Was she capable of making an enemy who would wish her harm?
Dillon shook his head, feeling his tension simmer once again. “What do you mean, she’s seeing someone?”
“The other night at the party, I caught her sneaking back into the kitchen.”
With a dry look, Dillon said, “I can’t imagine Virginia sneaking anywhere. It’s not in her nature.”
“No, you’re right. She strutted back into the house, bold as you please, when she’d been out there conspiring with someone against me.”
Dillon pulled out a chair and straddled it. Cliff’s stupidity never ceased to amaze him. “Conspiring? How do you know she wasn’t with a lover?”
He grinned. “That’s exactly what she said! How about that—you two share a similar sense of humor.”
Dillon heard a noise and looked up. Laura Neil stood in the doorway, holding a tray with fresh coffee and two mugs. Dillon wondered how long she’d been standing there, but then decided it didn’t matter. He was more interested in the way the woman watched Cliff, sheer adoration clouding her eyes.
Cliff nodded to her and she entered. She leaned close to him while she poured the coffee, and asked if they needed anything else. Every so often, her gaze darted to Dillon. He almost felt sorry for her. It was obvious she was infatuated with Cliff, and just as obvious that Cliff had used his position to take advantage of her. To Dillon’s mind, it was one more reason to despise Virginia’s brother.
Cliff dismissed Laura. Dillon sipped from his cup, waiting. He knew his silence would annoy Cliff, so therefore his patience was its own reward.
After only a few seconds, Cliff exploded. “Well? What do you say?”
Dillon glanced at him over his mug. “To what? You haven’t asked me anything yet.”
“Oh, for…Will you check into it? Find out what Virginia is up to and who she’s involved with?”
“What’s in it for me?”
“A five-hundred-dollar bonus. Twice that if you come up with something concrete.”
The irony of it amused Dillon—that Cliff would be paying Dillon to spy on himself. But the little bastard was also spying on his sister, and Dillon’s suspicions were growing. He didn’t trust Cliff, not at all.
Dillon let Cliff wait while he pretended to think things over. Of course he’d agree to do it. It made perfect sense. If he was checking into things, Cliff wouldn’t be hiring someone else who would get in his way.
Dragging out the inevitable, and hoping for any tidbit of information that might help him, Dillon asked, “Any clues at all who it might be? Any leads?”
“Just the obvious. The guy must be someone who could benefit Virginia in some way, someone in the company who might be able to sway votes.”
From what he’d heard, Virginia always won every vote, so that theory didn’t make sense. He refrained from pointing that out to Cliff. “Anything else?”
Cliff shrugged. “The guy’s most likely passive, ineffectual, a spineless sort. You know how Virginia is. She’d never be able to get a man like you to put up with her carping and demands for some scheme of hers. And Virginia insists on complete obedience. She wouldn’t accept any defiance.”
Dillon couldn’t help himself; he grinned. “So I’m looking for a wimp?” The description was apt.
“Yes, but a wimp with connections. Someone who could do her some good.”
“But you’re a hundred percent positive she’s not involved in a personal relationship she just doesn’t want you to know about?”
Cliff was already shaking his head. “Not Virginia. Men are interested in her for one reason—to use her. And I’d want to know about that, too. Even though she’s sworn she’ll never marry, I have to protect her from those sorts. She’s too abrasive and too overweight to attract anyone with genuine feelings. She’d only end up hurt, or hurting the company.”
Abruptly, Dillon came to his feet. One more second with the loving brother and he’d throw him out the damn window. “I’ll check into things.” He crossed to the door, then turned back. “By the way, Virginia had some brake trouble today.” He watched Cliff closely, waiting.
“Oh?”
“She’s all right, but her car’s out of commission for a while. I gave her the company car to use.”
Cliff waved a hand, already distracted, as he gathered together the notes for his meeting. “That’s fine.”
Dillon clenched his jaw. He hadn’t been asking for permission, but rather watching for a reaction. He didn’t get one.
He jerked the door open and started out, saying over his shoulder, “I’m taking the rest of the day off. I’ll be in touch later.”
Cliff didn’t argue. He couldn’t have anyway. Dillon had already slammed the door.
chapter 4
VIRGINIA HAD JUST hung up the phone when the rap sounded on her office door. She glanced up, frustrated by the way her day had gone. First the problems with her car, then her run-in with Cliff. And her meeting hadn’t gone at all well. Today was not her day, and she was tired. A hot bath and a long night’s sleep seemed just the cure.
“Come in.”
Dillon stuck his head in the door. “You about ready to head home?”
As always, one glance into those sinfully dark eyes turned her insides warm and jittery. With every minute that passed, she anticipated her day alone with him more. “Mmm. I was just about to call a cab. What’s up?”
She didn’t particularly relish the idea of doing any more business tonight, but for Dillon, she’d make an exception. Spending time with him was seldom a hardship.
He stepped into her office and closed the door behind him. His features were etched in a frown. Virginia sighed, knowing why he’d come by. “If you’re here to tell me about Cliff’s plans to rework the downtown office, I’ve heard all about it.”
Dillon stiffened. “It’s not my job to tattle on your damn brother.”
She lifted a brow at his tone as well as his words. “No? Your loyalty to a prospective lover doesn’t go quite that far?” Virginia knew she was taunting him, but damn it, her day had been rotten, and just once, she wanted to see Dillon lose his temper, cut loose and prove to her what a powerful man he could be. But instead, he merely narrowed his eyes and waited.
Virginia took pity on him. “I’m sorry. I was just about to head home and I’m a little out of sorts. It hasn’t been the best of days.”
“That’s why I’m here,” he said. “To offer you a ride.”
“Chauffeuring is part of your job description?”
“Why not?” He stepped closer, his expression inscrutable. “I’m in charge of security. It’s my responsibility to see that you make it home safely.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “That’s stretching it, Dillon.”
“Not so.” He looked at her intently, his gaze unwavering. “I think your brake lines might have been tampered with.”
She waited for the punch line, and when it didn’t come she got to her feet and crossed to the closet to retrieve her coat. Before she could slip it on, Dillon was behind her, holding her shoulders. “I’m serious, Virginia.”
“That’s ridiculous.” She turned to face him. “So some vandal picked our parking lot to play