Chapter Seven
Jordan
I sit back in my chair and mentally pat myself on the back. The smile on her face as she opened the gift was worth every penny of tracking down the shoes for her. Not that I don’t have money to burn. It’s not like I have much to spend it on other than myself, and it felt good to do something special for her. I’ll buy her a thousand more if it keeps that smile on her face.
Hating that I have to miss lunch with her, I give myself one more minute of watching her before I get back to what’s keeping me from her.
I watch as she tucks the box under her desk and straightens her paperwork. I can’t sit here and watch her all day, even though I’d like to. So I close out the screen and go back to the one I really need.
“You want his files? You got it, little bird,” I say to myself as I click away.
She wants a Lannister report from a Mr. Stein. That’s not a lot to go on, but lucky for her, I’ve got plenty of ways to get what I want and what I want more than anything is to make sure she’s happy. She doesn’t need to be stressing about some dick not doing his job. I’m happy there’s something I can handle for her.
I start by accessing her work computer and sorting through her documents with a keyword search on both. When I get the information on what Lannister is and what she needs, I set that off to the side to go through later. I don’t need to know what’s in there, just that Stein has something on it she needs. Then I run a file mirroring her emails so that when she receives one, I will on my end, too. The program I installed creates a carbon copy of all the information pertaining to this, which will come to her as well as my laptop. I copy all the codes to my personal drive and mark it on my desktop as Bluebird. Right now, it’s not important, but if I have trouble sorting it out later, I can reference it here.
Next, I pull up the file on our employee Stein. After minimal searching, I gather all the human resource records and see that he’s on an extended leave of absence due to continued medical issues. It makes me pause and wonder how Jay didn’t know this. From all of our conversations, she’s usually the first to know this kind of information on an employee. Especially one she’s keeping close tabs on.
I scroll through several other documents and notice that his medical leave was due to his sick wife, and the file has been sealed. In my department, we have access to it all, so that may be why Jay wasn’t able to find this.
It seems strange, though. Why wouldn’t he just hand over the file she needs? Why all the sneaking around to avoid her? Jay can be a little bulldog when she wants, but for the most part she’s harmless. Just give her what she asks for and she leaves you alone.
“Hey, Chen,” McCoy says from the desk near me, getting my attention. “You coming over to Grant’s tonight to watch the Knicks?”
“He’s out. He’s got a hot date,” Paige says, not looking up from her computer. She stuffs half a sandwich in her mouth as she keeps working, not missing a beat. I didn’t know it was possible for someone to eat so much until I met her.
“A what? With who?” Sheppard pops up, and suddenly all eyes in the room are on me.
“And on that note, I’ve got a house call to make,” I say, standing up from my desk. For some reason I don’t want to talk about Jay to them. She’s mine and I don’t like others even thinking about her. If it was up to me they’d all believe she is a nun.
“He’s going out with Jay,” Paige says, with her mouth still full of food. “But he’ll probably fuck it up. The friend zone is strong with that one.” I grit my teeth. The friend zone might be there now but I’m going to bust though it. I don’t care how hard and long it will take me but it will be happening.
“I’ve got a fifty that says different. Chicks love a friends-to-lovers story,” McCoy says as if he knows everything about women.
“I’ll take that bet,” Sheppard agrees as Grant walks into the room.
“What bet?” he asks and looks around, wanting in on the gossip.
I roll my eyes as Paige chimes in again. “We’re placing bets to see if Jordan can get out of the friend zone. Captain says a girl can’t resist a scarred hero. I think Jay is smart enough to stay away.”
Paige looks over at me and gives me the same smile a bratty sister would. We all think of her that way, so I’m not surprised. But I can tell by the teasing smile she doesn’t really mean her words.
“I’ve got work to do. But you gossips can sit around and talk about my love life all you want. Just let me know when to collect my winnings.”
I pull out my wallet and take out the stack of cash inside, tossing it on Grant’s desk as I walk out. I’ll be getting my woman.
The jeers and ribbing continue even as the elevator doors close behind me. Let them think what they want. Jay has been mine from day one. Nothing is going to stop that.
* * *
The street outside the townhome is pristine. I walk up to the front door and ring the bell. It takes a moment, but I finally hear someone walking to the door. After a moment, a small elderly woman peeks through the glass then cracks the door slightly, clearly not wanting to let me in or even talk to me.
“May I help you?” Her tone is annoyed.
“Yes, I’m looking to speak with Martin Stein. It will only take a moment.” I try to keep my tone easy trying to get her to open the door a little more.
“Mr. Stein is unavailable,” she says, eyes narrowing.
“I apologize for the interruption, but I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Detective Chen with the homicide division of the New York Police Department. I just need him for a few questions, but if you prefer, I can come back with a uniformed officer.” I press, seeing my first way of trying this isn’t going to work.
Her eyes widen, and she looks around outside to see if the neighbors are watching, clearly not wanting a scene or to draw attention.
“Come in. Stand here,” she says in a rush, trying to get me off her stoop.
I don’t normally lie to grandmotherly types, but she seems like a mean one who wouldn’t have given me cookies. So it’s all fair game. Even more fair game when it comes to getting Jay something she wants.
I stand in the foyer as the little woman shuffles off. She didn’t even ask for credentials. Not that it would have mattered. I could have talked my way through it. I’ve seen enough CSI shows to fake it.
The townhome is lavish. Much too expensive for the salary we’re paying him. I should have dug a little deeper into his financials before getting here. I make a mental note to do that as soon as I get back. Wanting to make sure everything is on the up-and-up. Maybe he comes from money.
