Page 71 of Watching Her

Just then the partially open door was pushed in, my brother Kingston walking in.

“To what do I owe this pleasure, brother?” I asked the question just before sealing the note and handing it to Jessica. “Please see that this is delivered early afternoon.”

“Yes, sir. Would you like anything to accompany the note?” Jessica had already clued into the fact my behavior was somewhat unusual since returning from San Diego.

Kingston appeared amused as he moved to one of the two chairs opposite my desk, making himself comfortable. If he weren’t my flesh and blood, I would call him an enemy, but given he was, he was my vice president and highly qualified for the job.

That didn’t mean we typically got along, unusually not, but we were in control of a massive empire and as such, we played nice. A long time ago we had been close, but my father had chosen to make everything within our family a competition.

There were times I missed his friendship. But not today.

I glanced at Kingston before answering.

“Please, don’t allow me to interrupt,” he said.

“You usually do,” I said, glaring at him. Somehow, he always managed to drop by my office at the worst time. “A single rose. Sterling silver in color.”

Jessica’s face brightened. “Yes, sir.” She headed to the door.

“Jessica, are the arrangements made for tonight?”

“They are. Whenever you’re ready, sir. You have several employees at your disposal. Don’t worry. Everything is under control.” A slight smile curled on her upper lip, but she’d never utter a word about her suspicions. Perhaps I didn’t pay her enough.

“Thank you and ensure they’re paid very well.” After minimizing the application, I leaned back in my chair, cupping my face with both hands. The last few days of business had been grueling and it was time for a break. I dropped my hands, noticing he’d followed her with his eyes. “No touching. She’s an employee.”

“She’s your employee, not mine.”

“And she has a boyfriend.”

“Since when does something in your life as mundane as a woman being involved with another man ever bother you?”

I lifted an eyebrow. “I thought you were headed to Paris to keep on eye on a potentially explosive situation.”

“The meeting was postponed at the last minute.”

Now I sat up in my seat. “Why?” My anger was evident in my deep growl.

“Because the current owner of the illustrious hotel you’re so interested in purchasing had a death in the family. He’ll be out of the country for maybe a week. I don’t think it had anything to do with Covington interfering, unless of course they caused the man’s death. Which is something I wouldn’t put past you.”

“What would you have preferred I do with Brandon after discovering his betrayal?” My brother wasn’t as interested in handling difficulties in the manner our father had done.

Kingston shook his head, indicating his distaste. “I’m assuming you’re not worried parts of him will be found?”

“Give me a break.”

“Look, what Brandon did was reprehensible, but we can’t leave bodies strewn from one side of the country to the other.”

“If necessary, we will.” There’d been something standing in our way from day one of trying to obtain the property in Paris.

“No, you will,” he countered. “Well, I thought I’d bring you the news in person. At least it gives me more time to learn more about the new vice president of marketing at Covington Enterprises.”

“Which is?”

“Some guy by the name of Carrington Jacobs. From what I’ve been able to ascertain, he’s a low-level player. My guess is he’ll become a part of the future discussions.”

His name didn’t ring a bell.

“Check his financials. See if he has anything to do with Southshore Limited. Plus, I want some pressure put on Covington.”