“Thank fucking God it’s Friday,” Dani muttered as she turned down her street. While she’d known the first week would be difficult, this was teetering on disaster—at least by her perception. When she’d left, slinking out a full hour early, Mitchell was on the phone for the fourth time with the testing lab. During the last few days, there had been no additional reports of issues at the Steele site, but she’d been unable to get the reports of horrible deaths out of her mind. She’d researched Steele, even as they existed today, and found nothing to corroborate the roughneck’s accusations. She’d also found little on the man’s sons, other than a marriage announcement for the eldest. Mr. Steele was a political monster and enjoyed being the center of attention, but from everything she could tell, on the up and up.

However, hair continued to stand up on the back of her neck. Someone was lying, hiding the truth. She wasn’t entirely certain Mitchell bought her story. Why should he? The company who’d provided the results were reputable, the best in the industry. Who was she to doubt what was in black and white? She kept going back to her conversation with Garcia Sanchez. The man was genuinely terrified, but of some Indian curse? Christ. This was driving her insane. Her gut insisted Mitchell was the good guy, but given her indiscretions, she wasn’t certain of anything. She was also a piss-poor sleuth or she would have figured out about David and his second life before standing in an expensive white dress.

She rolled toward her house, frowning as she noticed a car in her driveway. When she was able to identify the vehicle, she grinned, swinging in beside the hot red sports car.

Sasha shook her head as she approached, the look on her face one of admonishment.

Dani parked and climbed out of the car, checking her watch. She anticipated receiving a call from her contact in Boston in less than three hours.

“Hot date?” Sasha chided as she closed the distance.

“No, just business.”

“It’s Friday night, well late afternoon anyway. I’ve called you like five times. What gives, girlfriend?”

Grabbing the two bags of groceries out of the passenger side, she gave her friend the evil eye. “I was working. You know, new job and all.” She’d purposely avoided Sasha’s calls, uncertain of how to tell or if she was going to provide any details regarding the trip to El Paso.

Sasha grabbed a bag out of her hand. “How do you like the place? The boss treating you well?” When Dani hesitated, she shook her head. “I heard the press conference. You jumped in with both feet.”

“I guess everybody in Dallas has heard by now.” Dani groaned.

“Honey, everyone in Texas knows everybody’s business, at least of this nature. Mr. Rush looked good on camera.”

Rolling her eyes, she yanked out her keys and headed for the front door. “Too many stories without a glass of wine.”

“Oh, goodie. I love sizzling office stories,” she squealed as she followed closely behind. “Besides, my guess is they are juicier than the dance floor the other night.”

Dani jammed the key into the lock, her thoughts drifting to the heated few hours in the hotel room. She hadn’t required a condom. The ugly rubber piece hadn’t even been considered. She was such a dumb ass. “If I offer you a glass of wine, will you promise not to judge?”

“Judge you? Honey, do I need to drag out some of my naughty girl stories?”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

“Let’s just say I’ve done the rodeo, all the men involved.” Sasha’s laughter floated into the air as she trailed behind Dani.

Gulping, Dani shook her head as she proceeded to unpack the bags. “You are a vixen in heat.”

“You have no idea. Where’s your wine opener? I’m salivating for the Mitchell Rush story.”

“Right hand drawer next to the fridge. I’m serious. If I tell you something, you damn well better keep the secret. Am I clear?” She used her best ‘fuck-with-me-and-die’ voice, even though she was half kidding. Half.

Sasha gulped, the sound exaggerated. “I’m shaking in my big girl boots.”

The expression forced her to gaze at her buddy’s attire. “What do you do again to be able to dress like a call girl on steroids?”

“Ouch.” She grabbed the two bottles of wine from the bag, leaving the other items nestled inside.

Dani shook her head. At least her BFF had her priorities straight. “Glasses are just above the sink.”

“So, tell me about Mr. Rush. I heard he was a bear to work with.” Sasha giggled as she yanked two glasses from the shelf. Giving a sideways glance, she purred. “You did very well in front of the cameras. I could tell the reporters believed in your sincerity.”

