The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) by Victoria Paige (summer beach reads .TXT) 📕

mind? Although they could have arrested me this last time.”

“To keep you complacent. To find out who else is involved,” Renata said.

“Where is Pierre?” Antonio cut in. “Why isn’t he here?”

Pierre Hudson was part of his management team. The French American was a microbiologist, chemist, and physician. He was the creator of their hit party drug XZite and was now in charge of Anriotech’s research scientists.

Renata’s face hardened. “I haven’t seen him in the past week. You know he isn’t happy about you putting his whole team under scrutiny this past year.”

“Pierre was the one who gave Claudette the virus pearls that started this whole mess.”

“Now, back up a minute, Antonio,” his childhood friend snapped. “He gave you the names of everyone who bore the chain of custody of that briefcase. Is it his fault that the Paris police couldn’t solve the murder of the last courier who had it? Obviously, it was stolen and replaced.”

Antonio clenched his jaw. “You shouldn’t have put Claudette up to it.”

“She asked me for help,” Renata said. “I mean, why would she think we’d still need her to find new distributors for XZite when we own the Ponce-Neto routes.”

“You know how Claudette was,” Antonio sighed. “She always wanted to get us new business.”

Renata raised a brow. “Because she knew your interest was waning.”

He didn’t answer. He merely sat, contemplating the brandy in his glass. Antonio shouldn’t have let his relationship with Claudette last as long as it did. He’d known the blonde for two years and finally gave in to the convenience of having her by his side in the past year. But the convenience didn’t last long and it started to get uncomfortable when Claudette started dropping hints of cementing their partnership into something more permanent.

“I don’t think she knowingly carried the virus pearls,” Renata added.

“Agreed.”

“Pierre clearly is feeling demoralized by this lack of trust,” Luis interjected. “So, don’t blame him for not jumping on your summons.”

Antonio narrowed his eyes at his old friend. “I’m gone for a month and all of you are ganging up on me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, minha amigo,” Luis said. “We know you don’t exactly trust your own people which was why you were hellbent on finding this virologist. So, can we address our current problem? Dr. Bennett?”

“I don’t see her as a problem,” Antonio shot back. And Luis was wrong, he trusted him implicitly. As for Renata, he trusted her to a certain extent, but Antonio was wary of her weird relationship with Pierre which could influence her loyalties. But he was in no mood to pander to their hurt feelings. “The purpose of this meeting isn’t to discuss this virus. I want the current status of the clinical trials for our new products. The announcement is this Saturday.”

Renata made a disgruntled sound at the back of her throat, eyed Antonio with displeasure at his insistence to change the subject, before giving in to what he asked. “The ADgen is on track. The results are better than the current market leader.” ADgen was their new drug to battle COPD.

“And the glucose monitor?” Antonio asked.

“GLUmetrx needs a few adjustments.” It was Luis who answered. “Our engineer said it’s minor and we can go ahead and announce it in our unveiling.”

“Excellent,” Antonio said with satisfaction. At least no hiccups on that front. Looking at Renata, he asked, “How about our guest list?”

“Most of the health officials involved in the SUS have RSVPed,” Renata said. The SUS was Brazil’s universal healthcare system. “We’re also flying in some Chinese investors who want to be distributors for the glucose monitor. So, you see, Antonio, nothing is falling apart. So why don’t you tell us why you’re hiding Dr. Bennett from us?”

“She doesn’t concern you.”

The two occupants in his room exchanged glances. “Is that why you have Nico on a secret mission?”

At this, Antonio gave a mysterious smile. Let them be on pins and needles for a while. Nico worked for their company’s IT department, but Antonio had conscripted the hacking whiz to work for him exclusively these past few months.

Antonio caught movement in the slightly open door to his office. “You’re mistaken in thinking I’m hiding Dr. Bennett, especially since she’s agreeing to work with us.” He raised his voice. “Right, Doctor?”

Oscar pushed open the door and the doctor stepped in. Antonio frowned at what she was wearing. Stiff jeans and a lacy crochet top that would have looked better on a grandmother instead of a thirty-year-old blond woman. White only made her paler. Also, she needed some time on the beach.

Renata’s lips were twitching. His friend was up to her tricks again.

“The clothes look good on you,” Renata purred.

“Yes, thank you,” Dr. Bennett smiled widely. “They fit perfectly.”

He doubted that was his unwilling guest’s honest sentiment, but he would deal with Renata later.

Luis coughed, removed his glasses and started cleaning them. Oscar looked like he wanted to leave the room.

“I could hardly agree to help you when you locked me in the room,” she said.

And Antonio immediately felt like a hypocrite. How could he be critical of Renata’s treatment of their guest, when he himself was doing so much worse? Naturally his friend would follow his lead. “If you promise not to try to escape …”

“You think I’m stupid enough to attempt escape with your guards carrying assault rifles?”

“Sometimes smart people do the most idiotic things. Besides, I don’t want to take you to the hospital.”

The doctor raised a brow. “Too many questions would be asked?”

“I don’t trust hospitals.”

“Your business is healthcare.”

Antonio emitted a derisive chuckle. “Now, why do you think that is?”

Dr. Bennett ignored his leading statement and turned her attention to Luis. “You seem like a nice guy. Do you condone this forced servitude?”

“I’m the wrong man to ask.” Luis continued polishing his spectacles. “We live by a code—Antonio, Renata, and I.”

His mentor could be scary if he wanted to be. Antonio wasn’t sure he wanted him intimidating the doctor, but he couldn’t step in right now and show