Conflict of Interest

chapter 12


Kenzie stood with her sister just out of most people’s view at the edge of the room, watching guests mingle pre-dinner. Some were already staking out tables, others gathered near the bar or in small clumps, chatting and gossiping.

Boredom was already sinking into Riley’s expression as she smoothed invisible wrinkles from a red dress that was almost too short to be acceptable. “Ritzy. Dull.”

Kenzie rolled her eyes and handed her keys to her sister. “I’m so glad I trust you to behave. Hold my keys until after dinner?”

Riley dropped them in a satin handbag that matched her dress and let the wristlet dangle. “Why aren’t you carrying a purse? You have five billion black ones.”

“None looked right.” Kenzie had fidgeted in front of the mirror for hours as it was. She’d tried to tell herself it was because this was an extraordinarily important night for a client. Part of her knew it was because she wanted to look good for Scott.

“You know,” Scott’s smooth voice right next to her ear startled her, “I don’t usually like women who wear all black, but the way you do it is just so sexy.”

A warm tremor ran through her, and her pulse increased. She bit back a smile and spun to face him. “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

“I might once it gets old. If it gets old.” He was wearing a suit she’d never seen before. An actual tuxedo, bow tie, cummerbund, the works.

She ran her fingers along the edge of his lapels “Is this real silk?”

He shrugged. “You really do look amazing. Is this Riley?”

Riley’s gaze raked over him, appraising, a smirk replacing her boredom, and she stuck out her hand. “Are you the wallet?”

Kenzie had to fight the urge to slap her forehead.

Scott just laughed and returned the handshake. “I suppose. Do you mind if I borrow your dinner date for a moment?”

Riley shrugged, mischief still dancing on her face. “Suit yourself. I’ll go find another one.”

Kenzie grabbed her sister’s fingers. “Not any of the board members, please.”

Riley rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You mean those old guys? I had my eye on that really cute waiter. Besides, you just said you trust me.”

“Fine.” Kenzie let her go.

Scott chuckled. “You were right, only physically identical.”

Had she just been insulted? Kenzie studied him, still a little breathless at how incredible he looked.

“I mean it in the best way possible.” He grasped her wrist loosely and tugged.

She hissed softly at the tender contact—this wasn’t the time or place to lose herself in his touch—and allowed herself to be pulled even farther out of anyone’s line of sight.

He leaned against a pillar and dropped his hands into his pockets, toe tapping. “Thank you for coming tonight.”

She ducked her head. “Of course. I couldn’t pass up a chance to see you looking good.” She realized how that sounded. “With your peers,” she quickly added. Professional. She had to keep this professional. “All my hard work paying off and all that.”

His fidgeting increased. “Right.” He pulled his hand from his pocket. A small black box rested in his palm. “This is for you. I hear corsages are tacky at grown-up parties, so I hope this will do instead.”

Her curiosity spiked as she took it from him. The velvet was soft against her fingers. She gasped at what was inside, and her heart hammered in her ears. A delicate violet made of gems and surrounded by a smattering of diamonds hung from a silver chain. “It’s beautiful.”

“I know you don’t wear chains often, but I saw it and thought of you.” He took the box from her and pulled the necklace out. “May I?”

She frowned and took a step back. Every inch of her was screaming yes, take it. But she didn’t know how to interpret the gesture. Was she setting herself up to fall even harder by accepting? The unpleasant thought made her chest ache, and she pushed it aside. “It’s stunning, and I love it. But you know I can’t take gifts from clients.”

The corner of his mouth pulled up, and he didn’t look deterred. “It’s true. But if we’re playing by all the rules now, there’s probably a more serious one we’ve broken.” He didn’t back down, but he didn’t step closer. “Besides, your contract says bonuses are allowed.”

People tended to conveniently overlook that clause. “You took the time to read my contract that closely?” She didn’t know what to think of that.

He looked confused. “I always do.” He held his hand out again, the flower sparkling against his palm. “Will you wear it, or do I need to pout?” He stuck his lower lip out.

She bit back a laugh. “Stick to puppy-dog eyes. The pouting doesn’t work for you.” She turned so her back was to him, grateful her hair was already pulled up. “And it’s gorgeous. Of course I’ll wear it.”

