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Unless Audrey isn’t the only woman who could have ratted him out.
“Is it possible someone else could be trying to get him in trouble?” I ask the question carefully, but there’s no good way to broach the topic of being cheated on.
“I mean, it’s possible.” Audrey offers a humorless smile. “I’m sure I’m not the only woman he fucked over.”
I don’t want to be relieved another woman could be caught up in this mess, but a little part of me is, because it will take the heat off Audrey.
“We should get back out there before Dane starts getting any more ideas.” I straighten, reaching out a hand to help her up.
Audrey angles a brow at me. “Any more ideas?”
“I’m pretty sure he suspects there’s something going on between us, but I don’t think he’s positive yet. Every minute we spend back here will only make him more confident in his assumption.” I don’t really care. Actually, I prefer Dane thinks Audrey and I have something going on. Maybe then he’ll stoplooking at her the way he does and flirting every time she’s within a twenty-foot radius.
But him thinking Audrey is messing around with me will make her job harder. It’ll make him question what kind of a manager she is, and I don’t want that. Her life is hard enough right now as it is.
“Why would he think that?” Audrey takes my hand and lets me help her up, her soft palm lingering in mine.
“I think he’s just feeling territorial because we’re working so closely together. Plus, I’m sure the only explanation he can come up with for why I got the assistant manager spot and he didn’t is because there’s something going on between us.”
Audrey wrinkles her nose at me. “Dane would never get the assistant manager spot. If anyone here would be offered that position, it would be Ginny. She works her ass off and is responsible. She’s also got a don’t-fuck-with-me sort of temperament that can come in handy when you deal with customers and employees.”
I smile. “What I’m hearing you say is I’m actually overqualified for this position.”
Audrey laughs. “Your version ofdon’t fuck with meis a little bit more than what company policy allows, so yeah. We’ll call it overqualified.”
I grin, pulling her in for a quick hug, because I feel better knowing she’s close and safe, and Audrey relaxes when she knows I’m right here with her. That means, whenever no one’s looking, I sneak in little touches. Winks and smiles meant only for her. Reminders that I have her back.
As expected, she melts into my embrace, letting out a sigh as her face presses into my chest. “Part of me was kind of hoping they’d tell you to whisk me away to a cabin somewhere so I could hide out till this is all over.”
“Me too.” That actually sounds perfect. Except for one thing. “But the more we get into this, the more I want your ex-husband to suffer. And to do that, we have to play his game.”
Audrey nods. “I know.” Her eyes lift to my face. “You think if there’s another woman she’s playing his game too?”
“I sure fucking hope so.” I release her, knowing we’ve got to get back to business as usual. “But just to be safe, I’m gonna call Isaac when we’re done today and tell him our suspicions so Intel can start trying to figure out who it might be. Because if someone else really is trying to take him down, she’s in just as much danger as you are.”
Possibly more. I think Audrey’s temperament is probably part of what’s keeping her safe. Her ex abused her sweet, passive nature
If this other woman’s personalityisn’tsweet and passive, and falls more in line with the women of Intel, he’s going to believe she’s the one trying to ruin his life, because he’ll know she gives zero fucks.
Following Audrey back out onto the floor, I ignore Dane. I don’t want him to think I’m worried he’s suspicious, so I don’t give him a second of my attention. I keep my focus on doing what Audrey tells me to do, and unfortunately that’s folding fucking shirts.
I don’t get anymore calls from Isaac, and that’s both a good and bad thing. Good because Audrey and I won’t suspiciously walkstraight to her office again, but bad because it means Isaac and Intel haven’t found any more information.
Hopefully, my suspicions will change that.
At the end of our shift, I load everything—Audrey included—into her car. Upon pulling out of the mall lot, I immediately call Isaac, filling him in on what I think could be happening. He agrees there could be another woman involved in this and adds her to his list of items to investigate.
As we near Audrey’s apartment, I begin circling, following an indirect path different from the ones I’ve made previously. If I have to keep her where she’s at, I’m going to do my damnedest to make sure the place is as secure as possible. Today that means fifteen minutes of canvassing the neighborhood. Making sure nothing is out of place.
When I’m satisfied, I pull into one of the available spots along the curb and climb out, giving the area another scan as I round the front to retrieve her. Opening her door, I continue keeping watch as she steps out, carrying our lunch pail and her purse, and lead her to the front door, keeping my hands free just in case.
We’ve only done this once before, but she’s already figured out how to make my job as easy as possible. When we’re in a spot that could be dangerous—like we are now—she stays quiet. Keeps herself between me and anything that could serve as cover just in case things get hairy, so my body will block hers from any attack.
We reach the stoop, and after unlocking the door to her apartment, she hangs back, following me in, but staying barely inside the door so I can make sure the place is clear.
Yesterday, this process was smooth. Today I only make it two steps in before coming to a stop, automatically sweeping one arm out to tuck Audrey behind me. It’s a reflexive move, but has the two men parked on her sofa lifting their brows at me.
I shoot each of them a glare. “You assholes didn’t think it was important to give me a heads-up that you were going to be here when we got back?”