The Mogul And The Muscle

I’d done a little digging on Ms. Dalton, just to see if there was any connection between her and anyone else in Cameron’s life—specifically someone who could be a suspect. I hadn’t found anything. Everly was an executive assistant to the elusive Shepherd Calloway, a businessman in Cameron’s tax bracket. But her background checked out—nothing suspicious.

The waitress brought them mimosas and, a short time later, their breakfast orders. Cameron talked about her plans for the foundation. How it would be structured and what she’d need from an executive director. Everly’s eyes were bright, a smile never far from her lips. She spoke with enthusiasm about her ideas. I could see why Cameron wanted her. She was smart and had a cheerfulness that even I found endearing.

Cameron folded her napkin and set it on the table. The interview seemed to be winding down.

Everly took a deep breath and her smile disappeared. “There’s just one issue I wanted to talk to you about. I’m not sure how I feel about relocating. Miami is beautiful, and this sounds like such an amazing opportunity. But my entire life is in Seattle.”

“I thought that might be an issue after we talked the other day,” Cameron said. “If you don’t want to relocate, I have no problem opening the foundation’s headquarters in Seattle.”

“Really?” Everly asked.

“Absolutely. I won’t need to be there in person on a daily basis, and technology makes communication simple. If you want the job, we’ll open the office in Seattle.”

I liked Seattle. I wouldn’t mind going with Cameron to Seattle when she needed to be there in person.

Not that she’d need me to travel with her. This job wasn’t permanent. In fact, the more time that went by with no sign that Cameron was in real danger, the more likely it was this gig would be over sooner rather than later.

Which was exactly what I wanted. Wasn’t it?

“Then I want the job,” Everly said, her voice laced with excitement.

“I was hoping you would,” Cameron said.

Everly put a hand on her chest. “I can’t believe that just happened. Did you really just hire me?”

“I sure did.” Cameron raised her glass. “Here’s to doing some good in the world.”

The back of my neck tingled as they clinked glasses. I glanced toward the terrace doors.

A second later, I heard the hostess inside. “Sir, you can’t go out there.”

A man was hurrying through the restaurant, heading straight for us.

Straight for Cameron.

Everything snapped into focus. I noted the exits. The number of tables and the reactions of the other patrons. People watched as the man strode quickly past them. No one responded with recognition. He was alone.

I stepped in front of the doors, blocking his access.

“Sir, that’s a private dining area,” the hostess said. “You don’t have a reservation.”

I knew who he was the second he stopped in front of me. Shepherd Calloway, Everly’s boss. I’d seen photos of him when I’d looked into Everly, although he looked different from the slick business mogul with a reputation for being a hardass that I’d seen. He was oddly disheveled. Plain white t-shirt and jeans. Hair out of place. A beard more than a few days past neat stubble.

“Shepherd?” Everly asked behind me.

“Jude, let him by,” Cameron said.

I could tell by the look in Shepherd Calloway’s eyes that neither of the women in my care were in any danger from him. Not physical danger, at least. Everly’s heart might be another matter. I was pretty sure he hadn’t come all this way to interrupt her interview because she was a good employee.

The shocked yet hopeful look Everly gave him as I stepped out of his way confirmed my theory.

“Sorry to interrupt, Ms. Whitbury,” Shepherd said. He moved closer to their table and held out a hand. “Shepherd Calloway.”

“Cameron,” she said, shaking his hand. The slight curl in her lips left her looking both curious and amused.

“I need to ask you not to offer Everly the job,” he said. Cameron raised her eyebrows and Everly’s mouth dropped open. “Not yet, at least. Don’t get me wrong. You should absolutely hire her. You’ll never meet someone who’s as smart, kind, hard-working, diligent, and passionate about everything she does. As her boss—or former boss, I suppose—I give her my whole-hearted, unequivocal recommendation. But as a man, I’m asking you to do me an enormous favor and give me a few minutes to talk to her first.”