Scent of Persuasion: Sensory Ops, Book 2 Read online

  “You should stop playing at being a cad and settle down.” Jane Ann glanced at him in the no-nonsense way she’d used on him and Trevor all their lives. “Regardless of her job at the moment, you know as well as I do it’s not what she is meant to be doing. She would be good for you.”

  “How can you know that?”

  Several people looked Kami’s way, but their oblivious smiles confirmed Jane Ann’s assessment. They saw only polish, refinement and beauty. They missed the turmoil bubbling beneath the surface, the tension tightening her smile and the disgust clouding her compelling eyes.

  “I know you.” She patted his arm and shook her head in slight disappointment. “You stay so busy with the Bureau that you allow little time for relationships. The only women who stand a chance of getting close to you are those like Kieralyn. Safe women you can regard as sisters.”

  Talking about his teammate had him searching the room for her. It took only a moment to spot her on the dance floor, cuddled close to her new fiancé, Ian. As they circled, she studied the crowd. Ian would be listening to the nearby conversations as he mentally catalogued names and heartbeats like a soundtrack list—a developed talent Breck still didn’t understand. When they’d planned the strategy for working the fundraiser, Ian explained that he’d set up microphones to record the room as a whole. He would move around with Kieralyn and be introduced to or hear the introductions for every person in the room. He would later be able to identify anyone on the recordings.

  She followed his gaze to Ian and Kieralyn. “They’re lovely together.”

  “He’s okay with her job. I wouldn’t be if she were mine.” He didn’t like having to worry about people. If and when he decided to be involved with a woman, she would have a safe career and be better equipped to put their children before work. He dealt with enough on a daily basis without the added stress of constantly wondering what his wife might be getting into.

  “Well, don’t blame me if I hold out hope for you to find someone who complements you.”

  “Someone should have hope for me.” The black-haired woman stood near the bidding tables with Edwin. His typically starched assistant nodded furiously and appeared whipped. “There aren’t women like you out there anymore.”

  Kami, if he was reading her right, would be a complicated woman. She struck him as a risk taker. Women choosing the life of a call girl were generally hoping for one of a few things—quick cash, a sugar daddy or freedom from some sort of perceived oppression. Sure there were other reasons, but those were the big ones he’d run across. Kami didn’t seem to fit anywhere in that mix.

  So what drives her?

  Jane Ann snorted. “You and Trevor both say things like that.”

  “And?”

  “You’re both full of shit”

  Breck grinned, for the first time in weeks actually feeling it. Every day he walked into Trevor’s office and did his job while trying to find answers that weren’t coming. And he faced the constant reminder that his best friend and brother by choice was lying comatose in a hospital bed.

  “You love us anyway.” He maneuvered them closer to the side of the dance floor where Tyler was heading with Kami. “Listen, I have a job for you.”

  “Because you want me to stop making you think about Kami?”

  “Yes.” And because his gut was bellowing that something was off.

  “It will only delay me.” She patted his arm and chuckled. “What’s this task?”

  “The woman at the bidding tables with Edwin. Use your charm on her. See what you can learn about her. And pay attention to your impressions.”

  “I’m not as charming as Kami. She would be the better choice.”

  “Except she’s not family. She doesn’t know what’s going on.”

  She squeezed her hand on his arm and sighed. “I’m still not sure I do.”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  “We’re lucky to have you.” She smiled, but the concern in her voice didn’t ease. “Have you been to see Trevor?”

  “A few hours ago.” Maybe after the event wrapped up he could grab the Eston White contract Trevor had left unsigned and sneak in another visit before heading home for a few hours. As interim CEO—not that anyone other than Jane Ann and Leon knew about the interim part—he was expected to sign it. Trouble was, he didn’t like the wording, hadn’t entirely figured out why a research company like Eston White wanted tracking software, and he had yet to be given the development research records on the program in question. Something about it didn’t sit well with him. It was unsettling, almost like staying in Trevor’s apartment off the upstairs office.

