Page 64 of Falling for Raine

“You’re a brave man,” Victoria murmured. “If you hear anything, deliver your scoop here first.”

The executive floor was always quiet, but with a respectful air—like a library or a museum. Today it was ghostly quiet with a side of dread. Something was up, and it wasn’t good.

I headed toward Sanjay’s office, but it was locked and his secretary wasn’t at his station. I instinctively moved down the hall to peek into Julia’s office—also empty—then went on to Graham’s. I paused in the doorway at the hum of voices from a nearby conference room before turning to greet Bernadette with a friendly smile.

It faded immediately. Her face was pale and pinched with worry. “I’m afraid Mr. Horsham can’t see you now.”

“Sure, okay. I was just dropping off these keys to Sanjay.”

“I’ll take care of that for you.” She patted my arm and smiled tightly. “But I have to run to this meeting. Set them on my desk and see yourself out, love.”

I watched her walk away, a sick feeling eating at my stomach lining. I left the keys as instructed and hesitated outside of Graham’s open office door for a beat. I knew he wasn’t there and I definitely didn’t want to get caught in the lion’s lair, so I wasn’t sure what I was thinking. I picked up a pen and drew a heart on a Post-it note, scribbled my name in small print, and stuck it to his monitor.

17

GRAHAM

My morning had started out very well indeed. I’d had coffee, breakfast, and Raine…in that order before setting off to work, whistling as I strode into the lobby. I’d nodded to the security guard Raine had introduced me to last week. I couldn’t remember his name, but he’d known mine and had greeted me with a flourishing bow that had made me smile.

I’d still been smiling when I reached the main floor of The Horsham Group. I’d greeted the receptionist and headed for my office, waving to a nervous-looking man lurking in Julia’s doorway. Cecil, was it?

“Good morning, sir,” Bernadette had chirped. “You have a meeting at half eight and another at ten o’clock.”

“Thank you, Berna?—”

“Sir!” Julia had called out, running toward me with a tablet tucked under her arm, her cheeks flushed and eyes panic-stricken.

“Julia, what is it?”

“Can I”—she’d pointed at my office—“speak to you?”

I’d shared a brief glance with Bernadette then ushered Julia into the adjoining room. “What’s wrong?”

She’d trembled as she’d passed her iPad to me. “This just came in.”

I’d set my briefcase on my desk and perched on the edge, pulling my glasses from my suit coat.

And just like that, my day went to shit.

Now here I was, blood draining from my face as I read,

On behalf of the board of trustees, we’d like to cordially offer our appreciation for your time and consideration. We regret to inform you that we’ve elected to accept an offer that better suits the needs of Mint and Cooperton.

“What the bloody hell?” I mumbled. “Lloyd’s? No, that can’t be.”

“Stern Alliance. They’re an American firm…my husband works for them. He’s an engineer and—I’m sorry,” she babbled incoherently. “I’m sorry.”

I gaped at the screen, a whoosh of static in my ears. Americans? That didn’t make sense. “What…what are you saying?”

She was shaking like a leaf, her lips chattering till she finally bit them. “My husband works for Stern. I know you don’t believe in coincidence, but I didn’t know aboutthis…I promise.”

I was having a hard time putting the pieces together. “Explain.”

“Three months ago Paul mentioned that Blower had contacted their New York headquarters. I swear to you, I didn’t think it had anything to do with our acquisition, but the whole thing made me uneasy. I didn’t want to be in the middle of anything, and Paul had already been at the Aberdeen office for a year, so I offered my resignation, found an immediate replacement, and?—”

“Stop.” I fixed her with a sharp look and shook my head. “This isn’t your fault, Julia.”

She wiped tears from her eyes and let out a soft sob. “I swear to you, Paul didn’t know anything either.”