Looking around, I see a portrait of the guy I saw earlier this morning and a young blonde beside him. Seems like as young as she is in the painting, she should be in pristine health.
The sound of footsteps draws my attention, and I see Mr. Stein come around the corner. His face is blank, with no sign of emotion.
“What do you want?”
No greeting, no beating around the bush. I have to admit I like his style.
“I’m here on behalf of Osbourne Corporation to pick up the Lannister documents you still have.”
I can see a tic in his jaw, betraying his irritation. For a fraction of a second he looks me over. I wonder if he’s thinking he can take me in a fight. He must do some quick math and see that not only am I younger, stronger, and taller than him, but I’m also willing to fight. He’s probably used his wallet to get out of scrapes since the time he could sign a check.
“Did that nosy little—”
“You don’t want to finish that sentence,” I cut him off, taking a step forward and widening my stance. “But if you’d like me to replace your tonsils with your nuts, go right ahead.”
He shuts his mouth and flexes his jaw again. No one talks about Jay like that and thinks they can get away with it. “Fine. But it’s not finished. I’ve spoken to personnel. My wife is sick, and I’m her full-time caregiver. I don’t have time for this.”
He walks over to a room just off the foyer, and I follow his path, not wanting him out of my sight until I get what I came for. He moves to the desk, closes an open file, and grabs the stack. He doesn’t hesitate with his choice, letting me know he’s looked at them recently.
“You know, as nice as this neighborhood is, I’d really hate to come back for another visit,” I say, taking the stack from him. I’m not playing games with him.
I watch as his fists clench, and he goes to the other side of the desk and opens a drawer, pulling out another file folder and handing it over. I was calling his bluff, and it looks like it paid off. He doesn’t know that I have no clue what this shit is, but I had a feeling a smug bastard like him would try to pull one over on Jay and that’s not something I’ll let happen.
“Tell that—” He stops himself and rethinks what he wants to say. “That’s all of it. And if you need anything else, you can contact my lawyer. I’m speaking to the company about this kind of harassment.”
“You do that,” I say, smiling at him and walking out. I have a feeling he isn’t going to be with the company much longer.
I can’t help feeling happy as I walk to the end of the block and flag down a cab. This stack of folders is going to make Jay’s day. And seeing her happy is the only thing that matters to me.
Traffic is a fucking nightmare, so of course it takes me almost forty-five minutes to get to the other end of town. By the time I get back, lunch is long over and it’s just over an hour before Jay finishes her day.
I go to the elevator, unable to wait a second more to give her the files. I reach down and scan the new pass I made for myself after giving Jay mine, and take it straight to the top.
When the doors open, I see she’s not at her desk, but I can hear her voice in the distance. I place the files on her desk, neatly stacked, and wait a second to see if she’s close to finishing up her conversation.
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Spencer, but I’m afraid that wouldn’t be very professional.”
I hear a deep voice mumble something, and then I hear Jay’s voice become louder.
“Mr. Spencer, I will be sure to pass on anything you say to Mr. Osbourne, including the lewd comments.”
I’m around the desk and down the hall so fast I nearly knock Jay over.
“Jordan.” She says my name like I’m her walking savior come to save her soul. “Mr. Spencer, I’d like you to meet Jordan Chen. He’s head of our technology department and works in security,” she says proudly, and moves to stand beside me. “And he’s a boxing champion and knows seventeen types of illegal punches.”
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing, even though this scene is anything but funny.
The guy in the suit looks me over, and then his face reddens with embarrassment.
“Yes, of course. Forgive me, Miss Rose. I had a few cocktails while out with the board earlier. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome. If you’ll excuse me...”
He ducks around me, because I refuse to move even an inch for him, and scurries to the elevator. He darts in, and I hear him hurriedly press the button several times before the doors close and he’s on his way down.
“Seventeen types of illegal punches?” I ask, looking down at her and thinking she couldn’t be more adorable.
She shrugs and smiles at me. “It sounded good in my head.” She slips her hand into mine, and I love the feel of her soft, delicate fingers against my callused, rough ones and how easily she took my hand without a thought. “What do I owe you for coming to my rescue?”
She bats her eyelashes, and I want to pull her to me and kiss her until there’s not a breath left in her lungs.
“I think I’ll snowball it into the thanks you’re going to give me after you see what I brought you.”
“More pineapple muffins?” she asks brightly.
“Even better.”
We walk around the edge of the desk, and she looks down at the files I laid there.
“Jordan Middle-Name-I-Don’t-Know Chen, are you kidding me? How did you get this?”
“It’s Isaiah. And it’s probably better if you don’t ask. But I’m pretty sure that’s all of it. You can look it over and let me know if anything is missing,” I tell her, because I’ll go back and get anything she needs. “I’ll always get you anything you need, little bird.”
She’s so happy I want to scoop her up in my arms and spin her around the room. But instead I play it cool and touch her cheek.
“I’ve got to tie up some things before the end of the day. Meet me in the lobby?” she asks.
“I’ll be the one with the red rose,” I say, winking at her and going over to the elevator.
“Very funny. I don’t think I could miss you in a sea of people,” she says, and her cheeks turn pink at her own words. Fuck I love when that happens because I know I’m getting to her. Making her fall for me.
Does she have any idea how fucking hot that is? Her soft sweetness is intoxicating.
“Later, little bird.”
The elevator doors close, and I lean back against the wall. After a moment, I look up at the camera and smile, flipping it off. I hope the team got a good look at me launching out of the friend zone.