She barely felt the pendant rest against her chest. Her breath caught when his fingers brushed her neck while doing up the clasp. His thumbs grazed her back, and she closed her eyes at the feeling of his breath on her skin. His touch lingered after the chain dropped into place, and her pulse increased.

The contact snapped abruptly, and her eyes flew open.

“Let me see.” A tremor ran through his voice.

She spun, forcing aside her disappointment that they were in such a public place.

He had stepped back to rest against the pillar again, putting a more casual valley between them. “You look amazing. Don’t disappear before I get to introduce you around. Show everyone the woman who whipped me into shape.”

She fingered the flower at the base of her throat, wanting the moment back. “Of course. I’m always up for networking.”

* * * *

Scott was going to shoot himself. Or stab himself. Would a salad fork do the trick, or would he need to upgrade to a steak knife? Even Kenzie’s smile from earlier at the gift wasn’t enough to keep his mood light. Not that he’d given it to her to make her smile. It was a bonus, just like he’d said. She’d done a good job despite the grief he gave her. And he’d give her a thousand more if he could get the same reaction every time.

He’d give her a million more to get her to open up again the way she had on the phone. Not the intimate details—though he wouldn’t complain—but the side of her she kept so tightly tucked away. He pushed the thought aside. Now wasn’t the time.

He hated these parties; they reminded him of bits of his past he’d rather not remember. At least they were only once a year. And Cartee had been too busy to attend. He ignored his aching cheeks from a fake smile and shook another investor’s hand. He smiled and kissed the man’s wife on the cheek, letting the drivel that was small talk leak from his mouth while he struggled to look like he was interested in the conversation.

His gaze flitted around the room, occasionally falling on Kenzie. Every time she was laughing and chatting with someone else. He couldn’t imagine being as at ease as she looked.

He pointed toward the bar when asked where it was. What he wouldn’t give to be able to join them. A straight bourbon would pretty much solve his entire evening. Which was why he knew he needed to stay away. He smiled at the couple as they wandered off. “Enjoy the evening. It was marvelous to see you.”

He drifted from group to group, resisting the urge to check his watch every few seconds. The men in suits, the women in satin, the rows of flowers decorating the tables, and the well-dressed bartender serving up free drinks. It was all so much pomp. He sighed, gaze falling on Kenzie again. She was talking to an older gentleman. Her fingers rested at the base of her throat, fiddling with the small pendant.

She caught his eye, and her smile grew. She waved and nodded for him to join them.

Reprieve or more of the same boredom? He hoped for the former as he wove through the pockets of people, nodding and responding when appropriate. A few moments later, he finally reached his destination.

He recognized her companion now that he was closer. Grant Lent had been one of their earliest investors in the new venture and was one of the few Scott enjoyed talking to.

“Scott, my good man.” Grant shook his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. “Your girl was just telling me all sorts of glowing things about you.”

Kenzie coughed.

“My girl?” Scott didn’t know how to interpret that, and the ripple that went through him was disconcerting and reassuring at the same time.

Grant frowned and paused for a moment. “I forget that’s not appropriate these days. This amazing young lady was talking you up.” He leaned in, voice a stage whisper. “I don’t think she realizes she doesn’t need to sell me, I already bought in.”

He smiled back, the expression genuine and not nearly so painful as it had been before. “She’s good at her job.”

“Oh I know.” Grant knocked back a swallow from a snifter. “We had her on a year or so ago. I think I gave you her name. She and I were reminiscing, and she was telling me how much potential she sees in you boys and your future. She’s got me curious about what you’re up to.”

So that’s how Zach found her. Scott flushed at the string of compliments, but had she meant it or was she just doing her job? “You’ll get a peek at that after dinner.”

“I’m not worried.” Grant winked at Kenzie. “I am hoping you’ll tell me something that you’re not going to share with everyone else.”

The conversation was always the same, and Scott didn’t mind the friendly joking. “No, I still don’t pick up strippers when I’m in Vegas.”

Kenzie frowned, lips drawing into a fine line. Scott bit back a retort. There was no way she could get on his case for that comment. This was a good old boy. He was playing the part she wanted him to.

“Not that a young man like you needs to pay for it, right?” Grant elbowed him. “But seriously, tell me what’s going on with Cartee. The actual deal, not the political bullshit we hear in board meetings.”

