Page 11 of Sinful Negotiations
“It’s horrible. Someone has been spying on us at the office.”
“Show me, and I’ll fix it.”
Tessa led him to her first-floor apartment, kicked off her shoes, dropped her bag, poured a large glass of red wine, and plopped on the couch with a huff, the bottle, and the file.
“Nice,” Aidan complimented, noticing everything. “Is the file for me?”
“You could say that. You want to go first?”
“Ladies first,” he replied, with a devastating wink.
Tessa chugged her wine then let it rip. “My uncle wanted me to spy on you, but I didn’t.”
“I know.”
“How’d you know?”
“It wasn’t farfetched to think my competitor’s family would be asked to relay information.”
“And you didn’t mind?”
“You were honest from the beginning, so I never gave it another thought.”
Tessa placed the file on the coffee table and opened it, revealing the photos. “Nice, right? My aunt and uncle told me they’re selling the house, moving, and never want to see me again after accusing us of sleeping together and tossing these in my face.”
“Ouch,” Aidan groaned, rocking back and forth on his heels. “I’m so sorry, Tessa. You didn’t deserve that. It’s none of their business what we do. I never thought much of a man who would ask his family to be a corporate spy anyway but couldn’t prove it.” He picked up one of the photos and chuckled. “Hot. I think I’ll have these framed for my desk. Look at that ass.”
“Don’t you dare, Aidan Cross. Now, it’s your turn. You talk, I’ll drink.”
Aidan dropped a file on the coffee table beside the one with the photographs before she could snatch the bottle. “What is it? I’m not sure I want to look.”
“It explains your uncle’s behavior for starters.”
With shaky fingers, Tessa opened the file and scanned the documents. “He’s in quite a bit of trouble. I’m honestly shocked. I knew he made some bad investments, but not to this extent. The company is bankrupt…more than bankrupt. No wonder they want to leave the country. No wonder he wanted a merger.”
She swallowed a large swig of wine before continuing. “What has he done? Cayman Islands bank account?” Her eyebrow arched. “There’s usually one reason people transfer money out of the country. All his employees? What will happen to them? I’ve known those people for years. Some knew my parents. They’ve been to our house.”
Aidan sat on the sofa next to her. “Hear me out. I need to find the mole, and I need your help to pull it off.”
“You can’t be serious? I’m shocked, but not crazy. My uncle has always risked things he shouldn’t, but it’s surprising he let it go this far. And the Cayman Islands? He’s up to no good. It doesn’t excuse what he expected of me, or what he said to me either.” Tessa grabbed the bank account information. “How could he do it?”
“I need you to pretend to quit.”
“How will that help?”
“I have a theory.”
Tessa tipped the bottle again, glancing between him, the photographs, and the bank document. “How did you even uncover this information?”
“Your uncle’s attorney has been stalling, so I called in a favor to one of my connections.”
“You have those kinds of connections? Impressive. I’ll do it since he ruined my parent’s company.” Her head tilted when he smiled. The wine bottle paused close to her lips. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of sex?”
“When don’t I think of sex,” he said low, caressing her thigh. “It’s been more than a week since I’ve had you. Those pictures though.”
“Inappropriate behavior, Mr. Cross.”
“Baby, we crossed the inappropriate line a long time ago. This is sinful negotiation.”