Deadly Temptations

by Mina J. Moore

  Denise fiddled with her ring and stared out the window. She jumped when he grabbed her hands and squeezed.

  Mader watched the faint blush creep up her neck and smiled. He was making her uncomfortable in a warm fuzzy way.

  Hell, he felt it too. If he was true to himself, he had been hot for her for a while why should he hide it now? Hadn’t they shared one hell of a kiss to prove it? People didn’t come together like that and walk away.

  Denise tried to pull her hand back. “I don’t think...”

  Mader wasn’t having it. “I do. And so do you. I felt it when we kissed.”

  Denise took her hands back. “A mistake—“

  “Bull. Shit.” He whispered.

  “Ok. I was into it at the time but that can never happen again. I mean...”

  Mader leaned into her. His jaw clenched when she sat back trying to avoid his gaze.

  “I’ve wanted you for a while now. It’s not going away, believe me I’ve tried.”

  Denise dropped her shoulders. “Damn it, will you stop this? We have a stalker psycho to deal with and you’re thinking with your…

  THE wicked smile that spread across his face took her for a little joy ride to sexville. She squeezed her legs together when the pressure below her waist got dangerously delicious. Her nipples ached and she cursed silently.

  Mader’s gaze dropped, and shit, went right to her chest. Of course she left her blazer at the office and yes, her camisole was about as thick as an onion skin. Damn.

  He blinked slowly and returned his gaze to hers. His eyes were full of “gotcha” and masculine “I told you so.”

  Denise thanked God when his phone went off. She buried her nose in her chocolate and looked on as he read the text message.

  Gone was the sexy smirk he had been sporting. Eyebrows drawn together, he looked up at her. “Gina took off sick. Apparently she left right after we did.”

  Well, wasn’t that a coincidence? What was the little bitch up to now? Denise got with the program, her horny gone for the moment. The bitch was going to cause trouble. Now was not the time to be thinking about a romp with the sex-god. “You understand she needs to go. With the downsizing, now is your chance to get rid of her.”

  Mader glared at the window and breathed in deep. “I know, but if this is any indication of how she reacts, I don’t want to imagine when she gets the pink slip.

  “I agree.” Denise glanced at her phone. She still had to prep for her meeting and file the property damage report for her car. “We better get going.”

  At Mader’s nod they got up and headed over to the pay counter.

  THEY stepped out into the bright sunlight and Denise slipped on her sunglasses. “I guess I still owe you a drink.” Now why the hell did she remind him of that? It wasn’t like she needed to go somewhere and pile alcohol on top of an already dangerous situation.

  Mader smiled. “You damn sure do. How about we meet after work? I could use your expertise on the Hansen deal. I’ve got a one o’clock and should be done by three-ish?”

  Denise tried to stop herself but the “sure” slipped out anyway. As his partner, she needed to continue their work relationship. The tongue wrestling in his office couldn’t interfere with the job.

  Denise blew at her long bangs and felt like stomping her feet in utter frustration. Her car was damaged and now she would be stressing out over the work date. She really needed to get her crap together. It’s not like they had jumped in the sack and had sweaty, hot… Okay time to change the picture in the noggin. She was a professional, always had been. One little kiss shouldn’t change years of training.

  So, she smiled back at him and got in his car. The damn thing was small and although she loved the power of the engine under the hood, she almost wished he drove a minivan with more space between the seats.

  WHEN they returned to the office, Denise reported the damage to her Camaro. After what seemed like hours, all the paperwork and police reports were finally done. She barely made it to her meeting.

  An hour of serious brainstorming later, she felt whipped as she dropped into her chair. She had never seen Mader with his guard down like today. He was usually a hot-headed pistol with Einstein brain power for business. It was the reason colleagues who had been with the firm much longer, followed in his footsteps. Not to say he hadn’t ruffled a few feathers.

  Mader was the type of person to point out that if someone had busted their balls enough working weekends instead of hitting the golf sessions, they may have gotten the corner office which he now occupied.

  Denise respected his abilities even when he had his bastard suit on. It’s what made him successful.

  Today for the first time, she had caught a glimpse of the man behind the Armani armor. He was vulnerable. Gina literally had him by the balls.

  GINA stretched out on her bed and moaned. Johnny was heading south and she wasn’t about to stop him. Though she couldn’t stop her mind from wondering.

  Everything had worked out beautifully. The bitch had it coming and Gina would be only too happy to stand on the sidelines and watch it all go down.

  Did Mader think she was blind? Obviously he lusted after the red-haired bitch. Mader was like a dog in heat. So like a man to go for what he couldn’t have.

  Gina knew the depth of his determination with his career. He would do just about anything to preserve it.

  She smiled and focused on what was going on down below. “Oh yeah, baby. Do it right there.” Gina lifted her hips to give him better access. She gazed downward and was momentarily disappointed with the blond head between her legs. No matter how many men she fucked, she always saw Troy. Closing her eyes she threw her head back and roared Troy’s name.

