Forever Our Beach (Flirt Club)

4. Caleb

4

Caleb

On the way back to the office, I prepare myself for the meeting with Lucas. I can only hope that he's found out the information that I need. Megan is such a sweet woman she doesn't deserve to be taken advantage of in the way that she was. I mean, who cancels someone else’s vacation and then steals their money?

“Mr. More, I have these papers that are ready for your signature.” Malia, my secretary who’s demeanor matches the calmness that her name means, holds out a stack of papers.

“Thanks. I’ll get to these right after I take the call from my brother.”

“Good luck, sir. Fiona says that she’s a beautiful and sweet lady.”

I ignore the knowing look she gives me. After working for me for nearly twenty years, Malia probably knows me better than almost anyone. I don’t know what I’m going to do when she decides to retire.

At my desk, I drop into my seat, praying that whatever news he has will hopefully help with my other problem as well. The only reason why Colette was even hired was as a favor to a close family friend of mom’s. It’s why I can’t just fire her for things people are saying about her. I need concrete proof before I willingly upset mom. It’s not often that she asks for a favor so we usually do everything we can when she does. But what I know and have seen about Colette would have been enough to fire anyone else. It’s probably why this situation is bothering me so much. Once I make a decision, I like to take quick and decisive action. Waiting around has never been one of my strong suits.

The monitor springs to life, revealing the stern face of my older-by-a-year brother. “Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.”

“Not a problem. This incident has the potential for very serious consequences so I'm glad that we were able to get a jump on it before anything else happens.” Lucas shuffles some paper off screen which is telling. Out of all my brothers, Lucas is the one who has instant recall of any fact that he’s read. It's what makes him so phenomenal at what he does. Instant recall of facts and faces is perfect for security and investigations. So to have him double checking his information before telling me has me on edge. Will this bit destroy me or will it help me, but hurt mom in the process?

“What would you like me to start with what I’ve been able to unearth in Megan Masters’ background or what your newest desk employee has been up to?”

Fuck. On all accounts. I slouch back in my chair crossing my fingers behind my head. Both items have equal importance in my mind, but having just spent the last thirty minutes with Megan, she’s my immediate need. “What do I need to know about Megan?”

His left eyebrow twitches and I can see how his lips tighten, trying to keep from smiling. “Well, I never thought I'd see the day,” he jokes. “You putting someone else ahead of your business. Don't tell me you're going to follow in Micha’s footsteps.”

Our brother, Micha, recently attended a wedding and ended up falling in love with his stand in plus one. He spent hours telling Lucas and I about how our pop’s stories about being kicked in the chest by a mule when we found our one, we're absolutely true. Up until now, only Alexander—one of our other brothers—had experienced it. Well, him and two of my nephews, but they didn’t really count. Our nephews are too young to truly know how they feel. Most likely, they are being led by their dicks, but we’ll stand behind them anyway, letting them marry the women that they've chosen. But we’ll also have our lawyers on standby to ensure they’re protected if anything goes wrong.

“Not sure what you're talking about. I just want to know if she’s part of whatever happened.” My protests fall flat as he grins. Heck, even I don't believe my own words. Not wanting to give away anything to the expert body reader on the other side of the screen, I take a second to centre myself, wiping away any expression by putting my game face on. “So, what can you tell me about my newest guest?”

He shrugs. “Not much. She's pretty clean, in her late twenties, and has a master’s degree in cellular biology. Up until a couple of days ago, she was going to be married. She posted an abrupt message on her social media accounts, stating that the wedding was off before apologizing for the late notice. Initial reports point to cheating. Him, not her. Other than that, her family is upper middle class but not wealthy by any means. When both sets of her grandparents passed away, her and her sisters were each given a small trust that pays them about twenty grand a year. Withiout doing a deep dive, it seems like she saved up most of her trust payments for the last few years to pay for this vacation.”

The band constricting my chest loosens. My initial opinion of Megan has panned out. She’s a good person because I know that if that had been anything---even the slightest hint—of something inappropriate or not above board in her life, Lucas would have led off with it. And since Lucas’s eyes remain narrowed and his lips are just as tight, I know that whatever he is sharing next is something I’m not going to like.

Biting the bullet, I ask, “And the cancellation?”

