Sins Brothers [1] Forgotten Sins (18 page)

Josie nodded, shifting her focus to him. “Of course. Since we didn’t have any client information to begin with, there’s absolutely no risk of a breach. Plus, I’m confident the police will find whoever broke into our offices.” Something in her would’ve truly enjoyed punching the snotty woman in the face. Just once. Or maybe twice.

A whisper of sound echoed before Daniel poked his head around the thick door. “Sorry. I just need the conference room when you’re finished.” His trimmed brown hair appeared slightly ruffled, but his gaze was calm.

Dr. Madison leaned forward. “You’re Daniel Mission.”

Dan frowned, stepping inside and smoothing down his power tie. The red tie contrasted nicely with the navy suit. “Yes, er…”

“Dr. Madison of Fuller Labs.” The woman flashed a smile. “You handle the accounts for Genevieve Trogart, who is a friend of mine.”

Understanding smoothed out Dan’s frown. “Yes. The Trogart Corporation has been my client for about two years.” He smiled, all charm. “In fact, I just got off the phone with Genny—she was anxious about the break-in.”

Dr. Madison’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me the Trogart files were taken?”

“No.” Dan shook his head. “I keep my files on a flash drive that’s with me at all times. No hard copies, nothing on the laptops I leave at work. Of course.”

Irritation had Josie’s hands drawing into fists. “That’s not firm policy.”

“Yet it’s a good one now, isn’t it?” Dr. Madison drawled, her gaze all but shining on Dan. “I’ll bet all of your clients are very happy right now.”

“Yes.” Dan returned the admiring glance. “It was nice to have met you.” With a nod at Josie, he pivoted and disappeared from view.

Dr. Phillips pushed back his chair and stood, assisting Madison up. “We should get going. Don’t worry, Josie. I’m sure they’ll find the criminals. Please keep us informed.”

Josie stood, dread mixing with irritation along her shoulders. “Well, I hope I’ve been able to reassure you a little bit. We, of course, will be in contact when we figure out if anything was taken.”

Dr. Madison glided toward the door. “I would hope so. Until that time, I should inform you I’ll be discussing alternative firms with our Board of Directors. Or maybe just different accountants.” She headed down the hallway toward the elevator.

“Ignore her,” Dr. Phillips whispered with a wink. “She should be returning to DC any day.” He shook Josie’s hand in a warm grip.

Josie walked him to the elevator. If Dan had just stolen her client, she’d beat him senseless. He’d get the promotion for sure if that had just happened. Doubt swirled in her brain. There was no doubt most of them would lose clients now… everyone except Daniel. She shook her head at the bizarre thought. Now she was seeing conspiracies everywhere.

With a huff, she returned to her office, where Vicki still attempted to put everything into order.

“Josie,” Tom said, striding from the reception area to grab her arms. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” She looked up to his frowning face. “I’m fine. They destroyed the entire floor, though.” And she may have just lost her biggest client to his basketball buddy.

He stepped back, running a rough hand through his thick brown hair. “I just heard. The police are on my floor asking if anyone noticed anything.” His sigh stirred the air with mint. “You worked late last night, and I was afraid—”

“No, no.” She reached out to grab his strong arms. “I was long gone. Really. I’m fine.” He was such a good guy. Why couldn’t she have felt more for him? “I appreciate the concern, though.”

He nodded, his eyes narrowing. “How did you get to work? Did the police bring you?”

“No.” She hated lying to him. “The police found my car and returned it to me.”

He stepped back. “Did you say a while ago that Dean stole your car?”

A blush crept up her face, heating her skin. “No. I said I let him borrow it.”

“Josie.” Tom shook his head, his lips tightening. “Dean’s dangerous. You know it. Break free now, before it’s too late.” Concern deepened the lines that bracketed his mouth.

Josie forced a smile. “I have. He’s gone.” The lie nearly stuck in her throat all the more now that she knew there was no possibility of a future with Tom. Right or wrong, she’d always love Shane.

Tom sighed, reaching out to run a finger down the side of her face. “I care about you. Let me help.”

Tom. So solid and strong. She stepped back this time. “I’m a big girl. Thanks for the concern, though. It really does mean the world to me.”

“Hey, boss,” Vicki interrupted from her perch by Josie’s phone. “You have about thirty messages. Word has gotten out, and clients need reassurance.”

