Deception (Carrington Hill Investigations Book 1) (4 page)

This time she smiled. “Mr. Hathaway, I warned you that you don’t know a thing about me.”

He glanced down once more. “An expensive, well-experienced, and respected attorney, I see.”

She shrugged. “I guess you could say that.”
She moved to open the door, but he stopped her by placing his hand over hers.

“I have to warn you. The press is going to have a field day and people are going to expect me to be a certain way with the person I supposedly love most in the world.”

Lexi crossed her arms over her chest. “And what way is that
, Mr. Hathaway?”

His eyes searched hers
. “Please call me Trip.” He let out a sigh. “People are going to believe that my wife is my prized possession and that I’ll want to protect her with any and every resource I have available. They are going to expect chauffeurs and bodyguards when you aren’t with me. Considering your background, I assume that you’ll want to pick your own detail, and I respect that, but you’re going to have to prepare yourself for what it means to be my wife and live in the limelight.”

Lexi sighed. She was returning back to the same life she
’d left behind, but what choice did she have? None. “I’m not sleeping with you, Trip, and you’re right; I will pick my own detail.” She brushed his hand off the knob and pulled the door open. “Trip, do you even know my real first name?”

He nodded.
“Lexi.”

She shook her head and continued walking toward the
director’s office hoping with the latest development that the director would let her use Sara and Garrett as her detail. She paused before knocking. “Alexandria Carrington.” She shook her head. “And you called me impulsive?” She chuckled. “You should really do background checks before you start asking women to marry you.”

His mouth parted
, and his eyes widened. It was the same look she always received when she had to confess who she was. Shock, fear, amusement, it didn’t matter. She tried to hold back her laugh but failed miserably.

“Owner of Carrington Oil…Alexandria Carrington?”

She smiled and curtsied
before she raised her hand to knock. “One and the same, although I’d like to keep that information to myself as long as possible. So I would appreciate it if you did the same.”

He lifted a hand and placed it
gently on her arm to stop her from knocking again. “Then why this job? You obviously don’t need the money.” He tilted his head. “And I guess I don’t have to worry about you needing mine. So why such a dangerous profession? And how do you expect me to keep it secret?”

She
knocked on the door again as she answered. “I chose this profession because I want to make sure the bad guys get put behind bars. I almost gave my mother a heart attack when I told her, and my dad…well, let’s just say he wasn’t thrilled either, but they were both supportive.”

“Enter.”

She paused. “As for keeping it a secret, it shouldn’t be too hard. There are no public pictures of me. I don’t go around flaunting who I am or my money. If I did, then every criminal in the world would be looking to get a piece of me. Do I act like any rich woman you’ve ever met?”

He shook his head
, his brows furrowed. “No, come to think of it, you don’t.”

She smiled
her satisfaction. “Exactly.” She stepped into the office, and he followed.

“Lexi, Mr. Hathaway.” Sara was seated in front of the
director. “Please come in.”

Lexi winked at Sara. “Sir, I apologize for my recent outburst, but I think that Mr. Hathaway and I have
come to a mutual understanding on how to proceed with our case.”

He gestured to the chair. “I’m not sure how that’s possible, but proceed.”

“I understand you might think this is unreasonable, but I know in my heart that Catherine would do it for me.” She glanced at Trip. “I offered, and you denied my request to take over the investigation.”

He nodded in agreement. “I did.”

“But what you failed to realize is that I’m willing to go to any length to find Catherine and nail whoever is involved in her disappearance.”

He crossed his arms over his chest
, and the planes of his face hardened. “I’m not sure I like where this is going, Lexi.”

She shrugged
nonchalantly but still wished she had his approval. “No disrespect, sir, but I’m not sure that matters anymore.” She cleared her throat. “Trip Hathaway has offered me the opportunity and means to enter his circle of family and friends. I’ll have complete access to everything Catherine was working on, and I’m confident that I can expedite the search for our answers.”

The
director turned a questioning look to Trip. “What did you do? Offer her a job?”

Trip’s face remained neutral
. No hint of redness clouded his cheeks and no playboy twinkle appeared in his eyes. No, she was seeing his business face for the first time, and she was impressed. “No, sir. I asked her to marry me.”

Sara gasped
, and the director rose so fast out of his chair that it rammed into the wall behind him. “Absolutely not.” He placed his palms on the desk and turned his fatherly gaze to her. “I understand that you want to help, but you can’t be serious.”

She shook her head. “
No other way will be as quick or effective.” She glanced at Trip. “Mr. Hathaway and I have worked out the arrangements, and we both understand and agree that it’s only temporary while we work together.” She crinkled her nose. “It’s more like a business arrangement that will terminate upon the completion of my case.”

The
director raised a brow and shot Trip an accusing look. “You would seriously take advantage of this situation? I underestimated you, Hathaway.”

He vehemently shook his head. “No
, sir, I plan to be a complete gentleman. I respect Ms. Carrington’s determination and want to help her find her friend and, hopefully, she can catch the thief in the process.” He held the director’s gaze. “I know time isn’t on your side finding Catherine. I’m only trying to help.”

