"I will. What the hell! You're my best friend."
"Don't worry. Guess I'm finally in the clear, seeing as I had witnesses to state I was at work when all that shit went down this morning. You have to tell me what happened. That PI didn't say much. Just that someone tried to run you over with a car."
"That's basically it. That and the fact that my car was vandalized. Windows smashed. Tires slit. It was a mess." Alexis shook her head just remembering.
"Oh honey," Steph said, giving her another hug. "I'm starved. Let's go eat."
Alexis laughed. Her friend could flip her moods so easily.
Erica walked in before they had a chance to leave. "Well, look who's here. Did you lose your boyfriend and come looking for your job back? Cause, let me tell you, I got your spot when you left and I'm not giving it back without a fight."
Alexis felt Steph stiffen next to her. She grabbed her hand a gave it a squeeze, letting her know all was well. "Just here to take Steph to lunch. Don't worry, your job is safe."
"Speaking of job." Steph narrowed her eyes at Erica. "What are you doing here? Your shift doesn't start until eight."
Alexis was taken aback for a moment. That was true. If Erica had taken over her position, she worked from eight at night til two in the morning. What was she doing here now? Alexis looked her over from head to toe, trying discern any similarities between Erica and the woman in the photos Stan had shown her. It was hard to believe that Erica would go through so much trouble to hurt her because of a little jealousy. Especially now that she had Alexis's coveted position. Really, that had been all she wanted. But, now that the idea had taken root, she couldn't get it out of her head. She'd have to tell Stan to look into her.
"I left something in my locker last night," Erica answered their question (vaguely). "I'm just stopping by to get it."
Erica sauntered to her locker. Alexis and Steph were not hiding the fact that they watched her. She undid the lock, reached inside and withdrew a stack of papers from the shelf.
She waved them around. "Not that it's any of your business, but I got myself a sugar daddy, too. This here is a prenuptial agreement. And you know what that means ladies, he's loaded. Asked me to marry him last night on my dinner break."
"How romantic," Steph said, rolling her eyes. "Did he give you the papers before or after he gave you a ring?"
Erica's smile dimmed. "I'll get a ring after I sign the papers." Her smile came back. "My honey bear is just being cautious. His ex took him for half of everything. Says he loves me, but he's not making that mistake again."
"Sounds like a winner," Steph smirked.
If Erica's story was true, Alexis thought, that was double reason for her not to be responsible for everything that was going on. Not only did she get her job, but she had a rich boyfriend to boot. She mentally scratched her name off the list (a list that now had no names written on it).
"Well, I'm happy for you, Erica. And I wish you best in your upcoming marriage." Alexis took Steph's hand. "Come on. Let's get something to eat."
Alexis had just taken a bite of her turkey on rye when her phone dinged.
Jack: where are you? Just came upstairs, but you're not here
Alexis put her sandwich down and texted back.
Alexis: with Steph at deli in west casino
Jack: order me a sandwich be there in ten
Alexis: bossy much? A please and thank you would not be remiss
Jack: sweetheart :)
Alexis threw her phone on the table.
"Who was that?" Steph pointed her pinky at the phone while trying to hold on to her sandwich.
"Jack. He practically ordered me to get him a sandwich. He'll be here in a few."
Steph laughed. "That man cannot stand being away from you for two seconds."
Alexis snorted as she got up from the table. The line was longer than when they arrived, and she was still waiting in it when Jack showed up, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her to his side.
She smiled up at him. "Just in time to tell me what you want."
"You, buttered, between two pieces of sourdough." He nibbled on her ear.
Alexis giggled. "Be serious, Jack."
"I was being serious," he gave her his signature grin, "but if I have to choose something from the menu, just order me whatever you got."
"If you're in a hurry, you can have mine," she nodded with her head toward their table. "I'll take this one when it's done."
Jack's eyes got soft as he looked at her. "No one's ever offered me their food before." His lips grazed her cheek in a gentle kiss. "I'm never in a rush when I'm with you. We'll wait and eat together."
"Okay," Alexis whispered softly.
They were gone another ten minutes before they got back to the table. Steph had finished eating. She wiped her mouth before saying, "Well kids, It's been fun, but mamma's got to get back to work."
Alexis gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry, we didn't get to talk much. When's your next day off? We'll go shopping." Jack gave her a funny look. "What?" she asked.
"I don't want you leaving the hotel by yourself until this mess is taken care of."
"What about work?"
Steph stood from the table. "And that's my cue to leave." She blew kisses, turned on her heel and left.
Alexis turned back to Jack, waiting for an answer.
"I talked to Mike while you were sleeping."
When did he become on first name terms with her boss? Oh, that's right, when they had their talk. Her eyes narrowed on Jack as he continued speaking.
"I explained the situation, and he agreed with me that it would be best while all this is going down, if you didn't go into work. He said it was no problem for you to go back when it was all over."
"But why?"
