Everything & More (Book 1 in the E.C.N Series)

Chapter 76 - Jonathan

Fucking Jackie

I had been waiting 20 mins, like a damn idiot, when I received word from my assistant that Jackie was entertaining our client. She doesn't know who he is and I would prefer to leave it that way.

My office door whips open and slams shut. I glance at the door quickly waiting for an explanation because the only person in front of me is Jackie and no Ryan.  "Where the hell is the client Jackie?"

"Right outside." She says sweetly.

I shrug, already feeling her playing a game with my patience, "Why didn't you bring him in?"

"Them in."

"Excuse me."

"He didn't come alone."

I guess that was wishful thinking "I don't care, why didn't you escort them in."

She crossed her arms, "Did you think I wasn't going to find out you had a meeting with one of the law firm's newest and biggest clients today?"

I let out a sigh, "I wasn't deliberately keeping anything from you. It was scheduled last minute to get things squared away."

"Well lucky for you I have all the paperwork; both our copies and theirs for him to sign." She said placing the stack of papers on my desk, leaving a small folder in her hand.

Ryan must have seen these already. He has to be wondering if there is anything truly wrong. "You're crossing a line."

"I'm doing my job. Though it was funny that the client felt as though something was wrong with his on boarding. Not things being squared away."

"I'm just getting a few things ironed out."

"What the hell needs to be ironed out Jonathan? The board of trustees approved him."

"As their lawyer it's my job to put the company's best interest first."

"The company... or yours."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Ever since you've gotten this client, you been permanently clenching your jaw whenever the conversation comes up." As if on cue i feel my jaw tighten, it's a reflex at this point. "At first I thought it was just you being forced to work with me."

Jackie tilts her head slightly looking mockingly concerned, "You know maybe if you kept me in the loop I wouldn't have to figure out what you're up to all on my own." She leaned, palms flat on the desk staring down at me. Shirt drooping down, letting gravity do it's work, giving a very visible peak at the laced bra she's wearing, "You're letting personal shit get in the way." Her voice low, calm and accusing.

The shiver that went down my spine wasn't because of attraction it was how easily she was able to read me. It was my fault that she could, "You didn't think I wasn't going to see the background check that we do on all of our clients? Not just the company itself but the people running it? Especially someone who is going to become CEO?" With that she opened the folder she had been holding sliding the information in front of me. "I mean I'll give you some credit I wouldn't have thought much of it either if I was Mr. Haufman, then again why would he. He wasn't the one you were lying in bed with cursing this man's name.  All I've heard for over a year is Ryan this and Ryan that. You didn't think I was going to put 2 and 2 together when you started acting weird? Do my own research?"

"Jackie—"

"Don't-" She slammed her hand on the desk, "Jackie me. You are not going to fuck up this client relationship over a damn vendetta."