“Well, thank God for small favors.”

“I also noticed something else.”

Dani didn’t respond as she slapped the various items into the refrigerator and cabinet. She could tell Sasha had figured out Mitchell’s identity.

“Mr. Rush is that sexy cowboy from the other night. Am I right? I’d know that insanely gorgeous body anywhere.”

“You’re observant and yes. Trust me, the surprise was horrifying. Confession time. Did you know he was from Rush when you forced us together the other night?”

Pop!

Sasha leaned in after opening the wine. “Honey, I didn’t force anything. The way you two were going at it, I thought for certain you’d be sending out wedding invitations by now.” She poured two glasses, her eyes never leaving Dani. “No, I had no idea. The guy was cute and a great dancer. I just wanted you to have a good time. Remember, Mr. Maxum Rush shies away from the camera.”

“The entire situation was uncomfortable.” Dani heard the glitch in her voice. She clenched her pussy muscles as the thought of the amazing night was enough to make her wet.

“Hold on here, you like the guy. Don’t you?”

Dani tossed the bags into the pantry, contemplating her answer.

“Oh, no. You more than like the guy. You slept with him.” Sasha pushed a glass across the counter.

“Ugh.”

“Holy shit. Proud of you, girl,” Sasha said as she swirled the glass. “Only here a week and you have a boyfriend who is worth millions.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend. I have a boss who just happens to be the guy I danced with.”

“And slept with.”

Dani grabbed the wine, taking several sips, then a gulp.

“What has your panties in a bind?”

“I promised myself a long time ago I wouldn’t get involved with a married man or someone I worked with.”

“Is he married?” Sasha asked as she took a sip of wine.

“Not that I know of, but I think he’s involved with the office manager, the girl you know evidently.”

Sasha frowned. “Marisha? Are you certain? I don’t think so. I heard they were definitely no longer an item.”

“I’m not certain of anything. Mitchell said it’s been over, but I get a sense there’s more to this story.”

“Girlfriend, there always is. Marisha is a tough cookie and not looking for a husband. She has her own reasons why. Mitchell is fresh game. You’re here now and trust me, he was all into you the other night. Whew, baby.”

A rush of heat swept through every cell in Dani’s body. “What the hell am I going to do?”

“Uh-oh. You really like this guy. Don’t you?”

“I don’t know. Yes. Maybe. No. Yes.” Dani burst into laughter. “The situation is complicated.”

“Aren’t they all?” Sasha moved closer. “Seriously, what’s the issue here? So, he fucked Marisha. So what? He seemed to be very into you the other night. Maybe he didn’t know you were his employee yet, but so what? Now you can get to know him over a nice dinner. See what you think.”

“That already happened.”

“When?

Dani blinked and hid behind her glass. “When we were in El Paso the other night.”

“El Paso? I missed that part of the press conference.” Sasha coughed as she inched closer. “You have stories to tell, girl. Spill it.”

“Business trip and no, I didn’t expect it. We had to go figure out what was going on with the oil fields out there.”

“Your expertise. That’s why you looked like Wonder Woman the other afternoon.”

“I had no idea what I was doing.” Dani fiddled with the stem of her glass. “And yes, I do like him but I don’t think I can trust him.”

“As if you can trust any man in the world.” Sasha’s laughter was followed by a hiss. “Come on. Lighten up. What could be so bad?”

Dani hesitated before answering. “I think he played me and there’s more.”

“Go on.”

“I don’t think he’s who he pretends to be. I believe he might be hiding behind a story from the past, a horrible deed of some kind. I’m not entirely certain this has to do with the chick from the office either. Hell, I don’t know but my gut has been nauseous since the return from El Paso.”

Sasha narrowed her eyes and eased beside Dani, leaning against the counter. “Look, I do know more about Mr. Rush than you do.”

“And you kept the details from me?”

