No one responded.
Is this program really about to fall apart? Is that why they’re so desperate they’re willing to consider me for the position? Because they can’t afford to pay their employees anymore?
She swallowed, making up her mind in an instant. “I’d be willing to take this job on a volunteer basis, but I can only afford to do that until my savings is depleted. We might be able to turn things around, but I expect the four of you to tighten your belts and pour some money back into Limitless.”
She closed her eyes, crossed her arms, and sat back in her chair, her chest heaving with anger. She’d thought so highly of Branson and these men who’d supposedly devoted themselves to helping others who had disabilities, like their own. From Branson’s blindness and Finn’s cystic fibrosis, to Cole’s missing arm and the cancer that took Jarrett’s leg, the four were well aware of the battles fought by those with special physical challenges. Something must have changed to make them lose sight of their purpose. Perhaps, if she worked the position without pay, it would shame them into re-examining their priorities.
But how am I going to make my rent? Maybe I could keep my temporary job at the diner, but switch to evening and weekend shifts…
“Laurie?”
It was Cole’s voice, but she opened her eyes to find huge, unrepentant grins on the faces of all four men, including Finn. “What?” she snapped.
“You’re hired,” Jarrett said, rising to his feet and walking forward with his hand outstretched.
Her gut constricted, as reality set in. Maybe this was as good as it got. Were there really any altruistic organizations out there? The whole reason Limitless had such a great rating was that 100% of funds raised supposedly went back to the causes it supported. All costs and salaries were reportedly covered by Phantom Enterprises. Now she knew that was all a lie.
She stood and backed away a few steps, blindly bumping into chairs as she kept her eyes fastened on Jarrett’s threatening hand. “Honestly, I may have misspoken. I’m not even sure I want to work here anymore, and it has nothing to do with not being paid.”
Jarrett froze, his hand in midair, a grimace marring his swarthy features. He turned his head. “Branson? Can you help me out, here? Clarify things?”
“Laurie, I have to confess, I wasn’t telling you the truth.” Branson’s mouth twisted to the side, his lids blinking fast over his beautiful, but sightless, eyes. “We don’t actually have a funding problem for Limitless, although we do want you in charge of the annual fundraiser events. Phantom Enterprises covers all the overhead of Limitless.”
“You didn’t take money out of the endowment fund?”
“We never have, and we never will.” Finn’s smug smile was accompanied by two swoon-worthy dimples, almost hidden in the scruff of his beard. “We only ask that question to weed out employees who don’t share our passion and commitment to the cause.”
“You mean, you lied to me?” She hated the way her voice sounded—shrill and out of control. “Do you think that’s funny?”
“No.” Finn’s smile faltered. “It was only a test. No harm, no foul.”
“It totally harmed me. You probably took a year off my life. My faith is destroyed, and I’m not sure I can get it back. Whose bright idea was it to ask that question?”
“Uhmm… that would be me.” Finn lifted his hand, his expression the picture of sheepishness.
“W
ell, that explains it,” she snapped.
His head dipped down, his shoulders lifting to form a protective barrier, as if he thought she might run down to the end of the table and smack him. She might’ve done it if she wasn’t afraid of being contagious. She wanted to knock some sense into him, not kill him.
“Forget Finn.” In a motion incredibly smooth for someone wearing cowboy boots, Cole was standing beside her, tucking her hand into the crook of his prosthetic arm, a bright green mechanical hand extending from his sleeve. “Let me take you to lunch and convince you we’re still the good guys. Limitless has expanded their research and development department. You can’t believe what we’re doing with prosthetics now. You’re going to love working here.”
Only his first words stuck in her mind… “Forget Finn.” Could she do that? She was at the door before she realized they were moving. She halted and looked over her shoulder.
With a thumbs-up gesture, Jarrett nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning at eight o’clock.” He turned his head away and coughed politely into his elbow. Laurie hoped it was only a tickle in his throat, since he was sitting so close to Finn.
“Congratulations, Laurie.” Branson gave a thumbs-up, his face relaxing into a grin.
Finn, however, exhibited a pained expression with knitted brows as his mouth made several feeble attempts to smile. For an instant, their gazes linked, and he held her captive, like a cobra hypnotizing its prey. The breath left her body and the hair stood up on the back of her neck.
A tug on her arm broke the spell.
“Are you ready?” Cole asked.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Laurie mumbled, under her breath.
Chapter 2