Red Alert/Red Notice (The "Super Jerk" Prequel)

1 - Hanging Around

{Geoffrey}

Ithaca, New York, 1993

I never thought I would have to see Ridley Green again. He'd nearly ruined our lives with his evil plans. And now that I have a wife and daughter, I have a lot more to lose.

I hope you haven't forgotten about me. Because I haven't forgotten about you for one second. Don't try to escape what you already know, Cromwell. I'm coming for you, and you'll know what we could have done together.

I've memorized that note, even though I'd burned it a long time ago. Raina didn't know I'd kept it for as long as I did, and I think it's better that way. The less she knows about Ridley's plans for me, whatever they are, the better.

"Geoff?" A hand comes down on my shoulder, squeezing it — Raina's. I recognize her wedding ring, two silver ribbons woven together. "You okay?"

I look up at her. There's a concerned expression on her face, and her blue-green eyes stay on mine. "I am now."

She smiles, kissing my cheek. "When will I ever get tired of you looking at me that way?"

"I hope that question's rhetorical," I say, catching her wrist before she can pull it away and kissing her palm.

Raina blushes and pushes her hair out of her face. That was such a familiar gesture, and I remember it from the first time we met. It seems like a lifetime ago.

"So, you have any plans today while I'm gone?" I release her wrist, letting her relieve Mila of Ettie and carry her over to her high chair.

"In this big house?" Raina looks over her shoulder at me, eyebrow raised. "There's always something to do."

I take another sip of my coffee, straighten my necktie, and then stand up. The other executives are going to wonder where I am if I don't get a move on.

"Can you say bye-bye to Dada?" Raina says, as soon as she notices.

"Bye-bye, Dada!" She smiles, which makes me smile too. "Goodday!"

"Your wish is my command, milady." I bend over to kiss her hair, soft and curly like Raina's. Before I can straighten, Raina catches my face and kisses me, right on the lips.

"Thought you could get away without giving me a kiss, hm?" she murmurs against my lips before giving me another one.

"Truthfully? No." I smile, reluctant to pull away.

She smiles too, the kind that wrinkles her nose, and gives my shoulder a swat. "You are insufferable, Geoffrey Cromwell."

"I hope so." I wink. "Otherwise we wouldn't be here."

≈

In all honesty, I wish I could have stayed home with Raina and Ettie today. The morning meeting is stuffy and boring, and all the executives treat me like my father. I'm not him. It's been hard since his death, but we've managed to keep the company afloat. More than afloat, actually. We've started making profits again, which Dad would be happy to see.

After that, a few of the lower-level employees come in to complain to me, waving their arms and shouting in my face. I wish they wouldn't. I'm not even their supervisor.

And then, right after my lunch break, my intercom beeps. "Mr. Cromwell, you have a Mr. Green asking to see you."

I actually drop the fountain pen I was writing with, and as it falls it hits my trouser leg and leaves a splotch of ink. Green. As in Ridley Green. "Send him in."

While I'm waiting, I bend down and pick up the pen, pulling a tissue out and dabbing at the stain. It won't come out, not without some dry-cleaning. I set it back in the well just as there's a knock on my door and it opens a crack.