  “CRAP.” Denise groaned. She would have to go carless for an entire day thanks to that scratch. Her insurance company wouldn’t cover a loaner for anything less than twenty-four hours. That’s what you got for going the cheap route.

  Pushing back from her desk she grabbed her purse, a few files, and walked over to Mader’s office. He was locking down and grabbing his briefcase.

  Angie popped around the corner to leave the mail. Her eyes bulged when she saw Denise standing on the other side of the small space.

  “Oh, hi, Ms. Milton. Have a good night.” She looked over at Mader as he came out. The thin box she carried became armor across her chest.

  Denise reached out and touched her shoulder. “Angie, do you have a few minutes to talk?”

  Denise knew this would be the perfect opportunity since Gina was absent. For some reason, she had a gut feeling Angie felt threatened.

  Mader gestured for her to come inside his office. Instead of sitting behind his desk, he took a seat next to her. Less intimidating.

  Denise was taking this on solo. She knew the protocol and Human Resources should be all over this but as a Senior Manager, she had the right to question an employee. The only problem with this picture? Plenty of cause and damage had already been done.

  She hadn’t mentioned her suspicions to the cops or risk management and eventually that would bite her in the ass. She simply could not open up that can of worms right now. For Mader’s sake.

  “How long have you known Gina Rhodes?” She asked.

  Visibly shaking, Angie looked at them, then down at the floor.

  Shit, this was giving Denise a really bad vibe.

  “Since high school. We...ah.... in Ohio.”

  Denise sat back in her chair, stunned to hear they had known each other that long. She gazed at Mader and his hooded expression said the same thing.

  Angie put the box down and rolled her shoulders as if she had come to a decision. “I never thought I would see her again.”

  Denise leaned forward once more. “Why?”

  Angie shifted in her chair. “Because she was not a very nice person. Got into some really bad trouble our senior year and had to go away.”

  “What kind of trouble?” Mader asked.

  Angie started to shake harder and
her head came down. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

  Denise scooted closer and took her hands.

  “Don’t worry, Angie. We’re here to help. Gina has a serious problem and we’re trying to stop this before it goes further.”

  Angie nodded. “She had a major obsession with the quarterback, Steve Tyson. Followed him everywhere, didn’t allow anyone near him. We all thought her a bully at the time. Until his girlfriend, Saralee Jones, got killed in a car accident. No brakes. Someone overheard Gina bragging about bringing the bitch down and they made a report. The case was investigated and Gina was taken into custody.

  We found out later she had been admitted into a mental institution because of her instability.”

  Mader stood and paced the perimeter of his office, his hands running through his thick hair.

  “She couldn’t have done all of this alone. Did they ever find an accomplice?”

  “There was one boy who had always adored her. Did anything she asked. He left town after the last break-in. We never saw him again.”

  “Now that makes more sense. And it wouldn’t surprise me if she has someone working with her now. Were there any other situations that you know of?” Mader asked.

  Angie took a visible breath before continuing.

  “There were more incidents previously. Others who got near Steve had their cars damaged or their lockers broken into.

  When they investigated all of the situations and interviewed those involved it was like connecting the dots. The girls spoke about how Gina threatened and bullied them. Every incident happened at the school except for Sara’s and reports connected everyone who had dated Steve.

  Mader turned to face them. “Why the hell did this not show up on her background check?”

  Denise stood. She was absolutely stunned at the seriousness of the situation they faced. Gina wasn’t just a jilted woman who keyed a car out of spite but quite possibly an all out murderer.

  “Background checks only run instate for us. We have to request out of state if we want one according to Human Resources. I’ve helped with some minor recruiting recently.” Angie explained.

  “We are going to require HR to get involved here. We need to run a report for proof before we act on this. We can also check out the Ohio Sherriff’s Department.” Denise said.

  “You’re not going to find anything under Rhodes. I think she changed her last name. Try Kenickie,” Angie said

  Denise unstrapped her laptop and logged on. What she found chilled her to the bone. Gina Louise Kenickie had a warrant out and her profile indicated she was unstable and potentially dangerous. The picture didn’t look anything like the blonde Barbie she was now. The woman in the picture had jet black hair. The bags under her dark eyes made her appear years older.

  Angie and Mader came around to view the page on the laptop.

  “That’s her for sure.” Angie whispered.

  “Fuck.” Mader muttered.

  CHAPTER 4

  DENISE PULLED her hair over her shoulder and scowled at the screen. Though it seemed impossible, the entire office was compromised. No wonder poor Angie seemed terrified. The girl was timid enough without having someone terrorizing her.

  “Angie, you are at this time on a leave of absence due to a family emergency. I will notify you when it’s safe to return. You shouldn’t be anywhere near this situation once it blows up. Leave your desk as is and go. Call Fred to walk you out to your car.”

  Angie breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. “I have an aunt who lives up state. I can leave now and be there in a few hours.”

  Denise stood and rubbed the girl’s shoulder. “We really appreciate your help with this.

  Mader came to stand with them after pacing off to the corner. “Angie. Why hasn’t she done anything yet, I mean, you know her history.”

