Page 112 of Savage Suit

“That asshole.” Reid shifted in his seat. “He offered to pay you off to pretend you had an affair with Noah.”

His phrasing it as a statement surprised me because he hadn’t taken a moment to think about what the basis of the bribe might’ve been. “Yes,” I said, refusing to admit no pretense would be at play.

After a moment of silence, he started. “He propositioned you sexually and insulted you, in addition to the monetary offer?”

“Yep, like the giant, diseased asshole he is.” I explained to Reid what happened. “That’s why I was so happy when you showed up,” I finished.

“Goddamn him. I’m going to talk to legal.”

“Accusations of sexual harassment are true then.” Just one more fact to add to my disillusion over my new job.

“Per se, but not actually.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Nicholas had a habit of installing his mistresses in company positions. Not here in headquarters. When he tires of them, he also has, had, them fired. He swore to my father he was going to stop.”

“I’m not his mistress. I don’t even like that asshole.”

Reid leaned forward and rested his hands on my desk, giving me an earnest look. “I’m sure you’re aware of exactly what Noah’s guilty of in that exposé. Most of it described Nick and Uncle Shawn.”

“If Noah protests and reveals that information, he’ll be accused of smearing the name of a dead man and passing off responsibility for his behavior to his brother.”

“Exactly. Even if that wasn’t the case, he’s loyal to our family. The Keegan name and heritage.”

Closing my eyes, I rubbed my temples, bleakness settling into me. My intentions to swoop in and change the company’s atmosphere seemed naïve. The sexist, brutal culture imbedded deep. After only two days, I felt isolated, up against Goliath. It didn’t help I longed to see Noah, hear his voice. Pretending our sex hadn’t happened was so different from his complete shutout.

“What are you thinking?”

“Does it matter?” I asked with a sigh, opening my eyes, and staring at Reid.

“He needs you.”

His meaning sounded personal rather than professional. Of course, I heard what I longed for—an intimate relationship with Noah. The admission annoyed me, and I scowled at Reid. “As you need Quinn?”

“I need her, Ryan,” Reid said quietly. “She needs me. She loves me.”

She’d admitted to being in love with him when she’d called my ass at two in the morning night before last. Still, Reid’s certainty surprised me. I’d had to drag the confession from her. “Did she tell you that?”

“I’m thirty years old,” he said after a moment. “I know when a woman’s in love with me.”

“Are you in love with her?”

“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “Quinn is an amazing woman.”

I smiled at the tenderness in his voice. “She is.”

“I’m not here to ask for your help in winning her. I’m here—”

“You wouldn’t get it from me. Megan, remember?”

He nodded. “Fair enough.”

“You’re here on Noah’s behalf,” I guessed.

“Yes. I want to show you proof of everything I mentioned to you Monday afternoon.”

“I don’t want to see whatever you have. I get it.”