by Alison Mello
She sighs. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she says with a sympathetic look. “I was hoping you were going to have good news for us. We miss you around here.”
“I miss you all too, Tanya, and trust me, I’m hoping to be back soon. I’ve never been so excited to come to work in my life.”
She laughs. “Well I guess we should head into the meeting.”
“I’ll get my stuff and meet you there.” I walk out of her office, bumping into Miranda on my way to my desk.
“Is everything all right?” She looks concerned.
“Fine, she just wanted an update on how things were going.”
“Oh good, I have to grab some stuff and I’ll see you in the conference room.”
I nod and walk off to get my briefcase. When I get to the conference room, Evelyn, Kyle, Tanya, and a few of the other staff members are there. “Katie!” Kyle shouts as he runs up and gives me another hug.
“Hi, Kyle, I’ve missed you too.” I hug him back.
“Let’s get this meeting started,” Tanya says.
We all take our seats and as soon as we’re settled, she says, “I’d like to start with asking Katie for an update on what she’s been working on, since she hasn’t been in in a while.”
“Thank you, Tanya.” I stand up at the end of the conference table. “As you all know, I’ve been contracted by Logan Michaels to create a new marketing plan for him. He’s looking to get use out of his club, Club Thrive, the three nights of the week it’s closed. The plan is to start renting the club out to high-profile clients for parties, such as bachelorette parties, twenty-first birthday parties, and so on. I’ve come up with a few ideas to do that. First, we’re throwing a party, and it’ll be DJed by a radio station that will broadcast live over the radio at certain points throughout the night. The same radio station is also running ads at some key times on their station to announce that the club is now available for renting.” I scan the room. “The caterer the club uses will provide food, and there will be an open bar. We are promoting the club rental at different price levels, depending if the client wants a cash bar or an open bar. There are also different food options and an option to either use the VIP sections or leave them closed.”
“How will people be able to book this?” Kyle asks.
“There will be a tab on the Club Thrive website. They’ll give their info, and the club manager, Shane, will contact them to book it and make the arrangements.” Miranda chuckles at the mention of Shane’s name in a professional manner. I have to admit it’s weird talking about my boyfriend like I barely know him.
“Now, as much as I’d like to have you all there to represent the firm, I just can’t. However, I do need Evelyn there. Can you get away from your son for a night?” I look to my assistant.
She smiles and says, “Sure! You bet.”
“Thank you.” Looking to my boss, I ask, “Tanya, will you be attending?”
“Of course, I’ll be there. It wouldn’t look good if I didn’t go with the local media and radio stations there. Millennium should have a presence,” Tanya says. “Plus, I’d get a chance to meet Logan.” She turns to Kyle. “I’d also like Kyle to be there as well. He interacts frequently with our clients and let’s face it, he’s pretty fun to have around.” Poor Kyle blushes as we all chuckle.
“That’s fine.” I jot down the three names from our company. “We have invited a local news station as well as the local paper, and they’ve both accepted the invitation. This will be good for us, as well as Club Thrive.”
“Very nicely done,” Tanya says proudly.
I smile at my boss. “Thank you, Tanya.”
“Is there anything else you would like to add?” she asks.
“Just that we need to make the event publicly known, but we need to keep who the party is for very quiet. The party is not for anyone high profile, but for security purposes that’s the way it needs to be. You will not be allowed into the club without a special postcard. Tanya, I will mail you three of them as soon as they come in. They are due to arrive at my place any day now. We need to show that this club can handle security of the highest level. High-profile clients will not want to rent the club if they have to fear their party being crashed.”
“Good point. Have you done anything besides the postcards for security?” Kyle asks.
“We will have a list at the door. If someone shows up with a postcard and their name is not on the list, a contact for the party will be called to the door with the head of security. That person will verify the person’s identity and that they were, in fact, invited to the party. This will give an added layer of security.”
I look over to see Evelyn fidgeting and chewing the inside of her lip. “Does anyone have any questions?”
“Who is the party for? Will we get to meet someone famous?” Evelyn asks.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to announce that this party was for my sister, but I’m not sure I can keep it a secret either. I look to Miranda, and her brows shoot up. “Not unless you consider my sister famous. We had been planning to get together there for her birthday anyway, so when Logan contracted me, he and I thought it would be a good idea to use it as a promo opportunity for the club. Plus, given the situation right now, it’ll be easier to keep my family safe.”
She mumbles what sounds like, “And of course you get a free party from it.”
“What was that?” I ask, looking down at her, confused by her comment.
“Huh? Nothing, I’m excited to be attending.”
Tanya asks, “Any other questions?” The room goes quiet. “Okay, then on to other business. Miranda, update,” she demands, and Miranda goes into her spiel about what she’s been working on with both her clients, as well as mine. Once she’s done, Kyle gives a brief update on accounts that are past due and I’m happy to hear Logan is not on the list.
An hour later, our meeting is about over. Tanya makes a few minor announcements and then says, “Lunch will be here in a few minutes. Relax and chat while Evelyn and I check on it.” When she walks out of the room, Evelyn follows and the talking instantly starts up and Miranda walks over to me. “What the hell was that?”