  “I keep hoping our visits and talking to him make a difference.”

  Breck rested his free hand over hers on his arm. “Trevor is strong. You and I both know he would never have tried to kill himself. He’ll wake up and be his old self.”

  “I think you’re trying to ease my worry again.” She tugged him closer to the bidding tables.

  “Is it working?”

  “I’ll let you know.” She patted his cheek and smiled. “In the meantime, go get your girl and mingle. I’ll catch up with you later and tell you what I think.”

  He watched Jane Ann approach Edwin and the other woman. Leon joined her almost instantly. Until he found someone he thought he could have a relationship with like the Masters’, he would continue playing the cad as Jane Ann had accused.

  Beginning with Kami.

  He turned to head in her direction. She was still talking with Tyler, laughing at some joke that would no doubt be unfunny and revolve around computers.

  “Mr. Lawson.” Edwin approached him, stiff-backed with the typical sour look back on his face. “If you are interested, I believe the auction is going well. We have more bidders than previous years and a quick tally puts us one hundred thousand over last year.”

  Edwin was a competent second-in-command. Trevor had never said anything negative about him, and the background check Breck’s team had run came up clean. But the man’s attitude made it impossible for Breck to like him. “That’s great news, Eddie. Trevor would be thrilled with the success.”

  “It’s Edwin, sir.” Derision dripped in Edwin’s voice. “And considering that he is dead, Mr. Masters is no longer concerned with frivolities such as raising money for literacy.”

  The raging desire to plant his fist in Edwin’s disrespectful mouth had Breck clenching his hands. He forced himself to relax, uncurl his fingers and loosen his jaw. Edwin had no way of knowing Trevor was alive.

  Given his certainty that Trevor had somehow been coerced into attempting to take his life and the nagging dread surrounding the unsigned contract he’d left on his desk, Breck had used his FBI influence to keep the story out of the papers and have Trevor admitted to the hospital as a John Doe. If someone had tried to kill him and discovered they had failed, they might be inclined to try again. That wasn’t a risk that Breck was willing to take.

  “That may be, but it was Trevor’s wish for this fundraiser to be a success.”

  “Mr. Masters was an idealist. This company needs a stronger leader at its helm.”

  But not one like you.

  “The world needs more men like Trevor Masters, Eddie. He deserves the respect of those left behind.” Kami’s vibrant laugh spanned the distance separating them and coiled in his gut. Wanting to be with her, to see if her pleasure could banish the darkness from his mind for a while, he addressed Edwin. “If you can’t get on board with the way Trevor chose to run this company you know where the door is. Now excuse me.”

  He stepped around Edwin and headed toward Kami and Tyler. He could probably have been more diplomatic, but his patience with Edwin’s attitude was running out.

  Chapter Two

  “Kamille.”

  Tyler first appeared as a good ’ol boy, but he rolled her name off his tongue with a touch of sexy gruffness that would complicate things for a weaker woman. Hell, they complicated things for her.

  “I
have no idea why I told you that.” She’d shed the name when she’d walked out the door of her family home. The last person to call her that…

  Tyler’s hand holding hers changed. Blackened and swelled as if all the blood from his arm had pooled in the now engorged digits.

  Lightheaded and nauseated, with her skin crawling, she pulled back in retreat. Tyler held firm, sliding his thumb across her back. Guiding. Caressing. Plump and heavy like the hand she could see, his touch repulsed her.

  Breathe. In. She closed her eyes. Breathe. Out. It’s not real.

  It had been real. Their hands hadn’t touched, but when she’d found Channing… Yeah. It had been real.

  “Kami.” Tyler shook her lightly against him. “Are you okay?”

  She jerked herself out of the memory and stared into caramel brown eyes. Tyler. Not Channing. Not the stepbrother she loved and had found hanging weeks earlier. Not Channing—the man who’d enlisted his mom’s aid and helped erase the old Kamille from her life. Though not as permanently as she’d hoped.

