Crude Heir (Billionaire Heirs #3)

Chapter 11

Derrick

What the hell is wrong with me? It’s a tried-and-true fact you shouldn’t dip your pen in company ink. I’m living proof that shit like that can come back to haunt you decades later.

Yet when her lips parted so sweetly under mine, my good sense fled. Now we’re left facing the fallout of blurred professional lines.

Nicole’s hand moves to her dress, smoothing down her skirt. She presses her thighs together, reminding me I could have been there between them right now if not for the alarm blaring in my head.

I run my hand down the back of my neck, drawing a wet trail as I pull back along my jaw. Fuck.

“What are you still doing here so late?” I demand roughly. My tone is harsh with the need to claim her warring inside me. “You should have left before the storm hit.”

She moistens her lips, making my cock twitch. “I was just finishing up reviewing some invoices I uploaded to the system,” she explains, her voice shaky.

Lies. The tension in the room thickens as our gazes lock. I know she’s not being entirely truthful, since I’ve been watching her for the past two days.

“Really, despite the fact we were about to be hit by a major storm?” I challenge, just to see what she’ll say. I can understand dedication to the job or the flat need for money. But considering her trigger, she should have gotten her ass home by now.

“I told you, we have a check run coming, and it’s a short week.” She lifts a delicate shoulder. “I didn’t want us to fall behind.”

A plausible explanation. If I hadn’t seen her through her webcam—she wasn’t preparing any check run.

The big question is still up in the air; is she embroiled in stealing money from the company, or is there something I’m missing?

I decide to confront her, to test her and see how she reacts. “So, were you actually working on the invoices last night?” I cross my arms over my chest.

She hesitates, her composure faltering for a moment. “I was reviewing invoices, going over costs.”

“But not preparing for today’s check run, like you said you would.” It’s a statement, and she knows it.

I fix her with an expectant look. Her cheeks grow rosy as she grasps she’s caught in the lie. “No,” she admits with a defeated exhale. “I used the time to review past invoices.”

Well, that’s better than I expected. Still, it doesn’t give me an explanation. Although, having worked with an accountant… I ask her point-blank, “What did you find?”

Her eyes open wide, and she cocks her head. “You know,” she whispers incredulously.

This could mean anything. I’m not falling for a leading question only to end up giving her the answer. “What. Did. You. Find?”

“Nothing.” The rise and fall of her chest increases. “I was trying to find proof of the stolen funds to take to Mr. Kelly. The senior Mr. Kelly,” she explains in a nervous rush.

“I was right,” I mutter. That’s what she’s been chasing.

Emotions flit across her expressive face—unease, curiosity, wonder. “How did you know something was missing?”

Your father doesn’t want —

“My mother,” I answer, ignoring her reminder.

She exhales a long breath. “So, Mr. Kelly knows about the money?” she asks quietly.

“Yes.” I hesitate in sharing more, filled with a mixture of relief, frustration, and annoyance. At least she’s finally been honest with me, but I had to catch her in a damn lie before she’d fess up on what she found.

Giving in, I decide to fill her in on her beloved Mr. Kelly. “She said he had the heart attack when he learned about the theft.”

Her eyebrows gather, forming a pained expression. “I’m so sorry.”

I give her a grim nod. “It’s not surprising, considering someone has taken millions from the company.”

The healthy color leaves her cheeks. “It’s more like tens of millions.”

* * *

Nicole

“Tens of millions?” Derrick repeats in disbelief. “Are you sure?”

I nod, my throat tight. “At the very least. Probably more.” I’m still praying I’m wrong, but I doubt that’s the case.

He swears under his breath and begins pacing across the space in front of the desk, restless energy radiating off of him.

“I thought you knew,” I say carefully.

“She told me what happened, but I don’t know if she’s aware of how much is gone.” Even in the muted light, I can see his frown as he folds his arms in front of his chest.

The wind gusts, rattling the windows so violently I jump. Get a grip! It’s only a storm, albeit a strong one.

“I’m not even sure I know what’s missing,” The entire review has been like chasing a ghost.

“How did no one notice until now? That kind of money doesn’t just vanish without raising some serious red flags.”

The weight of responsibility sitting heavily on my shoulders. “I tried telling Mr. Kelly, Simon Kelly,” I clarify, feeling small and helpless.

His head whips in my direction, his gaze sharply focusing on me. “What did he say?”

“He said he expected it would be miscoding. Then he thanked me and said he’d check into it.” I shrink back, uncomfortable with what I know is coming.

“And was it miscoding?” he inquires, as I fully anticipated.

I wrap my arms around myself. “I, um…” I glance at the floor, hating to admit I questioned the Chief Financial Officer, and future owner of the company. “Well, I went back to check and by then everything was right.”

“You mean the money was put back?” he asks, gruffly.

“He called me in later and said everything was taken care of. He was doing an extensive audit and correcting the miscoding he was finding.” I shrug, remembering his nasty attitude. “And I didn’t have to worry about it anymore.”

“I’m sure he didn’t appreciate being questioned.” Derrick scowls. “You’re probably lucky you didn’t get fired.”

“I had the same thought.” I let out a shaky breath.

He steps back, giving me space. “We can work on this together, if you’re up for it.”

That would give me access like he did yesterday so I can log in and not be worried someone will walk in on me. Realizing he’s still waiting for an answer, I force an airy tone, trying to hide my excitement. “Yes, I think that’s the best thing to do.”

