Addison
ONCE WE ARRIVED, I left Jake with Asher and Dylan for a brief meeting with my team. Stacy Jennings was running the kitchen staff for me tonight and I’d used her catering company before. She was an older lady who could cook anything. She was actually quite remarkable.
“I have everything covered, Addison,” Stacy said. “You enjoy the night. If anything goes wrong, I won’t come find you.”
I giggled. “I appreciate that, Stace. Thanks.”
“You look beautiful, by the way. I saw the man you came in with. He’s a nice-looking young man.”
I felt my face heat. “Thanks.”
“Go have fun, honey.”
“I’ll see you later.” I left the kitchen and started back to the ballroom. I didn’t get far. My arm was grabbed and I was pulled gently into a small room off the foyer. We’d rebuilt it as a library of sorts and, as we began to put the finishing touches on it, it was turning into my favorite room.
“You gonna give me the cold shoulder all night?” Jake asked, sliding his hand to my hip as he kicked the door shut and pressed me against it.
“Depends on whether or not you pull your head out of your ass.”
“Is this because I didn’t call?”
“Did you tell me you would?” I challenged.
“Addison.”
I crossed my arms. “Did you tell me you would call?”
He sighed. “Yeah, I did.”
“And did you call?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Okay, so, no. This isn’t about you not calling. It’s about not keeping your word.”
He studied me for a second and then stepped away, dragging his hands through his hair. “You’re right,” he conceded.
“Really?”
He chuckled. “That surprises you?”
“I honestly thought you’d try to spin it.”
“Look, if it’s really as simple as me telling you I was going to call and I didn’t, I can work with that, Addison.”
“It really is... that’s not to say you’ll get away with not calling and/or texting... I want you to put some effort into this.”
“I can do that.” He leaned down to kiss me. “Now. You gonna dance with me?”
“Sure. I have to dance with Daddy first, but I’ll add you to my dance card.”
“’Preciate that, Addison.”
“Anything for you, handsome.” I grinned. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to my parents.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They’ll hate you. I can’t wait.”
“What?”
I giggled. “Don’t take it personally. They hate everyone with a net worth under a hundred million. You’re in good company.”
“That makes me feel so much better,” he grumbled.
* * *
Dylan
As soon as we entered the ballroom, Addison scurried off to work. Her old college friend, Brittany cornered her, and Jake followed for a few steps before he was stopped by someone he apparently knew. Since this wasn’t exactly my crowd, I was content to stay on Asher’s arm while he wondered around the room introducing me to people.
About twenty minutes into the event, he pulled me closer and asked, “You okay?”
“Yep. I’m good. I think I’m even getting the hang of these shoes.”
“Damn.” He frowned.
“That’s a good thing, Ash.”
“Nope. I like the death grip you have on my arm. It makes me feel needed and useful. You should wear heels more often.”
Rolling my eyes would take too much concentration away from trying to keep from breaking my neck, so I just squeezed his arm tighter. “You like me clingy, huh?”
“Let’s just say I like you touching me. Feel free to do more of that.”
My cheeks heated and I didn’t know what to say to that, so I snapped my mouth shut.
His eyes sparkled with laughter. “Can I get you a drink?”
The idea of trying to navigate heels while under the influence did not appeal to me at all. “No thanks. I’m good.”
He leaned closer, his attention on something over my shoulder. “My parents are on their way over here. We should both probably have a drink before they get here.”
I followed his gaze to find Victoria, with a dead baby seal wrapped around her shoulders and a mine-full of diamonds around her neck, fake-laughing at something another woman said. Bruce Allen stood nearby, talking to another man.
“Whatever you’re getting, make mine a double,” I said.
Asher chuckled, released my arm, and headed for the bar.
I continued to watch the spectacle that the power couple’s presence guaranteed. People flocked around Victoria, waiting for a chance to kiss her liposuctioned ass.
“Dylan, right?” someone asked.
I tore my gaze away from the Allens to nod at the gorgeous blonde addressing me. Her makeup was flawless, her hair was perfect, her blue eyes were almost as intense as Asher’s, and the red gown she wore rivaled Addison’s... almost.
“Yes.” I had no clue who she was. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“No, no. You wouldn’t. I work with Ash. I’m Tori.”
She paused, as if waiting for me to recognize the name and fall at her feet worshipping her, but I didn’t. I did, however, catch the familiar way she talked about Asher.
“Great. It’s good to meet you,” I said, hoping my smile looked authentic while I died a little inside. Asher worked with this bombshell? Ugh. I looked over my shoulder for him, beyond ready for that drink he’d promised me. He stood beside the bar with a glass in each hand, talking to another suit I didn’t recognize.
“Tori, how great to see you, darling,” Victoria gushed, joining us. “You look absolutely stunning.”
The two embraced.
Tori pulled away. “Thank you so much for the designer recommendation, Victoria. You really do know your gowns.”
“And jewelry, and cars, and anything else that drains my bank accounts,” Bruce said, swooping in to kiss Tori’s hand. “You do look lovely, my dear.”
I was beginning to think I’d disappeared when Tori decided to draw attention to me. “And Dylan’s here. With Asher. Did you know that?”
Anger flashed in Victoria’s eyes before she turned her fake-surprised smile on me. “Dylan? Oh, honey, I barely recognized you. They cleaned you up so well.”
