by Bloom, Nikki
“Hello, Mr. Ross.” I extended my hand feeling the weight of his stare. He took my hand in his and shook. His eyes never left mine when he spoke.
“Miss Lyons, when can you start?”
3
Alex
“Joan, you’ve known me since I was a kid,” I said to my mother’s secretary. She sat outside my mother’s corner office with pictures of her grandkids on her desk and a coffee mug that read ‘I Love My English Bulldog’ on the side.
“Alex, I’m so sorry. But Dante gave specific instructions that upon your release you were not to be allowed into her office.” It was like the words were barbed as they painfully came out of her mouth.
“I’m on the board, so my vote still counts. My father made sure of that. You remember him? You remember the man who built this place and hired you when you needed a job after Fred got laid off?”
“Of course I remember,” Joan hissed. “But Fred is gone and so is your father, and Dante isn’t anything like your father,” she whispered angrily. “You can’t come barging in here, Alex, and expect things to go your way. You’ve got to follow the rules.”
“For five years I followed the rules,” I responded. “Five years that we both know I shouldn’t have had to give up.” I took a step closer to her. She was just a creampuff of a woman. Dyed red hair made her look clownish but she was one of the good ones. The kind of secretary men paid top dollar for. She wasn’t that easy on the eyes but nothing got past her. Including me.
“I’m sorry. If I thought there was any way I could help I would.” She looked at her desk. “But I’ve got a family. They rely on me. I can’t risk it.”
I wanted to scream at her and push her aside. But deep down I knew she was right. My mother had a file cabinet in her office that I needed to get to. There was something in it that had been waiting for me for five years. Just a little piece of paper my father left me. He’d told me to hide it.
“Hide it in plain view, son. That’s the best way,” he’d said, flashing that kind smile that showed off his dimples. And that is exactly what I did. But now, I couldn’t get to it. Regardless of my impatience, I was going to have to wait.
“All right, Joan. I won’t put you in a bad spot.” I saw her shoulders slump as if she’d been holding her breath. “Where is he?”
“You don’t want to see him. Not without your mother,” Joan pleaded.
“Where is he?”
“He took your mother’s old office.” She sighed.
“So what I read in the papers was correct. He is now VP? He’s got his tentacles in everything now, doesn’t he?” I was seeing red.
“Your mother seems happy.” Those words were not nearly as convincing as Joan had hoped they’d be.
“I’ll be back,” I stated. “And when I come back I want you to have the office open for me, okay?” I looked at her, feeling her turmoil as she looked up at me.
“You know I’ll do what I can. Haven’t I always?”
“Yeah. Hey, see what you can do about buying me some time before they get security up here.” I winked and headed off to my mother’s old office.
I heard Joan call the front reception desk and tell them to hold off on calling for security. That was all I needed. Just a few minutes to let everyone know I was back and ready to get to work. Especially Dante Ross.
There was someone in his office but I didn’t let that stop me. Half the staff had taken refuge in the kitchen or one of the conference rooms, convinced that I was going to go postal on the whole group. That was a notion likely put in their head by Mr. Ross, my step-father.
“Hey, dad!” I shouted as I stepped in the office. He turned and looked at me from across the room where he’d been standing, looking out the window. “Did you miss me?”
I was ready to charge him and risk toppling out the window, down twenty-eight floors. But I didn’t. In fact, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut as soon as I looked to my left. Sitting in one of the armchairs was the blonde woman from the elevator. She looked terrified as if she was afraid I was going to hurt her.
“Alex, I’m in the middle of explaining the business to Miss Lyons. She was just hired this morning. Do you think you can talk to my secretary and reschedule our little reunion?” Ross said.
“Your secretary? You mean your latest concubine?” I knew I was making a fool of myself but I couldn’t help it. I was enraged. While I was in prison fighting for my life among low-life rapists and murderers, Dante had seduced and married my mother. He’d taken over the business, I could tell.
“You’ve been gone a long time, Alex. We really do need to have a good, long chat. But now isn’t the time or place,” Dante said calmly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get back to work. Don’t make me call security and have you escorted out.”
My whole body vibrated with rage rippling from my core outward. I looked at the woman in the armchair. A lust settled over me. If I could have I would have taken her right there. It had, after all, been five years since I felt the touch of a woman and she had more than enough of everything in all the right places. Small, blonde, and cute – not to mention appearing frazzled and soaking wet. Instead, I let her beauty calm me. She didn’t look away this time. Her eyes stayed with mine like she was trying to read my thoughts. Maybe to match them to her own.
“You’re right, Dante. We do need to talk. I’ll expect to have my office back tomorrow. Enjoy the view while you’ve got it,” I barked before walking out the door.
The secretaries and lawyers and clerks jumped aside as I stomped down the corridor as if they were afraid of me – just par for the course when you’ve been to prison. It wouldn’t surprise me if they thought I had MS-13 tattoos on my chest and a huge supply of cocaine and firearms in my apartment.
