Page 74 of Out of the Shadows

A shiver of revulsion raced up his spine. “Constance. Let’s get one thing straight. You donotget to yell at any of my team members. The only reason I allowed you into our office today is because I respect your brother. But that’s it, that’s your one free pass. If you want to come here again, you schedule an appointment like everyone else.” Her shouldersstraightened, the seductive look faded, and a snooty do-you-know-who-I-am look took its place. “Now, what did you want to see me about?”

“I need to know where my brother is.”

He sat in the chair on the opposite end of the table from her and shook his head. “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to provide that information.”

Her nose lifted ever so slightly. “It’s imperative you tell me where he is. I think he’s in danger.”

“That’s precisely why I’mnottelling you where he is.”

A satisfied smirk crossed her face. “So youdoknow where he is.”

Holy shit, this woman. “You already know that or you wouldn’t be here. Now is that all?”

“I’m not leaving here until you tell me where my brother is.” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin with that superior look.

He was done. “Mrs. Whitcomb, if you think that I will not have you physically removed from my property, you are sorely mistaken.”

Her shoulders dropped, and she let out a sigh. As far as acting went, it was an okay performance of acquiescence, but he knew the woman was full of shit.

“Gavin, I’m sorry I’m coming across as difficult.” Understatement. “I’m just so concerned about my brother. I heard about the shootings at their home and went over there as soon as I could. But the only people at the house were Adrian and his security team, and even he has no idea where you’ve taken my brother and his family. I’m just beside myself.”

Gavin was pretty damn sure if there’d been a couch in the conference room, she would have staged a faint of some kind. “Mrs. Whitcomb, I’m not telling you where your brother is.”

“Can you at least tell me if he’s okay? Are Rita and Ansonwith him? Is little Anson okay?” Tears welled in her eyes, and he had to acknowledge the chin tremble was very convincing. But he’d been told how she’d acted at the hospital after Anson had been admitted. The woman didn’t give a shit about her nephew.

“I’m not telling you anything.” He rose and caught Xander’s gaze. “Now, will you be leaving on your own accord?”

Part of him wished she’d throw another fit just so he could toss her ass out.

Instead, she stood, running her hands over her hips, appearing to smooth out her skirt. He caught the glint in her eye though. The way she cocked her hip out slightly.Holy fuck, give me patience.

“I’ll be staying at the Pacific View Resort for the next few days. I’d love to treat you to dinner while I’m here.” Her gaze trailed lazily up and down his body. “For business, of course. I’d love to talk with you about that security opening you have next year. In light of everything that has happened with my brother, I’d love to pick your brain about what security measures I can take while I wait for your schedule to open up.”

“I’m busy with my girlfriend this week.”

“Ahh, the brown-haired woman from the charity gala?” He didn’t respond. “Well, she seemed lovely. Very fashionable.” She pursed her lips, and her gaze traveled to Xander, giving him the same once-over. “Perhaps your second-in-command here would be available to provide some information about your company’s services.”

“No one is available, Mrs. Whitcomb.” Gavin slid open the glass door and gestured to the lobby. “Mr. Bonetti will escort you to your vehicle.”

She stepped toward him and then paused in the doorway, stopping directly in front of him. Her shoulder brushedagainst his chest. “If you hear from my brother, please let him know I’m worried about him. Please have him call me. It’s urgent.”

Gavin remained silent, his expression blank. He wasn’t saying a damn thing to the woman. Instead, he caught Xander’s gaze over her head and lifted his chin.

“This way, Mrs. Whitcomb,” Xander said, taking her elbow and steering her through the lobby past Mel, who was on the phone at the reception desk, and out the front door.

The moment the door closed behind them, Gavin let out a breath. Holy fuck, that woman was something else.

“Gavin,” Mel said, urgency in her tone. “Bean needs to see you immediately.”

Entering his security code, he waited impatiently for the door to the inner office to open. The second he stepped through, Alvarez was there. His friend’s expression was stony and it sent a bolt of worry through him. “What is it?”

“Whitcomb had a listening device on her.”

Ice shot through his veins. “What?”

They hurried down the hall and into Bean’s office.

“The Fishbowl cameras were on during your meeting,” Bean said. “I’m not sure if you recall, but a few months ago for shits and giggles, I added bug sweepers to that room.” His brows rose, and she shrugged. “It’s a damn good thing I did, too, because Whitcomb had some kind of listening device on her. Unfortunately for us, it was battery operated, so I wasn’t able to hack into it.”

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