Seth’s prepared rebuttal died on his lips. Where was the expected argument?
Then the analytical part of Seth’s brain, the area he had relied on to help steer his business to the success it was, kicked in. And in those seconds, his brother’s reasoning fell into place. “The only way to prove her innocent or not is to stay close.”
“Exactly.” Adam moved to sit in one of the four visitors’ chairs. Zach followed, and Seth guessed, to avoid having his back to him, Heath did the same. Dillon remained standing beside Seth’s desk. “If she’s clean, then all the better.”
The image of a pair of warm caramel eyes filled his mind and how they’d lit up during the taxi ride to Theo’s last night. They had been waiting at the traffic lights, when she caught sight of a child on the street, the little cutie’s shiny face full of joy as she skipped alongside her mum, who held her tiny hand and laughed with her daughter. At the last moment, the child faced Harper and waved. And his coffee girl had waved back, a huge smile on her face big enough to rival the kid’s.
Bloody oath Harper was clean.
“At least on that we can agree.” Seth sat back in his chair. “Now that’s out of the way, tell us why you were in Seattle.”
Adam didn’t hesitate. “At 0230 hours today, an entry was made on an online board frequented by government conspiracy theorists, survivalists, and self-described patriots that outlined certain particulars of a mission outsourced by a government agency to a private contracting firm. In other words, to my employer. The data was sensitive for a number of reasons, none of which I’ll disclose to you. My name and photo, and only mine, were shared as being connected to the mission.” Adam’s remote tone added to the chill factor. “Suffice to say, my ability to remain under the radar in my career has been mortally blown to hell.”
Seth’s gut rolled. He pressed his hands down on his paper-covered desk, needing to brace.
“Christ almighty,” Dillon whispered before dropping into the chair beside Seth’s desk.
Zach spoke in an unnaturally soft tone. “Mate, you didn’t say anything when I called.”
“Exposing myself further to anyone monitoring cell activity didn’t seem a good idea.”
“What’s the fallout?” Heath sat forward, his head turned to Adam, elbows on his knees, and hands clasped together. The detective in him was already searching for facts.
“As soon as my name was posted, automatic web alarms triggered at a number of agencies. At 0240 hours, I was contacted and informed I’m on indefinite leave. I think it’s safe to say my prospects for career advancement at my current employer are limited.”
Adam’s work was his life. Was his profession, something he’d trained for and excelled at, now denied to him?
The hits just kept coming.
Seth already knew the answer, but he had to ask. “Is there any chance this wasn’t linked to what’s happening here?”
“It can’t yet be ruled out.” Adam swept his gaze over everyone in the room. “But the timing of all four events says it’s the same perpetrator.”
And that opened more doors than it closed. “Which means I’m not necessarily the target.” Seth braced his forearms on the desk. “Think about this for a minute. You could be the focus, and whoever’s behind this waited until the announcement of the sale of Shazad for maximum impact.”
Adam’s voice hardened. “You don’t think Fox could have investigated all of us and decided to exploit my career? Money can buy you whatever information you need, Seth, as well as the skills of people who don’t ask questions. Don’t twist what’s happened so that I’m responsible for this mess.”
“Meaning I am?” Seth’s laugh was harsh and without humor. “And, no, I wasn’t assigning blame. I’m trying to find out the central point that connects everything, but thanks for showing where your true feelings lie.”
Zach sighed. “Jesus, both of you take a step back.”
But Adam was just getting started and rose from his chair to loom large over everyone still seated. “Forgive me for being pissed, considering my occupation has just been outed on the web, and my employer is pissed that confidential data’s been compromised. There’s also the small fact I’m now vulnerable to any bastard who wants to settle scores for missions I’ve carried out that bring the kind of enemies you don’t want to meet—ever. Besides, if I’m on radar, so is my family. That means I need to find these fuckers and neutralize them quick so all of us can breathe easy.” He leaned forward, arms wide and hands pressed down on Seth’s desk. “So park your attitude.”
Seth stood. Not in a hurry, but slowly, his movements measured. Undaunted. “You may have forgotten since it’s been over a year since we last saw each other.” A long twelve months of exhaustive work hours and no personal time hardened his voice. “I don’t take orders from you, Adam. Haven’t in over thirteen years. You’re my brother. Not my Commander.”
Adam straightened. “What pisses you off more? The fact that by sleeping with Harper you can’t deny you left yourself open to attack from Fox, or that the suggestion came from me?”
Fuck.
He wanted to say neither, wanted to smash his fist into Adam’s jaw, but the truth was both points stoked the furnace of his anger in equal measure. His silence damned him.
“Jesus, Adam, that’s not helping.” Heath surged to his feet. “Why go there?”
The big mercenary’s gaze remained on Seth as he answered. “Because there’s no room for ego when you’re in a battle. Experience counts, and I need him to realize I’m the one with the skills to take the lead and get this sorted.”
Seth walked around his desk and ignored the way the atmosphere in the room was now charged. His brothers stood, all of them tense. Seth stopped next to Heath and faced Adam. “You think that’s what this is? All about ego? I’m fighting to save a deal that Dillon and I have worked like hell to achieve, and you turn everything into how you’re the hardheaded bastard who saves the day? Ego? Fuck, look in the mirror sometime.”
“Pull back, Adam.” Zach stepped forward, purposely blocking a direct line between Adam and Seth. Few people would easily challenge Adam, but the biker could hold his own. “This achieves nothing but dividing us further. It’s clear we’ve all got shit that needs sorting. Jesus, things haven’t been right between all of us for ages. Not since after Mum died.” Zach turned, pinning everyone with his stare, not letting one of his brothers escape the truth in his gaze. “But now’s not the time for us to dig all that up.”