He sits straighter while leaning in a little closer. The move heightens my concern, causing me to do the same. We’re using a specialized encryption system for this video call. One which he had created for his security business, so his actions only increase my unease.

“Well, that ties in with your new front desk help. Colette took the call from Megan's ex, canceling the vacation. He asked her if there was anyway that he could have the funds returned to a different account because he’d split up with Megan, she asked if he could have another female come to the phone and pretend to be Megan. She’d then process the return for a percentage of the refund. She also suggested that she’d be willing to entertain him if he still wanted to come to the island.”

It’s enough to fire Colette immediately, but before I do, I want to make sure that she hasn’t done something like this before. The last thing I need is to have people start talking about how they’ve been exploited by an employee. When I ask him to do a deep dive into Colette’s bank accounts, he nods, telling me he’s already put a team on it. Just one of the reasons why he’s so good at what he does. Lucas is always one step ahead, thinking of all the implications. Which is why I feel confident enough asking, “Do we know who the other female was?”

I don’t need to explain who I’m referencing because Lucas’ face flushes a little and what I can see of his fingers turn white from how tightly he’s gripping his pen. So much for his legendary poker face. “Yeah, we do. It was Megan’s younger sister. And from the recovered portion of the recorded call—another thing that Colette did was to erase portions of the call, but thankfully none of your employees can fully erase them—her sister knew the money belonged to Megan.”

Unable to mask my surprise, my eyebrows shoot up. Who does something like that to their own family? I mean, I grew up in a cutthroat world where people think nothing of backstabbing anyone—including family—if it means they’ll get ahead, have more money, more power. But everything is done on the edge of legality, things that would be dragged out in court for years, if not decades, and that’s if they could even get them before the courts. So to steal, outright like this because our policies are very clear regarding returns, is just unheard of.

“Now, I’m not lawyer and I’m not telling you how to run your business, but I suggest you get legal involved to take care of Megan and to start proceedings against her ex and sister.” Lucas’ eyes twinkle and a hint of a smile tugs at his lips. “Although I’m sure you’re taking very good, personal care of Miss Megan.”

I roll my eyes. “It's not like that.”

“Sure, it's not. You're forgetting I've seen pictures of Megan. She might be young, but she's hot in that intelligent, girl next door type of way. Besides we can't let Micah be the only one with a hot young piece of arm candy.”

“Don't let Micah hear you calling Amy arm candy.”

“I’m not fucking stupid. I might spend more time behind this desk, using my brain more than my brawn despite all the time I still spend in the gym, but I know not to piss off Micah. I may have the contacts, but he has the easier means of disposal.”

I chuckle because it’s true. Micah runs the transportation arm of Mor Fam Cor which means he has access to ships and planes. All things that make body disposal easier.

“Anyway. I’ll keep up with the investigation and send everything over so you can get legal involved. Besides”—he winks—“I can't wait to meet my new sister-in-law.” And with that parting statement, Lucas shuts down the connection.

I push back from my desk, unable to keep from smiling. Marriage has been the last item on my list of things to do. One trip down the aisle was more than enough for me. I’m just thankful that Colton is an adult, so I no longer have anything to do with my ex even if she continues to try and milk me for more money. Living the life of a confirmed bachelor was more my speed. Different women in my bed whenever I wanted and attachments. It was perfect.

Then Megan walked in, turning my life upside down, making me realize that Pops hadn’t been full of shit.

The draw to her couldn’t be described. It’d taken everything within me to walk away last night and to stay away this morning, even if I lost the fight at lunch. But now, knowing what I did, I want to be at her side, protecting her, showing her how amazing she is.

“Arg.” I pace my office. Too much energy racing through my veins. I hate sitting back and waiting, but it’s what I need to do. I can’t rush in and fire Colette until I know the full extent of her damage. And I need to wait for the justice system to deal with Megan’s ex and her sister. There’s only two ways to calm down: fuck or fight. Since I can’t fuck because Megan’s not ready for that, fighting it is.

As I stride out of my office, I tap my phone, calling up Cage, a retired MMA fighter and one of the resort’s personal trainers to meet me at the private gym. Maybe after going a few rounds with him, I won’t maul Megan over the table tonight.

Maybe.