Page 39 of Near Miss

No. Sophia narrowed her eyes at the tableau.Not bored. Disconnected. As if he stood next to strangers.

She gave an internal shrug. Who was she to judge? Maybe Jared had grown up like her, seeking affirmation and affection from parents whose interests hadn’t included their only child. At least her parents weren’t cold or cruel. The elder Landry’s eyes hinted he could be both.

Jared hung up. “Sorry, I had to take that.”

“What do your parents do?” She wasn’t sure why she was curious other than she wondered how a father with such cold eyes and a mother with such vacant ones could raise a caring, successful son.

Jared barely glanced at the photo behind him. “My father married the daughter of a wealthy man so he could take her money and her father’s company and pretend he’s a self-made millionaire. And my mother copes with marriage to my father by drinking herself into a stupor to the point where she’s no longer allowed to attend social events lest she embarrass him.” The undercurrent of contempt in his voice wasn’t lost on her.

Sophia’s face heated. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

He waved away her apology. “I keep their picture to remind me that, unlike my father, I make my own destiny and will choose a woman who’s an asset to me and my future rather than a liability.”

Wow.And she thought she had issues with her parents.

Jared’s expression was suddenly all business. “Where do we stand with the government report?”

The butterflies winged their way to her throat. “The division summaries are mostly complete, but there are a few pieces of information I still need to collect.”Some answers, actually.

“You didn’t find what you needed in Fred’s office?”

She stared at her boss, her heart thudding so hard it was a miracle it didn’t explode.

His gaze narrowed on her. “Penny told me you had gone through Fred’s files.”

“No.” She forced herself to maintain eye contact. “I mean, yes, I did, but I still need some additional information from the Global Security division.”

“Ask Lachlan for help.” Jared’s features softened. “I appreciate you taking on this extra work, Sophia. This week’s been rough. Let’s hope next week is better.”

“Anything I can do.” She stood on shaky legs. “I’m happy to review your briefing notes for the Senate subcommittee hearing next week.”

He nodded. “I’ll ask Penny to find a time in my schedule.”

She spun toward the door. A few more feet and she’d be able to breathe.

“I made the right decision, hiring you.” His words, spoken at her back, caught her off balance. “You’re an asset to this company.”

“Thank you.” She fumbled for the doorknob. He wouldn’t think so if he discovered what she kept from him.

There was a tentative knock on Lachlan’s door before it opened partway, and Sophia stuck in her head. “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

Her wary expression had him gritting his teeth. “Come in.”

Instead of coming to stand next to him at his desk, she stopped just inside his door.

He pushed to his feet with an inward sigh, brushing past her to close the door. He shut the privacy blinds on the sidelights.

He stood so close he invaded her personal space, but he couldn’t make himself move.

Need overrode caution. He lifted a lock of her hair, rubbed the silky strands between his fingers, and guided it to his nose to inhale her scent. The muscles in his shoulders loosened.

“Lachlan,” she whispered, her tone both entreaty and warning that he was violating boundaries he’d been the one to set.

He let go of her hair and put some space between them. “What do you need?”

A manilla folder nailed him square in the chest. “I found these in Fred’s office. They weren’t in the files you and I went over.”

Fred,the poor bugger. Lachlan took the folder, thumbed it open, and flipped through the pages, his muscles locking as his brain processed the information.

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