“Hold on, sugar. Jesus Christ. First of all, I had no idea you were going to meet and fondle him in a bar your first couple of days here. Secondly, there were no big red flags waving as a warning about his business practices. He’s a true man of the people. Mitchell Rush is like Dallas’ first born son for God’s sake. The jobs he’s given to people, and not just those who had a college education like Harvard either, is amazing. He gives to charity, takes time to come to various events, sponsors underprivileged kids and is a true catch. He really took the reins after his father died.”

“So, what’s wrong with him?” The moment she asked the question, she knew Sasha was hiding important details. “BFF of mine. If you want to have another glass of wine, you’re going to tell me the truth.”

Sasha fidgeted, poured a second glass to the rim and walked toward Dani’s back door, slipping outside.

“O-kay.” This was so unlike Sasha’s normal guilt free behavior. What did her bestie know? She took another sip of wine, refilled her glass and followed. When she found Sasha standing in front of a beautiful flower pot that held no flowers, she grew concerned. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Shrugging, she gave Dani a half smile. “I don’t know Mitchell, but I have a friend who does. Zach Goodman, also known as Skybear, has been a friend of mind since high school.”

“Never heard you mention him.” Not that they’d talked about various friends over the phone during the last twenty years.

Sasha grinned. “He’s half Cherokee, half Danish and before you ask, he’s freaking gorgeous. I’d do him in a heartbeat, except he’s more like my buddy than anyone I could sleep with.”

“Imagine that,” Dani teased under her breath.

Popping her friend in the arm, Sasha growled. “No teasing. He’s an attorney, good guy but very spiritual, just not in the traditional sense.”

A cold chill slithered down Dani’s spine as she thought about the men who’d died on the rigs. “Indian. He believes in spirit hosts.”

“Yes. He follows several of the old traditions, while maintaining a white man’s appearance and lifestyle. It’s all very complicated. I usually don’t ask him questions, but I do know that he’s buddies with Mitchell Rush, has been for years.”

“And?” There wasn’t enough wine in the house to dispel her growing fears.

“And,” Sasha said as she licked the rim of her glass. After taking a sip, she donned a smile. A fake smile. “Zach says there is bad juju surrounding Mitchell. Now, I’m not prone to basic bullshit superstition or I wouldn’t have suggested you applying for the job, but he did slip some information that might curtail your nasty thoughts about the man.”

Dani rubbed her eyes. “Bad juju. Great. You couldn’t offer this piece of information before I moved away from everything and anyone I knew? Really?”

“Don’t be angry with me. The bad juju involves a woman, not some criminal activity in his business, goofy. And no, not Marisha. This was a couple years before.”

This she hadn’t expected. “Please don’t tell me he has children.”

“No. God, no. Not like that.”

“Then like what?”

“I’m not certain it’s my place to say,” Sasha said under her breath.

“Either you do or I’ll kill you right here, bloody knife and all.” Dani giggled when her friend seemed to be contemplating. “I’m kidding. Now, you lighten up.”

Sasha groaned then turned toward her. “I don’t know if this is true or why Zach finds it difficult to talk about, but please don’t repeat the information, especially to Mr. Rush. Okay?”

“Scouts honor,” she said as she held up four fingers.

“Nice try, buttercup. I’m serious.”

“Fine. I won’t tell a soul.” What in the world could be so secretive?

“Mitchell had a sister. I was told she died of an invasive cancer, one that could have been prevented. He’s spent the last few years trying to find out why she was left to die all alone, in a hospital for people who had no health insurance and no means of paying for their medical bills. He was living outside of Dallas, something about bad blood with his father. Even Zach didn’t know all the details.”

The information hit Dani like a ton of bricks. “Wait a minute. Mitchell alluded to the fact his family had money, especially since he merged firms with his father’s a few years ago?” The words were said more as a question. Mitchell was hiding behind a mask of steel.

