Page 13 of Bad Situation

“I know you think you’re the end-all be-all FBI agent—hell, they’ll probably make docudramas about you taking down the MacLachlans—but I needed evidence for the search warrant. All those shell corporations set up in Montgomery’s name share the same address as a company she invested in last year. Some … natural gas, good-for-the-environment, tree-hugger company. The woman has more money than she knows what to do with. Even so, the Excel files on their own are fine but the shell corps tied to her legitimate investment company that are buying up shares in Birmingham Refining…” Bree shrugs and smiles. “It’s a slam-dunk.”

I step back and cross my arms.

Well, fuck me.

*****

Jen

“Jenny, girl. You can do it. You’ve done it with me a hundred times and Painter, here, is as gentle as a lamb.”

I look out at the fences lined up—obstacle after obstacle. I know Daddy’s right. He’s been doing the course with me for a year. But I fell once and that wasn’t even while jumping and it hurt so bad.

I pull on the reins as Painter starts to dance underneath me and I try to push the curls out of my face. He wants to run. He’s anxious for it. He blows a quick snort and shakes his head, tired of being held back. His excitement is the exact opposite of my fear.

“Lean into it just like we did together,” Daddy says, adjusting the stirrups. “You can do anything you put your mind to, baby girl. I trust you and so does Painter. Keep a tight hold and let him run.”

Keep a tight hold…

You can do anything…

I trust you…

“Jen!”

I flinch and turn to find Callie standing in my doorway. “I’m sorry. I called for you three times over the intercom and you didn’t answer. You were in another world.”

She has no idea.

I take a big breath and turn back to the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over downtown Dallas. “It’s okay. What do you need?”

She drops a bomb I wasn’t expecting. “You have a call from someone named Eli. He said you were acquaintances and you’d know who he was. He wouldn’t give his last name.”

I turn my head so quickly, my hair flips over my shoulder and frown. “Eli?”

“Yes. Should I put him through?”

I turn away from her so she can’t see me. I’ve holed myself up in my office. It’s only lunchtime but I’m exhausted. So much has happened—my head is spinning, trying to keep up with it all. I never have trouble keeping up with anything. Ever.

But Eli calling me? I know I shouldn’t talk to him even though I want to yell and scream at him right after thanking him for getting the bitch FBI agent to stop berating me with questions that were really just allegations. After all that’s happened in the last two days, speaking to him privately would seem as intimate as him touching me.

And I remember how it felt when he touched me.

Thinking of him makes me angry and miserable. I don’t like feeling either.

“Should I put him through?” Callie repeats.

I take a deep breath and exhale before turning. Who knows what he wants. What I do know, the man has stirred me in a way I’m twisted in knots. I can’t even eat. “No. I don’t know an Eli, please take a message. And go ahead and take lunch. Those reports can wait until later.”

I catch her glancing at the clock before sending me a look of relief. Callie’s a hard worker and never takes advantage of the perks she gets from working here. We’ve been together for a little over a year.

She smiles. “Sounds good. I’ll bring you the message before I leave.”

I move behind my desk and give her a fake smile. “Enjoy the fresh air.”

Resting my head in my hands. I have too much to do and don’t know where to start.

“Here you go.” Callie walks in one more time with a file and a message on top. “Can I bring you anything? You should eat.”

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