Money Man (King Maker 1)

I wanted to protest her logic, but she was right. I deflated.

“Don’t beat yourself up. I would have drawn the same conclusions.”

“What do I do now?” I pulled the covers over my head.

She pulled them away with a wide grin. “Give him a chance to sweat a little and make a move first. Then you will see if he’s really committed.”

I glanced over at my phone, which was plugged in but still turned off. I left it that way and only came out of my room when Lizzy coaxed me out. We watched a show about early twentieth-century Irish gangsters. The lead actor’s blazing blue eyes only reminded me of Kalen’s piercing green ones. Still, it passed the time.

My night ended with a Tylenol PM to help me sleep. I had to get back on track. Forget about men, or rather boys, and get my career back on track.

I woke up fresh, but still a little sad. I turned on my phone as I exited the elevator and noticed Kalen’s driver standing in the lobby.

It wasn’t a coincidence, but I kept walking by.

“Miss Glicks.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“If Kalen sent you, you can tell him I’m perfectly capable of riding the subway.”

“As you will.”

I exited the building, giving my confused doorman a little wave. As I walked, I had a feeling I was being followed and glanced over my shoulder. I came to a complete stop when I realized I was right.

“I told you, I’m fine,” I said to Kalen’s driver.

“I’m sure you are, miss. But I’m under strict orders to make sure you get safely to work.”

I gave the man a smile. It wasn’t his fault his boss was an ass.

“So, tell him you did.”

“I will after you arrive.”

I pointed at the SUV at the curb. “What about your car? It will be towed.”

He shrugged. “I’ll get it after you get to work.”

I blew out a frustrated stream of frosted air and headed for the SUV. I wouldn’t let him get in trouble for me. His boss and I would have words later.

In the back seat, a box with a bow waited for me. I glanced up and Kalen’s driver nodded.

“Open it,” he said.

Inside was a smart watch, not unlike the one Scott’s fiancée wore to the holiday gala.

“I don’t want his gifts,” I said, knowing it would be reported back to his boss.

“It’s for your safety, miss.”

I let loose a bark of laughter. “He’s got to be kidding.”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Let me guess. If you don’t get it on my wrist, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Yes, miss.”

I pulled out my phone and dialed the man in question.

“Miss Glicks.”

Grrr. The infuriating man was back to Miss Glicks.

“I don’t need your man servant to drive me to work,” I chuffed as the driver chuckled.

“His name is Griffin.”

Immediately, I felt terrible. “I’m sorry,” I said to Griffin.

“No problem, miss.”

“I don’t need a driver,” I revised.

“You mentioned a note yesterday and I assume it wasn’t a friendly one. The only person I’m involved with is you. So who sent it?”

“Any exes?” I asked.

I wasn’t certain I wanted that answer.

“No.”

“Then it’s probably Scott’s fiancée,” I reasoned.

“If I remember correctly, at the party, she mentioned not sending you a note either.”

She had.

“Like she’s going to be honest,” I said.

“And what if she is? Then someone is targeting you? Why?”

I didn’t have an answer. “Why the watch?” I asked.

“Because you can make a call on it even if you don’t have your phone.”

It was all reasonable. But I didn’t like feeling afraid.

“You don’t have to take care of me,” I said.

“I don’t. Let Griffin drive you to work.”

“But the note was left on my door,” I said, thinking out loud.

“Then he’ll walk you there and check your apartment when he picks you up.”

“Wait!” I said.

“I have a meeting. I’ll talk to you later.”

He was gone.

“Can you tell me where I’m driving you?” Griffin asked.

The man was in an impossible position I wouldn’t make worse. I gave him the address to King Enterprises, and after following the quick-start instructions, I fitted my new watch around my wrist.

Good thing I hadn’t told Kalen that I’d received the first note at work. It would have been impossible to get Griffin through security.

As soon as I walked into the conference room, I froze in place. My co-workers were staring at me like I was a newsflash.

“What’s going on?” I asked hesitantly.

“Scott’s in a mood,” Jim said.

Anna nodded. “He mumbled something, then left in a huff.”

“What does that have to do with me?” I asked innocently. But I knew exactly what Scott’s problem was. I’d sent the email about my findings yesterday evening.

She shrugged. “He might have said your name.”

I sat in my unofficial spot, opened my laptop, and grinned. I didn’t get pleasure from hurting people, but Scott deserved whatever the partner-in-charge gave him for trying to take credit for my work.