  “Kami?”

  “Sorry.” Her gut rolled as she engaged her best socialite smile. “Impromptu side trip.”

  “No worries. We’ll talk less personal topics.” He pressed his hand against her back, leading her gently into another direction on the floor. “Did you come here alone, or with a date?”

  “Is that a bad pick up line—” she laughed, “—or was it supposed to be less personal?”

  “The latter.” He ducked his head and smiled crookedly. “It didn’t work well.”

  “Sure it did.” She glanced toward Breck and found him watching her with narrowed eyes. She smiled. “To answer your question, I have a date.”

  Tyler followed her gaze and quirked a brow. “Oh. Breck Lawson. The newest CEO of Blue Chip Technologies.”

  “Yes.”

  Conspiratorially, he leaned close to her ear. “I hear he’s a killer in the boardroom. Supposedly from a willingness to drive people to the brink of despair before they finally surrender the fight and agree to what he sees as favorable terms.”

  Shivers skipped along her spine. Killer. Despair. Surrender.

  She and Channing had survived too much despair together during their fight for her freedom, his mother’s to recover from a brutal mugging and his discovery of his sexuality. He would not have surrendered his morals and signed the contract he’d left on the lab table beside him. The concept of the contact lenses he’d worked on meant too much to him. He’d have died to protect them, but not at his own hand.

  Heat flushed her face. Her head pounded as if her skull had suddenly shrunk three sizes.

  “What did I say this time?”

  “Nothing.” She shook her head. “Sorry. I’ve no idea where my manners are.”

  “Do you attend many functions like this?”

  “Not anymore.” At least she wouldn’t be with Channing gone. Several times at things like this where his company needed to have a public face attached to it, he’d managed to coax her into playing the role of his plus one. She’d done it out of love for him, and for his partner Max who suffered from demophobia—a severe fear of crowds.

  Channing did what he could to protect people he loved and he’d been her biggest supporter. She hadn’t been able to disappoint him.

  “You’re an intriguing woman, Kami Evans.” He shifted her toward the edge of the dance floor. “You make it tough to not ask personal questions.”

  “Well, I appreciate the restraint, Tyler…”

  “Greer.” He led her off the dance floor and away from a crowd of chattering women. He jerked his chin up and to his right. “I see your date is coming for you.”

  She turned and watched Breck weave through the crowd. Tension strained his face, hardening his jaw. People shifted aside with little more than a look at him. She glanced back at Tyler. “Thank you for the dance and the distraction of conversation.”

  “You mean the conversation that somehow icked you out?”

  “No.” Yes.

  “You’re kind to lie.” He shook her hand, squeezing gently.

  “You were kind to rescue my toes, while my date was busy.”

  “He’s not busy now.” Breck slid his arm around her waist and tugged her to his side. He offered a hand to Tyler. “Breck Lawson.”

  “Tyler Greer.” He shook Breck’s hand and smiled that crooked smile. “You’ve put on a terrific event here, and your hostess is lovely.”

  “Thank you.” Breck pointed to the silent auction tables. “Have you placed any bids?”

  “I’ve been too distracted by Kami.”

  “Now’s as good a time as any.” Despite a commanding edge, his tone remained polite.

  “There’s an awesome sports package that includes a Miami Heat autographed ball and season tickets with courtside seats.” Kami rested a hand on Tyler’s arm and fanned herself dramatically. “I’m tempted to bid on it myself just so I can watch muscular men run around and get sweaty playing keep away.”

  “Yeah.” Breck snorted and then instantly choked it back. “That’s what they’re doing out there.”

  “What?” She held her hand open, palm up. “The purpose is to keep the ball from the other team and score points for your own. Isn’t it?”

  Tyler sucked his grinning lips together and stepped back. “You two have a great evening. Kami, I’ll check out that package, though not for the same reasons as you.”

  As soon as Tyler turned away, Breck shifted his attention to her. “You know him?”

  “For as long as we danced.”

