Double Dare

"Do you think she has strong loyalties to Tom Robertson?"

"Hey, what do you think I am—psychic?" Nathan chuckled. "Okay, here's the full low down. She's been there almost three years, she works with the team but she does seem to be a bit of a loner—at least that's how it sounds, and I don't think she hangs out with them a great deal."

"Figures," Zac replied. Abby wasn't the typical finance expert, and far from the cliquey sort, which didn't make things any easier for him.

"I can't see any obvious signs that she's dealing with anybody else, outside of her work colleagues. There isn't time in her schedule."

Zac nodded. "Let me know if you turn up anything else."

"I was about to pick up some coffee." Nathan stood up and followed him into the main office. "You look like you could use some."

"Cheers, yes." He flicked open the diary on his desk.

Nathan nodded over at it. "We're expecting the delivery guys with the installation for the Cordover exhibition in the main gallery. It's not due before two. You've also made a note to do the press release for the exhibition today. That's about it."

Zac looked up, nodded.

"Are you still going to Paris on Thursday?"

"Yes, I've got to move on that club if I want to buy it. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Thought you might have changed your mind, what with your new playmate and all."

Zac responded with an admonishing glance.

Nathan still hovered expectantly.

"What?"

"Tell me if I'm out of line, but the way I see it is that she either knows who you are—in which case something isn't quite adding up—or she doesn't know, and if she doesn't know she is going to find out at some point."

Zac sat down behind his desk and flipped open his laptop. "Yes, if she doesn't know, it's only a matter of time." He rested back in his chair, drumming his fingertips on the arms. "I just need to know why she's lying to me."

Nathan shrugged. "Maybe she's one of those compulsive liars."

"Her work seems to be the only thing she's lying about though. Everything else she tells me fits into place."

"But if you're not telling her that she's working for you," he ventured, "isn't that just as bad?"

Zac shook his head, suddenly annoyed. "I haven't told any lies."

Nathan lifted his eyebrows. "No, you just haven't told the whole truth."

Bloody hell. He had a point. "If you weren't my best buddy, I'd fire you."

Nathan gave a hearty laugh. "Sometimes we all need to hear an objective view, right?"

Zac gave him a sardonic smile. "Where's this coffee you mentioned?"

"I'm on the case." He sauntered off, grinning happily to himself.

What a fine mess, Zac realized. He felt almost despondent, compared to when he'd been watching Abby sleeping in his bed that morning.

When she had found her way to him he'd thought 'what the hell?' thinking it wouldn't intrude on his more respectable interests in her work, but things seemed to be changing rapidly. He was already completely fascinated with her and he didn't relish the idea of their affair coming to an end too soon, because of business complications.

By the time Nathan came back with coffee, he had decided to let things run their course—which was kind of where he had started first thing in the morning—but there was an unbidden sense of urgency running through him now. That feeling annoyed him more than a little, because he hated to be rushed.

He accepted the double espresso and glanced over his email while he tipped sugar into it. "Jesus," he exclaimed, as he read the mail bearing Abby's name. It contained a short report relating the details of the share sale. "This woman's got the Midas touch, and it looks as if she traded in right on time. The share price dropped almost immediately."