Page 3 of Hidden With You

“You grew up together?”

“In Texas, yeah. And you’re from the UK. You don’t have much of an accent. I would never have guessed if Ryan hadn’t told me.”

“Born in Manchester, but we moved to Manhattan when I was two. My father worked at the British Consulate in the city. I moved back to Britain to attend Oxford and ended up at MI6. I like tea, and bloody hell is my go-to curse. So I managed to fit in.”

Her eyes twinkled. “I’ll tell Ryan he got it all wrong.”

“Great. Get me in trouble with the boss in my first week.”

“Speaking of bosses, have you met Damien yet?”

He shook his head. “Ryan hired me over the phone. When I came back to the States last month, I started out in Manhattan. Familiar territory. Besides, I understand Damien isn’t in the office day to day.”

“Yeah. He’s got fingers in a lot of pies.”

“I only started on Friday,” Jasper told her. “And that was really just paperwork. Monday will be my real first day.”

“Damien was gone all last week, anyway,” Jamie told him. “Family getaway. They have a place in Lake Arrowhead. But he’s great. Not nearly as intimidating as you’d think from the packaging.”

“Is that so?” Jasper wasn’t easily intimidated, but he’d watched interviews of the former tennis pro turned tech billionaire, and the man was formidable. Still, Jasper glanced around for a glimpse of the man, hoping to meet him soon.

He didn’t find Damien in the clusters of people scattered across the various patio levels—nor did he find the woman in gold. Not that he’d been looking. Well, not too hard, anyway.

Nikki caught his eye, however, then came over, a tall man with an easy smile beside her. “I would apologize for Jamie,” Nikki said to him, “but there’s really no excuse for her.” She extended her hand, clearly trying not to laugh as Jamie rolled her eyes. “Nikki Fairchild Stark. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” he said. She had sea-green eyes and wavy hair that fell to her shoulders in loose curls. She was girl next door pretty, and he remembered reading that she’d competed in pageants as a teenager. Now she ran a software development business, though most people outside of the tech world probably remembered her as the woman to whom Stark had paid a million dollars for a nude portrait. A scandal that started what had apparently turned into a very strong relationship.

The man with her wore jeans and a gray Henley, suitable for the casual party. The way he held himself wasn’t casual, though. He stood tall, shoulders back, wavy hair in perfect order. He wore glasses, through which he was studying Jasper. His earlier smile had turned into a small frown at the corner of his mouth.

“Problem?”

“I’m sorry,” the man said, apparently realizing he was staring. “I’ve been trying to place you. Have we met?”

Jasper shook his head. “I don’t think so.” Actually, he was certain; he had an almost infallible memory for faces. “What’s your name?”

“I’m so sorry,” Nikki said. “I should have introduced you.”

“I’m Orlando McKee,” the man said. “But call me Ollie. I’ve been friends with these two since the beginning of time.”

“Jasper Kent. Just met them, but I expect we’ll be friends to the end of time.”

“Good answer,” Ollie said, extending his hand to shake. “Your name doesn’t ring a bell, but damn, your face is familiar.”

“Crossed paths through work, maybe?”

Ollie shook his head. “I don’t think so. I used to be a lawyer. Was in private practice for awhile here in LA, a bit in Europe.”

Jasper shook his head. “Fortunately, I haven’t had the need of counsel.” Except in dealing with the aftermath of Sandra’s and Bonnie’s deaths, but he wasn’t going to mention that.

“Now I’m with the FBI,” Ollie said, then grinned. “Maybe I’ve seen you on a Most Wanted poster.”

Jasper chuckled. “No, I’m far too careful with my criminal activities for that. Former MI6, so I know how to be invisible.” All true. Which, as Jasper knew well, was the best way to frame a lie.

“Well, it’s a mystery. The only one I know from MI6 is Quincy.” He shifted his attention to Jamie. “Is he here?”

“He and Eliza were heading down to walk on the beach when I saw them last. But they might have come back without me noticing.”

“I’ll go find him and introduce you,” Ollie said.