Synergy: New Adult Romantic Suspense (U-District, #1) (15 page)

“In the future, when you plan to fire, or hire for that matter, I would appreciate it if you’d consult with me first.”

“I mean no offense, Linda, but why should I need to consult with you first? I’m the CEO. I have every right to hire and fire when I see fit.”

“Of course you do. However, there are times when you terminate an employee that we need to make sure the company is protected from any liability.”

“Liability? But you said Washington is an ‘at will’ state.”

“That’s true. But it might not stop Stan from suing for age discrimination.”

“Age discrimination?”

“Yes, employees age forty and older are in a protected class. If he can show that you felt his age was negatively affecting his performance, he can sue the company for age discrimination.”

Jade’s shoulders slumped forward.

“I know Stan very well, and I don’t think he would do that. But it’s just one example of why you should consult with me. This is my job, and I keep up with state and federal laws so you don’t have to. I’m a resource for you.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

“Of course not. How could you? I need you to fill out this form documenting the reasons for Stan’s dismissal. Try to include dates and specific examples as much as possible.”

“Okay.” Jade stared at the form. More paperwork she had to do.

“As Bryce may have already mentioned, I concur with his recommendation to promote Donald, if you care about my opinion.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I know this is hard on you. College doesn’t train you for interpersonal relationships in the workforce. I’m here whenever you need me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’d also like to recommend that the next time you fire someone, you do it behind closed doors.”

Jade shook her head. This was just another mistake of many she was making as CEO. She buried her face in her hands. Was the company really worth all this hassle?

HE STOOD IN THE SHADOWS
, waiting. It was time to send Jade a clear warning.

She was poking her nose where it didn’t belong and making decisions she shouldn’t be. And she hadn’t given him enough time to reduce his take of the profits to offset the loss of inventory. If she’d just left well enough alone, he wouldn’t have to be taking this step. He prayed, she’d get the message, stop meddling, and let him get things under control before he had to kill her.

He’d gotten away with murder twice, maybe three times, if the professor didn’t pull through. But his luck was bound to run out.

The metal flashlight felt substantial in his damp hand. He wiped his palm on his pant leg. Twice now he’d almost dropped it, and he had to do this right.

He shifted back and forth on his feet and glanced at his watch yet again.

Where the hell is she?

JADE STRETCHED
her neck from side to side. She’d spent hours creating new database queries and looking at Synergy’s financial information in different ways. If she didn’t find out what was going wrong and fix it, the banks might take over her grandmother’s company.

Gran would never forgive me.

She rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock. It was after eight. Time to call it a night.

Leftover lasagna in the fridge at home called out to her. She hadn’t eaten in far too long, and her stomach was telling her so. She stepped out of the elevator and headed to her car, grateful her VIP parking was just outside the elevator doors. She should pay more attention to her eating schedule, especially when her parents were always hounding her about it.

Jade rummaged for her keys at the bottom of her handbag. She really needed to get a more organized purse. This one was a bottomless pit where she could never find anything.

A tall shadow appeared from behind her, and she started to turn to see who it was.

Just as she grasped hold of the keys, something hard hit the back of her head. Pain exploded behind her eyes.

She cried out and hit the concrete.

A MOAN ECHOED
in the parking garage as Bryce headed to his car. He stopped. Was someone in pain?

Another moan… from a woman.

He ran around the side of his car.

A black heel lay on the filthy cement.

Bryce picked up the shoe and heard the sound again. He followed scuffmarks to the other side of Jade’s BMW.

Jade was leaning against the driver’s side door, holding the back of her head. Her bare legs under her skirt were gray with dirt from the knees down. She’d obviously crawled here.

Bryce rushed to her side and knelt down, the odor of blood strong. “Jade?”

She grasped his arm, her eyes wide. Something dark smudged her cheek. “Bryce… oh, thank goodness… someone attacked me.”

He scanned the parking lot. There was no one else in sight. “Here, let me take a look.” He leaned forward to examine her head.

Jade pulled her fingers away from her injury.

Damn, there was a lot of blood. “We need to stop the bleeding.”

“Is… is it bad?” Her hand shook.

“I don’t know.” He looked around for something to press against her head. There was nothing convenient. Bryce pulled off his jacket and dropped it on the concrete floor. He tried to unbutton his shirt, but it was taking too long. He tugged it open, causing the last three buttons to fly off and bounce across the floor.

A strangled laugh escaped Jade’s lips.

“This isn’t funny.” Bryce wadded up the shirt and applied pressure to the wound.

“Ow,” she moaned.

“Serves you right for laughing. Here, hold this. I’m going to get you into my car and take you to the hospital, unless you want me to call an ambulance?”

“Now who’s being funny? I think I can get up. It hurts, but I’m sure it looks worse than it is.”

Bryce slid her shoe back onto her foot. “Okay, grab my arm with your free hand.” He pulled her up into his arms until she was standing.

“We have to stop meeting like this.” Jade smirked.

