Engaged with the Boss

“I have too much to do to take off that early.”

“You need time to find a new dress. Natalie will help you.” He fished in his pocket for his wallet and withdrew a credit card. “You can use this.”

Jolie’s hands shot up. “No, really, I don’t need a new dress.”

“You do for tonight. It’s a special occasion. We’ll be attending the gala for the St. Louis Children’s Hospital.”

“I can wear the dress I wore to the company Christmas party,” she insisted.

“No.” Devin loved the mutinous expression on her face and wanted to kiss it off. But with his uncle, brother and sister watching, he held back, holding to the firm older brother and CEO persona. “You will buy a new dress.” Devin pressed the credit card into her hand and curled her fingers around it. “And while you’re at it, some new shoes. We’re announcing our engagement to the city at the gala.”

Jolie opened her mouth to protest, then shut it.

Devin almost laughed out loud. “What is it you always say?”

Jolie sighed. “Stop finding reasons not to and start finding reasons to.” She scowled for a moment, then a smile curved her lips, making the entire office light up. “You’re absolutely right. I think I’ll take the rest of the day off. Finding the right dress could prove challenging.” She turned to Natalie. “Can you spare the afternoon?”

“I don’t know. Devin has my proposal for the advertising campaign. I believe Jolie delivered it last night. Or had you forgotten?” Natalie cocked an eyebrow at her brother. “Until you review it, I’m at loose ends. If you need me, I’ll be out with your fiancée.” She flung her hair over her shoulder, hooked her elbow through Jolie’s and tugged her toward the door. “Come on, sister. We have some power shopping to do.”

Devin’s gaze followed them through the door, the scent of Jolie’s perfume lingering in the air, reminding him of the hours they’d spent in his bed. Hell, his sheets still smelled of Jolie.

“If you two will excuse me, I have to prepare for the gala, as well. We’re making a sizable donation to the hospital and I need to make sure Accounting has written the check.” Uncle Craig stuck his hand out. “Congratulations, son.”

Devin took his uncle’s hand and was pulled into a bear hug.

Guilt gnawed at his insides. How could he lie to the people he loved about a matter like an engagement? But for their own protection, it had to be that way. “Thanks, Uncle.”

As soon as the door closed behind his uncle, Devin braced himself for his brother’s inquisition.

“Why?” Ash started.

Devin turned away from his brother and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the St. Louis skyline. The arch gleamed white in the morning sun, like a beacon of hope under the weight of the resurgence of the case of the Christmas Eve Murders. “I would think it obvious. We’re in love.”

Devin marveled at how easily the lie rolled off his lips. Not that he couldn’t fall in love with Jolie. After last night, he truly believed he could. Why he hadn’t seen it earlier was a mystery to him. Still, his responsibility to his family came first. His own desires had always gone on the back burner.

“As much as we all love and appreciate everything Jolie has done for you, I feel that the media is pushing you into this farce of an engagement.”

Devin looked back over his shoulder. “Ash, have you ever known anyone to push me into doing something I didn’t want to?”

Ash sighed. “No.”

“Then leave it at that. Jolie and I are getting married. We make the news public tonight.”

Ash dug his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “At the very least, your engagement will lay the wagging tongues to rest.”

Devin nodded. “Any new forensic evidence surface?”

Ash shook his head. “You’re changing the subject.”

“No, the previous conversation was over.”

Ash’s lips twisted and then turned up in a smile. “Rachel and I have gone over and over the evidence remaining from twenty years ago. We’ve got nothing. No new matches have surfaced on the DNA in the National DNA Database. Which only tells us that whoever murdered our parents hasn’t been convicted of another crime.”

“Why would someone come after us now, when they’ve been safely hidden for all these years?”

“Could be a couple of reasons.” Ash paced the carpeted floor. “The exoneration of the man originally charged with the murders could have shaken the real killer. He might want to eliminate all those who give a damn about our parents. He could be operating under the assumption that if no one is monitoring the case, it will grow cold again.”

“Or it could be someone hoping to use the past murders as a cover.”

Ash stopped pacing. “I’d thought of that, which is part of the reason I’m here today. I’m compiling a list of all those who hate the Kendalls and want us dead.”

“That might take a while.” Devin’s lips twisted. “Anytime you own a big corporation, you’re going to piss someone off.”

“Start with disgruntled ex-employees. Work the inside first and anyone you might have fired in the past year. The reopening of the murder investigation gives someone an opportunity to hide behind an existing killer.”

“I’ll get Jolie on it.” Devin reached for the intercom button on his phone.

His brother smiled. “Afraid that won’t work.”

Devin snatched his hand away. “Oh, yeah. She’s shopping.” He frowned. “How the hell am I supposed to function without her in the office?” he grumbled, staring down at his desk as if it was a foreign object.