Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans
Page 81

He opened the door and the suspicious bearded guy from the meeting barreled in. Bear Stevens. He didn’t look the least bit happy to there. “This is a fucking waste of my time,” he said without any preliminaries.
My back stiffened, and I struggled to keep my breath even. I’d known I’d face resistance from some of them, but I still wasn’t prepared for his reaction. I suspected I’d see something with him, and I had no idea how he’d react when I did.
“Bear, have a seat,” Jed said, motioning toward me.
All four of the previous men had sat on the sofa beside me, but Bear sat in the chair that Jed had occupied. I wasn’t surprised, but I knew it would be tricky to find an excuse to touch him . . . one that wouldn’t put me in personal danger.
“Thank you for sparing a few moments of your time, Bear,” I said, crossing my legs and placing my hands on my knees. Thankfully, my voice didn’t betray my fear. “What do you do for Skeeter?”
Jed sat in the chair diagonally across from me, and Bear turned his attention to him rather than looking at me. “Why do you want me to waste my time telling this bitch what I do for Skeeter?”
Jed gripped the arms of the chair, his knuckles turning white. “You will treat Lady with respect.”
“Lady,” the burly man sneered. “What kind of name is that?”
“If you feel like comparing names, Mr. Bear,” I said calmly, surprised at the authority I mustered, “then let’s compare what our given names are. Would you like to start first?”
His face turned red.
“No, I didn’t think so. You chose Bear for a reason, right? You want to put out a specific image.” I paused for effect. “I chose the name Lady for the same reason, Mr. Bear, so please don’t forget it.”
Bear looked furious and close to walking out the door.
“I have partnered with Mr. Malcolm, but it’s risky for me, both financially and personally. So I insisted on meeting the highly respected members of his organization.”
He snorted. “Then why did you talk to Seth?”
I uncrossed my legs and sat back in the seat. “Every parent has favorites, Bear, even if he or she insists otherwise. The parent needs each child to feel just as loved as the others, even if it’s not true.”
He gave me a sarcastic grin. “So which am I? The child who’s being lied to or lied for?”
I had to be careful with this man. He definitely wasn’t Seth Moore. To fight my growing anxiety, I stood up and moved to the cabinet from which Jed had pulled the glass. “You’re a smart man. I think you can figure it out.”
He laughed as I took out two glasses, picked up a decanter, and poured amber liquid into each glass. “I’m a businesswoman, Bear, and while I don’t micro-manage my partners, I do like to be assured they are making wise choices.” I picked up the glasses and handed one to him, thanking those business books I’d read once again.
He took a sip of his drink, then grinned at me.
“I hear that you’re important to Mr. Malcolm’s operation, so I’m curious about you,” I said.
“What exactly would you like to know?”
I took a sip of the alcohol and was grateful it didn’t burn as it slid down my throat. I sat on the arm of the sofa and studied him for several seconds. “I want to know how ambitious you are.”
He downed the rest of his glass and slammed it onto the corner table next to him, then burst out laughing.
I continued to stare at him, although I realized he couldn’t see me through the veil. My heart beat against my chest.
“Now that there is an interesting question.” He shoved the empty glass toward Jed. “Jed, get me a refill.”
Jed’s eyes hardened as he glanced at me.
I gave him a slight nod. “You haven’t answered me, Bear.”
He waited for Jed to hand him his glass. He took a sip and grinned. “You realize it’s a no-win question.”
“Is it?” I asked. “I can understand how you might see it that way, but I would hazard to guess that ambition is what has gotten you to where you are today. Skeeter wouldn’t find you nearly as valuable if you weren’t ambitious.”
He grinned again and took another sip.
“No,” I said, standing. I placed my glass on the corner table and slipped behind him, resting my hand on his shoulder. I needed to have the visions and get him out of here. “The real question is your loyalty.”
Bear stood, grabbing my hand and holding onto it. “And where does your loyalty lie, Lady?”
Jed tensed, but remained in his seat.
I kept my rising panic at bay. “It lies with Skeeter, of course.”
“Then why do you hide behind this veil?” His free hand lifted toward my face, and I grabbed it.
“Bear, do you have secrets? Something you want to keep hidden from the world?” I laughed, but it was a humorless sound. “Of course you do. Everyone does. Mine is surface deep. Would you like me to start prying to find out what you’re hiding? Because I assure you that it would be fun to start digging around. Maybe I won’t have to dig very deep. Maybe you haven’t hidden it very well at all.”
His hands dropped. “What do you want?”
“I want to know where your loyalty lies.”
“Do you really have to ask?”
“Yes.” I moved over to the desk and leaned my butt against the edge, grateful when he followed me. He sat in the chair in front of me. I put my arms onto the desk behind me to prop myself up.