Hours later, and exhausted from going over the details about her new case, Lexi pulled out of the FBI parking garage. She was amazed that she still had her job and that the director had agreed for Sara and Garrett to join her bodyguard detail. She was now going to the one place she hadn’t expected to visit in at least another year. A message from her attorney confirmed that Trip had indeed followed through on his promise to produce the required paperwork that would give them both peace of mind.

Lexi slowed down at the guarded gate as the iron doors slid open. She winked to the guard on duty
and pulled up in front of the house where she’d grown up. A place she’d tried her best to avoid. A long time ago, she’d accepted that she didn’t fit in with the circles her family ran in. She wasn’t debutante material. If anything, she was a tomboy at heart. Keeping her dresses clean and her hair brushed when she’d been little had always been a challenge for the nannies assigned to turn her into a little lady. The memories assaulted her full force, like those of a forgotten friend, as she stepped out of her car.

Jonathan stepped down off the steps
to retrieve her bags, out of the trunk, just as she pulled them out herself. “I’ve got this.”

“Ms. Carrington, if you continue to do my job, I may just have to quit.”

Lexi set the bag at her feet and pulled the old man into an embrace. The fragrance of his cologne drifted to her nose, the same cologne she’d given him years before as a birthday present. “Jonathan, you know you’re the only reason I come back. If you quit, there would be no reason for me to return.”

Reaching down and picking up the bag,
Jonathan carried it up the steps and through the open door. “We couldn’t have that now, could we?”

Lexi patted him on his back as she passed
, heading for the kitchen. “Nope, it would be all your fault, old man.”

Jonathan stepped in front of
Lexi’s path. “Where are you going?”

She pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
“To get some coffee. It’s been a long day.”

He shook hi
s head. “I’ll bring it to you. Mr. Kincaid is waiting for you in the study.” His brow lifted a fraction of an inch, testing her. “You do remember where the study is, don’t you?”

Lexi grinned. Even though she
’d tried to stay away as much as possible, she sure did miss Jonathan’s company and even his snide remarks. “I may have been gone, but I’m not brain dead.”

She spun on her heel
and walked away.

Lexi met Kincaid’s disapproving stare
as she opened the door. She glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. She’d meant to change into appropriate attire, but well, sometimes things just didn’t work out the way she planned. That was a lesson  becoming much more familiar lately. She shrugged and held out her hand. “Mr. Kincaid, it’s lovely to see you again. I apologize for the urgency of this matter, but it couldn’t possibly wait.”

Kincaid gave a slight nod as he
enfolded her hand in both of his and shook. “Alexandria, it’s always a pleasure.”

She snickered
, rounded the desk, and sat in her father’s chair. The word ass-kisser formed in her mind. She remembered the days following her parents’ funeral and how everyone had offered her sympathy with fake smiles on their faces. She gestured for him to sit. “No need for pleasantries, Kincaid. My father trusted you, so I trust you. I know you don’t approve of my lifestyle, and honestly, I’m fine with that, but you are
my
legal counsel, and that’s why you’re here.” She leaned back in the leather chair and tried to soak up any remaining confidence that her dad might have left behind to deal with this unconventional matter. “Did you bring Mr. Hathaway’s papers?”

He pulled the documents from his briefcase and placed
them in front of her. “Ms. Carrington, if I may be so bold, when are you going to stop all of these childish fantasies of cops and robbers and live the life you were born for? Your father built this company for you, so that you could grow up safe and in comfort away from the degenerates and delinquents you put in jail.”

She stopped
flipping through the papers and shot him a glare. “That’s why I keep you around, Kincaid. You aren’t afraid to tell me like it is, and I admire that.” She let the papers fall back in place and leaned back again. She entwined her fingers together in her lap and tilted her head. “However, I don’t pay you for your criticism and condescending tone. My father wouldn’t have put up with it, and I won’t either. If things go my way, I don’t plan on changing my career any time soon. If my choice of employment offends you, I can move my business elsewhere. I’m sure my fiancé’s firm would be interested.”

Kincaid let his gaze drop to his lap as he mulled over his options. The
uncomfortable silence was broken when Jonathan came through the door, pausing to glance between Lexi and Kincaid. He moved forward and set the tea service down on a nearby table, spearing her with a look of disapproval. “I can see by the look on your face that Lexi has already struck a nerve.”

Jonathan handed Kincaid a cup of tea and placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. “Believe it or not, her mother did try to teach her better manners.”

Lexi glared at the old man and then inhaled a deep breath. Her mother had tried her best to make Lexi into a lady, and Lexi was doing her damnedest to ruin all of her mother’s hard work. Sh
e took another deep breath and exhaled as she started flipping back through the documents, forgetting the ultimatum she’d issued. “Jonathan, there aren’t any problems here. Mr. Kincaid and I were just discussing my job.” She drew her gaze from Jonathan to Mr. Kincaid’s passive face and gave a reassuring smile.

Jonathan
made no move to leave. She expected him to start tapping his foot. “Is that so?”

