Page 26 of The Devil’s Detail (The Greystone Family: Greystone Brothers #2)

Jackson

“What’s wrong with him, do you think?” Ash is watching Carter on his film set. I’m shaking my head. Even here I can see he’s different. He’s not hitting on anyone, his social butterfly tendencies have clearly been held in a net. If not shrivelled into a cocoon.

“I've had the family call him. Even Marshall.” My eyes are not leaving Carter. “They say he seems fine, all good. But they probably can’t see him. And, to be fair, he is a very good actor.”

“One of the best,” Ash states proudly.

“Feeling sorry for him now as well? He’s got promotions and things next week. Maybe that will perk him up.” I watch the man, who is usually so vibrant, slink off to the back of the set. Bloody hell.

“Maybe. The minute the cameras are off, though, so is he. He’s been at home, alone, every night.

He never talks to anyone, only at events.

He’s had no friends around. Plus, he hasn’t baked anything in weeks, and he loves to bake.

” Ash is listing the alarming characteristics that are definitely not my most famous client’s.

“He’s shrinking, Jax. And to be honest, I’m really worried. ” He stops to make sure I’m listening.

I am.

“I know we wanted control, but I didn’t want to kill his spirit,” I say with feeling. That is the last thing I wanted. He’s a client, but he’s also a friend. I care about him.

“Tell you what, why don’t you start working out with him. If he’s depressed, that helps. I’ll even come and join you.” I smirk at Ash, whose eyebrows shoot up.

“Fuck me, he’ll have a heart attack if you’re bending and stretching in front of him. But it’ll cheer him up at least.” He grins. “I’m happy to use you as bait. Get the gym shorts out, Jackson.” He starts to laugh at my plan. “It might just work.”

I’ve been biding my time and letting them get into a fitness routine, but today I’m dressed for it, ready to do yoga right alongside them. Ash has had Carter in a full-on regimen of fitness training for weeks now. Time for me to join the show.

I’m just straightening the mat when Carter comes out of the house.

And stops dead when he sees me in my shorts.

His face flushes with colour. Well at least we know he isn’t that depressed.

“Hey, hope you don’t mind me joining. Ash looks as fit as a butcher's dog. And to be honest, I’m jealous.

I can’t let him be fitter than me.” I look Carter up and down in a very obvious way.

“I have to say you’re looking pretty buff.

” The red heat on his cheeks could power an Alaskan town in mid winter.

I hear Ash splutter out a laugh behind me.

“Well, honey, feel free.” His cool southern drawl is in full effect. “My new body is the talk of the town.” And there he is. He’s preening and posing, with me grinning like a fool at him. He sees me smiling and laps it up even more.

“Yeah, whoever gets the benefit of that will be a lucky man, Carter. Are you going out tonight?” His face changes, like he’s in shock that I’ve complimented him, mentioned how great his body looks. But credit where credit is due.

We bend and stretch our way through the warm up exercises before Ash gets into their full circuit. And by the end, I am dying. Meanwhile, these two look like they could go again. I certainly need to join more often.

“Have you heard that John is trying to take the credit?” Ash says as we pull our chairs up to the table and take a drink. The full session ended, Carter’s gone to get showered and changed.

“What? For Carter's body? No fucking way. It’s yours and his work. That is hard graft, my friend. Just because he’s a fitness instructor, he thinks he can claim it’s his work.

” I shake my head at Ash. These celebrity fitness people, always trying to cash in.

“He can say what he wants, but won’t people question why he looks like that now?

He’s been training him for what, a couple of years? ”

“Four years. John hasn’t been happy these last few weeks. Especially when I joined in and then took over some sessions and increased others on days he wasn’t here,” Ash confirms.

“He’s the guy who’s all over Carter, right?

The good looking, tight shorts, and a squeaky voiced one.

” I grin at my bitchy assessment. “Yeah, I remember one of the sessions was like an A to Z of innuendos and sexual references. Annoying as hell. I only managed half of one and left.” I grimace at that, reliving how John was lapping up all the chat, both of them encouraging each other.

I know that if Carter would have crooked his little finger at him he would have followed like a lap dog.

“You know, the weird thing is, Carter never went there with him. And it was obvious John would have. Well, he never whilst I was here.” I’m surprised, and my face must show it.

“I know.” He nods at me. “But he was trying to get us to go to his new studio. So he’d be able to take more credit for his body. ” He thumbs towards the house.

“And a celebrity endorsement for his studio work.” I give Ash a knowing smile. “Not bad for free.”

Ash snorts. “Free for who? He was badgering Carter to invest in his studio. In fact, I think he’s coming over today with the contracts for Carter to sign.”

My eyes widen in horror. “Who’s looked at the contracts?”

