I nodded.
Her eyes darted up to mine. “You’re it.”
I tipped my head to the side. “I’m what?”
She blinked rapidly. “I literally ran right into the answer to my problem.” Her phone rang in her purse, and she pulled it out. A frown crossed her mouth. “Oh, shoot. I need to go.” She fished around in her purse and pulled out a card. “I’m me.” She shook her head. “I mean, that’s me. Can you call me?”
“Call you?” I asked. This was a first.
“Yes, please. I really need you to.” She pointed to the card. “Call my cell. I’ll answer whenever you call. Promise.”
“Babe,” I chuckled. “I’m not sure what is going on right now.”
“Call me, and I’ll explain everything. I need help, and I think you are just the man who can help.” She pulled out of my arms and ducked around me. “I need to go, but please call me,” she pleaded over her shoulder. She dashed out of the bathroom and turned the corner, back to the ballroom.
I spun on my heel and watched her duck back into the ballroom.
What in the hell just happened? I looked down at her card and grimaced.
Hannah Mitcham
Head of Accounting
Mitcham Metals
I flipped the card over and saw her office number and her cell phone number.
Who the hell was Hannah Mitcham, and why did she think she needed my help? I assumed she was related somehow to the late Hal Mitcham, but how? It was hard to believe that she was related to the Ice Princess.
Nessa Mitcham was all icy glares and cold-hearted. Hannah Mitcham, who I had just held in my arms, was anything but cold or icy.
Even though we didn’t know each other, her eyes had been warm and inviting, and when she had told me she needed my help, I could feel that she meant it.
Literally one minute in the woman’s presence, and it felt like I had known her for a lot longer. She had thoroughly confused me, but it had been a pleasant experience.
I flipped the card in my fingers.
And there was going to be more.
*
Chapter Five
Hannah
“Where were you?” Nessa hissed.
I slipped behind the curtain and pasted a smile on my face. “I had to pee.”
Marcus rolled his eyes and scoffed. “Just a vision of sophistication.”
I glanced at him and tried not to let my feelings be hurt. “Sorry. I mean, I had to use the powder room.” There, was that better? And who was he to talk about sophistication? The last words I had heard come out of his mouth had been about running drugs for Blanche Halo. That was not sophistication in my book.
“Whatever,” Nessa scowled. “It doesn’t matter. We need to get out there.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me to her side. “It’s time for me to give my speech.”
I looked down at our clasped hands and frowned. I wished we were actually this close. All afternoon as I had gotten my hair done and dressed, the only thing I could think about was Nessa and the huge mess she might be in. And she didn’t want to tell me about it.
“Are you sure you need me out there?” I asked. “I’m just from accounting.”
“That’s what I said,” Marcus muttered.
Nessa glanced over her shoulder at him. “She’s my sister,” she hissed. “And you are part of this company, too.”
I was, but I wasn’t the head of the company like she was. A few hours ago, I did not know everything I should about the company.
Like we were running drugs!
Marcus stood on the other side of Nessa and pasted a fake smile on his face. At least I knew it was fake. I was sure everyone else would fall for it.
“Okay,” Nessa called.
The curtain in front of us opened, and the three of us stepped forward. Marcus moved to the microphone and cleared his throat.
I was never much of a fan of the man, but after hearing the way he talked to Nessa this afternoon, I didn’t like him one bit. He had said he was the one who had contacted Blanche Halo, so as far as I could understand, he was the person who had gotten Nessa and Mitcham Metals into trouble.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he called. “Thank you all so much for being here tonight. A night that we have all been waiting for.” He glanced over at Nessa and smiled. “A night that although we are glad to see, we did not think that it would happen so soon.”
Nessa took a deep breath and squeezed my hand.
“You’ll be great,” I whispered. I was mad at her for reasons I didn’t understand, but she was still my sister. Whatever mess she had gotten herself into, I knew we could get her out.
She glanced at me. “I hope.”
Me, too.
“Hal and Gretchen left this earth far too soon, but they at least left behind their daughters who are ready and willing to continue with the Mitcham Metals values and way of life. Most importantly, Nessa, who is now the president and owner of Mitcham Metals.”
A round of applause went up, and I clapped along.
Nessa gave a slight bow and pressed her hand to her mouth. She wore a periwinkle gown that sinched her waist and bowed out to her matching heels. Her blonde, silvery hair was braided, and it curved over her shoulder and down to her waist.
She looked like the epitome of elegance and power.
I, well, I looked like her complete opposite and probably someone who would only ever be the head of accounting.
I guess we both fit our parts perfectly.
“I am more than honored to present to you, Nessa Mitcham.” Marcus stepped to the side and swung his arm toward Nessa.
Nessa stepped up to the microphone and bowed and nodded until the applause died.
I pasted a perfect indifferent smile on my face and looked out into the crowded ballroom. There were lots of faces I knew, and some that I had never seen before.
I scanned everyone looking for the man, Ice; I had met while trying to sneak in and out of the men’s bathroom.
He had been a member of the VII Knights MC, and the second I saw his vest and patch, an idea had formed in my head.
It wasn’t exactly a well-thought-out plan, but I knew it was my best shot at figuring out and fixing what Nessa was doing.
I couldn’t find Ice anywhere. Maybe he had left when I had given my card.
Giving my phone number to a biker probably wasn’t my most wise decision, but, eh. Would getting a bike club involved in all of this really be the worst thing?
“I first want to say thank you to everyone who came out tonight—my employees who work hard and faithfully for me. I know when my father and mother passed away, their absence left a huge hole in my life and heart. I know you all felt the same. Stepping into my father’s footsteps is terrifying but also exciting because I know the legacy he left with Mitcham Metals is one I intend to carry on for years to come.” Ness carried on as she thanked all of the customers for standing by through the loss and change of hands over to her. She even managed to crack a few jokes and get a rumble of laughter rolling through the crowd.
She was doing great.
I knew she would do great.
And not just tonight.
I knew she would be amazing running Mitcham Metals just like dad had done. So why did she think she needed to start working and doing things like running drugs for some Blanche woman? What had Marcus told her that made her believe things weren’t going to be good?