“Of course, love,” she said smiling. Is she beaming? Maybe it was the light, but he could swear she was glowing. Kira helped him secure his leg and roll his black dress pants down over it. She tied his dress shoes, smiling the whole time.
“Are you ok?” he asked, as he buttoned his French blue dress shirt and fixed his cuffs.
“Yes, it’s just … a week ago, I thought you hated me. I could barely stand being apart from you. Even before I remembered who you were, I missed you. It’s like you were with me the whole time and when I woke up I missed you. Now we are together, and we can have sneaky shower sex whenever we want,” she said, her cheeks blushing as she smiled at him.
“Darling, I was with you. I came to you every single day until you woke up. I vowed I would be honorable and leave you alone once you woke up. So, when I knew you were ok, I did my best to leave you alone. Unfortunately, I’m not a very honorable man.” Stark reached out and took her hand.
“Why would you leave me alone? That’s a horrible idea,” Kira pouted back.
“Well, for starters, I didn’t want to stick you with someone who would be in a chair for the rest of his life. I didn’t want you to have to do things like tie my shoes and help put my leg on. I didn’t want to ruin your career. And …” he started, but stopped and pinched his lips together.
Kira knew that look. He was hiding something. “What is it?”
“Nothing. I just don’t deserve you in my life,” he said, kissing her hand.
A knock at the door prevented the conversation from going any further. “Come in,” Stark called, and Sergeant Miller opened the door.
“Oh crap, I’m not ready yet.” Kira scampered off to the bathroom to finish.
As soon as she was out of sight, Stark turned to Miller, “So did you get it?”
“Talk about a wild fucking goose chase. Yeah, we got it, but I had to take it to the shop,” he answered.
“Thank you. I owe you big time.” Stark patted Miller on the back.
“Ain’t no thing, brother. Anytime,” Miller responded.
The bathroom door opened and Kira stepped out in a black, backless lace dress and to die for heels. Holy shit!
“How the fuck did you get her again?” Miller whispered to Stark. “And does she have a sister?”
They pulled up to the Bistro Provence and Miller got out to give the keys to the valet. The brick and stone building looked like an old firehouse converted into the most coveted French restaurant in Maryland. He came around and got Stark’s chair out of the trunk while the valet opened the door for Kira. Miller helped Stark into his chair and they rolled to the door of the Bistro.
Miller spoke to the maître d', and he informed him their party was already seated. They started to follow him.
“Stop. Please,” Stark asked, and Miller stopped moving. Stark reached down and locked the wheels. “Kira, would you do me the honor of walking with me.”
“Absolutely!” Kira slipped her arm through his and he stood. He took a moment to get his bearings on the new leg, and then they walked arm in arm to the table of their closest friends.
Paige and Zoe stopped talking and stood when they saw him coming. Paige had tears in her eyes and put her hands up over her mouth. Zoe jumped up and down like a schoolgirl who had been given candy.
“Oh, Owen!” Zoe squealed. “Look at you! Look at you!” She clapped and threw her arms around him. Kira steadied him quickly to keep him from going down.
“Hey, whoa. I’m not super steady yet, but I’m getting there,” Stark said, and kissed Zoe on the cheek. Kira helped him sit and Miller pulled the chair out for her to sit as well. “Thanks, everyone for coming. Thank you for being here, and I’m sorry for stressing everyone out.”
“Stark, you big shit, we love you. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” Paige said, her eyes still glistening.
The waiter arrived at the table and Stark ordered a bottle of Petrus Pomerol, 2009.
“Are you certain, monsieur?” The waiter looked a little alarmed. “This is a … um … pricey … you know.”
“I know. This is a special day. I get to walk on two legs and take my best girls and my brothers out to dinner.” He smiled at the waiter and added, “It's been said that I'm a good tipper too.”
“Wow, what’s got into you?” Taylor asked. “I mean I’m all for drinking the fancy shit, but you know we don’t need any of that. We would have been happy with a burger joint.”
Violin music played in the background and a fire crackled in the brick fireplace. They sat at a round corner table with white linens.
