Chapter Two

“Hold all my calls. And if anyone asks, I’m not in,” Morgan tossed over his shoulder at his personal assistant as she stepped from her office. He strode past Faith and entered his own office, slamming the door. By his credenza, he dropped his workout bag, then sank into the cool leather chair behind his desk.

Jogging three miles hadn’t done a damn thing to calm him. He was keyed up, strung out and ready to snap at anyone daring enough to venture into his office. Maybe he should have just gone home after meeting Jeff’s girlfriend. After all, it was nearing five and his mind was incapable of deep rational thought.

The meeting hadn’t gone as planned. Kristen was supposed to be a tough, money-hungry bitch. Her auburn hair, freckles, pert nose and heart-shaped face didn’t add up to the picture he’d envisioned. She reminded him of a little lost kitten, defenseless, yet ready to experiment with her claws. And at the restaurant, she had looked ready to use those talons on him.

Not that Morgan could blame her. He had ruthlessly set out to ruin her relationship with her boyfriend, never thinking or caring if he hurt her. At the time, all else had faded but the need to retaliate against Jeff.

But then Kristen had looked at him across the table with her guileless blue eyes and he felt himself weakening. The vulnerability there had unexpectedly reminded him of his eight-year-old daughter, Katie, further undermining his resolve.

He slumped back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. For months he’d been looking for something on Jeff, going as far as hiring a private investigator. But the only thing the detective could turn up was Jeff’s penchant for different women. Nothing else materialized—not even professionally.

Morgan didn’t believe Jeff, a chronic liar and thief, had changed his life so drastically these last seven years. There had to be something. And Morgan wouldn’t relax until he found it. He needed the leverage to keep Jeff away from Katie. He had hoped that by using those photos to break up Jeff’s relationship, it would make his ex-partner think twice about pursuing Katie.

He’d threatened Jeff with them, and also mailed the photos to his office before making that appointment with Kristen. The bastard hadn’t cared. Even told Morgan to go screw himself. Jeff wasn’t backing down from filing for custody of Katie.

Morgan took in a deep shuddering breath, which did nothing to relax him. There was no way in hell that he would sit by and watch Jeff steal his daughter away from him.

In frustration, Morgan scrubbed his palms across his face, then pulled them away and slammed them on the desk. The résumé in the middle of the mahogany desk jumped and he froze eyeing the innocent looking paper with mixed feelings. He slid the document across the desk and read the header for the hundredth time.

Kristen St. John.

How ironic. She wanted a job at his company.

He shook his head in amazement. Couldn’t she see past Jeff’s urbane good looks? Was she that blind? Or did the ruthlessness, even immorality beneath his facade excite her like it obviously did some women?

Fingering the corner of the résumé, he stared at the words until they melded into a blur of illegible letters. It would be tempting to hire Kristen. Through her, he might be able to gauge what was going on inside Jeff’s head. Maybe then he wouldn’t have to second-guess Jeff’s next move.

A knock sounded on the door. “Come in!”

Faith, a statuesque brunette with friendly hazel eyes, peered around the door. At the moment, though, her expression looked far from friendly. Perturbed would be a more apt description.

“What is it?”

“I know you didn’t want to be disturbed, but there’s this guy outside.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s a little upset—”

Suddenly the door widened, and Jeff Peters brushed by Morgan’s personal assistant and strode into the room.

“Hey, wait,” she sputtered. “I didn’t say you could go in.”

“I’m sure the hell not going to wait around with my tail between my legs,” Jeff snarled, his hands fisted at his sides.

“It’s okay, Faith,” Morgan assured smoothly, the muscles in his shoulders and back bunching with tension. Quickly, he placed the résumé face down on his desk and leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been expecting him.”

But not this soon. He’d thought Jeff might make contact in a day or two. That it was the same afternoon as Morgan’s meeting with Kristen told Morgan how much his actions had bothered Jeff. The bastard must’ve raced here immediately after talking to Kristen. Good. As long as Jeff was driven by emotion, Morgan had the advantage.

Before closing the door, Faith paused, uncertainty written in her eyes. “I’ll make sure you’re not interrupted.”

Nodding, Morgan eyed his ex-friend and business partner across the width of his desk. Jeff’s gray eyes glittered with a feral gleam as a dark flush mottled his face. He looked winded and unnerved. Even his dark blue suit, white, power shirt and short, brown hair looked rumpled.