I’m glad to have someone to talk to about this. So I don’t feel like I’m driving myself crazy. Since it’s clear we won’t be talking about what just happened. Which means, I shouldn’t be thinking about how I was nestled against him, my breast crushed against his hard body.

I wasn’t so far gone I didn’t register the solid wall of muscles hiding under that shirt. He isn’t built like any IT guy I’ve worked with. The replay of how he pushed the heavy desk out of the way then pulled me to him instantly sends my mind straight to the gutter.

I stifle a grin. How many of the women I work with would kill for an opportunity like that. Sadly, it’s not something I could ever share. If they find out he came to my rescue, they’ll be faking injury to life and limb to get him to play the hero.

Lightning flashes across the sky, illuminating the room. I roll my shoulders, trying to ease the tension. It’s not as bad when I’m not in total darkness. Seconds pass then thunder rumbles in the distance.

“Sounds like the worst of the storm’s moving past us. Are you good to head home?”

“Yes.” I swallow hard, knowing nothing else can be done if we don’t have power. “I think so.”

“I’ll go get your things.” He turns, stepping away.

My stomach clenches. If he goes in, he’s going to see the flash drive on my computer and know I was going to take documents out of the office without permission. It shouldn’t matter now, yet somehow it does.

I stand abruptly. “I can get it.”

He tilts his head as he studies me. “Seriously?”

Thunder rumbles in the distance, inspiring an idea. “I don’t want to be here alone,” I say in a rush. I’m so glad the lights are off, or he’d see how my face is burning up at the lie.

His shoulders settle. “Okay. I get that.”

I follow him into the hall, needing to hurry if I’m going to keep up with him. Tension is building with each step.

He pauses in front of my door.

I peek in and realize there’s a problem. The room is still pitch-black. With the emergency lighting in the halls on either side of my office, there isn’t enough light to illuminate the area. I lick my lips and stare at the spot my desk is supposed to be. “Do you think you can shine the light in here?” I ask, feeling like a helpless child.

His brow furrows. “You sure you’re okay?”

I wring my hands, while I feel like I’ve gone on too long again. “It’s the darkness that gets me.”

He pulls out his phone, taps the button for the flashlight, and leads the way. I skirt my desk and swoop down to grab the flash drive then reach into the drawer for my purse. “Looks like I got my chair caught on my sweater.”

Usually the offices are so cold, I have to keep something on hand.

“Let’s go. I’ll grab my stuff and walk you to your car.”

We go to his office and collect his laptop. With the power out, the elevators aren’t working, so there’s no choice but to take the stairs. More easily said than done from the 20 th floor.

The stairwell is roomy enough to allow for a crowd to use in an emergency, but right now it feels like a sardine can. Thankfully there are fixtures which cast a clinical light along the entire route down to the garage. Down. Down. Down…

I grip the railing tightly as I take the next step, my knuckles a stark white against the dark handrail snaking down the concrete wall. Concrete. My gaze flicks to Derrick’s back, broad and strong. A solid anchor when I needed him.

He glances over his shoulder to check on me as we reach the next landing. I give him a weak smile and turn my attention to the floor ahead of me. I don’t need to be distracted and end up falling…straight into his arms again.

Our footsteps echo hollowly in the empty space. I try to focus on the rap of my shoes, grateful for the fact I chose something with sturdy heels for today. Still, I’ll be on edge until we make it all the way down.

“Here we are.” Derrick pushes the bar on the door marked Level 5, Garage. Relief rushes through me. At this point, my leg muscles are rubbery. I’m ready to drop to my knees and kiss the ground.

As soon as the door opens, I’m hit by the cooler air brought in by the storm. The openness of the garage, allowing the view of the surroundings, instantly lifts the weight I had pressing down on my chest.

I take a deep, steadying breath as I go through the door Derrick’s holding for me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I manage a shaky smile and nod, not exactly sure I can handle more than one syllable, for more than one reason.

The wind rushes through again. I wrap my arms around myself as I fight back a shiver. The rain’s coming through in sheets. Even though we’re several yards from the open area above the half wall, we’re still getting covered in a sheet of moisture. This is still one hundred times better than being confined in that windowless stairwell.

Normally I’d end up parking across the street, in a separate structure, and come in through the tunnel. I’m not sure if that route will be accessible since it’s flooding. If it is, it might be dark, which is a whole other problem in itself. I only have the privilege of parking in the main building so Mr. Kelly’s coffee doesn’t get cold.

Derrick reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone as I struggle to keep the wind from whipping my dress around. It buzzes in his hand as if messages are coming in back-to-back then the blare of an emergency alert comes from his device and mine.

Frazzled, I open my bag, rummaging through the contents. Why couldn’t this warning come in earlier, when I could have made it home without any trouble? Likely the storm itself is causing issues with reception.

“We may have a problem,” he says, bringing me up short.

I stop fishing through my bag. “What happened?” Please don’t tell me we have to go back upstairs.

“I’m looking at the traffic app, and there’s half a dozen accidents around us. On top of that, the roads are closed heading south and east. You’re not going to get very far in that little car of yours.”

My shoulders slump. I’m so screwed. He pretty much described my route home. Even if I could get a car service, which would cost an arm and a leg, I’d have to wait until the traffic issues clear up. Getting a room in this area would cost just as much, or likely more, since it would be at the last minute and in the middle of a storm. All things considered, I couldn’t afford a week’s salary for a hotel room.

“I’ll head back and try later on.” If we’d thought to check before we left the office, I would have just stayed upstairs and made myself comfortable on that couch. I’m not the first one to have had to spend the night in the building.

“You’re coming home with me,” he says, and it’s not a question.