  “You’ve danced with several men.”

  “You’ve been busy mingling, and watching me, it seems.”

  “Yes, it does. And what have you been saying to these men that promptly after leaving your side they head to the bidding tables?”

  “I don’t know, but if it works who cares?”

  “I think I do.” Menace vibrated off him as he pushed her into the nearest corner. “If you’re using this function to line up more clients…”

  “I’ve done no such thing.” She pulled back and glared up at him. ”What makes you think I would… Why would I advertise myself that way? Here?”

  “It’s a rich crowd.” Disgust dripped from his tone.

  Breck Lawson, CEO, wasn’t the nice guy she’d thought. Or he was a jerk who thought one night of paid companionship entitled him to more. She wasn’t interested in either scenario. And if he tried anything beyond tonight she would set him straight.

  “That…” She glanced around, and noticing that several people were looking their way, lowered her voice and smiled. “That is a crass viewpoint that I’ve done nothing to deserve.”

  He laid his fingers on her lips and sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry for being rude.”

  “No problem.” His tone and demeanor softened, shifted back to the powerfully urbane man she’d walked in with, but damn if she didn’t want to stomp off in a huff. Which was an entirely petty and immature reaction. Thank goodness she’d learned to squash such behavior. “You’re the boss.”

  Kami concentrated on straightening her head out as Breck led her around a group of people. The crowd had thickened as socialites interested primarily in appearances made fashionably late entrances. Physical looks or how the publicity of their donation to the charity would be seen by society were the primary motivators for most wealthy people.

  Channing had played the games, but even in the world of façades and glitz and glamour he’d remained genuine. As genuine as Breck’s attentive flirtations, Jane Ann’s kindness and Leon’s wacky sense of humor—refreshing attributes rarely found at ritzy fundraisers. She’d actually been enjoying herself, a claim she’d never been able to make.

  She glanced around the room and noticed several people looking their way. She was accustomed to being on display, but one set of eyes met hers and sent chills skittering through her. Madame V.

  She hadn’t met many women capable of making her skin crawl, but Madame V di
d. It wasn’t so much a creepy crawl as a fear-for-your-life-if-you-cross-her crawl. Her leer bored through everyone between them into her. The message was clear. Don’t fail.

  Kami swallowed and moved in closer to Breck. His warmth comforted her while reminding her she was a fraud. More of a fraud than anyone else in the room. Or maybe not.

  Her efforts to prove Channing had been killed led her to Elegant Entertainment and Madame V. Both were present tonight, giving her a chance not available at the mansion.

  “Breck?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Is there any reason I can’t bid on something? Any conflict of interest?”

  He stopped and regarded her with open curiosity. He didn’t ask if she could afford to play with the whales in the room, but she saw the doubt in his eyes. Not that he would know if she did win, because the money would come from her trust in Channing’s name.

  She only needed to ensure victory on an item and then sit back and watch the crowd for reactions.

  “As far as I’m concerned, you can place any bid you can cover.”

  Sublimely pleased with her plan, she shifted them toward the bidding tables.

  Breck stood close to Kami—close enough that he felt her warmth through his suit and shirt—as he thanked people for attending and donating so generously. He could have done the job alone, but he wouldn’t have known half the success of the night without Kami’s help. She’d even charmed a few men into making extra donations though they hadn’t won their desired items.

  Aside from Jane Ann’s report that the black-haired woman, Vivianna, owned Elegant Entertainment and was attending with a representative from Eston White, the company pushing an unfavorable contract on him, the night had been enjoyable. He couldn’t be certain Vivianna was the lead he was after, or whether Kami had been directed to gather information, but they were avenues he and his team would follow. It wasn’t much, but it was a place to start.

  “Breck. It was a lovely evening.” Exhaustion darkened the skin beneath Jane Ann’s eyes as she hugged him and turned to Kami to hug her. “Kami, we couldn’t have raised nearly the money we did without you here to charm everyone.”