nanny had always made them tea and toast when they were upset, a tradition they’d carried on into their adulthood. It might be a silly thing to still believe a simple snack could make things better, but the habit soothed them both.

The toast popped up just as Jeni returned with a freshly washed face, in a pair of old sweats and a tattered T-shirt.

“Better?” Kai asked sliding the toast and cup of tea across the counter. He retrieved the cold butter from the fridge and placed it beside her plate.

Jeni pulled a bar stool out from beneath the island then sat down. “Yes, thank you.”

Kai was used to Jeni being wild and emotional—this new, subdued sister frightened him a bit.

Opening a drawer, he pulled out a pad of paper and the pen he always kept on hand for shopping lists and notes for the maid. “Okay, spill. Tell me everything about him.”

Jeni reached into her pocket and set a small photo on the island. “I thought a picture might help.”

Kai reached over and looked at the photograph. With one look he could see what his sister had seen in the guy. Thick dark hair curled around his head in casual disarray few people could pull off. Smooth brown skin hinted at a Hispanic background somewhere in his family tree and dark, melting eyes stared back up at Kai. The tattoos exposed on his upper arms were an eagle and a tree, one on each side.

“He’s cute,” Kai said unwisely.

Jeni snatched the photo back. “That doesn’t make him harmless.”

“No. Sorry.” He didn’t want to take a stranger’s side. Despite the saying, a picture couldn’t determine whether a person would turn violent. The smiling guy appeared nice, but his likeness didn’t tell Kai anything about Deke’s personality. It certainly didn’t say to Kai if Deke planned to physically hurt or blackmail his sister.

“Tell me everything you know,” he demanded.

An hour later, he’d learned Deke Ford liked football and worked as a mechanic at Jake’s Garage on Tenth Street. Other than Jeni’s ranting about his behaviour, Kai had learned little else.

“Don’t you know anything else about him?” Kai asked.

Jeni shrugged. “We hadn’t been dating for long. I mean, he’s cute and I thought he liked me. Now I know he’s a con artist who practises his wiles on susceptible women.”

“Con artists don’t usually hold down jobs where they’ll get greasy,” Kai argued. However, what Jeni had said about Deke wanting money concerned Kai. “I’ll have a security company run a background check. They can tell me if he’s shady.”

“I bet he’s got a criminal past,” Jeni said darkly. She sipped her tea and ate her toast while Kai brewed a pot of coffee.

He might as well drink caffeine since he knew Jeni wouldn’t let him sleep any time soon. Once she had worked herself up, she’d be going for hours.

* * * *

Kai figured, since nine was usually when business hours began, ten wouldn’t be too early to call. He eagerly pressed the return call selection when he pulled up Jonathan’s number.

“Morning, Kai.” Jonathan’s rich voice sent shivers down Kai’s spine. Damn, the man only sounded sexier in the morning. Kai bet he’d sound delicious whispering in Kai’s ear as he gave him a hard morning fuck.

He bit back his groan to speak. “Good morning, Jonathan. How are you today?”

“I’m doing well. I don’t mean to be rude, but is there something I can do for you? I’m sort of in the middle of things, but I didn’t want to ignore your call.”

“Sorry.” He’d just started making his interest shown and already he was botching things. “I’m actually calling you regarding work, so if your boss is near, you can tell him it’s business. You don’t have to share that I’m imagining you naked and fucking me across my silk sheets.”

“God. Now is not the time to make me hard.” Jonathan cleared his throat. “What kind of business? Are you in trouble?”

The concern in Jonathan’s voice warmed Kai to his toes. “No, it’s my sister. She became involved with the wrong guy and she’s worried he’s going to do something. She tried to break it off, but she says he’s turned obsessive. Not anything to cross the line and involve the cops, but she’s getting a bad vibe. I figure you guys could maybe do a background check or something.”

Kai handled multimillion dollar deals with less anxiety than talking to a guy he had a crush on. At his age he should know better than to go all melty over someone.

“Is she fine with you talking to us? I don’t want to go behind your sister’s back, especially if we’re going to be dating.”

Kai smiled. “Yes, I talked to her. Thanks for checking first, though. If it looks like he could be a danger, I’d like a bodyguard assigned to her and better security systems put on her house and place of business. I’m worried he might try to get to her at either place.”

Even if the danger only lived in Jeni’s head, the security system would be worth the cost to increase her sense of safety.

“That’s probably a valid fear if he’s as dangerous as she thinks,” Jonathan agreed.

“Could your company run a background check on him? Jeni didn’t know a lot about his past. Apparently she was more interested in other parts of him, so she didn’t press for details. Some of the things she told me make me wonder if he wasn’t trying to get to me through her.”

“Really?” Jonathan’s voice sharpened. “What makes you think that?”

Kai told Jonathan all about his conversation with Jeni and what Deke had said.

“Hmm, that does sound suspicious. I’ll have a contract emailed to you for you to fill out with everything you want us to do. One of my bosses, either Patrick Edwards or Sinclair Alverston, will contact you regarding all the details. They do the contracts. I’m just the muscle,” Jonathan explained.

