Page 329 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 5

“Very well.” Tanner glanced at his watch. “You should get going or you’ll be late for work. Do you want a bag lunch? Nigel mentioned packing one up for you.”

“I’m okay.”

“Well make sure to eat lunch. You need to make sure you’re alert just in case someone tries to murder you.” Tanner loaded up a plate and stood up. A biscuit fell off the top of the plate and rolled on the polished hardwood floors.

“Aren’t you going to work too?” I asked.

“I have company to attend to. Now don’t forget to drink that juice before you head out. Trust me. It’ll make your headache evaporate in a flash. I’ll see you tonight.” He disappeared down the hall with his big plate of food.

I stood up and took a quick sip of the green juice, expecting it to be bitter and gross like green juice usually was. But it was actually delicious. It tasted just like a strawberry banana smoothie. I wondered if those were the two secret ingredients. If they were, my headache wouldn’t be gone in a flash like promised. I quickly downed the rest. Before I even put the glass down I took a deep breath. What the hell? I touched my forehead. My headache was gone. I blinked. Actually, I felt amazing. Like I’d just slept for days instead of a few hours. I eyed the glass. I was going to need that recipe. But not if it involved asking Nigel for it. Who knows what kind of favor he’d ask for in return.

I was about to leave the great room when a large cloth draped over something above the fireplace caught my eye. I double checked that no one was around and pushed the cloth to the side. Beneath the fabric was a portrait of Tanner in a weird Victorian outfit, similar to what he most definitely usually made Nigel wear. Someone loved history a little too much if you asked me. I looked around the room and wondered how much of the covered wall art featured Tanner playing dress up. I let the cloth fall back in place and made my way past the kitchen.

I stopped when I noticed a brown paper bag sitting on the counter with my name on it. Well, I guess if Nigel had already made me a lunch it would just be rude not to take it. I grabbed the bag and headed out the front door.

Nigel was hanging off the side of the weird little footbridge that went from the elevator to Tanner’s apartment door. Nigel had a staple gun and was stapling a tarp over top of the water. He grunted as he tried to maneuver without falling in.

“What are you doing, Nigel?”

“Hiding the…” Nigel started coughing. “Nothing. What are you doing, Mr. Caldwell?” He placed one more staple and then slid back safely onto the bridge. He was completely out of breath, but he quickly wiped off his lederhosen and stood up with a bow.

“Heading to work.” I lifted up the bag lunch.

“Good, good. I’m glad you found your lunch. Please don’t look down.”

“Nigel, I’ve been here before. I know Tanner somehow has water under this bridge.”

“Right. Of course. Just normal everyday water and nothing more. See you tonight, Mr. Caldwell. I’ll have a bath and a snifter of cognac waiting for you upon your arrival.”

If that wasn’t the weirdest sentence I’d ever heard. “That won’t be necessary, Nigel.”

“But you’re Master Tanner’s guest.”

“Just pretend I’m not here.”

“But you’re also Master Tanner’s best friend. Only the best for Master Tanner’s best friend.”

Okay. “I don’t really take baths, but I appreciate the offer.”

“We’ll see if I can change your mind about that tonight. Good day.” He hurried back inside with his staple gun.

Bath references should never sound dirty, but Nigel made it sound absolutely filthy. I sighed and looked down. And I swore I saw the tarp move. I grabbed the railing on the bridge. What the hell? Was there something under there?

Fuck it. I didn’t even want to know what was in that water. It was probably another houseboy dressed in lederhosen ready to jump out and scare me half to death. And I wanted no part in it. I’d had enough weirdness for one morning. I made my way over the footbridge and safely onto the elevator.

I just needed to focus on staying alive and convincing Penny to give me those prototypes. And for Nigel to stop trying to see me naked.

Matchmaker - Chapter 24

Tuesday

I hadn’t heard from Penny all day. I’d texted her this morning to see if we were still on for dinner. But she hadn’t responded. I’d texted her again an hour ago asking if she had gotten my first text, and immediately wished I could have unsent it. Obviously she had gotten my other text and was just not responding.

I opened up my bag lunch, very aware of the fact that Tanner had probably made Nigel make it so I wouldn’t leave the office today. Not like that mattered. Poppy had waltzed into MAC International undetected before. Certainly a hitwoman could do the same.

There was a folded note on top of the food:

Mr. Caldwell,