Page 111 of Axe Backwards
Denis’s face fell. “We really can’t afford more delays, Victoria.”
I swallowed, scrambling for an explanation that would placate him. “I know. But the food pantry means so much to her. I promise I’ll bring her over this week to get everything sorted.”
He looked at me with disdain.Shit.
My pulse quickened, and I broke into a sweat. But by some miracle, an idea struck.
“I actually have a question about this clause.” I spread the contract across the desk and leaned over it to point out the language.
As expected, the slimy fucker lowered his attention to my cleavage and held it there for a beat too long before he stood to look at what I was referring to.
Once he was angled close, I brought my arm up to point out a random line on the document. I swung wide, clipping the paper cup I’d set on the edge of the desk.
“That’s standard procedu—oh fuck.” He shouted as hot coffee sloshed across the desk, soaking the papers.
“Oh no. I’m so sorry.”
Panicking, he plucked his phone off the desk before it could get wet and lifted a fancy clock as well. Muttering about paper towels, he ran out of the room.
I took the opportunity to move things around, making it look like I was cleaning up. I stacked papers that hadn’t been damaged by the coffee and set them on top of his laptop. As I did, I discreetly slipped the thumb drive out. Then I stuck it in the side of my bra cup.
Denis plowed into the room with a stack of paper towels. “What are you doing?”
“Cleaning up.” With a chipper smile, I took them from him. “I made this mess; I’ll clean it.”
I wiped up the coffee, being sure to continue to move things around to create more chaos. With any luck, he wouldn’t notice the thumb drive was gone.
After thoroughly cleaning the surface of the desk—and moving his laptop around three times, eventually burying itunder a newspaper and a folder full of receipts—I left, promising to return with Aunt Lou to sign the contracts.
By the timeI made it to Noah’s, it was late.
“I was worried.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Hard day at work? Is Mrs. Dupont giving you trouble about the proposed traffic flow for the lumberjack competition?”
I shook my head. “I had to see Parker.”
He stiffened, squeezing my arms and frowning. “You didn’t sign the contract, did you?”
“No. I managed to stall, but I got this.” I held up the thumb drive.
“Did you give it to Parker?”
My stomach twisted into a knot. “I tried. She wouldn’t take it. She said she’s close to being named interim police chief, so she can’t risk accepting illegally obtained evidence.”
With his lips pressed together, he nodded slowly. “Okay.”
“She asked me to hold on to it until she can look into a legal way to search it.”
Frowning, he scanned the room, his brain working. “Are you sure you’re not putting yourself in danger?”
It took effort not to laugh. “No way. This is Denis Huxley we’re talking about. Trust me when I say there is nothing remotely dangerous about this guy.” I draped my arms around his neck and popped up onto my toes to kiss him.
He kissed me back, his lips urgent, and I sank into his embrace. This was what I’d been craving all day. He grabbed my ass and dragged my body against him and—
“I like warm hugs.”
Startled, I jumped back and spun around.
Tess sat on the living room floor, clutching her Olaf and laughing hysterically.
