Page 42 of Wicked Love
Beckett paused again and then allowed himself a deep sigh. “It’s nothing to do with the case or your dad—nothing for you to worry about. I’ve just had an issue within the family business come up out of left field. It appears that rumors have been going around that I’ve been off my game lately, not focused on the work or committed to overseeing our people.”
I couldn’t hold back a scoffing noise. “They have to know that’s not really true.”
“I’m not sure. A few of my employees have abandoned ship. Others might be on the fence. I’m about to address a bunch of my direct reports at a meeting to hopefully put an end to the unrest.”
Why would the people under him believe he was anything less than the totally dedicated man I’d always observed him to be? “I just don’t understand—” I started, and then the answer clicked in my head.
My throat tightened. “Oh. It’s because of me, isn’t it? All the stuff to do with the investigation and protecting me.”
Beckett’s voice firmed. “Maddie—there’ve definitely been some questions about some of the tasks I’ve set people on, but it isn’t your fault. They need to trust me to handle my personal concerns and aspects of our business that they’re not privy to at my discretion. I’m going to set them straight.”
My stomach twisted. I didn’t love what Beckett did for a living, but I knew how much it meant to him—and how important it was in the grand scheme of things that hekeptdoing it rather than someone else pushing their way into his spot. If he lost his standing with his underlings because he’d tried to help me…
“What if I came and helped you set them straight?” I blurted out before I could rethink the impulse.
“What?” Beckett said with obvious surprise.
“Let me come with you. If they already know you’re dating someone, they might as well see who I am and hear right from my mouth what the real situation is.”
He hesitated. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea.”
“Why? You don’t think they’d outrightattackme if I’m there with you, do you?”
A chill shivered over my skin, but Beckett immediately answered. “No, definitely not. They aren’t animals. But you know what kind of work I’m involved in. They aren’t your typical office workers either—not most of them, anyway. They might make some harsh comments. They won’t necessarily be polite.”
A nervous laugh tumbled out of me. “I think I can handle some rudeness. It’ll be a step up from psycho murderers threatening my family. Anyway, I’d like to see you at work. It’ll help me totally come to terms with who you are and why.”
Maybe it was the last part that convinced him. “All right. If you insist. Can you get to the coffee shop just past the north entrance to the university in fifteen minutes? I’ll pick you up around back on my way over to the meeting.”
I stood up, already reaching for my purse. “No problem at all.”
I hustled down the stairs and out into the warm spring air. The lingering winter chill had completely faded, and I was starting to taste hints of summer on the breeze. I might have enjoyed it if my heart hadn’t been thumping in anticipation of the meeting I was about to attend. What had I gotten myself into?
Beckett would be right beside me the whole time. He wouldn’t have agreed to let me join him if he’d thought I’d be in any actual danger.
I’d only partly reassured myself when my phone rang again. I pulled it out of my purse as I hurried around the fitness center and saw it was Summer calling this time.
My first instinct was to ignore the call and avoid another awkward conversation with her. But the idea of treating my bestie that way made me wince inwardly.
I forced myself to answer. “Hey, Summer! How’s it going?”
“Not great, Madds,” Summer retorted in a dry tone that wasn’t as spirited as usual. “My best friend’s been icing me out of her life.”
I winced outwardly that time. “I swear it isn’t like that—”
“But it is, Maddie. I’m tired of the excuses and the vague explanations. You’re obviously hiding something from me, something bad. I want you to tell me what’s going on. We’ve always been honest with each other. You know you can count on me, no matter what’s wrong. Don’t shut me out.”
My stomach knotted up. I didn’t know what to say to her. “I’m telling you as much as I can,” I said apologetically. “You have to believe me that it’s better if you don’t know more about what’s going on right now.Idon’t even know exactly what’s wrong.”
Summer snorted. “Bullshit. You know a hell of a lot more than you’ve been telling me.”
“I’m still sorting it all out.”
“Then sort it out withme,” Summer pleaded, so emphatically that tears pricked at my eyes. “I don’t care how big or how stupid it is. I just need to know that you’re okay—or that I’m helping you if you’re not. Please.”
Summer wasn’t normally one to beg. My throat ached with the urge to spill the details about our investigation after all. But an image of Mom right after the car accident flashed through my mind—her body all bruised and broken in the hospital bed. Nausea swept through me.
“I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I’ll tell you everything when I can—I promised you that, and I mean it. But I’ve got to go now. I really am sorry.”
