Expert indeed. Caroline swallowed hard. “Fine.”
Jonah winked. “I hope you found everything to your satisfaction Friday night.”
Her smile was so stiff that she thought it might crack. “Just swell, thanks.”
“Excellent.” After a beat, he looked back at Oliver. “Anywhere from fifteen to twenty thousand customers per month. We entertain men and women from all those cities you mentioned and more.” He shrugged one shoulder. “Some are traveling for business. Others fly to New York simply to attend Serve. The numbers are growing steadily.”
“Fifteen to twenty thou—” Oliver shook his head. “Fewer people buy Preston’s.”
She could sense all three men staring at her. “I know the numbers.”
A shadow crossed Jonah’s face. “I would argue that Serve’s vetting process is stricter than that of most Fortune 500 companies who grace the pages of your magazine. Criminal history checks, interviews, even health records if I feel a client’s desired activity calls for it.” He rubbed a thumb over his bottom lip. “All that in addition to constant surveillance and more security than is required by law. Are you writing all this down? I’d hate you to leave it out of your story.”
Oliver sat forward, interrupting her view of Jonah. “My sister is always thorough. She has earned her reputation the hard way, just like all of us.” Her brother looked faraway for a moment before he returned his attention to her. “Listen to what they’re telling us, Ro. We have no other option.”
Not true. Well, not entirely true. Caroline happened to have an emergency chute stuffed in her back pocket. One that she had been carefully cultivating through endless hours of work. One that could save Preston’s and gain them a new dose of relevancy. She’d become aware of the potential story through one of her most trusted sources two months ago. This source had brought her enough information to arouse her suspicion that a well-respected Wall Street investment banker by the name of Joseph Kimble was running an intricate Ponzi scheme. One that could bankrupt thousands of people nationwide. As far as Caroline knew, she and her source were the only two living souls who shared this belief, and she’d been quietly digging for the truth nonstop. Visiting old employees of Kimble, investigating his past business dealings.
If Caroline could break this story within the next two weeks, her article would earn Preston’s the notoriety they needed to pull through. It would mean paid televised interviews, new advertisers, and above all, esteem in the journalistic community. Even after her promised feature about Serve. Not to mention it would garner her father’s respect. It would make him proud of her and save the publication in one fell swoop. She couldn’t mention it to Oliver, however. Not until she was sure. Not until the words that would go to press had been written and verified ten times over.
“Ro?”
Her head jerked up, upsetting her glasses. She steadied them on her nose, pretending not to sense Jonah’s amusement. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
“And?”
Caroline stood. Asher and her brother followed suit, but Jonah remained seated. “I, um…I need to think it over. I’m definitely not ready to commit at this point, though.”
“We need a decision soon.” Oliver pushed a frustrated hand through his hair. “Asher’s company is growing, and he wants to take us with him. Don’t let the clock run out.”
She nodded once. “If we’re finished here?”
Oliver fell back into his chair. “Asher and I have more to discuss.”
“Fine.” Caroline flicked a nervous glance at Jonah. Leaving him alone in the room with her brother was at the bottom of her list, but it appeared she didn’t have a choice. Praying he wouldn’t reveal her secret, she turned to leave just as Jonah rose from his chair.
“Which way to the restroom?”
“Down the hall to the right, next to Caroline’s office.” Oliver gave her a half smile, probably trying his best not to hate her guts. “Can you show him?”
Her heart pounded loudly in her ears. “S-sure.”
Jonah followed her from the room.
Chapter Six
Jonah stepped past Caroline into her office. They hadn’t wasted a moment pretending he honestly needed a trip to the bathroom. God, he found a woman who knew when to pick her battles refreshing. Even in the meeting with her brother and Asher, she’d been concise and honest about her opinions without appearing the least bit condescending. She kept her emotions well hidden, but he’d seen how badly she wanted to make her brother happy. At one point during the meeting, she’d seemed to be in physical pain over disappointing him, successfully tapping Jonah’s protective instincts. He’d seen her distress and wanted to do away with it. Even as she spoke openly about her dislike of his chosen lifestyle, it still hadn’t swayed him.