“I swear I heard her make a comment about me getting a free party.” I roll my eyes. “I wanted to say, ‘Um, excuse me, we are paying for the food and bar,’ but screw her. That’s not her business.”
“I agree,” Miranda says when Evelyn comes walking back into the room.
“The food’s here,” she announces and then says to me, “These were delivered for you.” She hands me a beautiful bouquet of red roses.
I accept them from her, looking for a card of some sort, figuring they’re from Shane, but when I find the card I’m shocked into silence. My hands start to shake.
To my princess,
Welcome back to the office. I hope you’re having a good day at work. I got some great new photos of you this morning. You’re looking so sexy in your work clothes. It’s taking all of my strength not to walk into that building, rip them off of you, and show you the pleasure I’m going to give you.
I’ll see you soon, my princess!
Xoxo
I’m staring at the card, unable to think or move. The fucker followed me to work this morning. Suddenly I hear Miranda on the phone, but I can’t tell who she’s talking to. Tanya is by my side. “Here, honey, take a seat.” She lowers me into the chair directly behind me. “It’s okay. Shane is on his way here.” I look into her eyes, but say nothing.
I turn to Evelyn. “Where did these come from?”
“They were on my desk with a note saying they were for you.” She shrugs and walks off to finish opening food containers like it’s no big deal. I don’t know what her problem is, but she’s acting awfully weird today.
Miranda walks back to the table with a plate for me, but I’m feeling kind of sick and I’m not sure I can eat. “Thanks, Miranda.” She winks at me and takes the seat beside me. I’m picking at my food when Shane and Stone come running through the door. They
’re both panting like they ran all the way here. They both have this look like they’re ready to attack.
“He sent roses. He’s not here personally,” Miranda says with laughter in her voice, trying to lighten the situation.
“It’s not funny,” Shane tells her, then looks at me. “Your father is on his way up to collect those roses as evidence. He’s hoping he can track the purchase,” he says with his brows raised. “Where are your security guards?”
“They had been standing outside the conference room while we were talking business. I told them about the flowers, and they took off to look around the building to see if they could find him,” Miranda says.
Shane walks over to me and sits by my side. He begins rubbing my still slightly shaking arms.
“Do you think he’d be dumb enough to stick around?” Evelyn asks.
I shrug. “How did he get them in?” Shane asks.
“They were left on my desk with a small piece of paper. All the paper said was ‘For Katie Cooper,’ but I dropped it in the recycle bin on my way into the conference room,” Evelyn adds.
“That’s fine. We’ll find it when Mark gets here.”
“That’ll be hard. The shredding company just picked up all the recycle bins to shred the paper and send it off to be recycled.”
Shane and I both look up at her. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I didn’t know it was evidence.”
“What about evidence?” my father asks, walking through the door.
“Evelyn tossed the note that was left with the flowers. The company just picked up the recycling and shredded it, so now all we have are the flowers and the little card he left in them.”
“Damn, that could have told us if someone helped him,” Mark says, shaking his head.
My father slips on some gloves. Picking up the flowers, he places them in a large bag and seals it. He writes something on the outside of the bag and hands it off to his partner. “Are you going home?” my father asks me.
“Yes, as soon as I’m done here.”
“You’re done,” my boss says to me in a stern voice. “Take Miranda with you. I know you two are close, and that way, you’ll have a friend by your side for the afternoon.”
“Thank you, Tanya,” I say to her, standing from my chair to collect my things. “For everything,” I add before I walk out the door with Stone, Shane, and Miranda in tow.
Stone takes Miranda’s hand and says to Shane, “We’ll walk you out to your truck and then follow you home.” Miranda quickly grabs her things and we hurry out the door, leaving talk of the situation behind us.
***
There’s a knock and then the door opens. Logan, Sky, Jonah, and Sadie have arrived for our usual Monday night dinner. We typically get together at Logan and Sky’s house, but given the situation we’re getting together here tonight. “Hi guys.” Miranda and I get up to greet everyone at the door. “Shane and Stone are out on the balcony grilling kabobs for dinner. Can I get you two a beer?” I ask as they walk in.
“That’d be great,” Logan says, opening the door to the balcony, and Jonah follows him out to hang with the guys. I grab them each a beer and then get settled with the girls in the living room. I pick up Laney while Sky feeds Stephan. I lay her down on my lap to tickle her little belly. She begins to giggle at me and after the day I’ve had, it’s the most beautiful sound in the world.
A few minutes later Shane announces that dinner is ready, so I hand Laney back off to Sadie and grab the plates and things we need to eat. We don’t have a huge dining room like Logan and Sky do, so we’re all hanging in the living room to eat.
Once everyone is settled in, we’re all sitting and eating, but I feel like there’s tension in the air and it’s killing me. “She’s fine.” Miranda winks at me. I’m so glad someone else sensed it because I was about to say something.
“Sorry,” Sky says, “I’ve wanted to ask how you are, but also didn’t want to bring it up. I’m sure you’re tired of talking about it.”
