Page 44 of Near Miss

“Do you have a minute?” She directed her question at Jared.

Lachlan stiffened next to her. She stepped closer, her hand grazing his back in a wordless attempt to communicate that she wasn’t about to throw him under the bus.

“For you, always.” Jared’s smile was blinding. He squeezed her shoulder, his fingers lingering a touch too long.

She hadn’t thought it possible for Lachlan to get any more rigid, his jaw so tight a tic formed.

Jared’s smile held a hint of triumph.

Sophia quelled the annoyed sigh that wanted to break free. They were like two dogs trying to take a leak at the same fire hydrant. Which wasn’t flattering because she had a feeling she was the fire hydrant, and this was more a pissing contest between two alpha males than a display of jealousy.

“Is there something else you need?” Jared directed a pointed stare at Lachlan.

For a minute, Sophia thought Lachlan might refuse to leave. Finally, he turned to her, his expression flat, revealing none of the turmoil he had to be feeling. He gave her a curt nod, then sent Jared an icy glare before exiting the room.

She didn’t waste any time. “You should let me complete the government report,” she told Jared. Her pulse fluttered wildly despite the confident tone she’d injected into her voice. “I’ve been working with Fred on it. I know what needs to be done, and I’d like to take the burden off you if I can.”

Jared nodded approvingly. “Done. The report is yours. Penny can help you assemble it, and I’ll take a look at it before it’s finalized.”

Her shoulders sagged in relief.

“Did Lachlan tell you about Roshan Haider?”

His question came from left field and had her rocking back on her heels. “How do you know about Roshan?”

“Lachlan told me.” Jared’s eyes darkened to charcoal. “You need to keep your distance from him. Lachlan’s life is...messy.”

The conversation felt like it was veering into personal territory. Hers and Lachlan’s. “I appreciate your concern.” She gave Jared a polite smile.

He was right, and he didn’t even know the half of it. On paper, Lachlan was a lousy bet. He had emotional baggage that kept them apart, and he was smack in the middle of what looked to be an arms trafficking scheme. She should be running away as fast as her legs could carry her.

But he was a good man.

And she was emotionally invested.

She’d see this through and pray she wasn’t making a huge mistake.

Jared lifted his wrist to glance at his Rolex. “I’ve got a lunch to go to, and I’ll be out of the office most of tomorrow, but I’ll pick you up at six-thirty for the reception.”

“Reception?”

Jared was leap-frogging all over the place in this conversation, and she struggled to keep up.

Irritation cooled his eyes to the color of hematite. “Congressman Kellerman’s event at his home in Great Falls tomorrow evening. Did you forget? Several legislators who sit on his appropriations subcommittee and their key aides will be there.”

Shehadforgotten. “I just thought, with what happened to Fred—”

“Fred’s death doesn’t change the fact that we need funding from Congress to continue our work, and this is an opportunity to get in front of the right people. It’s what I expected when I hired you.”

A knot formed in her stomach at the hint of censure in his voice. “Of course, but if you don’t mind, I’ll meet you there.” She’d already promised Emily they’d try the new Indian restaurant in Old Town. They’d have to eat earlier than planned, but she could still hang with her friend and then head to Great Falls.

“If that’s what you want.”

His curt reply irritated her. Why did it matter how she got there, as long as she showed up and did her job?

A job she’d better start paying more attention to. If indeed weaponswerebeing shipped to the Afghan warlord from LAI, Jared would need all the help he could get to keep his company’s reputation intact.

The knot in her stomach grew. Lachlan needed to find answers. Soon.

---