Conviction (A Stand-alone Novel): A Bad Boy Romance Read Online Free Page B

out.
    Jace laughed. "David's been questioning me about that for years. But, no, I hired Autumn for her excellent skills."
    I looked at David who puffed out his thin chest. "It’s pronounced that way, but there’s actually an ‘e’ on the end. Rook, without the ‘e’ is another word for raven, like on my family crest."
    A family crest, for god's sake. The man was all image and no substance. He would have been crumpled up and thrown away inside. The words 'business manager' finally registered, and I could not hide the frown on my face.
    David adjusted his heavy, expensive watch. "So, Ayden, now that you're, um, here, I'm sure you've got lots of plans for yourself."
    Well, that answered the question of whether or not Jace had filled in everyone about my past. "For myself, yes," I said.
    "Of course he does and the first step is working for me." Jace put one meaty hand on both our shoulders. "Ayden is my new VP of Business Development."
    "I'm sorry, you're what? We were just talking about how efficient my office is." David tugged his suit coat down over his rounded stomach. "Since when are you hiring more people? I thought we wanted to stay lean."
    "Last time I checked, I was in charge of hiring. Ayden's the new VP of Business Development." Jace squeezed our shoulders.
    David winced. "What does that mean? What exactly will he be doing?"
    "Developing business," I said.
    It was a bad habit, but it had been ingrained in me to put men in their place. David Rooke struck me as the kind of man that was always grasping, climbing, and trying to scramble over others to get what he wanted. More shiny suits and big watches.
    Jace was constantly targeted by men like David Rooke. The social climbers in school clung to him, and I had watched his unsuccessful teammates hang on his fame. He had always been the one that others used: talented, jovial, larger than life, and happy to help. I did not want to jump into business with David, but I wanted to protect Jace.
    The funny thing is I got the exact same vibe from David. He was measuring me. When he could not get a good read, he bit his lip.
    I know what I looked like. An ex-con from Jace's wild child days. I'd reappeared when he was rich and famous, and here I was all set up with a job title. The wary look in Autumn Bishop’s had said it all as well. I looked like a parasite.
    Jace laughed and dropped his hands. "Don't worry, David. We'll get the business sorted. We always do. You'll make a good team. Trust me."
    "Well, business is all about trust," David quipped. "How about you tell me some of your plans and projections?"
    "Slow down, honey, we just met," I drawled. "You'll have plenty of time to peek up my skirt on our second date."
    "See? Didn't I tell you he was the best?" Jace asked. He clapped his hands and finished the conversation.
    When he did not get to hear anymore, David checked his watch again and pretended to be late. "Jace, I'll call you first thing in the morning and let you know how the meeting went. Did you find that contract?"
    "I'm going to look for it now," Jace groaned. He led the way to the door.
    David straightened his bright tie and took off in the opposite direction. I stood in the doorway directly under the aquarium and did not move. The dark shadow of a shark passed over my head.
    "Yeah, I know. You don't like him. But it's business, Ayden. That's the way it looks," Jace said.
    "It’s not him. I don't like him, but it’s not him. VP of Business Development?" I asked. "That's not happening. I'm going to do this right. First thing I'm going to do is check in with my parole officer, and then I'm going to get a real job."
    "It is a real job, or it will be as soon as Autumn draws up the contract," Jace declared. "Now, come on, it’s my ass if I don't find that contract."
    "Your assistant doesn't do that for you?" I wondered.
    "She put it in my home office before my interior designer decided to start a new project." Jace shook his head and gestured down the hallway.