Josie nodded. “I have to go, Tom.”

His smile was tinged with sadness. “I know. Bye, Josie.”

* * *

By seven that evening, Josie’s head pounded, her feet ached, and she’d bitten her nails to the quick. She needed a manicure, bad. She’d met with five clients and spent the rest of the time on the phone reassuring others that their financial information was safe. Hopefully.

She tightened her grip on the handset of the telephone. “I understand that, Mr. Larson.” First Billy screwed up their deductions and now this. “You need to understand, I had your file with me last night. The people who destroyed our offices didn’t get any of your information.”

“I have your assurance on this?” The man’s tone quickened in agitation.

“Of course.” She sighed. “We should probably meet next week and go through the documents.” There was a good chance Larson might sue the CPA firm once she brought Billy’s mistakes to his attention. He’d probably win. “I’ll call you soon to set something up.” She hung up after tense good-byes.

She grabbed the manila files to drop off at The Pound, a local bar she hoped would keep her as its accountant. The owner had been quite concerned about the break-in, and she’d spent fifteen minutes reassuring him via the phone. She’d also promised to drop by the notes she’d jotted down for creating a new benefits plan for his employees.

Her cell phone buzzed and she read the screen. Shane waited outside. Time to go. He’d assured her they’d only have to stay at the motel for a couple more nights, and then she could go home. Apparently he thought he’d be able to find out who was after him by then.

Would he want to stay at her home then? Did she want him to? The question really came down to whether or not she trusted him, and whether or not he wanted to try to make it work. How could they do either until his memories returned? Her head started to ache.

Grabbing her files and handbag, she hurried toward the elevator, waving at Johnston in his office as she passed. Man, he was angry. Nobody messed with his clients.

The elevator rode smoothly to the bottom floor. She dodged outside into the chill of dusk, and she tightened her coat, taking a deep breath. The scent of decaying leaves contrasted with the vibrant orange hue of leaves still on tree branches.

Yet the air smelled dead.

She couldn’t help the long shiver that shook her shoulders. The world was suddenly too quiet. Steeling her shoulders, she forced herself to move toward her parking spot, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. Shane was there somewhere, watching her. Her body responded just because he was near. Who knew that desire and warning could comingle?

A figure moved away from the building and grabbed her arm. She yelped, jerking back. “Tom. What are you doing?”

He frowned. “Sorry, Josie. I really am.” The wind tousled his hair even more than usual. He tightened his grip and began to drag her back to the office building’s main door.

Daniel had just opened the door and he froze, both eyebrows raised.

She struggled. “What’s happening? Let go of me.”

“I will in a minute,” Tom hissed, jerking harder. “I swear, you’re as bad as my sisters. Don’t you gals ever think?”

Another figure stepped out of the shadows. “Let her go, Marsh.”

Shane. Thank goodness. Tom yanked her behind his back.

She stumbled in her heels, grabbing his flannel shirt to keep from falling on the concrete.

“Freeze!” A male voice bellowed as a man wearing a black vest labeled SWAT jumped into range. Vehicles screeched, and sirens yowled as emergency vehicles skidded into the lot.

Malloy stepped out of an unmarked black car, his gun on Shane. “Major Dean. You’re under arrest.”

Shane eyed the detective and the myriad of weapons pointed at him. “Quite the firepower you brought, Malloy.”

“Yes, well. I’ve seen what happens to men who cross you.” Malloy gestured. “Turn around and place your hands on the building.”

Josie elbowed Tom out of the way. “Detective! I told you Shane didn’t kidnap me. You can’t arrest him.”

Tom turned toward her. “I’m pressing charges. He broke into my house and knocked me out before taking you. That’s a crime.”

Shane growled. “You had a gun on me, asshole.”

Tom shrugged. “It was my house and you were trespassing. I had the right to defend Josie.”

Panic heightened Josie’s breath to a hard pant. “Tom. Don’t do this. Please.” Her mind spun. What could she do?

“I’m sorry.” His eyes darkened in the soft light, his jaw hard as his voice lowered to the tone he used when dealing with his younger sisters. “You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re not thinking clearly.”

