Page 2 of Cursed Fox (Willow Creek Security #4)

CHAPTER TWO

Nancy

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I was mad enough that there was a real chance I could kill my boss right here in my office. "I told you I didn't want anyone's help but yours. I especially don't want anyone from you know where ."

I couldn't bring myself to say the name. Which was ridiculous considering it was just a town name, but to me it was like Beetlejuice. Say it three times and voila, it was back in my life. In my case though, I didn't even have to say anything—Wes already did the summoning.

"Lex isn't from Willow Creek and he's barely been there for a few months. He also doesn't talk much, so it's not like he's going to annoy you. To be honest, the man is perfect for this situation. He'll get the job done with minimal contribution on your part."

I scoffed at his explanation. "I'm not worried about being annoyed with the man. I work for you after all. If I haven't killed you yet, there's hope for the rest of mankind."

And there were some days I asked myself how I managed to come in day after day and not kill the man in front of me. He infuriated me like no other. But then I remembered my kids wouldn't have all they did if it weren't for Wes and the opportunity he gave me.

When I moved to Divot, I was a single mother with no job and a huge gap in my résumé. Most employers took one look at the thing and wrote me off, but not Wes. He gave me the chance to prove I could make something of my life and provide my kids with a stable home.

"I want you to know I take that as a compliment." Wes's words pulled me out of my musings.

I smiled, because of course he did. That was the kind of relationship we had. Wes wasn't just my employer, he was my friend, and some days I felt more like his boss than he did mine. While unconventional, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

"Besides, you know if I didn't have everything going on with Jennie, I would gladly help you. But I can't commit that kind of time. Not right now."

I thought about my boss's wife and instantly felt guilty. She was going through so much. Battling stage two breast cancer wasn't easy, and Jennie deserved to have her husband by her side at all times.

I deflated. "I'm sorry. I never should've brought it up."

I didn't know what to do, though. Jimmy wasn't taking the threats seriously even though his manager advised him he should. It didn't matter how old my son got, he would always be my baby and I wanted to protect him. Even if he was being stubborn about his own safety.

"Yes, you should've, and I'm glad you did. Now, I respected your wish not to tell my teams, but I couldn't do the same for Mav’s guys. You need help and this is the best solution."

I hated when he was the practical one of the conversation. It rarely happened. No one would ever consider Westley James a rational man, so this was a “hell freezing over” kind of situation.

Mentally, I sighed. "And you're sure this Lex guy is the right one for the job? You're not just saying that to schmooze me over? Because if so, I will have Missy deny him access. I don't have time to add another pain in my ass to my life. The several I deal with here are enough for two lifetimes."

Wes barked out a laugh and it made me smile. No one in the office had heard that sound in quite some time. I’d almost forgotten how serious he was before he met Jennie.

"And we both know Missy would listen to you over me. How anyone thinks I run this place is beyond me. We all know who the real boss is here."

It was my turn to smile. This was the reason I stayed, despite the headaches I got more often than not when I had to fix mistakes my boss made. Wes valued me as an asset and treated me as such. Not many places did that.

"Stop trying to butter me up." I rolled my eyes. "I'm going to take Lex's help. No need to keep laying on the charm."

My response was more for him than it was for me.

As crazy as Wes drove me, I missed having him around.

The last few months he’d spent more time with his wife and daughter than he did in the office.

Something the old version of him would never have done.

Work used to come first before anything else. I was glad to see that had changed.

"Good, because he’ll be here soon."

I looked up to the ceiling and willed myself some patience. Only Wes could go from having me happy to making me want to strangle him within the same breath.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Lex doesn't like to waste time."

The office alarm system echoed throughout my office, alerting us that someone had pulled onto the premises. I initially hated the disruption the warning system caused, but now was grateful for the extra few minutes it gave me to prepare for what was likely to be an uncomfortable greeting.

Working for Wes had made me too comfortable with the fact that I only spoke to those I was familiar with. Missy now made all the arrangements for the teams and worked the front desk. It allowed me to hide from people. Just how I liked it to be.