"I don't want you at work by yourself. Out on the lot alone. Getting into cars with strangers. We don't know who she is, and what if she hires someone to attack you?"
Okay. That made sense. But ... "What am I going to do all day?"
Jack leered at her. "You can be my personal assistant."
"What about Becky?" Jack gave her a horrified look. She laughed. "You know what I mean."
"You'll be my personal, personal assistant."
"And what's my job description? Walking around your office naked, waiting for you to have sex with me?"
Jack smiled as if he thought that was a brilliant idea.
Alexis snorted. "I don't think so, big man."
Jack trailed a finger down her nose then tapped it. "I'm sure I'll think of something." He pointed to her plate. "Eat. You'll need your energy."
CHAPTER TWENTY
Alexis sat at Jack's desk Saturday afternoon, reading a magazine while he was in a meeting. She was bored. She looked around the office, hoping something would pique her interest. Nope, nothing. His office was as boring as ever.
She quickly scribbled a note to Jack and left it sitting on his desk. She would hit the hotel gym and burn off some of her restless energy.
She popped upstairs and changed into cutoff sweats and an old T-shirt. Not the height of fashion, but what did she care, she'd be sweaty soon.
The gym was located next to the spa. She looked at it longingly. A massage sounded way better than a stair stepper. Oh well, at least Steph wasn't around to make fun of her out-of-shape ass.
She stopped at the check-in counter and smiled, giving her name to the cute, perky brunette manning the desk (at some point, Alexis wasn't sure when, Jack had given her name to every establishment in the hotel, gaining her free and total access)
.
The girl handed her a towel and with a smile and with a point of a finger she said, "The door to your right is the women's locker room." She next pointed her finger past the sea of workout equipment. "At the back of the room is the door leading to the pool area and sauna." She pointed her finger one last time. "The door to the left is the men's locker room," she said, giving Alexis a wink.
Alexis thanked her and headed for the stair steppers.
After twenty minutes, she was done. Without Steph there to push her, she didn't have the will power to stay on the hated machine a minute longer. She was hot and out of breath. The pool sounded heavenly, but she didn't have a suit. She made her way to the door anyway. She wanted to take a quick peek at it for future reference.
The pool was Olympic sized, dominating the center of a large room. Tables and chairs were randomly scattered and a strong smell of chlorine was in the air. Only one person was in the pool doing laps.
A wide hallway was to her right. Curious, she went investigating. It dead ended at a large, metal door. Alexis opened it and peered inside. She had never been in a sauna, but assumed that's what this was. The room was warm, humid, and seemed very relaxing.
She stepped in, and the door closed behind her with a soft click. She sprawled out on one of the long, wooden benches that lined the walls and closed her eyes, stretching. A girl could get used to this. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. The warm heat seeped into her bones, completely relaxing her.
After about ten minutes, she noticed the room getting a little too warm. Starting to feel slightly dizzy, she got up and went to the door, ready to leave. She tried pushing down on the handle, but it wouldn't budge. She tried jiggling the handle, with the same result.
Alexis had never been claustrophobic but being locked in a boiling room with no escape, caused her to panic. She pounded on the window and yelled, trying to grab the attention of the person in the pool. She had no idea if she could be heard, if the door was soundproof, or if she was too far away.
She stepped away from the door and took a steadying breath. She need to think. Now was not the time for hysteria. She looked at the walls, hoping to see some kind of call button or switch. Nothing. It got hotter in the room, and she found it harder to breathe.
Think, Alexis, think. She didn't have her cell phone. She had left it upstairs, not wanting to carry it. Stupid. There was no phone in here. She had no means of communication, and the door was the only exit. She was screwed.
* * * * *
Jack looked at his watch as he left the conference room. He'd been in the meeting for over three hours. He entered his office. The room was empty. He pulled out his cell phone and called Alexis, but after five rings, it went to voice mail. He tossed his phone on the desk and saw the note.
Jack
got antsy so went to the gym
xoxo
He tucked the message in his pocket, picked up his phone and headed out the door.
Becky stopped him on his way out. "I have some documents that need your signature."
"Put them on my desk. I'll see to them later. Right now, I need to find Alexis."
"Is she missing?"
"No. She's at the gym, but she's not answering her phone and that makes me all kinds of crazy."
Becky looked amused but nodded her head in understanding. "I'll set these on your desk," she said, waving the papers she held in her hand.
Jack walked into the gym and looked around. A few people were on weight machines and a few more were on bikes and gliders. He didn't see Alexis.
He turned to the receptionist. "Did Alexis Taft come in?"
The girl smiled. "Yes, Sir."
"Did you see her leave?" He indicated the room with a sweep of his arm. "I don't see her here." He knew he sounded impatient, but he had a sick feeling in his gut that something was wrong. He'd apologize later for snapping at the girl. After he found Alexis.
The girl had a frown between her brows. "I don't remember seeing her leave."
