Seductive Memory. AlTonya Washington

      Bormann nodded. “Not on family business, and I can think of only one other purpose. If I’m right, chances are strong that he was there to see Linus Brooks, and it’s widely known that no deals are greenlit for Joss without Linus’s approval. If you want in with Joss, you’ve got to go through Linus Brooks first. From what I hear, he’s a hard man to go through.”

      Don’t I know it. Paula kept her agreement silent.

      “I’m sorry, hon.” It was obvious that Bormann saw the despair shadowing Paula’s honey-toned face. She pushed to her feet. “I believe we could use that coffee now. You’re gonna have to bring more of that soon if it tastes as good as it smells!”

      While Bormann returned to her kitchen, Paula’s attention remained fixed on the folder. She sat there trying to figure out which was worse—talking to Linus about their past or about this present upset? Everything in her said he’d done all completely on the up-and-up.

      Almost everything in her said that. There was a time she’d have leaped to his defense at the slightest hint of someone questioning his integrity. But now...it was as she’d told him on that beach in Mexico—the girl who would’ve killed for him if he’d asked her to was gone.

      “It’s got such a fabulous color and the fragrance is so rich!” Bormann called as she poured out the coffee.

      Paula was searching her phone contacts. Linus wasn’t among them, but Joss Construction had been programmed in when she and Santigo Rodriguez were finalizing the many surprises he had in store for his wife during their honeymoon.

      The line was answered. “Joss Construction. How may I direct your call?”

      Paula debated half a second longer and then sighed. “Linus Brooks, please.”