Sasha nodded as she took a sip of wine. “Yeah. He was the golden boy of the family, could do no wrong. I don’t know many details, but what Zach told me one night over too many margaritas is that Mitchell was in discussions with his father about this merger when something occurred, changing everything. Daddy then dragged Mitchell’s sister into the mix, promising her the reins of the company. Then she developed cancer and ended up in a rundown hospital. I don’t know any additional details so don’t ask.”

“That means Mitchell is potentially to blame in a sense for his sister’s death.” Dani was putting two and two together, pieces that were damning as well as horrifying.

“No. I don’t think that’s what happened. Mitchell was the only one there for her. That’s at least according to what Zach said. Something tragic happened in that family and Mitchell’s sister died alone in a dingy and cold place. From what Zach said, Mitchell has never forgiven himself.”

And, why should he? Dani huffed and took a gulp of wine. She was learning to detest the man.

“Dani, didn’t you hear what I said?” Sasha shook her head.

“There’s always a dark secret and I have no doubt Mitchell has more than one.”

“What really happened on this trip? You can confess to your BFF.”

Dani held her breath as vivid images rolled across her field of vision. She licked around the rim of the glass as she remembered the way he kissed, his lips full, his tongue entwining with hers. The way he touched her skin, leaving every inch of her body sizzling, gave her chills even at this moment. She’d never had a man spank her and even the thought was mind blowing. Her thoughts drifted to the radio station for the first time all week. “We shared a moment.”

“You shared his bed.”

Hesitating, she was overcome with the need to share such an amazing moment. “Technically, he shared mine.”

Squealing, Sasha gripped her arm. “I knew it. You can’t fool an old dog. Was he as fabulous as I can imagine he would be?”

“More. He was amazing, authoritative, commanding. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer.” Dani allowed herself to giggle.

“Commanding. We all want a dominating man, don’t we?”

The question caught her off guard. She tipped her head, gawking as the look on her friend’s face became wistful, submissive. “Wait a minute. I thought you were the aggressor in bed.”

Sasha slapped her hand on her hip. “Honey girl, do I need to teach you a thing or two? Women control the daytime, as they well should, but at night… At night men rule, taking not giving, disciplining bad little girls with hard spankings.”

Choking, a stream of wine flew past her lips. She fanned her face as beads of sweat bubbled along every naked surface.

The wicked smile returned as she drew closer to Dani. “So, you do enjoy a taste of a firm hand. I thought so.”

“How…” She doubled over, half coughing, half laughing. “How did you know?”

“You forgot about certain late-night talks starting almost five years ago? I realize we were drinking during the conversations, but do I really need to remind you?”

“Crap.”

“Not crap, acceptance. You’ve accepted you’re a submissive. Utterly fantastic if you ask me. Perhaps you’ve found the right master.” Winking, Sasha swirled her wine glass. “By the way, there’s a syndicated radio show I think you need to listen to.”

“Taken in Hand?” Dani issued the words then cringed.

Her eyes opening wide, Sasha’s mouth twisted as she wrinkled her nose. “You have been one busy girl in only a week. I might have to take pointers from you. Here I thought you were the wallflower type.”

“Funny,” Dani said under her breath.

“True.”

“Okay, I admit it. The show is pretty incredible,” Dani half whispered as she brushed the tips of her fingers across her mouth, envisioning being tied to a bed, whipped for being a bad girl.

“If we’re confessing our sins, then I’ve caught the show several times. The man has a sexy as hell voice and offers some good advice.”

“Yes, he does.” She’d fantasized all week about living the lifestyle, something that would never happen.

“Look at you all red faced and horny,” Sasha said as she laughed. “Honey, don’t be embarrassed. There’s nothing wrong with longing for a rough and tumble guy to take the lead.”

“Wish the guy was local. Mitchell is sexy and commanding but he doesn’t understand women. This guy, Master Gregory, is enthralling, as if he knows the very soul of a woman.”

“Why don’t you call in one day. You never know what might happen.”

Dani snorted. “Right, I’ll call in and offer my submission to a man I don’t know, who lives in an unknown city and see how that works out. I might as well play the lottery.”

