Page 57 of Bulletproof

“Come here.”

She began to move, but I stopped her, crossing the room fast.

“He means me.”

As soon as I reached his side, I heard him breathe. The phone on his desk rang, and I answered it.

“Dane Harcourt’s office.”

I looked at Brooke as I responded to the questions about a vendor that I knew all about because I had given out the same information a million times, thanked the person on the other end, and hung up. I then took a seat at Dane’s desk, pulled up his schedule on his computer, and picked up the phone.

“You’re his brother who used to be his assistant,” Brooke muttered.

“I only have one brother,” Dane stated from behind me.

But he didn’t, not really. The man had two biological brothers as well as a sister, and I was the one who wasn’t really related to him, but to Dane, I was his one and only. He had picked me; the others had been thrust on him.

“I was his assistant, yes,” I replied. “Please leave everything on your desk, Brooke. Don’t lock your files. And is your laptop here at the office?”

“Yes, it’s⁠—”

“I need it now, please.”

“But I have some personal⁠—”

“There should be no personal files on the company laptop. That’s why you were given the portable hard drive when you started. But along with your check tomorrow, you will receive, on a CD, any personal files that are currently there.” I had given the spiel many times over the years and still had it mostly committed to memory. “All passwords and locks are changed the minute someone leaves, so please do not return in hopes of gaining access to the building. You will be placed on restricted status from this site for a period of two months, and if you have other business in this building, you will need to provide the security guards downstairs with a written document to be allowed entry.”

“I—”

“What were you asked when you started here, Brooke?”

“I’m sorry?”

She was stunned, and I just needed to help her understand what was happening so she could wrap her brain around things.

“You were asked the same question I was back in the day, which was, Would your loyalty be to the man or the firm? What was your answer?”

“The man.”

“Just like mine.” I smiled. “But what did you do today?”

“I don’t⁠—”

“You put Brett’s needs before Dane’s. Good day, Ms. Jessup.”

She stared at Dane’s back. He was a one-shot guy, and it was all or nothing; he was ridiculously rigid, but he had to really count on you and really believe there was no way you would ever let him down. Dane led with his heart, and when that faith was tested and failed, he always backed off to Bermuda. He pulled away so fast that it gave one whiplash. How could he be there, be a rock in your life, this unmovable force, and then just be gone? But what she didn’t know was that there had been other chances for her not to fail him. And three months seemed tiny—was tiny—but to Dane … it meant everything. He was like that with everything, love or hate, black or white; there was no gray in the man, except his eyes.

She left quickly, following after Brett Taylor.

I took a breath. “I’m off for a month—well, three weeks now—but I’ll take care of you for that time. I’ll be here tomorrow, and you should let me hire the next two people.”

“I didn’t need more than you and a typist when you were here,” he grumbled from behind me.

“Your client list was smaller.”

“Doubtful.”

“You weren’t married then and planning to be a father. Your private life is more precious now, and so your scheduling is tighter to make sure you’re home to see your wife and eventually you’ll need to get to Lamaze class.”