“I wanted to take you guys some place nice.” He paused, and looked at Kira for a minute, then quickly added, “hell, if Simone is about to blow through all my family’s money we might as well enjoy a little bit of it.”
The waiter returned with the four-thousand-dollar bottle of Petrus and poured a small amount of the dense purple liquid in a glass for Stark to taste.
Stark just stared at him. Paige busted out laughing. Stark rolled his eyes, and took a small taste. “This is great. Thanks,” he said without any pomp or circumstance. The waiter looked almost crushed.
“Ok, fine,” he said, smiling at the waiter with his most polite face, “This merlot is exquisite, with a sweet nose of mulberries, black cherries, a subtle note of licorice.”
The waiter beamed and began to pour for everyone. The rest of the table sat open mouthed, staring at Stark.
“Don’t start,” he said to Paige, who was looking at him with a mischievous grin.
“Here, here,” she said, raising her glass. “This evening calls for a toast. To best friends we call our brothers, to happy lives and sated lovers, to plastic bitches we leave behind, for life's too short to waste the wine.”
They all busted out laughing and drank. No matter what lie ahead, together they could face anything.
Kira was famished. She had really worked up an appetite between running and their shower tryst. She couldn’t wait for the food.
For her appetizer, she ordered Petites Crevettes roti au Tomates, Safran et Romarin. Just the sound of roasted shrimp with tomatoes and sauce of saffron and rosemary made her mouth water. There was nothing more perfect in Kira’s mind. While they were waiting for their salads to arrive, Kira excused herself to the bathroom.
“I’ll come with you,” Paige called after her.
“Me too!” Zoe said, getting up from the table.
As they walked away Kira could hear Stark ask why women always had to pee together. She didn’t bother to listen for the answer though because her attention was stolen by a group of gentlemen they passed. The silver haired man in the Versace jacket was strikingly familiar. He was having dinner with a congressman she had seen on TV while they were in the hospital and two of Simone’s lawyers. Kira averted her gaze before they saw her.
As soon as they were around the corner into the bathroom, Kira pulled Paige and Zoe inside quickly and shut the door.
“Wow, Vanilla, I have to say I’m surprised by your forwardness. I mean turned on as hell, but surprised,” Paige teased.
“Stop it, Paige. Did you see Simone’s lawyers out there having dinner?” Kira cracked the door and held it for Paige and Zoe to peak out.
“Have you been watching too much CSI while you are sitting around in the hospital? Paige raised an eyebrow and pursed out her lips like a Kardashian detective.
“No, I just think it’s odd that they are here with a congressman. That other guy that is with them is so familiar too, but I can’t place him. I know I’ve seen him before.”
“They have a global corporation. I’m sure her contacts have dinners with congressmen and world leaders all the time,” Paige said, as she went into one of the exquisitely decorated bathroom stalls.
“I guess she just makes me nervous. Knowing she is out to get him scares me.”
Kira went to the restroom and washed her hands. She stopped at the mirror to make sure everything was tucked in where it was supposed
to be, and reapplied her lipstick.
Paige and Zoe came out of the larger accessible restroom giggling and went to wash their hands.
“Seriously, you two?” Kira asked shaking her head.
“Why the hell not?” Paige answered, and applied another coat of ruby red to her full lips.
They stepped back into the restaurant and Kira almost fell over. Stark was standing unassisted by the table with the men she saw on the way in. He spoke very formally to all of them.
As Kira approached, he took her arm. To the outward appearance, it would look a little possessive, but Kira could feel him using her for balance.
“Gentlemen, this is Kira Riley.” Stark introduced her to the group. “Kira this is David Gale and Marcus Hunter. They are part of our law team at Anderson Stark Technologies.”
Kira stared into the face of the skinny lawyer who delivered the opening remarks at Stark’s competency hearing. She couldn’t help glaring. “I believe we have met,” she said, deadpan.
David Gale paled. A fine sheen of sweat appeared on his brow. Stiffly, she shook their hands.
“This is Trevor Paulson, the new Secretary of State,” Stark said.
Kira reached out politely and shook his hand. So … not a congressman. He was Secretary of State!