“It must not be that bad if you’re making jokes about it.”
Why the hell isn’t she upset?
Maybe the injury was more serious than he thought. She wasn’t reacting rationally. He walked her to the passenger seat and helped buckle her in while she held his shirt to her head. This was the second time he’d had to do this. He hoped it wasn’t going to be a routine.

“You smell good.”

“What?” Bryce stopped, his eyes level with hers.

“I said you smell good. Is that cologne?”

He blinked once, finding it hard to believe he was having this conversation after she’d just been hit over the head.

Jade’s gaze fell to his bare chest.

His heart rate accelerated. He was suddenly acutely aware that he was shirtless. “Uh… it’s aftershave.” Quick to pull out of the car, he whacked his head on the doorframe. Damn. He popped the trunk open and got a black T-shirt out of his gym bag.
What’s gotten into her? It has to be shock. Right?
Walking back to her BMW, he grabbed his leather jacket and her purse.

Car tires squealed somewhere in the garage as a vehicle sped away. He tried, but he couldn’t see it.

On the ground, next to where her purse had been, Bryce found a folded-up piece of paper. He opened it. Now Jade was going to have to take this seriously. He got in the car, locked the doors, and looked at her. “I think whoever hit you just left.”

“He was still here?”

“You’re lucky I came down when I did. I don’t think he was finished.” Bryce handed her the paper.

Her mouth dropped open.

Now that’s a rational reaction.

Jade read the typed note aloud, a tremor in her voice. “You don’t belong here. Get out before you really get hurt.”

“Let’s get you to the ER. Then I’m calling the police.”

She nodded in agreement.

He high-tailed it to the hospital. Nancy, the nurse behind the ER desk, recognized them both. “Did she stop eating again?”

“Not this time. Someone hit her from behind. She’s lost a lot of blood.”

Nancy pulled a wheelchair over. “You poor girl. Here, you sit down, and we’ll get you in to see the doctor right away.”

Jade grabbed Bryce’s hand. “Please don’t call my parents. I don’t want to worry them.”

“I’ll wait to see how bad it is.” Bryce conceded that much. “But I’m calling the police.”

Jade agreed then released his hand.

After Bryce finished speaking to police dispatch, he walked up to the nurse’s desk. “Nancy, can you let Kenzie know I’m here?”

“Sure thing, Bryce. Might be a while. She’s helping with a procedure right now.”

“That’s okay, I’m not going anywhere.”

“How come you keep bringing that girl in here? You dating her?”

“She’s the new CEO at my company. Her grandmother left it to her.”

“That young thing is a CEO?” Nancy’s eyes popped wide.

“Yeah, tell me about it.”

“Didn’t you get promoted to one of them C acronyms too?”

“COO.”

“So that means you two—”

“Work very closely together.”

“Uh-huh.” Nancy shot him a suspicious look.

“It’s not like that.” Bryce waved her off. “Tell Kenzie I’m in the waiting room.”

“Will do.”

Bryce walked over to the vending machine.
No teriyaki tonight. Chips and granola will have to do.
He made his purchases, then took a seat. He’d gotten through the bag of chips when Kenzie appeared.

“Bryce, what are you doing here?” Kenzie gave him a big hug. “I haven’t seen you all week.”

“Yeah, sorry, work’s keeping me busy. I brought Jade in. She was attacked in the parking garage at work.”

“What? Is she all right?”

“I don’t know. She was hit over the head. There was a lot of blood.”

“Head wounds can do that if a superficial blood vessel is cut. If she wasn’t unconscious, she’ll probably only need stitches.”

“Have I ever told you how much I appreciate what you do here?” Bryce draped his arm around her.

“Yeah, I think you did just last week.”

“Well, I appreciate what you do that much more after being here and seeing it firsthand.”

A man in a white button-down, no tie, and a navy blue blazer walked up to Nancy, who pointed in Bryce’s direction.

“I think he’s here for me.” Bryce motioned toward the front desk. “Officer.” He held out his hand. “I’m Bryce Radisson. I believe you’re here to see me.”

“Yes, Mr. Radisson, I’m Detective Neal Hawkins. Is there somewhere we can sit down to get the report?”

Detective? Why did they send a detective?

“Why don’t you two sit over there?” Kenzie pointed to an alcove of the waiting room. “I’ll see you at home.” Kenzie kissed his cheek, then left to do her rounds.

Nancy was pushing Jade in a wheelchair out to the waiting area. Bryce held up a hand to the detective to give him a minute. “How is she?”

“She needed eleven stitches. Other than that she’s fine.” Nancy handed off the chair to Bryce.

Bryce wheeled Jade to the alcove. He knelt down in front of her and carefully tucked her hair behind her ear. “You doing okay?” He reached in his jacket pocket and handed her the granola bar.

“Thank you.” Jade’s eyes were wide with vulnerability.

In that brief moment, Bryce nearly did something utterly ridiculous. He almost pulled her into his arms.