“Don’t barge in here like that again,” Morgan said through gritted teeth. “I don’t like it.”

“I don’t give a damn what you like,” Jeff spat back.

Morgan steepled his fingers and pressed them to his chin. “So, what can I do for you?”

“You can get that pompous look off your face for one.”

“Damn, but you’re in a bad mood,” he mused aloud, surprised at how rattled Jeff appeared. Somehow, it seemed fitting though, after the pain and suffering Jeff had put Morgan through.

Jeff advanced across the room and slapped both hands on top of the desk. “You just had to send those photos, didn’t you?” His lip curled. “Has it been that long since you’ve had a woman that the only way you can get your thrills is by watching other people do it?”

Morgan raised a mocking brow at the insult. “No, but you didn’t come here to talk about my sex life. After all, mine’s not half as interesting as yours. I’m not getting off with more than one woman. Most importantly, I’m not with a woman who obviously cares.” Morgan shook his head. “You really should stick to one at a time. You’re less likely to offend someone, and from this afternoon’s meeting with Kristen, she was pretty damned offended. She didn’t even have a clue. Then again, the woman hasn’t figured you out for the chronic liar and cheat that you are, now has she?”

Jeff’s harsh laugh rang through the room. “Think again. I haven’t gotten this far by playing Boy Scout. It was a slam dunk convincing her that those pictures of me were taken years ago. And anyway, who’s she going to believe? Her loving boyfriend or some psychotic stranger who has a vendetta against him?”

Jaw tensing, Morgan fought against the overpowering urge to jump over the desk and strangle him. He hated Jeff and his snide, self-satisfied smirk. How the hell he had ever been a friend and partner to this sick excuse for a human was beyond him.

Jeff leaned over the desk. “I want the negatives of those pictures.”

At Jeff’s threatening posture, Morgan’s hands moved to his chair and his fingers dug into the leather armrests. Another second and he’d be out of his seat. “My private investigator still has them.”

The blood drained from Jeff’s face. “You hired a detective?”

“You don’t seriously think I personally took those pictures, now do you?” Morgan relaxed against the leather. “Of course I hired a detective. Why? Do you have something to hide?”

“Of course not.”

Morgan wasn’t fooled by the denial. He’d seen the brief flash of alarm in Jeff’s eyes. “Are you sure about that? Your company’s doing damn good. Almost too good. You’re listed as one of the top ten fastest growing businesses in Phoenix. Your name’s been on the front page of the business section a number of times these last two years. Obviously, no one’s caught the stench coming from your real estate dealings.”

“Spare me the speech,” Jeff retorted. “I came here to tell you to stay away from Kristen. I don’t know what you’re trying to prove, but I want you to leave us alone.”

“Can’t do that. Last week you were seen at Katie’s elementary school. I warned you, if you were caught anywhere near her, I’d hit back. Those photos aren’t the only thing I have on you.” It was a lie, but Jeff didn’t need to know that. “Maybe now you’ll think twice about going near Katie. You have no business seeing her. She’s just a little kid.”

“She’s my daughter.”

“That’s a load of crap. You didn’t claim her seven years ago. You didn’t want any part of her. You even told Marla that she was a lying bitch. And now you have the nerve—”

Morgan bit back the rest of his words and took a deep breath. He needed to calm down. Jeff wouldn’t get the upper hand on him. “I’m willing to forget what happened seven years ago and leave well enough alone if you walk away. Katie’s only seven. Too young to deal with something as traumatic as having a stranger show up in her life and pull her away from the friends and family she loves. Hell, you abandoned her! How do you think that’s going to make her feel?”

Briefly, Morgan closed his eyes against the pain that lashed at his temples. He hadn’t told Katie about Jeff yet. Cowardly it might be, but Morgan had never had the guts to tell her about her real father. He’d had this stupid idea that he’d never have to. Never. Not in a million years did Morgan think Jeff would waltz into his life and want Katie.

Finding out the truth about her real father— no, biological father—would devastate Katie. Morgan wanted her to be a child a little longer. She deserved those years, and he didn’t want to be the one to steal them from her.