The girl had zero information. He'd find her himself. He strode into the women's locker room, heedless to the gasps the few women present made, not noticing them or their state of undress, other than to ascertain whether they were Alexis. He exited as quickly as he arrived.
He entered the pool area. No one. He placed his hands on his hips and looked around. He knew the hall to his right led to the sauna. He stepped over to it and looked down. The door at the end had a pool chair jammed under the handle. What the fuck?
He sprinted down the hall, pulled the chair away, and opened the door. He wasn't prepared for the blast of heat that greeted him. He sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes frantically searching for Alexis.
He saw her lying in a ball on the floor. She was unconscious and her skin was flushed a bright red. He scooped her into his arms. She was hot, too hot. He quickly jogged to the pool, pulling his phone out and dialing 911. While speaking to the operator, he descended the steps, submerging Alexis in the cool water.
After being assured an ambulance was on its way, Jack set his phone on the edge of the pool, so he could free his hand to bathe Alexis's face. He tipped her head back soaking her hair. The heat coming off her body was ridiculous. He knew he had to cool her off. Her breathing was shallow and rapid and he could see the pulse in her neck throbbing.
It worried him that she was still unconscious. "Come on baby, wake up." The words rumbled from his chest.
When he was sure she was totally saturated, he reached for his phone and called Becky. "An ambulance is on the way. Meet them out front and directed them to the gym pool right away." He disconnected before she could speak.
He placed his phone down once more, cupped his hand with water, and dribbled it over her forehead. He had her submerged to her neck. That she wasn't waking up, and the paramedics still hadn't arrived was killing him. He felt powerless. God, he hated this. Having Alexis was in his arms, possibly dying, and not knowing what else to do for her was maddening.
His anger grew the longer he had to wait. He could feel his body start to shake with it. He knew he needed to be calm for Alexis's sake, but he couldn't seem to find his control. He wanted to throw something, destroy things. Find the person responsible for hurting Alexis, wrap his hands around their throat and squeeze. Not caring that the person accountable was a woman .
The chatter of voices and the clatter of a gurney rolling across the tile floor drew Jack's attention. Two paramedics and four police officers along with a nervous looking Becky surrounded the shallow end of the pool.
Jack quickly climbed the stairs of the pool, his suit dripping water. He gently laid Alexis on the gurney, all the while, answering the paramedic's questions. They rapidly surrounded her with ice packs and started an IV.
The police asked him questions, but he didn't answer. Alexis was being wheeled out and there was no way he was leaving her side. Of course, they drew attention, Alexis on a gurney, him in his dripping suit. He followed the paramedics to the ambulance and climbed in.
Alexis regained consciousness on the way to the hospital. Jack held her hand and talked soothingly to her while they were in transport. She drifted in and out of sleep and kept mumbling something that he didn't understand.
"It's okay, sweetheart, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
The ambulance stopped, and the back doors flew open. Hospital staff surround the gurney as the paramedics wheeled it through the hospital doors. Jack held onto Alexis's hand the whole time.
"Sir, you can't come any farther."
Jack picked up his head. A short, heavyset nurse with close-cropped, black hair was speaking to him. "I'm not leaving her."
"Sir, she n
eeds medical treatment. The longer we delay, the more damage being caused."
Jack felt Alexis squeeze his hand. He looked back down at her. Her lips were moving, and he leaned in close to hear what she was saying.
"It's okay, let them do their job." Her voice was raspy and weak.
"I don't want to leave you."
"I'll be okay."
"Promise me, Alexis. Promise you'll stay with me." He whispered in her ear.
"I promise," she whispered back.
He gave her a light kiss on the lips, let go of her hand, and stepped away. He watched as the nurses wheeled the gurney down the hall, disappearing behind a set of double doors.
Jack impatiently paced the waiting room. Becky, Stan, and Steph had arrived at some point. He wasn't sure who called whom and he really didn't care. All he cared about was news concerning Alexis.
Becky brought him a dry change of clothes, jeans, T-shirt and boots that he changed into, throwing his sodden suit in the trash. She also brought a change of clothes for Alexis for when she was ready to leave. And he had no doubts that she would leave. She had promised him.
"For Alexis Taft?"
Jack turned. Standing in the entrance to the waiting room was a good looking, thirty-something man in scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck. Jack felt his blood pressure rise at the thought of this man being Alexis's doctor. He pushed those feeling aside. He was really going to have to get a handle on his jealousy. Maybe in about twenty years, it'll wear off.
Jack raised a finger in the air as he walked toward the doctor. "Yes."
The doctor held out his hand. "I'm Dr. Kaplan."
Jack took the doctor's hand. "Jackson Cole."
He gave Jack a nod. "We were able to regulate Ms. Taft's body temperature. There doesn't seem to be any damage or malfunction of internal organs and all brain functions appear to be normal."
Jack closed his eyes and exhaled the breath he held while the doctor spoke. He opened his eyes and pinned them on the doctor. "When can I see her?"
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