Read Synergy: New Adult Romantic Suspense (U-District, #1) for Free Online

over the page. He couldn’t do this. He’d known Jade a long time, but he knew little that was pertinent to the situation, not even her address. He called Marge, who proved to be quite helpful, and gripped the pen tight while he filled out what he could.
    When he finished, he stared at the colorful fish in the tank next to him and rested his head against the wall. Gloria will haunt me for eternity if anything happens to Jade. He closed his eyes and tried to relax as his heart slowed.
    “Bryce, how is she?”
    He recognized Bill’s voice immediately. Marge must have called Jade’s parents as soon as he left for the hospital. Bryce stood to meet Jade’s father. “I haven’t heard anything from the doctor yet. She was unconscious when I brought her in. It looks like she hasn’t been eating.”
    “I should have been paying attention,” Grace said to her husband, who squeezed her hand.
    Now that her hair was graying, Grace looked so much like Gloria. She was petite and elegant, with slender hands, high cheekbones, and stunning green eyes. Jade was a reflection of her mother, with the exception of her dark brown hair and unnatural red tips.
    “Gloria shouldn’t have put Jade in this position so early after her death.” Bryce gritted his teeth, regretting the outburst.
    Grace’s eyes were filled with concern. “We pleaded with Mom to change her mind about making her CEO right away. She knew Jade wouldn’t accept the position if too much time went by.”
    “That’s Gloria for you.” Bryce nodded. “Nothing we can do about it now, other than make sure Jade takes care of herself.”
    Bill extended his hand. “We’d appreciate it if you’d keep an eye on her at the office.”
    “Of course.” Bryce shook his hand.
    Great. Now I’m really locked in as Jade’s babysitter.
    Guilt punched him below the ribs as if Kenzie were there to do it for him. How could he be thinking such a thing when Jade’s fragile body had just been lying in his arms? She needed someone to look out for her, someone to care for her. She needed someone who cared, period. She needed someone like… him.
    What the hell? Where was that coming from?
    It was the same need he’d felt earlier, that need to protect her. He didn’t like it, not one bit. Yet… it was still there. Why?
    Jade mattered for some reason. Maybe it was just that he needed to protect his investment. Synergy Technologies was everything to him.
    Yeah, that made a whole lot more sense than some deep primal need to protect her.

 
     
     
CHAPTER 6
     
     
    ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. Jade wished her parents would stop hovering. It wasn’t like she had brain cancer or anything. In fact, the doctor had said her CBC was normal, whatever that was. Other than severe dehydration and low blood sugar, she was fine.
    After taking two days off work, Jade returned on Wednesday. Somehow, she’d avoided Bryce all morning. How could she face him after he’d carried her out of the office in his arms—strong muscular arms with biceps to die for? And his chest, she’d actually laid her cheek against his hard, sculpted chest.
    Reality was much more potent than her fantasies when it came to Bryce. But he was not someone she should be thinking about right now—or ever. He was her employee.
    Although she wasn’t hungry, it was noon already, and she had to take her doctor’s orders seriously so she wouldn’t end up back in the hospital. She finished her Gatorade, closed the contract, and headed out to lunch. There was a McDonalds two blocks south of the building.
    I think I can stomach a vanilla shake and fries. Probably not what the doc had in mind when he prescribed high-caloric foods.
    The last time she’d eaten at a McDonalds was with Dad after ballet class when she was eleven. Mom would not have approved. The first thing Jade noticed when she walked through the door were numerous eyes focused on her. Some she recognized from work.
    Her stomach growled from the smell of fries permeating the