“Stranger things have happened, girl. If the show allows you to get in touch with the inner girl, I say go for it.”

Go for it. Sighing, she allowed one last thought about Mitchell. If only he could be the one, a mixture of raw sex appeal laced with a penchant for domination. “We shall see. More wine is indeed in order.” As she walked back into the kitchen, her cell phone buzzed. She stole a glance at the caller and grimaced. Mitchell.

“A hot date?” Sasha teased.

“Just someone from work.” Dani turned off the ringer and placed the phone under some mail. She was going to have a Mitchell free weekend.

* * *

Mitchell entered the secluded restaurant, scanning the perimeter in search of anyone he possibly knew. The crowded eating spot was out of the city limits and certainly not a place he’d frequented before. Zach had selected the location, texting him the address after Mitchell was already on the way. He’d left work thirty minutes early just to avoid traffic. While he wasn’t entirely certain if he’d lost his mind or not, he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. No one was going to back him into a corner.

He weeded through the tables until he found the man sitting in a corner booth, far away from any window. He slid into the booth, acknowledging Zach with a waning smile.

“You look frazzled, my man. What’s going on? Your message sounded urgent,” Zach said as he poured Mitchell a glass of beer from the pitcher.

“You could say that. Sorry for all the clandestine crap,” he said under his breath. He loathed a cat and mouse game of any kind, but given the information Dani had mentioned, he had to be careful.

“I have to admit, you have my curiosity piqued. What’s going on?”

Mitchell took a gulp of beer then leaned over the table, lowering his voice. “Did you ever hear of any deaths occurring at the Steele site?”

Opening his eyes wide, Zach shook his head. “Not that I know of. Why do you ask?”

“Let’s just say one of the workers alluded to the fact, insinuating that given the victims were American Indians, we had something significant to fear.”

“Interesting. I didn’t find anything in the reports or the various paperwork. In fact, everything was very squeaky clean. However, I’ve seen cover-ups like this before.”

“You can see why I came to you.” Mitchell continued to glance around the restaurant.

He exhaled and looked away before answering. “Yeah, I do. You’re beginning to understand my concerns.”

“I just found out about this.”

“Would knowing have changed your mind about the purchase?”

Mitchell shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I would first have tried to find out how and why. The only thing that was mentioned was safety measures being ignored.”

“Who told you this?”

“I think I’m going to keep the informant private for now.” He could tell Zach seemed offended. “Not that I don’t trust you.”

“Safety measures are usually the first budgetary item cut. You believe there may be some dirty dealings out there. I researched as much as I could with the time allowed,” Zach finished.

“I know you did. I had twenty-four hours to decide. The Board was all for the purchase. There are some things not adding up here. Certain holes are supposedly contaminated, which could lead to a permanent shut down of the entire plant.”

“You’re not buying it, are you?”

He allowed the question to settle. He was no longer certain of anything at this point. “Let’s just say everything is too convenient, including the fact new results have yet to come back from a lab I just hired to perform a new set of tests. I paid them twice their going rate and still no test results.”

“Should I be writing any of this down?” Zach asked.

“I don’t want there to be any indication that I’m buying into the reports. The stocks have plummeted. I’m teetering on the edge and if there’s any sort of hint that men died on the rig, even not under my watch, you know as well as I do there will be an investigation.”

“Then you can kiss the new deal goodbye as well as your job.”

“Bingo.” Mitchell took another gulp, his heart racing. He’d investigated, searched, studied files and reports for hours during the last few days. On the surface, everything seemed on the up and up, but his sixth sense told him that he was being played.

“Then we need to get to the bottom of why the information is leaking to the press.”

The words caught him off guard. “I never said any information had been leaked to the press.”

“You’ve had your head in the sand, my friend. All you have to do is turn on the news.”

Mitchell thought about the questions he’d been asked and the fact not a single reporter had bugged him since the event on the steps. He made mental note to check the papers. “Then we have to hit this head on. I want to make certain I have some protection in case the informant’s information is correct. Find out what you can, no matter how deep you have to dig. If men died, I want to know every detail and why this was swept under the rug.”