Kai thought Jonathan didn’t give himself enough credit. The man appeared strong, smart and competent. Kai would make sure to mention he wanted Jonathan to guard his sister if that was an option. He didn’t know what Jonathan’s schedule was like, but he’d have a lot less anxiety if he knew the person watching Jeni. Not to mention he’d get to see him.

“Do you think you can watch her?” Kai asked.

“I’ve got an assignment that will take me out of town next week. I can ask to take over when I get back if she still needs someone by then,” he offered.

“That would be great if you could,” Kai replied. “I don’t want you to feel pressured, though.”

“I don’t feel pressured. I’m listening to a concerned brother wanting someone he knows to watch his sister. Like I said, I’ll be happy to do it as soon as I get back home.”

Kai tightened his grip on the phone. “Thanks. I really do appreciate this.”

Anxiety gripped Kai as he imagined what kind of security detail might drag Jonathan out of town. He didn’t like the thought of Jonathan putting his life on the line for anyone with a few bucks in their wallet. Maybe after they’d been dating a while he could convince Jonathan to find a new occupation.

“We have a good history of protecting people, Kai. We’ll do everything we can to see that she’s kept safe. Is she home now?”

“No, she’s staying with me for a bit, but she has to go into work this afternoon. She has a late night event to organise for tonight. She runs her own party planning business and she’ll need to be on-site.”

Jeni’s entire career could depend on this next job going well. She couldn’t afford to not go, even if she had an ex stalking her. Kai understood devotion to a business. His company wouldn’t be so large today if he hadn’t given it all of his time and attention over the past decade.

“Write your address down, as well as her number, and have her make us a rough schedule of her day. We need to know how she spends her time so we’ll know what kind of manpower we’ll need. I’m sure they’ll send someone over to talk to both of you after you turn in your paperwork. I’ll give your info to my boss and he’ll interview you over the phone to make sure we can help.”

Kai nodded then felt foolish because he knew Jonathan couldn’t see him. “Thanks. I’ll make sure I’m available to him when he calls.”

“Cool. I guess I’ll see you later then.”

“Yeah, later.” He knew he sounded like an idiot, but that didn’t stop a smile from crossing his face.

Michelle walked in and put a cup of coffee on his desk.

Kai raised an eyebrow at her. “You’re bringing me coffee?”

“Yes.” She sat down in one of the leather visitor’s chairs across from him.

“Are you looking for a raise?” Kai asked. He picked up his cup and took a sip of the dark brew. Perfect.

Michelle grinned. “I wouldn’t turn one down, but that’s not what I’m here for.”

“Spill.” Kai didn’t plan on spending the rest of his day playing twenty questions with his assistant.

“You spill. How’s it going with Jonathan? You never mention any of the guys you’re dating.” She leant forward like she anticipated him sharing some juicy secrets.

Kai laughed. “First of all, there’s nothing yet to share and second, even if there were, I wouldn’t.”

“Aww…c’mon, boss!” Michelle whined good-naturedly. “You gotta give a girl something. I’ve worked for you for five years and your eyes have never lit up when anyone else has called you before. This one’s special—I can feel it.”

Kai rolled his eyes even as he secretly agreed. “Cut back on your romance reading is my advice. Now go back to work. I promise to share if anything noteworthy happens that will affect you in any way.”

Michelle sighed. “Which is code for mind my own business.”

She stood and straightened her skirt. Kai grouped the stack of folders he wanted her to file.

“And that’s why I stick around with you,” Michelle announced cryptically.

“What?” Kai had completely lost the train of their conversation.

“Any other guy would be checking out my body. You hand me paperwork.” Her affectionate smile warmed Kai.

“I’m glad my homosexuality is working for you. Now go put these away.” He made a shooing motion with his hand.

Michelle headed out but stopped at the door to turn around. “You might want to take another look at the Philips deal. I think you’re right. Mr Andrews is neck deep in that one. I haven’t found the connection yet, but the business plan doesn’t look strong enough for the amount of support Mr Andrews is giving it.”

Kai nodded. “Thanks.”

He trusted Michelle’s instincts—they were almost as good as his own when spotting something odd. If both of them were picking up vibes, it definitely needed further assessment. Maybe he’d have Jonathan’s security people do a little investigation of their own. Surely they could do a little background check on Mark Philips while they were doing everything else.

Kai stood and snatched up the file. Sometimes he thought better when he paced. Flipping through the Philips proposal, he tried to spot the point where things didn’t work. Why would Andrews be so adamant about funding this business? The ding of an incoming email had him turning back towards his desk.

Glass exploded from his window, spewing across the floor as his office window shattered.

Instinctively, Kai dropped to the carpet. The Philips file spilled across the floor in a wide swathe of white across the dark brown fibres. Kai ignored the mess as he crawled to the other side of his desk and stayed ducked on the floor behind it.

“What the fuck!” he shouted.

Kai’s mouth fell open as he saw a red sighting laser appear on the wall across from him a few inches above his head. He might never have seen a sniper except in the movies, but with the window gone and a glowing red dot floating across from him, all thoughts of anything else causing the damage flew from his head.