Page 73 of Out of the Shadows

“I’m pulling up the security gate feed now,” Bean said, her fingers tapping on her keyboard.

Within seconds, the live video feed from the security gate was up on the Smartboard. Sure enough, there was Constance Whitcomb in her Mercedes-Maybach with her arms crossed over her chest and a pinched expression on her face.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

“What do you want to do, boss?” Bean waved at the screen. “I can turn on the gate speaker from here if you want.”

“No.” This was the last thing he wanted to deal with. He glanced at Alvarez and Xander, both of whom were shaking their heads.

“Don’t look at me,” Xander said and pointed to Alvarez. “He’s met her before, too, bring him.”

“Nope,” Gavin said. “She only knows Alvarez from the SPD, not here. Frankly, the less contact she has with Hudson Security people, the better. You’re up, Xan.”

“Motherfucking hell,” he muttered.

“Mel,” Gavin said as he moved to stand behind Bean. He bent at the waist to peer over her shoulder at her laptop screen. Constance Whitcomb was seething. “When you get back to your desk, you can go ahead and let her through the gate. Let her know where to park. Xander, wait for her outside and escort her in, then wait with her in the Fishbowl until I get there.” The small, glass-walled six-seat conference room was off the lobby and was used formeetings with people who weren’t cleared to enter their inner sanctum.

“Yeah,” Xander said with a groan, rising from his chair. “The last thing we want is that woman wandering around the lobby.”

“But the lobby’s secure,” Mel said, confusion echoing in her voice.

“Trust me,” Xander said. “If you’d met her, the last thing you’d want is her milling about. The woman’s atrocious.”

“Isn’t that the damn truth,” Mel muttered.

Gavin’s eyes narrowed. “She yell at you?”

Mel waved at Constance’s image, which was still up on the Smartboard. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I said she threw a hissy fit. But honestly, her insults were pretty basic. I’ve heard better and way more creative from my little high school cousins.”

Gavin blew out his breath. It had been apparently too much to think his interactions with Constance Whitcomb were over. Piece of fucking work. “Thanks, Mel. And I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

“No worries.” She shrugged. “It’s all part of the job.”

“It’s actually not, but thank you for coming to get us.” He shook his head as Mel left the room. “Xan,” he called out, stopping his friend at the door. “Make sure Constance doesn’t fuck with Mel. She doesn’t even get to look at her.”

Mel was the youngest employee they had on staff. Only twenty-two. Not only was she like everyone’s baby sister, but she was the actual little sister of Hanniger on Team Three.

Xander lifted his chin. “You don’t even have to ask, brother.”

Heaving out a loud sigh, Gavin placed his hands on Bean’s shoulders. Touching her, even in this casual way, grounded him. He glanced at the Smartboard at his colleagues who were still on the video call. “MacKay, Esme, Tiny, let’s planon catching up the same time tomorrow. But if any of you need anything before that, I’m available.”

After they said their goodbyes, Bean disconnected the video call.

“If you need help with Whitcomb, let me know,” Alvarez said from his seat across the conference room table. “I know the woman can be a lot, and all joking aside, I can help however you need.”

“Thanks. I may take you up on it depending on what she wants.” Gavin squeezed Bean’s shoulders. He looked down at her. “I know it goes without saying, but please make yourself scarce while Constance is on-site. She only knows you as my girlfriend from the charity galaandunder a different name. I don’t want her connecting you to here.”

“Of course.” She patted his hands that were still on her shoulders, and her eyes darted to the video feed where Constance appeared to be yelling at the security gate speaker again. The corners of Bean’s lips lifted into a smirk. “Good luck with her, boss man. Something tells me you’re gonna need it.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

“Gavin Frazier, it’s so lovely to see you again.” Constance blasted him with a smile that Gavin knew was supposed to be sexy. Or seductive. Or some other shit. It was none of the above. Holy hell, this woman had to be fucking kidding.

Stepping into the conference room, he nodded to Xander, who stood near the glass door with his arms crossed over his chest. Gavin slid the glass door shut behind him. Constance was seated at the head of the rectangular table like she was queen of the fucking castle. Everything about the woman had him bristling.

“Just so we’re clear, Mrs. Whitcomb?—”

“Constance, please,” she cooed. “There’s no need for formalities.”

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