“I am, but I also try to understand that people are worried about me. I guess the toughest part of the entire situation is knowing he’s planning to attack sometime soon, but we don’t know when. He keeps telling us he’s watching and he always seems to know where I’m going to be but he hasn’t made a move.” I sigh. “I’m tired of being cooped up in the house and constantly looking over my shoulder when I do go out.”
“Trust me, if anyone knows how that feels, it’s Sky,” Logan puts his cleared plate down on the counter. “She went through it for quite a while and it’s frustrating, but you have to keep up security until this guy is caught. Hopefully it won’t be long now.”
I hear my father’s ringtone, so I jump up to answer it. “Hey, Daddy.”
“Listen, he bought the flowers but he paid with cash. The only thing the girl at the shop could tell us is that there was a woman driving the car he pulled up in.”
“Really? Why would a woman help him torture two other women?”
“I don’t know, pretty girl, but we’re working on figuring that out. I’m hoping the traffic cams can give us something, but I’m not sure what we’ll find.”
“All right, keep us posted.”
I hang up and update everyone on what my father just told me. A yawn escapes me and that’s when Miranda says, “Come on, I’ll help you clean up.”
“Us too,” Sadie hands Laney off to Jonah. Logan takes Stephan, and the four of us move to the kitchen to clean up the mess from dinner. It’s really not too much of a mess since we grilled, but it’s still nice to have help.
Once everything is all cleaned up, I grab us each another glass of wine and we join the guys in the living room. They’re discussing Club Heat and how business has started to pick up. “That’s good,” I take a seat next to Shane.
“Yeah, the only problem I have is that the smaller private rooms book out too quickly. I wish I had more of them.”
I shrug. “Up the price of a room. If they’re that valuable, make people pay for them.”
“I’ve been debating that,” he places a sleeping Stephan in his car seat. “Once this big party is over, I want to talk about some ideas for Club Heat.”
“I’m sorry, Logan. I know you wanted me to work on both clubs, but the idea for Club Thrive kind of took over and has been taking all of my time.”
“No need to apologize. I totally understand and the ideas you have for the club are awesome. I think it’ll take off, especially around here. People are always looking for places to throw parties, and I agree—what better place than Club Thrive?” I smile, happy to hear that Logan likes my ideas for promoting the club. “Who knows? This may push me to open one more club.”
“Really, Logan? Club Heat has only been open a short time. Don’t you think you should wait a bit?” Sky gives him a warning look.
He laughs. “Okay, baby, we’ll wait another six months to a year, but I’m on a roll.”
The guys start to laugh at Logan, and Jonah goes to say something, but Logan stops him. “Before you start busting my balls, remember who pays your salary.” All three of them quickly shut their mouths.
Sky shakes her head. “I swear you just like the thrill of opening a new club.”
He shrugs. “It’s fun,” he says, like starting a new business is no big deal.
Sky rolls her eyes. “I think it’s time we get going.” She takes her wine glass to the kitchen.
“I guess we’ll talk more about Club Heat another night. My boss says it’s time to go.” We all laugh as Sky playfully smacks Logan. Jonah and Sadie leave at the same time, leaving Miranda and Stone.
“Do you need me to be here at all this week?” Stone asks. He and Miranda are sitting on the loveseat across from us.
“I don’t think so. She’s working from home the rest of the week.”
Stone drinks the rest of his beer. “You ready?” He looks at Miranda.
“Yeah, I’m sure Katie is tired after the stress of today.” She looks
at me. “You call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Thanks, guys.” I stand to hug my friends good-bye. When I do, another yawn escapes me. Today has been draining.
Chapter 19
Katie
Tonight’s the big party and I’ve been running around like crazy trying to get everything together. I’ve emailed the complete list of guests to my father as well as Logan so he can hand it off to the bouncer, who will be at the door. I’ve emailed Evelyn several times since the last meeting to ensure she’s on top of everything for tonight.
Shane and I, along with Logan and Sky, will all be at the club early to meet up with everyone. We’re having a meeting with security and the bouncers before anyone else can walk through the door.
“Baby, I’m done in the shower. It’s all yours.” Shane says.
“Perfect. I just finished taking care of a few last-minute things.” I jump down off the chair, give Shane a quick kiss, and run off to the bathroom to get ready. My clothes are already laid out on the bed, so I go straight to the shower.
As I’m washing, I keep running things over in my head, confirming I spoke with the DJ from the radio station, the caterer, and Tanya.
When I get out of the shower, I quickly dry off, throw on my clothes, and get to work on my hair and make-up. I don’t wear a ton of it, but I want it to be perfect for tonight. Our entire family and all of Kara’s friends are going to be there. Plus, I want to look good from a business standpoint. I’m dressed a bit more professional than I would if I were going out with my friends for a night in the club, but I don’t mind.
I’m finally happy with my appearance, so I go into the living room to find Shane on the phone, pacing. I can see the stress on his face. I pause trying to hear what’s going on, but it seems like he’s doing more listening than talking.
“Got it,” he finally says before cutting the call and tucking his phone into his back pocket. When he looks up to see me standing staring at him with my brows raised, waiting for an explanation, he says, “That was Logan. He wants me by your side tonight. I’m not the manager of Club Thrive. I’m your boyfriend.”