Wes and I stared at each other. Neither of us saying anything while we waited. It was several uncomfortable minutes later before Missy buzzed my office phone.

"Yes?" I injected as much happiness as I could into my voice. Missy didn't deserve my wrath.

I wasn't mad, per se. Just uncomfortable with the fact that someone I didn't know was about to learn my personal business.

"There's a Lex Holland here to see you." Missy sounded unsure and it immediately put me on edge.

"Send him back. He's a friend of Wes." I was quick to reassure the woman who was more like a daughter to me than the other wives. "And thank you."

"No problem."

I wondered what Lex did to make Missy hesitant about him. Now that she worked for Wes, and her past was no longer nipping at her heels, she was almost too trusting. Human trafficking should've made Missy wary of all men, but her husband, Kyle, had done a good job of bringing her out of her shell.

And working the front desk of W.J. Protective Services helped as well. Missy was forced to interact with people on a daily basis. Just how she preferred it.

The second the man walked through the door, I understood Missy's hesitation. Lex had a dangerous appeal that probably kept others away, but in my case, it was causing my dead libido to rise.

The man was tall. Taller than Wes by a couple of inches.

His rusty-brown beard hung down past his neck.

I couldn't be sure from my angle, but based on the way his hair was pulled back slick, he wore it longer than most of the guys who worked for Wes, and there was a hint of silver running throughout.

Not to mention the silver at the shaved part of his temples.

But it was the shirt he wore and how it accentuated his muscles that really did me in.

A short- sleeved denim button-up with the top two buttons undone showcased his tan skin.

And holy hell, talk about arm porn. His tight sleeves left nothing to the imagination, with every damn vein making themselves known.

I was pulled out of my filthy thoughts when Wes made quick introductions. "Lex, this is Nancy, the woman I told you about. Nancy, this is Lex."

Lex's green eyes flicked over my body for barely a second before looking back at my boss.

Ouch.

I knew I was no hot mama, but it still hurt. Menopause had taken its toll, adding a few too many extra pounds around my middle, but would it have killed the man to give me more than a cursory and disinterested look. I had practically eye-fucked the man and he gave me nothing in return.

It was a damn shame.

The manners that were drilled into me from a young age had me responding despite being annoyed. "Nice to meet you."

Lex's only response was another quick glance and a small chin nod.

"I warned you he didn't talk much." Wes gave me a lopsided smile that showcased his dimple. If my boss thought that was going to make up for Lex's rude behavior, he was dead wrong.

"I'm not sure this is going to work." I blurted the words out before I could think better of it and prayed Wes didn't ask me why. I doubted telling him I was attracted to his friend would get me the results I wanted.

"You told me this would be smoothed over before I arrived."

Holy hell!

It was probably better the man didn't talk. I thought his good looks were the only problem, but his deep timbre of his voice was going to cause me to spontaneously combust. Sexy didn't even begin to describe it. I was completely screwed.

"She was on board with the plan until you came in here acting like a mute jackass," Wes snapped.

" She is right here and I have a name," I was quick to remind Wes with a little too much attitude in my tone.

"I know your name, dammit. I was trying to make a point."

It would appear Wes the grump was back. This was the man I was used to dealing with. The man I knew how to handle.

"Could've fooled me."

"Nancy," Wes growled, and I chuckled. It always made my day to rile him up.

Lex, on the other hand, just stood there with his brows pinched together as he looked back and forth between Wes and me.

"Are you going to be cooperative and let Lex help you?"

I looked at the man in question and frowned. I wanted to say no. I wanted him to go back to Willow Creek and stay far away from me. I had the feeling Lex would be detrimental to my physical well-being.

But then I remembered Jimmy and the problems he was facing. Wes couldn't help, but Lex could. It didn't matter how attractive I found the man, my kids would always come first. This time was no exception.

So, with a sigh, I answered. "Yes, I'll let him help."

Lex's green eyes locked with mine and I wondered if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. Because that look held nothing but heartbreak.