Free Hermes (Frozen Origin #2) by Crystal Dawn

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    “Cherish, most men will take what is offered to them until they find the right woman, a woman like you.” Jack said and he looked sincere, but Cher didn’t look like she was buying it.
    “So you intend to settle down, the white picket fence, 2 and 1/2 kids, and a dog, really Jack? Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying. You can explain your lack of character anyway you want to, but in the end, it’s a deal breaker.”
    Jack wasn’t the only one with a pained look on his face, Hermes knew he had one too. Jack had moved across the room maybe to pull her into his arms but he stepped back when she spoke and Hermes was glad because he knew if Jack touched her he would rip his head off.
    “Fine, Cherish, I understand you don’t believe someone can change, that they can want someone enough to change the way they live for them or feel enough not to ever want anyone else again.”
    “Coming from you, Jack, that’s rich. How many women fell for your charm only to have their heart broken? Can you even remember most of them? Any of them?” Jack flushed and his eyes fell to the floor. Hermes thought he might be ashamed or at least he was giving a good impression of shame. Cherish turned away from him and walked to a chair to sit down and stew.
    “Why did you come here, Cherish? Did you plan to make me want you and turn me down as some kind of petty revenge for my lack of interest when you were younger? Is that what this is all about?” Jack asked angrily.
    “No, I’ve been checking security and I’ve found some serious problems. There’s also the matter of money paying for ghost services and supplies that we aren’t receiving. I was trying to figure out if you were in on it or not. We’ve lost millions through direct costs and I fear that information about our clients has been accessed, with the help of someone on the inside. That, Jack, is why I’m here.”
    Jack moved to a chair and he collapsed into it. His face seemed pale and Hermes noticed his hands were shaking. “I didn’t know, Cherish, but I can’t say I’m surprised. I’m sure Origin planted others to see that I did what they wanted. When I refused, they just had someone else do it.”
    “If I believe that, which I don’t, how would you explain why you never saw what was going on right under your nose?” Cher asked.
    “I suppose things have gone well and everyone seemed to be doing their jobs. This is a billion dollar company with so many accounts, departments, and employees that one person can’t possibly track everything. I have to rely on others to deal with the day to day issues that arise. Someone must have covered their trail carefully for no one else to find what they’ve done.”
    “Someone did find it or I wouldn’t know about it.”
    “How and why didn’t they tell me?”
    “Because they told me! ” She almost yelled it at Jack.
    “Calm down Cherish, we’ll get this straightened out. Now tell me exactly what is happening!” Jack said and he did pull her into his arms but he stepped back when Hermes growled at him.
    Cherish explained what she had found in detail so Jack could see that since her father had died, the discrepancies had increased progressively in time and amount. It was time to put a stop to the financial losses and the security leaks.
    “I assure you, Cherish, I will fix this.” Jack told her.
    Hermes carefully observed the interaction between Cherish and Jack feeling confident that Cher wasn’t attached to Jack. If only she would be attached to him, his dreams would come true. Jack agreed to handle things personally and Cherish agreed to give him a chance. It was time to leave, Cherish and Doc turned to go so Hades and Hermes followed them. They went down to the lobby where Cherish called her driver to pick up Doc and her. Hermes wanted to go with her but he knew it was pointless to ask. She had as little use for him as she had for Jack and she didn’t even know about his recent history.
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