Kenzie shook her head so slightly it was almost difficult to tell, her eyes growing wide as she stared Scott down.

He turned away from the silent plea to keep his mouth shut. “Same old stuff. He can’t get laid, so he takes it out on me. He wants to take us in a different direction, tamer games, more commercial titles, and the fact it’s my company and I’m not interested makes him bawl like a newb with more ego than sense who’s spent the last hour being camped. Miserable, but status quo, like any good long-term relationship.”

Grant frowned and went to take another swallow, pausing when he realized his snifter was empty. “Time for a refill.” He studied Scott for a moment. “I know sometimes you have to make a deal with the devil to keep your soul, but make sure you haven’t signed away more than you bargained for.”

“Of course. We’re always careful,” Scott assured him. He wished he felt as confident as he sounded. He stared at the older man’s retreating back, not liking the ominous warning.

“I can’t believe you told him that. Especially about someone you both work with.” Kenzie’s growl was closer than it should be, her low voice near his ear short-circuiting his thoughts.

She was telling him how to do his job? Her assumption, combined with the brain drain that was his evening, killed the buzz of want, and he spun to face her. “There are some things I still have control of around here, and that’s not your call.”

She stepped back, wide eyes narrowing as irritation replaced surprise. “Of course. I apologize, Mr. McAllister. I should go find a seat before dinner begins.”

Damn it, why had he snapped at her like that? And why couldn’t he find the apology to take the words back? Scott’s fake, painful smile was back. Because this was still his, that was why. She couldn’t corrupt everything. “Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

He turned away before she could, fury and ill ease pumping through him. Grant’s ominous words about Cartee hit harder than he expected. He should be reassured that someone agreed with him. Instead he wondered if he was really in over his head this time. And then Kenzie, assumptive, obnoxious, telling him how to run his own company. And still he felt bad about snapping at her.

He drifted through dinner, thoughts a jumble, the steak tasting like sawdust. He was mechanical through his presentation about their upcoming game. Normally it might have been enough to make him smile, but these people didn’t want to know details. They weren’t interested in how he and his team had come up with the ideas, the engine, the shading on the characters. They just wanted to know how much it would make them.

And his attention drifted several times to the woman in black, sitting next to her mirror image but in a red dress. He told himself he didn’t notice or care when Riley vanished halfway through the meal, making Kenzie’s frown deepen.

As the evening wound down, some people stayed at their tables, sipping coffee and picking at barely touched crème brûlée. Others broke into groups similar to before, or said their goodbyes and took the next forty minutes to make it to the exit.

Scott struggled to keep his eyes from drifting shut. His face felt frozen in a smile. He stood next to Zach and Rae, keeping his attention turned from how happy they looked together, and shook more hands, accepted more compliments, kissed more asses.

He stood straighter, no longer so exhausted, when Kenzie approached. He was still upset about what she’d done with Grant, but boredom and too many phony words had taken the edge off. She shook Zach’s hand. “You were great tonight. Thank you for having me.”

Zach played the roles as well as she did, returning the enthusiasm and her quick hug. “I’m glad you made it. Have you met Rae?”

“No, but I’ve been dying to.” Kenzie was almost a foot taller in heels. Statuesque. Scott pushed the thought away. She shook Rae’s hand as well. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Congratulations on the engagement. It’s my understanding these two wouldn’t be here without you.”

Scott hid his surprise. She’d really done her research if she knew Rae had saved their asses. It had never been public knowledge that the shorter woman’s business plan had gotten them through their second startup.

Rae’s smile was still sincere, but not as bright. “I hear the same about you. But I’m not so big on believing the rumors. I like to find out the truth on my own.”

Scott didn’t know if he wanted to snarl at her or hug her for the comment. Kenzie had reached him, smile softening, sadness tingeing the blue of her eyes. She shook his hand as she had everyone else’s. “You were brilliant. Your investors are lucky people.”

The compliment pushed more of his irritation away, and he hated himself for it. She was just playing a role. A part. Doing her job.

She leaned in, giving him a quick hug as she had with Zach, mouth near his ear and voice so low no one else could hear it. “I’m so very sorry about earlier. It wasn’t my place, and I would never question your judgment about things like that.”