Morgan didn’t understand it. All these years…and now Jeff wanted a relationship with his daughter. Morgan didn’t buy this sudden paternal concern. Jeff wanted something. But what? The detective hadn’t found any reasons for Jeff’s dramatic interest in Katie, but maybe if he dug a little deeper...

“She’ll think differently once she gets to know me,” Jeff said. “That is, if you haven’t poisoned her mind with lies and innuendoes.”

“Obviously, Jeff, a thought like that would come only from you.”

He ignored Morgan’s sarcasm. “She’s my daughter, and if I have to get the courts involved and file a paternity suit, then so be it.”

“You damn well better not get another party involved. Or I swear—”

“Threats?” Jeff sneered. “I’m far from scared.”

“Promises. Not threats.” Morgan rose from his chair in one fluid motion. His entire body lay coiled, ready to spring at the least provocation. He flexed his fingers. “I don’t understand this sudden interest in Katie. Why do you want to see her now, after all these years?”

He shrugged. “I’ve made mistakes like everyone else, but ever since I hit thirty a couple years back, I’ve been wanting a family. And I think my daughter deserves to get to know me.”

Morgan searched his face, looking for signs of the truth. His ex-partner’s answer seemed too practiced, too smooth, like when he’d fed Morgan all those other lies during their twenties. “My daughter doesn’t need another father. She’s happy with the one she’s got.”

Jeff sneered. “Maybe I should go ask her.”

Gripping the edge of his desk, Morgan leaned forward and snarled, “You keep away from her or, I swear, you’ll live to regret it. She’s mine.”

Jeff stepped away, uneasiness flickering across his features. “Don’t touch me or I swear I’ll slap you with a lawsuit.” He backed further away. “Just don’t go near Kristen again!” Jeff pivoted, strode across the office and whipped the door open with such force that it slammed against the wall. He disappeared into the hall.

“Damn!” Morgan slid his palms slowly across his desk, the skin squealing in protest against the polished surface. He could feel the blood pumping through his veins, heating his flesh and pounding into his skull. He wanted to hit something, smash his fist against a wall, or Jeff’s face, until all he felt was blinding, physical pain.

Grabbing the nearest object—a pencil—he squeezed his fingers around it, inhaled sharply and let his breath out in one long hiss. His grip was so hard he would have broken the pencil, but it was metal. Somehow, he managed to stab himself full of lead without feeling it.

He dropped the pencil to the table and frowned at the empty doorway. He wasn’t surprised that Faith hadn’t come in to find out about the commotion. He wasn’t exactly proud of his behavior these last couple of weeks.

He looked over at the black and gold-framed photo resting on the corner of his desk. Katie, with her faded jeans and pigtails, smiled at him from the picture. Sparkling gray eyes shone mischievously as she swung on a swing. The sun glittered off her warm, golden hair, the same color as her mother’s. His heart did a little painful lurch. After everything and all this time, he still missed Katie’s mother.

He shivered, shaking the sudden melancholy, and turned his thoughts back to Jeff. If only he could find something to bring the bastard down. But what? The investigator hadn’t found anything yet. Yet, Morgan tried to tell himself. There still might be something Jeff had to hide. After all, the bastard didn’t possess an ethical bone in his body.

He caught sight of Kristen’s résumé. Carefully, he turned the paper over and stared at it.

Snatching up the phone, he dialed his controller’s extension and sank down in his chair. “Hey Henry, I need you in my office.”

A minute later, Henry walked in. “What’s up?”

Morgan leaned back, causing the black leather to hiss in protest. “I want Kristen St. John for the job as Assistant Controller.”

“You want, what?” His eyes widened in disbelief. He took the résumé Morgan offered and frowned down at it.

“I think she’d fit in great with everyone here.”

“You can’t be serious. Granted, she’s got an accounting degree, but she just graduated from the University.” Henry shook his head, clearly baffled. “Didn’t you see the three candidates I flagged for the job? They were on top of the pile I put on your desk. All three are degreed accountants and, may I add, with experience.”

“Oh, I saw them, but I want her.”

“I don’t understand why—”

“You don’t need to understand,” Morgan retorted in a voice sharper than he intended. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.” He rolled his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck, making an effort to relax. Snapping at his employees didn’t solve anything, especially when they were only doing their job.