“And this is Brunello Guzman. He is the CEO of Biotech,” Stark finished.
This time it was Kira who paled. She needed some air. The room was suddenly warm as her full memory from her mission and kidnapping came rushing back.
He extended his hand. Remain calm. Kira willed herself to take his hand and gave what little strength she could muster to limply shake it. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“So, nice to meet you, Kira.” His thick accent rolled the R in her name. His resemblance to his brother was uncanny.
Kira could barely think of dinner. Her voracious appetite squelched by the hands of a ghost. She saw Stark studying her throughout dinner. He may just be worried about me not eating, but there is something more. She needed to go outside. The restaurant was at least a hundred and ten degrees. Her backless dress felt like a wool coat. It had all come back to her. Anderson Stark Technologies owned Biotech. They funded the whole damn project.
She struggled to breathe. Did Stark know what they were doing? Did he have any idea who Guzman’s brother was? For fuck’s sake, what happened to my perfect day?
The waiter brought: Piece de Boeuf, aux Graines de Poivre Noir, Petites Pommes de Terre Rôties, Prime Filet Mignon, and Roasted Turned Potatoes in Cognac Pepper Sauce. I am seriously eating where I need subtitles for my food. This was not her world. Old insecurities threatened to take her over. She pushed the food around with her fork. How many courses are there to this meal, anyway?
Twenty minutes before, she was on top of the world, now she just really wanted to get the hell out. Stark sat comfortably, like a king in his castle as he ate his food and laughed with his friends. Kira just did her best to participate.
“Is the filet not done right, dear?” he asked. “We can send it back if you don’t like it.”
Is he being kind or condescending? She had to shake this off at least until she could get back to the hospital. Stark was not the bad guy. She refused to believe he was the bad guy.
Mercifully, they worked through the courses and the conversation started to die down. They would be going home soon. Well, at least back to the hospital. Perhaps I should go back to the hotel with Paige and Zoe. As quickly as the thought crossed her mind she pushed it back out again. She was staying with him no matter what.
“Hey, are you ok?” Stark asked as she climbed in the car beside him. Miller came around and got in the front seat.
“That little prick!” Miller started.
Stark and Kira both turned toward him.
“That greasy ass lawyer had the nerve to shake your hand when he was the one giving opening arguments at the little hearing Simone staged trying to have you committed.” Miller was practically yelling. Kira wondered how he had stayed so calm all through dinner.
“I figured they were there,” Stark said with a satisfied look. That’s why I made a point of walking over to say ‘hello.’ I want them to see how well I am doing. I want them to report back to Simone that she is going to have to try a hell of a lot harder than that to get rid of me.”
That explains his cockiness. Should I tell him what I learned about Biotech? Does he already know?
“How well do you know Mr. Guzman?” she asked. Stark and Miller exchanged glances.
“Not very well. He has been the CEO of Biotech for the past four years,” he reported. He didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t ask any further questions. Kira rode back to the hospital in silence, watching the lights of the city out her window.
Stark put his arm around her and she couldn’t resist. His cologne was swirled in circles around her and made her tingle. She settled back into him and closed her eyes. In his arms, she would always feel safe and warm, no matter what was going on outside.
When they reached the hospital, Miller helped them back to Stark’s room. He opened the door and turned on the light.
“Stop!” Stark yelled. Miller stopped in his tracks. Stark’s room, usually picture perfect, was in disarray. Someone had come in while they were gone and went through his things. His bedside safe stood open. The laptop was gone. All his drawers were open, his clothes were strewn about. Stark was furious. He looked like a turnip.
Miller went to the nurse’s station to call the police and file a report.
“They fucking took it!” Stark cursed, and shook his head. They couldn’t even go in his room until the police arrived, so they had to wait in the hall.
“Took what? Your laptop?” Kira asked. “It sucks, I know. But I’m fairly certain that bottle of wine was more expensive than your laptop.”
“No. Not the laptop, the USB that was in the laptop.” He looked up at Miller, “Let’s go somewhere a little quieter.”