“I’ll do my best. I’m assuming you’re holding off on the other contract,” Zach half mumbled.

“Obviously, I can’t make that decision just yet. I know I only have a few more days. I should have the test results back then and have a plan of attack ready to go.” If only everything could be that easy. If the Board caught wind of this, there would be no recourse. His thoughts drifted to Dani. She hadn’t heard anything from her contact in Boston and they’d both been on edge by Friday afternoon, barely speaking. Her admission regarding their time together had given him pause.

“I suggest you think long and hard. Enough of my nagging. I think I need to talk with an Elder from the tribe.”

“Do you think they’d have any idea what happened?”

“Maybe. I know many Indians are employed on rigs, but I don’t know of any. I can ask around. All I can do. You and I both know what a story like that will do to the Indian population.”

Mitchell nodded. “I’m surprised any of them are still working at the Steele site.”

Zach gave him a comforting smile. “You need to concentrate on who might be trying to stab you in the back. I’ll work from my end. Keep your ears to the ground. My guess is your informant has a direct hand in any attempt to rock your world.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s all I’ve been thinking about.” Mitchell rubbed his tired eyes. He hadn’t slept more than a couple hours each night and he wasn’t entirely certain the reason had to do with work.

A moment of silence passed between them. When Zach spoke, he couldn’t look Mitchell in the eyes. “What does Camden think about all of this?”

“He doesn’t know everything.”

“You don’t trust your best friends? I’m surprised.”

“This isn’t about not trusting you. I already told you that. I’m nervous, much more so than I’ve ever been. If this thing goes south, I stand a chance of losing everything. I refuse to allow that to happen, but if I do, I’m going to do everything I can to absolve the two of you. The less you know the better.” Mitchell was surprised at the sound of his despair. This wasn’t him. This wasn’t the man who’d taken over a company from a father whose tactics were brutal, unforgiving. He’d been determined to turn the company around, change the future as well as the way employees were treated. Yes, to some he was an arrogant bastard, but only because they didn’t see the man inside, nor would they ever.

Zach nodded several times. “Fine. I do understand your frustration. I’ll see what I can find.”

“I appreciate everything you’re doing.”

“Just be careful. I don’t want to have to draw up papers dissolving the company or worse, seeing it fall into the wrong hands.”

“You and me both.”

After finishing the beer, Mitchell left the restaurant, determined to take a long drive before heading back to the house. As he walked outside, he stood for a moment as his thoughts drifted once again to the lovely new employee. He wanted to see her. More importantly, she needed to understand that he wasn’t the man she’d come to despise. While he might have to open up, share details from his sordid past, he was prepared and ready. He wanted her in his life.

A grin crossed his face as he thought about the spanking. She needed more. Hmm. As he unlocked the car, he knew what he had to do. He tugged the phone from his pocket, dialing her number.

Voicemail. Was she avoiding his call or stuck in Friday afternoon traffic? Just hearing her sultry voice was enough to make his dick hard as a rock. “Hello, beautiful. I have an offer for you.”

After leaving the message, he climbed inside, lowering the convertible top. As he maneuvered out of the parking lot, smiling for the first time in days, he managed to catch his ringing cell phone. Perhaps she was already calling him back. Grabbing without looking, his voice held a sexual lilt.

“Are you ready?” he asked, grinning at his reflection in the rearview mirror.

“The question is. Are you ready for what you’re facing?”

“What did you say?” The voice on the other end was gruff, disguised. When there was silence, he hissed. “Look, you fuck head. You aren’t going to threaten me. I’ll hunt you down.”

An evil laugh slithered through the phone. “I’d be careful if I were you. Dirty secrets tell no lies.”

“You asshole. What secrets?”

“I’m going to destroy you and when I do, I’m going to take everyone you ever cared about with you, including that bitch you fucked. Have I made myself clear?”

When the call ended, Mitchell tossed the phone. The mother fucker was going to die.