“I still think you’re making a mistake,” Henry protested, eyeing the paper with apparent distaste. He opened his mouth to say something. When Morgan’s brows rose in question, he shut it abruptly. “Fine.”

“Good.” He nodded, relaxing further. “I’m glad you see it my way.”

Henry smiled stiffly, though he still looked like he wanted to argue. “Do you know how long it’ll take to train someone without any experience?”

“I know training new personnel is a pain…but why don’t we give her a shot? You can’t fault her grade point average. It also looks like she’s worked her way through college. That’s something in itself. Think way, way back…that is, if you can,” Morgan urged in amusement, “when you started looking for a job and how tough it was. And what about your daughter, Sue? Wouldn’t you want someone to give her a chance when her time comes in a couple of years?”

Lips twisting, Henry reluctantly agreed, “You’ve got a point.”

“And I’ve every confidence in you that you’ll pull it off.”

Nodding, Henry walked out and closed the door behind him, and with his departure silence seeped into the office. Yet the silence held no calm. By hiring Kristen, Morgan had made his next move. He just hoped he didn’t live to regret it.

If he lost Katie…

***

“I got the job!” Kristen announced, excitement bubbling in her voice.

“That’s nice,” Jeff replied as he cut a piece from his steak. A lock of chestnut hair fell across his brow, giving him a rakish appearance, while the candle in the middle of the table warmed his smooth complexion to honey. He had skin that any woman would envy, including Kristen.

“Remember?” She stared across the restaurant’s table at Jeff. “I told you I had an interview this morning.”

“Hmmm.”

When Jeff continued to stare at his plate, Kristen asked, “Is everything all right? You’ve been acting strange all evening.”

“What?” He blinked and appeared to mentally shake himself. His eyes focused on her, and he smiled. “No. No. I’m fine. A little busy at work, but that’s it.”

“If you’re sure…”

His smile widened. “So you had this interview. What was it for?”

“Assistant controller. I couldn’t believe my luck when they first called to set up the interview. These types of jobs don’t come around often.” Kristen took a deep breath and tried to slow down, but heck, she couldn’t believe her luck! “Half an hour into the interview, they decided they wanted me. Can you believe it? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“What company is it for?” He reached for his glass of beer and drank deeply.

“Eagle Builders.”

Beer sprayed from his mouth and across the tablecloth, silverware and main course. Kristen jumped in surprise and watched in mounting apprehension as Jeff’s eyes watered and his face turned an ugly shade of red. Dragging in lungs full of air, he slammed his glass down on the table. Abruptly, he swiveled in his chair and bent over, gasping between deep hacking coughs.

Kristen sprang from her chair and rushed to his side. “Are you all right?”

Taking another deep breath, he nodded. His coughing subsided and he sat up, blinking rapidly. “Yeah…Just give me a second.”

A waiter materialized by their table. “Did you want—”

“I’m fine.” Straightening, Jeff waved him away, then surveyed Kristen across the table with narrowed eyes.

“I can’t believe you accepted a job at Eagle Builders without talking to me,” he bit out. “That’s pretty damn nervy.”

Kristen frowned, growing annoyed at Jeff’s attitude. “Why in the world would I need to get your permission? The pay’s fantastic, my boss Henry—”

“Henry—that’s your boss’s name?” he quickly broke in, but in a calmer voice.

“Why, yes.” Staring at him in bewilderment, she caught an odd look flash across his face. “But I don’t understand why you feel I had to ask you. And as for Henry—”

“Sorry.” He smiled, looking shamed. “I just thought— Well, it doesn’t matter what I thought, but I’m happy for you. I know how hard you’ve been looking for a job.” Eyeing their meal with distaste, he flung his napkin on the table. “What a mess. I’m not hungry anymore.” He straightened his silk tie. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll drop you home.”

Before she had a chance to respond, Jeff slapped a couple of bills on the table and ushered her outside where the night air coated them in a hot, suffocating blanket.

“When do you start?” Jeff asked once they were in the car.

“Monday.”

Grunting, he gunned the engine of his black BMW. Kristen nearly hit her head on the roof when they bounced off the edge of the curb and veered onto Camelback Road.

She shook her head. Jeff was acting very odd tonight. She’d never seen him behave in such away. Obviously, the long hours at work were getting to him.