“Things like that.” The qualifier almost took the edge off the apology, but only almost. He dipped his head in a short bow. “We’ll see you in the office again soon, Miss Carter.”

The corner of her mouth tugged down for the briefest moment before her smile returned full force. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, all three of you.”

He tried not to watch her walk away. The way her dress hugged her curves, dropping to the floor and swishing around her feet with every smooth step. It was a shame she hadn’t worn something open-backed, but the high collar had its own seductive allure.

An elbow landed in his side and he frowned, yanking his attention back to his immediate surroundings. Rae stood next to him, lips pursed, tiny smile on her face. Her voice was low. “She’s kind of formal and stuck up.”

Not when no one was looking. The thought sent a pulse through Scott, waking him up even more. He greeted the next wave of well-wishers and waited until they were gone to reply. “That’s what we pay her for.” He nodded at Zach. “So’s he when he thinks someone is watching.”

She glanced at Zach, smile growing. “I didn’t say it was a bad thing. Doesn’t it drive you nuts though?”

He both adored and loathed how well Rae knew him sometimes. “It’s not supposed to make me happy. It’s supposed to make Cartee happy.”

Smile pasted in place, she turned away to make small talk with someone Zach had introduced her to. It was a silly formality. Even though she wasn’t officially an employee, she’d been on the payroll as a consultant for several years, and she knew the investors as well as anyone.

She broke away as quickly as she could, even less comfortable with the pomp than Scott. “I heard about that. You really threatened to deck him?”

Scott shrugged. “He insulted one of my people.”

She hid her snicker behind her hand. “You’re such an alpha dog sometimes.”

“I’m not.” The term had always bothered him. Something about the idea of throwing his weight around just because he could didn’t feel right. “He was being an ass.”

“Hank’s always an ass,” she reminded him. “But you are completely putting me off-topic. You should make sure she gets home safe.”

Scott raised an eyebrow, struggling to hide how enticing the idea was. “If only.”

A knowing look flashed in Rae’s eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about what people will think?”

“Am I ever?” He rolled his eyes, unable to keep his smile hidden. The conversation should have bugged the hell out of him. So why had it erased the ache in his cheeks instead?

His phone buzzed, and his hand flew to his pocket out of instinct. He ignored Zach’s dirty look for taking the call and stepped away from the group to read the new message from Kenzie.

Stepping out for the night. You really were brilliant. I’m sorry again.

She couldn’t leave.

Wait, why not? The impulse confounded him. He pocketed his phone and took his place next to Rae. He kept his voice low as he bent to whisper in her ear. “If I don’t make it back, tell everyone I had to talk to Japan before the markets opened.”

“Japan. Got it.”

He stepped away before Zach could stop him. With people slowly trickling out, it was much easier to sift through the crowds than it had been earlier. He was only stopped three times before he found Kenzie on a bench near the coat check, elbows on her knees, and face buried in her hands. That seemed out of place.

He slid onto the seat next to her, stopping just short of brushing her arm with his. “I’m glad I caught you.”

She looked up, eyes wide and rimmed with red.

His chest ached in response. “Are you all right?”

Her lips were tight. “My sister took off, supposedly with a busboy. She’s got my keys. Even if I call a cab, I can’t get into my condo. Not that I want to go home. I’m so furious with her I don’t even want to see her tonight.”

The frustration and waver in her voice ate at him. “I can take you home.”

“So you have an excuse to bail? Were you listening to anything I said?”

He stood and offered her a hand, refusing to consider what he was about to say. Part of him knew that was a bad idea, and he told it to shut up. “So I can rescue the maiden in distress. Besides, I never said your home.”

Her mouth twisted in indecision. “I can’t put you out like that. Not on a big night like this. I’ll just go hang out at Denny’s or something until Riley answers my messages.”

“I have a guest bedroom. Better coffee than Denny’s. Hopefully better company than whatever’s on your phone.” He tried to keep the pleading from his voice, but he knew it was going to hurt if she turned him down.

A smile leaked in and she took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. “How can I say no to an offer like that?”

He forced his attention from the way her hand nestled against his, warm, soft, clinging for longer than it should. “Come on. I’ve already made my excuses, let’s bail.”