time to meet with her, but I looked through her records. She was hired just shy of a year ago and promoted to head of the department six months later. In the last three months, she’s been seen with Mad after-hours and out of the building. One person even said Mad spent time at her place. Quite a bit of time.”
He’d been fucking his head of cybersecurity? Nice.
“How old is she?”
Connor pointed to a folder on the desk. “Twenty-seven.”
“So she’s more qualified to be a centerfold than a VP of security.” Gabe gripped his temper by a bare thread.
“That’s ridiculously young, I’ll grant you. But look through her records. I found the photo from her employee ID. She’s wearing glasses and her hair is in some sort of bun—not Mad’s usual. I think you should go easy on her until you find out what’s up. She’s brilliant, in fact. Her IQ hovers somewhere around genius level, and she’s implemented some really innovative ideas. I suspect she’s actually capable of her job.”
Gabe snatched up the file and tossed it in the trash. No data or schoolmarmy photo was going to change his mind. “I don’t care. The new management team will be changing direction, and I’m sure I can find someone better qualified for Ms. Parker’s job. I’ll give her a decent severance and hope the door doesn’t smack her ass on the way out. But I won’t have her here. Eventually, I’ll give this whole company to Sara. The last thing she needs to deal with is Mad’s ex-lovers.”
“If that’s how you feel, you’ll have to can a lot of women. Are you going to fire Tavia Gordon, the PR guru, too? She and Mad had a fling a few years back. You’ll get a shitload of bad press for letting go of the head of a charity that educates poor girls and women in underdeveloped countries because you’ve decided she’s a whore.”
Gabe winced. “Stop using that fucking word. I never said it.”
“You imply it with every action you’re taking.” Connor rolled his shoulders, and some of the tension sloughed away. “Be reasonable. You know it’s not fair to judge Everly Parker before you’ve met her. I understand you’re pissed as hell, and Mad isn’t here to take it out on. But don’t punish her.”
“Why do you give a shit about this woman?”
Connor stood. “I don’t. I’m doing this for you.”
“So I can avoid the bad press and a lawsuit? Newsflash: I’ve handled both before. I’m still standing.”
“What will you do when your conscience starts eating at you, Gabe? If you fire her unfairly, given the current job climate, she may be hard-pressed to find this kind of job—or even another decent one—in this town. Two years down the road, you won’t be blaming her anymore for Mad leaving Sara. You’ll realize that Mad made his choices. Then you’ll look up Ms. Parker. If she’s doing poorly, you’ll blame yourself. And you’ll shoulder guilt I don’t want you to feel.”
“Because you’ll feel it, too?”
Connor turned back, his face carefully blank. “I don’t feel anymore, Gabe. And I can’t tell you what a relief that is. Being back here in the States with you guys . . . it’s the only emotion I’ve felt in years. Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable, but I owe you, Dax, Roman, and Zack. You four are the only real connections I still have.”
“If you were in my shoes, what would you do about her?”
“Nothing. I wouldn’t care enough to do anything, but then I don’t have a sister.”
“What if someone hurt one of us?”
Connor’s eyes went dark. “You don’t want to know. But if you want my advice about Everly Parker, get some perspective before you make a move, then proceed with caution. Maybe you’re right about the PI. It could give us leverage if she does decide Mad owes her something. I’ll get a team working on digging up any and all dirt we can on her. But you stay calm.”
That wasn’t happening. Connor might be right, but Gabe didn’t think he could let it go. So he didn’t say anything.
“I’m going to grab Dax and find some coffee.” Connor nodded toward the door. “Then we’ll continue our interviews. Roman is still at the hotel.”
The White House chief of staff had insisted on staying somewhere more anonymous than one of their places to cut down on the possibility of reporters camping out in front of their buildings.
“Thanks. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“I’m also going to continue looking for our favorite asshole blogger. He’s been leaking wild speculation about Mad’s crash and calling it ‘details.’ I could easily ignore him when he commented on the size of Zack’s dick. But if he doesn’t shut up about Mad’s death, I’ll be forced to take him down.” Connor sighed. “Think about what I said.”
“Sure.”
Gabe did. For roughly twenty minutes after Connor left, he pondered his friend’s advice . . . then tossed it all out. He wasn’t exposing Sara to the woman who had taken her place. His sister was simply too fragile now. When the time came, he would have a long talk with Tavia Gordon and any other woman who had come before Sara. He would make it clear that they weren’t to talk about their relationship with Mad around his sister, but Everly Parker had to go. She would likely be bitter that she’d been summarily relieved of her job. Not his problem. He wouldn’t give her the chance to undermine Sara again.
He punched the button on the speaker that linked him to the smartly dressed assistant outside, Hilary. She was in her midfifties and had been Mad’s father’s right hand for years. The woman knew where the corporate skeletons were buried and would likely be a key asset during this transition. Best of all, Mad hadn’t been sleeping with her. “Hilary, did you set up the meetings I asked you to?”
“Of course, sir.”
“I need to move Everly Parker’s meeting, please.”
“All right.” He could hear her shuffling through papers. “What time should I pencil her in?”
“Now.” It was five minutes past nine. If she wasn’t in, that would be one more strike against her.
“I’ll see if I can reach her.” The line went dead.
Gabe began to pace, not really paying attention to the stunning city skyline. He wanted this nasty business out of the way. After Everly Parker was gone, he could focus on assuming the reins of Crawford Industries and making sure everything was running with smooth efficiency until Sara took over. When his sister wasn’t sick and grieving, she would be able to assume the reins of the company. She had an MBA and had been an executive at Bond since she’d graduated. All she needed was a bit of time to recover from the shock. And if he got rid of the woman who’d taken her place in Mad’s life, she would find the transition easier. Sara could use a challenge, and this company would be her child’s inheritance.
But the shift must be quick. Bond Aeronautics wouldn’t run on autopilot for long.
Then, when everything had finally settled down, maybe he could dial Eve’s number. His fingers twitched every time he thought about it. He wanted to call her now, to explain everything and ask for her patience. He wanted to apologize for the reporters. He’d paid for privacy, but he should have known better and ensured that she left the hotel without being hounded.
The thought that she was out there—scared, alone, and confused—made his gut twist.
A muffled female voice broke into his thoughts. “Hi, Hilary. Am I late? I didn’t know I had a meeting this morning.”
“Don’t be shy. He asked for you, dear.” Hilary opened the door and pushed it wide. “Mr. Bond, this is Everly Parker. Everly, this is the new CEO, Gabriel Bond.”
He looked up, past Hilary, and caught sight of a riot of strawberry-blond hair and familiar curves. She gasped. His jaw dropped. Well, he didn’t have to apologize to Eve now, and he wouldn’t need her number after all. No. Because she stood in the doorway, staring at him with those wide eyes he hadn’t forgotten. Her expression looked so innocent. But then she had that act down, he supposed. It was nothing but a lie. Anger started to thrum through his system.
Eve, the woman he’d thought he’d randomly picked up th
e night of Mad’s funeral, was also Everly Parker. What were the odds that their meeting had been a mere coincidence? Definitely not in her favor. More likely, as Mad’s mistress, she’d known the man had no family and intended to leave everything to his best friend. She’d obviously taken the death of her sugar daddy so hard that she’d gone looking for another. Gabe gritted his teeth. From there, it had been a simple matter to spread her legs and get under his skin. Hell, he’d practically invited her to.
It had worked, and he resented the fuck out of her for it.
“Gabriel?” She asked the question as if she was completely stunned.
Did she really expect him to believe that she’d had no idea who Mad’s friends were?