Since my mother was who I really needed to see, I decided to leave the office peacefully. I took the private elevator, which I still had the key for, down to the parking garage. But the idea of climbing in my car and driving made me feel like I was back at Joliet. I needed to be out, even if it was raining. I needed to be out in the fresh air among the bustling people who didn’t know me or my felonious past. Crazy as it may seem, I wanted to be invisible. There was no way I could approach my mother in the state of mind I was in. I knew it. Everything was buzzing as the adrenaline started to wear off. But as soon as I got to the street level and began walking toward Randolph Street, I had the funny feeling I was being followed. But I never would have imagined by whom.
4
Nova
It wasn’t what I’d normally do. I wasn’t a private detective. I didn’t have any right to follow this strange man who had whirled into my new place of employment like a tornado, leaving all kinds of hysteria in his wake. But I couldn’t help myself. I was feeling bold.
I’d been hired on the spot to work at one of the best companies in the country. My boss was the handsome and prestigious Mr. Dante Ross. A couple of years working with him, hobnobbing with his wife, Mrs. Ramsey, I’d be able to write my own ticket.
So needless to say, I was not quite myself when I stepped out of the office and saw the estranged member of the Ramsey family emerging from the garage and making his way down the wet sidewalk. His broad shoulders were hunched against the wind. I felt sprinkles of rain hitting my cheeks but that didn’t stop me. He turned down one street and then another. When I rounded the corner at Randolph and Wabash he had disappeared.
So much for my rookie private investigating.
Suddenly, I was pulled into an alley. Before I could scream, a hand was placed over my mouth. It smelled of burning leaves and apple cider.
“What the hell are you doing?” he growled in my ear. His breath was hot against my skin. Even though terror had paralyzed every muscle in my body I felt myself leaning into him. I swallowed hard and blinked before he removed his hand from my mouth but held my arm tightly.
“I’m sorry,” I stuttered. “I saw you in the elevator and then in Mr. Ross’s office.”
�
��You mean my office.”
“Your office,” I squeaked. This man had just been released from prison, and for who knows how many years plotting his next caper while surrounded by other criminals, swapping stories and tricks of the trade.
“I’m sorry.” He slowly let go of my arm. “What is your name?”
“Nova Lyons.”
“Nova Lyons, you really shouldn’t follow people. Especially men you don’t know.” He stared down at me, his bright blue eyes revealing a world of anger and pain, before he turned to leave.
“You’re Alex Ramsey,” I said before he could disappear in the crowd.
“How do you know that? Did my step-father tell you?”
“Dante Ross is your step-father?” I swallowed again but my mouth was bone dry. “I heard you say that. When you barged into his office.”
“What were you doing there? Polishing his knob?”
“What? No!” I was shocked. “I was hired as the new coordinator in the development and distribution department. That’s all.”
“That’s all for now.” He snickered.
“Well, I can certainly see why everyone was in a tizzy when you came blustering in. If this is how you talk to a complete stranger, I can only imagine what you say to people you know. If you’ll excuse me, I’m not the kind of person who loiters around alleys.” I attempted to step around him but he blocked the sidewalk.
“But you are the kind of person to follow a stranger into an alley.”
I glared at him until I saw a tiny smirk curl the right corner of his mouth. My gosh, he was hot with that tight smile, and those jet-black, unkempt locks of hair jutting out. But this was unreal. I had to remind myself that this member of the Ramsey family was a felon. Not a nice guy. A criminal. He’d been in prison. I’d read all the articles. I’d seen all the pictures. He was a bad man. Still. His smirk was contagious and I felt my cheeks blushing like some schoolgirl who’d suddenly found herself face-to-face with her crush, the star player on the football team.
“Look, I’m not the kind of guy who likes to loiter in alleys either. Come with me.” He turned and started to walk ahead of me.
“Where are we going?” I hated how my voice sounded so naïve and innocent. For some reason, I wanted Alex Ramsey to think I was dangerous and brave. The last thing I wanted him to think was that I was this quiet, boring bachelorette whose greatest ambition was securing a job at his family’s company. I didn’t want him knowing the truth.
“Some place where we can talk privately,” he said and offered me his arm. I slowly wrapped my hand around his elbow. I could feel the muscles beneath his shirt and jacket. I felt so small being next to him but I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t care if it started to pour down rain again.
Alex Ramsey led me down Wabash Avenue. We passed the Russian Tea Time Restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop, and the Blu Café which was attached to the “W” Hotel. Alex made no indication we were stopping in any of these places. Instead, he pulled me along, without uttering a word, and finally pulled the door open to the most unexpected place.
“I need to pick up the latest Batman comic book,” he said as he held the door to Clover Comics open for me.
“Are you kidding?” I gaped. He stared down at me as if I’d hurt his feelings.
“Nope.”
When I walked in, the first thing I saw was a life-size stand-up poster of Captain America. There were shelves upon shelves of multi-colored graphic novels ranging from the old standards like Batman and Superman to weird things I’d never heard of. The Tick. The Walking Dead. Bloodlust.
Alex headed toward the counter leaving me standing by the door. Part of me shouted RUN! He’s an ex-con and could be dangerous! What are you doing, girl? Get out of there!
