Bennett barged in without knocking less than a minute after Kensi left the room, dressed in a perfectly tailored blue suit and oozing superiority. He walked across the room like he owned it.
"Marty, I'm glad you're in," he said, taking the seat Kensi had recently vacated. "That woman at the main desk tried to tell me you were in the middle of a conference. You really should have a talk with her."
Deeks felt his cheek twitch slightly at Forthright's insulting tone towards the secretary in question, and his assumption that he had any say about their employees.
"And good afternoon to you, too, Bennett. You have to admit this was a little unexpected," Deeks observed wryly. "Fortunately, I just finished up when Louisa called. "Now what can I do for you?"
"I have a slight issue with one of my more minor business partners." Bennett rolled his eyes, examining his manicured nails as though the topic bored him. "He's threatening to sue me, and I need it to go away."
"You know, your life would be a lot easier if you stuck with contracts I draw up for you," Deeks pointed out as he grabbed a legal pad, and Forthright laughed, not offended by his mild admonishment.
"Oh, but there's no fun in that, Marty," he said lazily. "Besides, it keeps you in business."
"That it does," he agreed. Though Bennett had no idea a good portion of his money went directly to homeless shelters and a variety of charities. "Alright, what was the breach of contract this time?"
"Marty, I-" Kensi said, walking in with perfect timing. She broke of, feigning embarrassment as she caught sight of Bennett. "Oh, I didn't realize you had someone-I'll come back later, Mr. Deeks."
Bennett's eyes ran over Kensi, clearly taking in her smeared makeup and unbuttoned shirt. Turning to Deeks, his mouth widened in a delighted grin.
"Marty, who's this?"
"This is Natalie Capon, my new assistant." He allowed a half-grimace as Kensi stood in the doorway, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Natalie, meet Mr. Bennett Forthright, one of our very loyal clients."
"I'm so sorry, Sir," she apologized, quickly fixing her shirt and attempting to straighten her hair. Deeks silently applauded her performance; Bennett was eating it up. "I didn't realize you were in here and I promise won't interrupt again."
"It's alright, Natalie," Deeks assured her as Bennett gave him another knowing look. He'd put the pieces together just as they hoped and clearly he was delighted by their combined discomfort.
"So I see you convinced her to join you after all," he commented.
"I had some good incentives." Shrugging, Deeks winked at Kensi, who gave him a warning look.
"Well, I can't say I blame you," Bennett said. "I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off her either." He gestured to the chair beside him. "Join us, Natalie. I want to hear all about how you and Marty met. He's always been extremely reticent about his private life."
"Oh, I couldn't," Kensi said, shaking her head quickly. "I'm sure you and Mr. Deeks have important business matters to discuss, and I have several depositions to type up."
"No, I insist, Ms. Capon." Bennett kept his voice light, but there was a hard glint in his eyes. After a moment of hesitation, Kensi joined them, sliding into the other cushioned chairs opposite Deeks' desk.
Bennett watched her every move with an undisguised interest that made Deeks' skin crawl.
"I don't really think there's much to tell," Kensi said, crossing her legs so the hem of her skirt rose a couple inches. "I met Mr. Deeks while he was trying a case against my former employer, and he mentioned he need a new assistant. It took a little bartering, but eventually I realized that moving to LA was exactly what I needed."
"I can't imagine that took very long."
"Actually, Natalie runs a hard bargain," Deeks countered, letting a note of pride creep into his voice. "I'm lucky I got to keep my office in the deal."
"Well, I do spend most of my time around lawyers, so it follows that I'd pick up a few things." She addressed the last part to Deeks, her smile suggestive as she caught his eyes. The smile they shared didn't escape Bennett.
"I'm seeing a whole new side to you, Marty," he observed, lounging back in his seat. "You'll have to bring her along to my next dinner. Say Wednesday?"
"That's very kind of you, Mr. Forthright, but I don't want to intrude."
"Oh, it's never an intrusion when there's a gorgeous woman involved. Besides, I'll take any opportunity to learn more about our secretive friend here."
"Alright, enough prying, Forthright," Deeks interrupted, glancing at his watch. "I have another appointment in half an hour, so we better get down to business."
Challenging Bennett's control was always a tenuous thing, but Deeks was counting on that. If he felt he was in control, or on the flip side, felt he had something to hold over Deeks, he'd be far less suspicious.
"Fine, but I'll expect you both at dinner, Marty." He reached over and rested his hand briefly on Kensi's shoulder. "I look forward to further discussion with you, Ms. Capon."
Accepting that she was affectively dismissed, Kensi offered Bennett a final smile then slowly walked back towards her office door, heels making a dull thud with each step.
"Ahem," Deeks said, drawing the other man's attention away from Kensi's legs. Instead of appearing ashamed of being caught, he merely crossed one leg, grin widening into something fairly lecherous. He shook his head, the gesture almost playful. The man loved an opportunity to gloat, to hold information over another person whenever possible.
"I have to say, Marty, I'm impressed. I didn't think you would actually be bold enough to bring your mistress into the office. That takes balls, Marty."
"She happens to be an excellent assistant." Deeks didn't have to fake the tightness in his voice. Even if it played to their benefit, he didn't enjoy the way Bennett stared at Kensi. He was the kind of man who would have zero difficulty coercing a subordinate into fulfilling his wishes.
"Oh, I have no doubt," Bennett agreed. "And I'm sure she has many other…talents as well. Now, what are you going to do to make my little problem go away?"
Kensi returned to her office, immediate shuddering once she closed the door. She felt like she needed a shower after just a few minutes in Bennett Forthright's presence; she didn't know how Deeks managed to spend entire evenings with him.
For someone who'd never received any formal training, Deeks was amazing undercover. She'd known he had a certain level of skills to maintain his connection, but it was an entirely different thing to see him in action. Kensi had worked with seasoned agents who didn't have his instincts.
She'd managed to text Nell a coded update and fix her makeup and hair before there was a familiar knock on the door and Deeks walked through. He rolled his head a couple times, sighing.
"Have I ever mentioned how much I do not like that man?" he asked, leaning against the door. Closing the space between them, Kensi wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into chest.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, lifting her head to kiss his cheek. She brushed his hair back from his forehead, seeing how much the interaction had cost him.
"What about you? Are you ok?"
"Yeah." She paused a moment to make certain it was true. "I've definitely dealt with worse."
"If that was supposed to make me feel better, it absolutely did not," Deeks commented, squinting down at her.
"I'm fine, Baby," Kensi reassured him. "Especially since I have you by my side." She gave him a final squeeze before easing back. "You made the right call with how we played this. He ate it up and didn't suspect a thing."
"Well, I hope so. He's an ass and full of himself, but Bennett didn't get where he is by being an idiot. We still need to approach this carefully," he cautioned her. "If he gets at all suspicious, he'll shut us down at the very least."
"I know, we'll be careful. We've got this, Deeks."
Her phone buzzed on her desk, and she leaned over to grab it, answering when she saw it was from OPS.
"Hey Nell, did you get my text?" she asked.
"Yeah. But that's not why I'm calling," Nell said quickly. "Aaron Kingsley contacted Forthright shortly after he left the law firm about an outgoing shipment. You guys need to get to the boat shed now."