Stark had a dark look in his eyes. Miller took them to a small waiting room down the hall where the lights were off. He opened the door and turned on the light. He checked the room and then brought Stark in. Kira was confused. Did they really think someone would be in here, or were they just on high alert after the room was burglarized?
“Kira, sit down,” Stark instructed. Miller stood by the door. The operator voice was back. Kira’s heart started to race. What is happening? She sat slowly in the blue vinyl chair. He rolled closer and took her hands.
“There is something I have to tell you,” he started, and Miller nodded.
Kira could tell she was not going to like where this was going. Her heart was beating through her chest. She fought the terror that rose up inside her.
“I know why they came to my room. They were after the USB drive.” His voice was low.
“What USB? Is it to do with work? The teams? Your company?” she asked, trying to understand.
“Yes,” he answered, flatly.
Kira wrung her hands. She was starting to get frustrated. “Yes, what, Owen? What are you talking about?”
“Yes, to all of the above. You might remember it. It’s the one you had the night you were shot.” He never flinched.
Kira felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. The walls thumped with her pulse and started to close in. Calm yourself. You wanted to play this game. You knew it was for keeps. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. “How do you know about the USB, Owen?” She was afraid to ask but she had to know.
He reached in his inside jacket pocket, took out the small device, and placed it in her hands.
“How did you get it?” She could barely breathe.
He leaned back in his chair. “I saw you with it while you sat at the computer with Gerson Galvez and Amibel Guzman.”
“What? How? You were there?” Kira struggled to comprehend what he was saying.
“I thought you guys came in to rescue us. What were you doing there?” she asked, angry,
frightened tears starting to form.
“I was sent to take care of a situation, the alliance between Galvez and Guzman. You were never supposed to be there,” he said, balling up his fist. “What were you doing there Kira? You need to be very honest with me right now.”
“I … I was researching and the results didn’t add up. I had forgot most of it until tonight. When I saw Guzman, he looked just like his brother!” She couldn’t hold back the tears any more. Her life had been one big fucked up nightmare ever since she got caught up in all this. “When I saw, him I remembered everything. Javier Galvez had told me his brother was interested in my research and could help me after the military came in and destroyed our lab.”
“What do you mean they destroyed your lab?” His face became darker. Stark was putting pieces together and he looked homicidal.
“A couple of days before I was taken, US Army officials came in and took everything. All of our research, our computers … everything,” Kira explained. “So, I went to Javier. I was so upset I agreed to meet with whoever he had contact with. Oh, God … Owen.” She sat back sick. “It was all my fault. If I hadn’t gone … I’m so sorry. I just wanted answers.”
“So, you met with them?” he asked, his eyes narrowed to small slits.
“Not exactly. I was going to meet them when Holt and I were taken. At first I, didn’t know if we were kidnapped or not. Then they took us to the house and he made me shower and change into the burqa. I was so scared.” Her words were flowing like a river now.
Stark closed his eyes. She watched his forehead crinkle in pain.
“They told me what they knew about the virus and its history. At first it just seemed like they were after answers, like me, but when they showed me the information on the USB, I could tell they were planning to make a weapon out of it. Their plan was genius, fucked up, but genius. They used the mass hysteria growing around the Zika virus. The symptoms were caused by pesticide use and not the virus to begin with. But the resulting hysteria was a perfect reason for funding for research and clinical trials with their vector of choice which were the genetically modified mosquitos. The Zika scare provided the perfect excuse to dump millions of the little buggers into the environment to test to see what happens. Clinical trials for a biological weapon on a mass scale, paid for by a fearful public. The thing is, Galvez and Guzman didn’t own it. They wanted to steal it. Biotech owns it. They have already tested it. They know it works. All they have to do is infect the host mosquito population with a deadly virus of their choice or creation. Perfection. Evil fucking perfection, and it’s for sale to the highest bidder. The thing is …” Kira swallowed hard. After I admit what I know, will I see another sunrise? She was terrified, but she loved Stark and had to believe in all this, he had to be good. He has to be a good guy. “Biotech is owned by Anderson Stark Technologies.”
Stark Resolution (Stark Trilogy Book 3) Page 20