Son of a bitch. Malloy flipped Shane around, frisking him and cuffing him within seconds. Because Shane allowed him to. Thank goodness her husband wasn’t fighting back. Right now, anyway.

Malloy tipped his head, resignation in his eyes. “Mrs. Dean, you can probably bail him out within hours.” He prodded her husband toward a squad car.

“Josie.” Shane gave her a look, his hands behind his back, his eyes a seriously pissed off hue of gray. “Watch your tail and go home. Don’t leave until I call you.” Malloy shoved his head down before pushing him into the car.

Seconds later they drove away. The SWAT team packed up. The parking lot emptied.

Tom grabbed her arm, pulling her to face him. “Come home with me. I can protect you.”

Fury cascaded through her system. She shot her knee into his groin.

Tom bent over with a muffled oomph, dropping to one knee. “Damn it.”

She turned and glared at Daniel, who’d remained motionless at the door.

He shook his head. “You’re going to ruin your career.”

Without another glance, she flipped around and ran for the Toyota, keying the ignition and ripping out of the lot. Shane said to watch her tail and go home. Probably the crappy motel. She knew he had cash hidden in a large duffle bag. She’d need the money to bail him out.

The files slid out of her briefcase. She’d lose the bar as a client for sure if she didn’t drop those off as promised. Okay. New plan. She’d drop off the files and head back to the motel to get money to bail out Shane. The police would need time to process him, wouldn’t they?

She chewed her lip. What was the bail procedure? Did she go to the police station? Man, she had no clue.

Chapter 15

Josie kept an eye on the rearview mirror as she drove across town. Shane had told her to watch her tail. Would someone really follow her? Cars zipped behind her, probably people rushing home after a hard day’s work. Like she should be. But no. First she had to appease a pissed-off client, and then she had to bail her husband out of jail. She’d become one of those women from television who bailed their man out. The giggle that escaped her had an edge of hysteria to the high pitch.

She parked on the street in front of The Pound, shoving the files back in the case. Thunder rolled above. The first winter storm was about to hit.

Heavy metal music pounded as she ran into the club. The stench of sweat mixed with stale perfume and smoke filled her lungs. Lights flashed. Bodies gyrated on the dance floor. A lot of bodies, considering it was only eight o’clock on a Tuesday night. Glancing around, she made a beeline for the burly bartender who stood behind a large marble bar.

He grinned, a gold tooth gleaming in the dim light. “Hi, pretty lady. What can I get you?”

“I have some papers for Paul,” she yelled over the loud music.

“He’s in a meeting.” The bartender nodded at a sparkling bar stool. The booming voice matched his large bulk. “Have a seat, have a drink, and he’ll be done in a few.”

She didn’t have time for this, but neither did she have a choice. She absolutely couldn’t lose any more clients. With a shrug, she slid onto the stool. “Rolling Rock, please.”

The guy slid the beer across the bar. “On the house.” He winked.

“Thanks.” She took a deep drink. The beer was light with a smooth finish, and she allowed herself to relax. The bartender loped down to the other end of the bar to serve two young women in tight tank tops and short skirts. Really short skirts.

The outside door opened and shut. A cool breeze wafted across her skin, and the hair prickled on the back of her neck. She turned, surveying the doorway.

A man, a large man, stood just inside. Smooth and graceful, he crossed to a table close to the doorway. He prowled like a panther on the hunt. A dark T-shirt covered a thick chest, while faded jeans rode low on his hips. Black hair fell to his shoulders, giving him a bad-boy look that matched the biker boots on his feet.

Two waitresses nearly collided in a rush to serve him. The buxom blonde got there first, and her ass actually twitched as she took his order.

He shouldn’t be there. Adrenaline whipped through Josie’s veins. The club catered to a young crowd, a partying crowd who liked to dance. The guy sitting across the room was no partier. Even more alarming, he did nothing to hide the fact that he didn’t belong. Arrogance and an air of apathy filtered around him in a deadly, frightening combination.

His glance at her increased her adrenaline rush. He looked away as the waitress dumped a beer in front of him. Long neck. The woman tripped in her heels as she moved on.

Josie’s breath caught in her throat. A sense of awareness pulled her gaze from the man at the table to the rear entry near the bathrooms. Another man, just as big as the first, leaned against the wall, a beer in his hand. His gaze settled on her. No expression. Just focus.