Page 45 of Sexy Bad Neighbor

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

PAYNTER

I take the elevator to my brother’s floor and stride past his assistant. “Morning, Myra.”

“Good morning, Paynter,” Myra singsongs from her desk outside James’s office. She’s been an amiable face since James founded his company, even when his offices were half the size of the building they currently inhabit, but she glances icily at his door as she shoos me through. “He’s expecting you.”

“Thanks.” Hurrying past her, I step inside James’s domain and automatically drift toward the coffeemaker. There’s already a cup perched on a coaster on his desk where he’s clicking the button on his mouse, a grim twist to his lips. Fixing a cup of joe in a mug beside the machine, I take it with me and drop into one of the chairs on the opposite side of his desk. “One of those mornings, huh?”

“What?” James lifts his head, giving me his partial attention, though his gaze strews to the computer screen. “Oh, not really, no more than usual.”

“But something’s up.” I sip the dark brew.

“There’s a meeting going on downstairs.” He pushes away from his computer and gives me his full attention. “But that’s not what you’re here for.”

“No,” I agree. Although my mind is currently in the same boardroom as his. “I’ll run the updates this morning and make sure there aren’t any glitches in the system. Once it’s looking good, you’ll just have to let me know if you need it tweaked at all.”

“Right. I’ll let you get on with it.” His attention is drawn back to the screen and he leans forward.

“What on earth are you watching over there? Porn?” I’m half-tempted to circle his desk and take a peek.

“Of course not.” He flicks a quick glare my way then drums his fingers on the edge of his desk. “What do you know about security systems and audio?”

“That’s not really my wheelhouse.” I go to set my cup down then realize I don’t have a coaster and don’t want to be harangued for it. “Some, maybe. Enough. Why?”

“We’ve been having some difficulty with the audio from downstairs. I’d wait for the security firm to deal with it, but they’re not available until mid-week.”

“And you want it now?” Chloe is downstairs in a meeting right now. Is that who he wants to spy on? Is he worried her performance is slipping because of me? He’s the one who thought I’d be good for her. “Tell me you aren’t snooping on that conference downstairs. I never thought you’d turn into that boss. We both know Chloe is dedicated to you.”

A little too much.

“Can you fix it or not?” He huffs.

“It won’t be a problem with the program because it was working before. Someone probably just fooled around with something they shouldn’t. And as long as it hasn’t been manually turned off downstairs, it should be an easy fix.” Circling the desk, I reach over his shoulder to click through to the security program. I may have to retrace his steps if he’s fiddled with the program. My brother is brilliant in his field but almost mind-bendingly lacking in any kind of tech skills. “Have you tried anything to fix it?”

“If you’re about to tell me to turn it off and then on again…” he grumbles in warning.

“I would never.” I click my tongue to avoid snickering. If he hasn’t learned yet, he certainly isn’t going to. Scanning the pages as I bring them up, I click through to the advanced controls section.

The guy in the room with Chloe is a slick piece of work. Facing her in his expensive tailored suit and gelled hair, he exposes a row of perfectly white teeth. My hackles rise as he smoothly shifts into her personal space. James threw her in to swim with a shark. Though clearly it doesn’t faze her if the way she converses with him is anything to go by. Actually, she looks to be in her element.

“She can handle herself,” James says, eerily reading my mind. “I’m more interested in why one of our competitors would request a meeting.”

One push of a button later and audio bursts through the speakers of his computer.

“Clearly, you’re mistaken. Now should I ask security to escort you out of the building, or can you find your own way out?”

“That’s all you have to say?” The guy adjusts the knot in his tie. “I thought—”

“I really do have to cut this meeting short.” Chloe strides to the door and holds it open for him. “Next time you want to waste our company’s valuable time, don’t.”

When he gets to her side, he hesitates, reaching out to touch her elbow in an overly friendly manner. “Chloe, do you think we could forget about this meeting? I’d prefer if we could keep it between us.”

And then she gives him this withering look, glancing at his hand and up to his face. “It’s Ms. Green to you, and trust me, this conference has been recorded. Now if you don’t mind...”

My face mirrors his as he cringes. This is why James said she could handle herself, but damn she’s ruthless.

Then he’s no longer in the visual, and a few short seconds later neither is Chloe. James turns off the audio and rises to his feet. “Join me for golf on Saturday? We’ll have lunch at the club.”

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