My cheeks burned. I felt like a pet freshly back from the groomers. “Thank you.” I managed to bite back the many retorts piling up on my tongue and force a smile. “You look lovely as always, Mrs. Allen. Hello Mr. Allen. Tori, if you’ll excuse me, I need…” I needed a drink and a good cry, but since Asher was still being detained by the bar, I had to settle for an escape route. “To powder my nose.”
Victoria’s smile turned even more condescending, Tori stepped back, and I didn’t stick around for Bruce’s reaction. I hightailed it out of there (only slightly wobbling on my heels) and headed for the exit. My eyes and cheeks were on fire, and I desperately needed fresh air. I’d almost made it out when a man called my name.
I looked around, not wanting to be rude, but hoping I’d misheard so I could flee. No such luck. I recognized the man beckoning me to him… Randal White, the boss I’d gone over Kirk’s head and spoken to about the inconsistency in the spreadsheet. I’d always liked Randal. He was a big man with a kind face, a warm smile, and an infectious laugh, but I didn’t know what role he’d played in my firing or whether or not he believed I killed Kirk. His smile told me he wasn’t angry, though. Curious about whether or not he knew anything about the security guard who attacked me, I approached him.
“Hello, Mr. White. How are you?” I asked.
“Me? How are you? So much has changed since the last time we chatted. I had no idea Kirk fired you. We are supposed to have an open-door policy, and the fact that he fired you for coming to me… well that was unacceptable. Walk with me a second?”
I glanced around, unable to see Asher. He was probably still at the bar, talking. Intending to find him as soon as Mr. White and I were done, I took the arm he offered and we headed down the hall away from the crowd.
“I didn’t find out about the firing until it was too late, Dylan. I never would have stood for that.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling strangely vindicated. Did Mr. White know what a sleazeball Kirk had been?
“And I heard about that incident in Safeway. You’re lucky to be alive. That must have been terrifying for you.”
So terrifying I still didn’t like to talk about it. “But I survived.”
“Brave girl.” He patted my hand. “Detective Parker said you ID’d Nicolai Barinov as the attacker. I can’t help but feel responsible, but please believe me, Mr. Barinov had no prior record of violence or we never would have hired him. You know, firsthand, how stringent our screening process is.”
I nodded. “Have you heard from him?”
“No. We’re cooperating with the police to find him, but he hasn’t shown up to work since the incident. I’m sure he’ll turn up soon, though.”
We were almost to the end of the hall, and since Mr. White clearly didn’t have any information for me, I needed to get back to Asher and his fiendish parents. “Thank you for the talk, Mr. White, but I really have to get back to my date.”
I turned to make my escape, but he grabbed my arm. “I don’t think so, my dear.”
He put the other hand over my mouth and tucked me under his arm. I kicked and writhed, but his strong arms held fast. He backed me into a room and shut the door. When he turned me around, Nicolai Barinov and one of the other building guards leveled their guns at me.
I couldn’t believe it. I felt so tricked… so lied to. “You... you... how did you even know I’d be here?”
“You listed Ms. Allen as your emergency contact on your resume, and the boys found your car in her garage when you left the jail and didn’t go home. They’ve been keeping an eye on you ever since, waiting for another opportunity to have that discussion you so deftly dodged in the grocery store. That was genius, by the way. After Kirk’s stroke, Nicolai didn’t want to chance that you’d die on him too.” Mr. White chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah well, it all worked out in the end. I was so delighted when they saw you dressed up and heading for the limo with Mr. and Ms. Allen.”
Tears stung my eyes. I couldn’t believe I’d been stupid enough to walk away from the crowd. Had anyone seen us together? Would they report which direction we’d gone? Addison and Asher were in the same building, yet I’d never felt more alone in my life.
“The boys are going to take you to collect the property of mine that Kirk left with you, and then we can all get on with our lives and pretend this whole ugly ordeal never happened.”
Right. I knew who he was and could incriminate him; there was no way he’d let me go. I nodded anyway, wanting desperately to believe his lie.
“All right. It sounds like we’re all on the same page. I’m going to release you, and you’re going to be quiet and go with Nick and Brian. If you make a peep, they’ll shoot you. Do you hear me?”
I nodded again.
“Good. Just give them the money Kirk was stealing from my company and nobody will get hurt.”
I started to object, but he cut me off.
“I know you have it. Kirk told me he gave it to you. He and Nick were on their way to your apartment when Kirk… well, we all know what happened to Kirk. I’d hate to see something like that happen to you. You understand?”
Tears slid down my cheeks. I finally knew who killed Kirk and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
“Good.” Mr. White took my purse and released me, pushing me into Nicolai.
Nicolai grabbed my shoulder and pressed his gun in my side. “Don’t think you’re gonna get away from me again,” he said. His hot breath against my cheek.
Randal rummaged through the bag Addison had given me, pulling out my keyring. He studied the fob Jake had given me, chuckling. “Nick, you ever seen this before?” he asked, holding it up.
Nicolai shrugged. “Looks like a key fob for a car.”
“That’s what it’s supposed to look like, but there’s no logo on it. This is a prototype. One of my detective buddies was bragging about it when we went golfing a few weeks ago. I bet this is how the cops found you last time.” He slid it off my keyring. Then he tossed the rest of my keys to Brian. He powered off my phone, wiped his prints off of it and my purse with his handkerchief, and threw them aside.
“Don’t come back without my money,” Mr. White said before leaving me with Nicolai and Brian.