Ash shakes his head. “Only John’s lawyers. Carter keeps saying they’re friends, and it’s not that much money. I told him to get a quick once over on it, but you know what he’s like.” Ash waves his hands towards the house.

We curtail our chat as Carter pokes his head around the patio doors.

“Showers are free boys, I don’t charge. Jackson, if you want to use the guest room one, you’re welcome to it.

Ash, the cleaners are gone, so yours is clean.

” Carter comes out and sniffs us both. “You know I love the smell of a man, but you two stink. Get in there, and I’ll set up some coffee and snacks.

I’ve earned it, sugar. That was brutal today, Ash. ”

He’s resting his hand on my shoulder, but I don’t brush it off. As I smile up at him, I can see his eyes dilating. Maybe he’s not as depressed or down as I thought he was.

“Be five. Don’t let Ash eat all the cake.”

I strut off and I can feel Carter's eyes on my arse. The man is irrepressible.

I hear voices as I emerge, clean and spruced up from the shower.

I’ve borrowed some of Carter’s sweats, and a T-shirt that is slightly tight, but will do.

His eyes widen as he takes in the sweats.

Clearly they are showcasing my best assets.

Ash is grinning at him like a little kid in a candy store. These two need to get a grip.

John is presiding over the table, and Carter introduces us. “You remember Jackson, the head of my security.” Carter motions to me and smiles at John.

John's eyes tighten slightly. It’s the first sense of unease that he gives me.

“Ah, yes. Did you do the workout I designed?” He points to my sweatpants and freshly showered hair.

Ash’s face blanks out, and I do nothing to hide the confusion on mine. Carter looks embarrassed.

“Yours?” I ask, looking from him to Ash and then Carter. I’m not playing his pathetic game. “I guess.” I shrug my disinterest and sit down. It’s then I notice Carter is holding a pen, and has paperwork in front of him. “What’s this?” I ask casually, spinning the paperwork round to face me.

John nearly jumps across the table to stop me. But I gaze up slowly at him from under my lashes and he stops, the threat evident.

“It’s private business between Carter and me,” he states, trying as casually as he can to remove the paperwork from my eyes.

It’s his fatal mistake. I can feel the desperation and nefarious intent. This is going to go very badly for him if he thinks I will be intimidated.

“Great, what business?” I sit back and relax, picking up the paperwork as if he hasn’t spoken.

“Private business,” he grits out, his jaw clenched so tightly, I think he’s going to grind his veneers to dust. He tries to pluck the papers from my hands, which only encourages me to hold it further away.

“Hey, we have no secrets here, do we Carter?”

Carter regards me like I’ve lost my mind. I raise an eyebrow at him, and tip my head.

“No, we have no secrets,” he admits. “It’s just a little contract for me to invest in John’s gym.” He smiles at the guy, and I can see the friendship in the smile, the trust that Carter thinks exists between them.

“Have our lawyers looked it over.” I deliberately say ‘our’ to ensure John knows Carter has backup here. Ash smirks.

“We don’t need lawyers between friends , do we Carter?” John emphasises the friends part. “And Ash has agreed to be a witness.” He points at Ash, all smiles again.

I raise another eyebrow at Ash, and he shakes his head imperceptibly.

“Well, I think we do. Friends or not, it’s always wise. Will only take a day, tops. Shouldn’t derail your plans, should it, John?” I’m smiling with all sweetness and light. He wants to play games? Okay, I’ll play.

It’s then I notice Carter's face. Shit . He’s embarrassed I’ve called his judgement into question. And he lets us all know it.

“I’m not an idiot, Jackson. This is a small amount of money for me, but means so much for John. It’s a gift for him, for our friendship and time together. No other obligations for me.” He focuses on John's face. “Right?”

John looks down, and my heart plummets. He also goes slightly pale. Ash doesn’t miss it, and neither does Carter. I feel sorry for the man—he’s trusted his friend and has potentially been stabbed in the back.

“Okay, but just to be sure, let’s get it checked out. I might add some more bits in for you, John. The lawyers will be generous.”

Carter blinds us all with his smile, but I can see it’s faltering around the edges. His eyes, usually so vivid blue-green, have dulled. He knows there’s something wrong, he just doesn’t want to believe it.

“Tell you what. Why don’t we meet you tomorrow at the Daisy Cafe,” I say to John. “I’ll sign as witness, or Ash will, depending on who’s there.” I smile at him, careful to keep my face neutral. I don’t want to tip him off that I think he’s a fraud. Or that I’m well versed in the falsity of friends.

He doesn’t smile. Instead, he grimaces and agrees, leaving all the documents on the table. I wave up at him as he goes to leave, my nose already in the contracts.