  “She had me watching you. I had no choice.” Just when she appeared as if she would cry again, Mader stepped up and gave her a hug.

  “Don’t you worry. You were frightened and with good cause. I simply want you to get somewhere safe and call us when you arrive.”

  Angie wiped her nose with a tissue Denise handed her. “I will. Thank you.”

  OUTSIDE, Johnny watched as Angie threw her bag in the trunk and surveyed the area before getting in her car. He took a long pull from his cigarette before throwing it out the window. Sparing her a two minute head start, he waited before pulling out after her. The little bitch was getting too interested in what they had planned and nosey was not what they needed at this point.

  DENISE leaned against Maders’ desk and tried to calm her stomach down with some deep breaths. She remained dangerously close to losing her lunch.

  “We need to get Tina in here,” Mader said.

  Denise nodded in the negative. “She won’t be back until late tomorrow.”

  Mader looked like he wanted to punch something. “How about the HR Manager or Employee Relations? Damn it somebody!”

  “Tom is out of the country and he is the best ER person I know. We have to go with what we got right now. This can’t wait.” Denise picked up the phone and dialed Sylvia, the HR manager, who she had worked with for years in a previous position. Their friendship made the situation tough.

  “Hey Sylvia, can you come to my office right away?” Denise asked

  “Sure. What’s up?” Sylvia responded.

  “There’s a significant employee relations issue with potential for violence.”

  “I’ll be right there. Is five minutes okay?”

  “Sure. Thanks.”

  Denise hung up and took a seat, grabbing a legal pad and a pen as she went down. Mader sat behind his desk and waited. Sylvia walked in a few minutes later.

  One hour later, Ohio Sherriff’s Department documents in hand, Sylvia stood and pursed her lips.

  “Security will be here tomorrow morning along with a deputy to take her into custody if she shows. For now, if you’re sure she doesn’t suspect we know anything, I would proceed as normal. Just keep an eye out and lock your offices.”

  Denise walked Sylvia to the door and gave her a quick hug. “You watch yourself.” Sylvia whispered.

  Denise rubbed her shoulder. “Will do. Thanks.”

  Mader gathered his belongings and came around the table. “We still have time to work on that account. I’ll go with you to drop off your car and take you home after. I can also give you a ride in tomorrow.”

  “WHERE are we doing this?” Denise had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach because she knew exactly what he was going to say.

  Mader took a minute to give her a sideways glance. “My place. I have all the files there including the flash drive with the latest requests.”

  Denise rolled her eyes. “Just great. You think that’s a good idea?”

  Mader turned his head to her when they came to a light. “Why not? We need to be able to work alone at times.”

  Denise pursed her lips. “Seriously? You don’t think this is a problem?”

  “Not in the least.” He moved forward and adjusted his seatbelt as if the topic was no biggie. Denise felt awkward and figured she should be a professional and leave out the implications. If he didn’t see a problem then neither would she. Screw it. She winced at her choice of words.

  They pulled off at the downtown exit and stopped before a building at least twenty stories high. Mader handed his car keys to the doorman and she followed him into the lobby. She had heard his family came from money and damn if they weren’t kidding.

  The closer she got to his penthouse the more nervous she became. What the hell was wrong with her? She had always been an independent woman. Her marketing career had taken her all over the world and never once had she felt vulnerable or not in control. Why now?

  She needed to get a handle and settle into this work session. This would be good for both of them to keep their minds off psycho bitch.

  The doors to the elevator swooshed open and Denise got an eyeful of some nice digs, top level and all. Fo
r a bachelor his place was stylish and neat no thanks to him but some great decorator paired with Merry Maids for sure. The views killed everything else. They were spectacular.

  Mader took her coat and laid it over a chair which looked good enough to sleep in. He then went over to the bar and poured himself a shot. “Would you like one?” he asked.

  She actually contemplated it but given the circumstances, she needed to keep her mind on alert; especially with the GQ show across the room.

  Mader had taken off his suit jacket. The tie was gone with the first few buttons of his dress shirt undone and those sleeves up to his elbows.

  “Dear Lord,” she whispered.

  “Was that a yes?”

  Yes. Yes. Yes. “No thanks,” she croaked.

  He smiled and raised his second shot with a “cheers” before shooting it back quickly. “Let me grab my laptop and we’ll get started on the Hansen file or do you want to go to the study?”

  Denise strode over to the large window and somehow all the glittery lights put her at ease. “No. Let’s stay here.”

  Mader walked over to the fireplace. “Fine with me. I’ll start a fire. The temperature is dropping quick.”

  He crouched down and his pants tightened around his thighs and ass. She was not going to make it. Hansen who?

  Denise forced herself over to the bar and took a shot of whatever she got her hands on first which happened to be Tequila. Joy. That brought back all kinds of bad memories from her college days but at least her nerves relaxed a little.

  Mader’s phone made her jump. She turned and leaned against the granite counters. The expression on his face told her she would need another shot.

  Mader ended the call and didn’t have to say who was doing all the talking on the other side.

  He gestured toward the bottle and she poured him another. They took the shot together.