My phone rings again and I look at the screen.
Nicholas Anastas
I roll my eyes and push reject again. Take a hint. I blow out a breath as I click the email open. It reads: ‘Contact me on [email protected] or the wife gets the lot.’
Shit, my heart sinks. I click on the attachment.
It’s jumbled and the camera is shaking around. I lean in to the screen to listen to the audio. I can barely hear it. It looks as though the camera is attached to something she is carrying. I can see two sets of legs, one obviously hers but the other? It can’t be Joshua—he would never wear track pants around a woman. I press pause as I try to study the screen; is it even Stanton? I narrow my eyes and lean in close as I try to get my bearings. I pick up my phone and ring Ben.
“Hey,” he answers.
“Hi, can you come up here please?” I ask.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I’m not sure,” I answer as I sit back in my seat in concentration.
“See you in a minute,” he sighs.
Ben and the security team have an office on the second floor. They moonlight as computer techs as a cover because the seven of them can’t be in our office with us. It’s just too small. We ensure Joshua has one guard with him at all times. Ben has come in early with me this morning to go over the security of the building. My phone beeps a text and I pick it up and read it: Nicholas Anastas.
I hear you are in Sydney.
I want to see you tonight.
Not now, asshole. I click off the message in annoyance. I press play again. They seem to go into a room and I screw up my face in question. What the hell is this?
Ben walks in. “Hi. What’s up?”
I sit back on my chair as I flick my pen around in annoyance. “Not sure. I think Stanton’s fucked up.”
He crosses his arms in front of him as he rolls his eyes. “Play it,” he snaps.
We watch the two sets of legs start to go upstairs. Ben leans in and turns up the volume so we can hear the sound.
“So what did you say your name is?’ Joshua’s distinct voice is heard.
“What do you want it to be?” she replies and I look at Ben deadpan and he smiles stupidly.
“Origin
al,” I say flatly.
As clear as day, we hear Joshua reply. “My bedroom is this way … Natasha.”
Our eyes widen in shock. “Holy shit, who is this slut and how did she get past security with a fucking camera?” I stammer as I run my hand over my face in horror.
Ben changes his stance nervously as he crosses his arms. “I don’t know—let me find out.”
“She is threatening to send this shit to Natasha. Do you have any idea how postal Stanton is going to go when he sees this. He can kiss Natasha goodbye. Why would he even mention her name?” I can’t believe this.
Ben shakes his head. “I don’t know. Let me look into it today and we will tell him tomorrow. Contact her and see what she wants. Try and buy us some time.”
“Christ,” I snap, “I don’t have time for this shit. What exactly do your moronic security team actually do? I expect you to check every female that comes into contact with him for cameras. It’s common sense.”
He swallows nervously. “Hmm, you would think.” With that he walks out of the room.
I blow out a breath to try and calm myself. This is a disaster. Joshua is going to hit the roof.