Page 9 of Sinful Negotiations
The drive to his condo allowed time to think and calm somewhat. After serving in the Army, he eagerly accepted a position within the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). A criminal justice degree and time served as a Green Beret paved the way into a field he loved. Never in his career had he become involved with anyone, but with Tessa he’d truly crossed more than one line.
The niece of a suspected white-collar criminal put her directly in the line of fire. He didn’t know who Chandler James dealt with but was trained to assume the worst. So far, she’d been safely under his protection as an employee of Cross Enterprises. He needed information, and he needed it fast.
After retrieving hisotherphone from the condo, he parked a mile away from Tessa’s apartment and walked to the surveillance van parked outside her complex. From here, they had a perfect view of her front door. He texted Lexxa, his partner, to let her know he would be joining the group. He didn’t miss the frown when settling in her sedan.
Her eyes never left Tessa’s front door as she sipped her coffee. “Why are you here?”
“Same as you.”
Lexxa made a clucking noise. “You’re too close to this one.”
She was right, but it didn’t change anything. “Any activity?”
“Nothing. All is quiet. No movement inside or outside.”
“I can take it from here.”
“Not on your life,” Lexxa answered. “You should go home, but I know you aren’t going to listen.”
“Not on your life.”
Chapter 10
Aidan was unusually quiet the next week and remained in his office most of the time. He seemed uncomfortable and edgy, almost out of place, but no more than she was.
Tessa considered the situation from every angle on the drive to dinner with her family. Maybe Aidan had finally had enough of her? The thought broke her rapidly beating heart, although she’d decided the same.
Her gaze lifted to the rearview mirror and the black van following from a few cars back. Paranoia settled in her mind after that night, and she swore she was being watched. By whom though? That was the question.
The van sped by when she turned, and Tessa exhaled a sigh of relief. If her aunt and uncle weren’t so persistent, she would’ve skipped dinner.
An air of apprehension hung over the dinner table. After the attempted break-in at her apartment one week ago, she wanted normalcy, but it obviously wasn’t going to happen.
Her uncle seemed preoccupied, constantly glancing at his cellphone. Her aunt barely made direct eye contact. Few words had been spoken. Was this uncomfortableness because they knew about Aidan, or for some other reason?
“After much soul searching, your uncle and I have decided to sell this house and leave the country.”
Tessa choked on a bite of carrot and reached for her wine at her aunt’s statement. After an embarrassing coughing fit, she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “What?”
“Your uncle is ready to retire.”
She glanced between her aunt and uncle. “Since when?”
Her aunt sipped her wine. “It’s been on our minds for several months.”
“Doesn’t this house technically belong to me?”
“How dare you,” her aunt yelled.
“How dare I? You blew through my inheritance, and now you want to sell the only thing I have left of Mom and Dad? You’re out of your mind.”
There were always secrets in this family, but it was no secret her uncle was a greedy workaholic, so this made no sense. Business always came first and before everyone. “And the merger with Cross Enterprises?”
Her uncle cleared his throat. “I’m not positive that will still happen.”
“And why not,” Tessa asked, growing more frustrated by the minute.
“That’s none of your business,” her uncle quipped.