But another part of me, a stronger part, urged me to stay. After all, I was in a public place. There was no sign of immediate danger.
Slowly, I inched my way into the store.
“Hey, Jasper! There’s some guy here to see you,” the clerk behind the counter yelled to an open doorway. Suddenly, a lanky guy wearing an old Star Wars shirt appeared. His eyes bugged when he looked at Alex, then relaxed and replaced by a knowing look and big smile.
“Alex! I was afraid I’d never see you again.”
“I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye,” Alex said. I heard a hint of sadness in those words.
“I know. I read all about it,” Jasper said as they hugged. “But you’re out now, huh?”
“Just got released today.”
“And this is the first place you come? I’m honored.” Jasper laughed.
“Hey, can you set me up with Batman number 17, 18, or 19?” Alex asked. “And can I use the back room?”
Jasper’s eyes shifted to me then back to Alex. I expected some kind of jeer or a nudge and a wink, a know what I mean look. But that wasn’t it at all. He looked worried, like there was something serious happening and everyone in the place knew what it was but me.
“I’ll get those wrapped up for you. Take your time.” Jasper motioned to another back room. Alex looked at me and extended his arm for me to go ahead. I held my purse tightly over my shoulder and went toward the back room marked ‘Gamers Only.’
There were half a dozen tables set up with folding chairs around them. A white board hung on the wall. A corkboard was covered with flyers advertising upcoming comic book conventions, gaming competitions, and half a dozen other nerdy things.
“So, this is where we can talk?” I asked as I heard the door close behind me. My heart started to race and I was sure that by now my deodorant had completely given up.
“You were at RIT. Did anyone look like they would come to a place like this?” he asked as he stepped forward.
“Not really. But I only saw a few people including you. You don’t look like someone who’d come to a place like this,” I jabbed nervously.
“Didn’t anyone ever teach you to never judge a book by its cover?” he asked, the sexy smirk gone from his lips.
“So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about? This is all rather strange,” I said, sounding pitifully nervous.
“I don’t know what Dante told you about me, if anything. But Ramsey Industrial Technologies isn’t going to be in existence much longer,” Alex said, seriously.
“Oh my God. You’re going to blow up the building? Are you crazy? Yes, yes you are.” My body jerked and I made a dash toward the door only to have Alex slip his strong arm around my waist and practically lift me off the floor.
“No,” he chuckled. “I just got out of jail. I have no intention of going back. What I mean is that there is going to be a change in the management which will really shake the place up.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stuttered. “You sound like a crazy person,” I replied as he continued to hold me around the waist.
“I’m not crazy. Although I should be. I was sentenced to eight years at Joliet Correctional Facility. Do you know what I had to do to get out in five?” He pulled me closer to him.
Images from movies I’d seen depicting prison life flashed through my head. There were shankings and riots and the showers. Dear Lord, the showers. I swallowed hard.
From the other side of the door I heard Jasper laughing and talking with the other employee. The walls weren’t thick. But Alex was right when he pointed out no one from RIT would be listening here.
“There is a small piece of paper in my mother’s office. It’s been there since before Dante had me sent away. Once I get my hands on it that’s when things will change. But sadly not a minute before that.” Slowly, he slipped his arm from around my waist. Without realizing it I leaned toward him but pulled back quickly, feeling my cheeks heat up.
“You expect me to believe this? You’re telling me all this like we’re confidants or secret agents or something. Look.” I cleared my throat. “I just got hired to work there. I don’t have anything to do with your problem with your family or your step-father. I was hired to�
�”
“You were hired because Dante wants to fuck you.”
“What?”
“You got hired on the spot without going through the proper procedures, without meeting with HR. It’s been done a dozen times before. Probably more since I’ve been gone.”
“Maybe I was hired because of my experience. I type over one-hundred-forty words a minute. I take shorthand. I have experience in coding as well as…”
“You came into your interview partially wet. Your outfit makes you look like any one of these female comic book heroine alter-egos. And you are wonderfully, beautifully green.”
“Green?”
“Naïve. Innocent.” Alex scoffed.
“If trusting that the man who hired me did so because I was qualified makes me green, then that’s just how I’ll have to be.” I suddenly felt the sting of tears in my eyes. “I don’t need some jailbird to tell me what I’m doing wrong. You need to remember that I’ve got one thing you don’t. I’ve got permission to be on the RIT premises.”
My mind and body felt like they were pulling in two different directions. I couldn’t escape the undeniable attraction I was feeling for Alex. But I barely knew him. No. I didn’t know him at all. Yet I wanted him.
All my thoughts were screaming to just bolt from the room. I didn’t owe him anything. Plus, this was just plain weird. Who did this sort of thing?
“You’ve got me there,” Alex said and pulled out one of the folding chairs. He sat down in it and I could see that he was exhausted. Awkwardly, I stood there unsure if I should stay or go. My pinky toe was killing me as I lifted my heel out of my pump in order to give it relief.
It felt like ten minutes had gone by before I pulled up enough courage to grab the back of another metal chair and take a seat.
“Is it really true you just got out today?”