Kincaid straightened
, resuming his rigid posture, a move she imagined he’d learned from previous experience in dealing with difficult people just like her. “I’m afraid she was right. It was rude of me to assume that her employment was menial. I do offer my apologies for anything you might have construed as offensive.”

Lexi
plastered a fake smile on her face. “Lighten up, counselor. It’s been a bad week, and it’s only Wednesday. I apologize for taking it out on you.” 

He
relaxed into the chair, and Jonathan left the room, pulling the door closed behind him. The tension in the air eased after the apologies were made. She flipped open the rest of the paperwork and scanned the prenup and marriage agreement. “Everything in order?”

He nodded. “It looks legitimate. In the
prenup, he states that you keep yours and he keeps his. Anything purchased during the marriage will be split equally, should you so deem it.”

She took her time and read everything
, including the fine print. “Anything in here I need to worry about?”

He shook his head.

“Fine.” She signed her name and handed the prenup back to him. “Make sure you send me back a copy and retain a copy for my file.”

“Yes
, ma’am.”

She flipped open the marriage agreement. “Anything in here seem unusual to you?”

He pointed to the document. “I do suggest you read that one. I highlighted some of the more interesting items for you to review.”

Lexi flipped to the tab and highlighted portions and felt her mouth drop. She rose from the chair. “I need to make a phone call to discuss some of these items. I’ll have Jonathan send it over to you first thing in the morning
.” She pulled the door open. “And, Kincaid, need I remind you that discretion and confidentiality are of the upmost importance?”

He lowered his head.
“As you wish.”

Lexi exten
ded her hand. “Thank you.”

Kincaid left
, and Lexi plopped back down into the leather chair. The familiar scent of leather and spice did little to relax her. She hated acting all stiff and demanding. It wasn’t in her nature, but there were times and situations where life demanded it, and dealing with her counsel was one of them.

She pulled Hathaway’s card from her pocket and dialed the number.

His deep, sleepy voice sent an image of him already in bed and a healthy shiver down her spine. “Don’t tell me you’ve already had a change of heart.”

She
released a deep sigh and closed her eyes, trying hard not to imagine what he looked like in bed. She tightened her grip on the phone.

She
heard the hesitancy and the general concern in his voice as he spoke. “Why are you upset, Lexi?”

She rubbed at her temples. “I’m just going over the contract
, and I have a few issues.”

Trip sighed
. “Did Farthington screw it up? If he did, I’ll fire him. What are your concerns? I’m sure we can work this out.”

She glanced down at the document
, her gaze riveted to the highlighted concerns. “He stated that I’m to have a bank account opened with a yearly deposit of five million dollars.”

“Is that too little?”

She pulled the phone from her ear and looked at it in disbelief. She put the phone back to her ear. “I don’t need your money, Trip. I thought I made that clear today.”

His voice softened
, almost as if he was trying to placate her. “Lexi, my family and outsiders wouldn’t expect anything less. They’re going to expect you to spend it too, and not only that, but they’re going to expect me to lavish you with gifts, so you might as well get prepared.”

When Lexi didn’t respond
, he continued. “Considering I’m not paying you for your work and you’re doing me a favor, just consider it a paycheck for finding out who is stealing from me. Hell, give it to charity if you want to. The point is that you’re already working for it. It’s the least I can do. What else?”

“There is a stipulation about our sleeping arrangements.”

“Lexi, we have to keep up the ruse. Can you imagine what the staff could leak if we didn’t sleep in the same room? We’re going to be a newlywed couple, but if it makes you feel any better, I promise to be a gentleman and not sleep in the nude.” New images appeared behind her closed eyes, and damn, that was a sight she’d like to see. “I’m afraid this point is non-negotiable for appearance sake.”

She shivered
. “I’m exhausted and starting to get a migraine. Good night, Trip.”

“Do I n
eed to send over my physician?”

She groaned
. “That’s not necessary. Good night.”

She hung up
the phone, silently cursing how she was letting herself get sucked right back into the very world she despised. Every muscle in her body was strung tight. A knock sounded on the door. “Lexi?”

“Come in
, Jonathan.”

“Is everything okay?
”  Jonathan took a seat opposite hers. “Okay, kiddo, you’ve got some explaining to do.”

Lexi leaned back into her
father’s soft leather chair and tried to hold back the tears as she told Jonathan all about what had happened over the last few days. About Catherine’s disappearance, about Trip, about almost walking out on her job. It seemed like everything in her life was falling apart, and she didn’t know how to stop the downward spiral. She felt Jonathan’s genuine love and concern pouring off of him in waves. She mentioned what had happened to Catherine and the plan she’d concocted for finding Catherine’s assailant. Jonathan wasn’t too happy about it, but at least he was supportive. She tried extra hard to put up a tough façade, but with Jonathan, she didn’t have to pretend. He knew her better than she even knew herself.

“Marco will be expecting your call tomorrow. Why don’t you get some rest,
Lexi? You sure look like you could use it.”

“Good night
, Jonathan.”

She patted his shoulder as she left
then made her way to her room. When she eased under the covers in her king-sized bed, she let exhaustion pull her under.