Smoke (Smoke Series Book 1)

by Mariah Esterly

  “Right,” Vail tapped his hands on the arms of his chair. He had to get out of there or he was bound to say something he would regret. “Is there anything else? Or can I go?”

  Atkins looked up from his screen. “You can go, but Vail, as soon as you learn anything you come to us. And do not, under any circumstances interact with her.”

  Vail stood. “I know my orders, sir.” He left, feeling their eyes on him.

  Dicie was still watching Gertie, who was stretched out on her stomach on the couch, asleep. One arm drooped over the edge of the couch, fingers brushing the white carpet. He knew from experience that she would be sore in the morning, even with the pillow she’d brought from her bed.

  Dicie looked up at him, a question in her blue eyes.

  “Everything’s fine. He just wanted an update.”

  “So, you’re still following her?”

  Vail ran a hand down his face, suddenly weary to his bones. “Yes, Dice, I am.”

  Her face softened. “Go eat something and get some sleep. I’ll wake you in a few hours, before she gets up.”

  He bent and dropped a kiss on the top of her head, her curly hair tickling his nose. “Thanks, Dice.”

  She waved him away, and turned her attention back to the screens in front of her. Vail made his way through the building to the living quarters for members of the Office. His own rooms were small, compared to even Gertie’s family’s apartment, but they were his. There was a bedroom, a bathroom and living room with a tiny kitchen that was never used.

  Someone, he suspected Dicie, had put a few sandwiches in his fridge. As he ate them, he thought that Gertie and Dicie would probably get along really well if they ever had the chance to meet. They both liked to take care of the people in their lives, liked feeding them.

  When his stomach was full, he took a quick shower knowing he wouldn’t have time when he woke up and fell into bed, his hair still wet.

  6

  Gertie

  The entire next week Gertie couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. There were multiple times she could swear that she felt someone brush against her when there was no one there. She sometimes heard strange noises in her apartment at night, like there was a spirit haunting the space.

  And even stranger food was disappearing from her fridge. On Wednesday, she went to heat up some leftover noodles and found that there was only half of what she thought she had.

  She woke up several times a night, convinced that someone was in her apartment and she showed up for work irritable and exhausted.

  If Kay noticed that Gertie was a bit slower at completing her pages for the day, or that her visits to the gym where greatly shortened, she didn’t mention it. Instead, she talked about the fun they were going to have on Friday night, the bars they were going to visit and the people they would most likely see.

  “What about the captain you mentioned?”

  Gertie glanced up from the paper in front of her, regarding Kay. “Who? Liam?”

  Kay arched a perfectly shaped brow, “On a first name basis with him are we?” Gertie felt her face flame. “Yes, will Liam be joining us?”

  Gertie shook her head and focused again on the screen in front of her. “I doubt it. He usually works on Friday nights.”

  “Well maybe he won’t work tonight.” Kay drummed her fingers on Gertie’s desk. “Are you almost done?”

  Kay had finished her work an hour before, but she’d lingered so that she and Gertie could drop off their pages to Mr. Lott. There was safety in numbers.

  “I’m on my last page. I’ll be done soon.”

  “Okay, I’ll go get you a cup of coffee. You look like you could use the caffeine. Can’t have you falling asleep at a bar.” Kay strode away before Gertie could tell her she didn’t want the beverage.

  Shaking her head slightly, Gertie returned to the numbers in front of her, trying to ignore how they swam in front of her eyes. She was almost done, she just had two more columns left. If she focused she could be finished by the time Kay returned.

  Someone breathed on the back of her neck.

  Her fingers faltered in their movement, and she mistyped. Slowly, she turned her head, already knowing that she would see no one. For a moment, she thought she could just make out the outline of someone, hazy, like looking at them through a blue fog. She blinked and they were gone.

  “You’re not done yet?” Kay dropped into the chair next to her.

  Gertie’s head snapped back around. “I’m just finishing now.” She corrected the mistake she’d made and hit enter, then printed her document.

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Kay shoved the paper cup into her hand, and Gertie took a sip of the hot beverage, if for no other reason than to bring some warmth back into her body that had gone cold with that tiny puff of air.

  Kay tapped at her computer and went to retrieve their pages from the printer. Gertie took another gulp of the coffee, and set the cup on her desk before meeting Kay halfway to Mr. Lott’s office.

  The blond handed Gertie a stack of pages, and pasted a smile on her face before knocking on the open office door. “Ah, my two favorite employees.” Mr. Lott stood as they entered, holding out his hands to them. Kay held out her papers, and forced them into his hand, expertly making him take them rather than touch her.

  Gertie was not so lucky. He dodged her papers and instead grasped her upper arm. His hand felt clammy against the skin exposed by the cap sleeves of her blue button up shirt. He leered down at her. “I take it you’ve finished for the day?”

  Kay smiled brilliantly. “Yep! If you’ll just take the papers, we’ll be able to get out of here. We’re going to get ready for tonight.”

  He raised his eyebrows, not taking his eyes from Gertie’s face. “That’s right, I forgot that you will be joining us tonight, Miss Penn.” The look on his face told Gertie that he had done no such thing.

  “Yes, sir.” She was barely able to get out.

  “Well, I hope that Kay helps you pick out something that is appropriate for the… activities that we have planned.” Gertie suppressed the shudder that threatened to wrack her body.

  Kay laughed. “Don’t you worry, I will. Now, will you please call down to payroll, so we can spend our weekly pay on something frivolous?”

  He nodded, but his fingers lingered on Gertie ignoring the papers that poked his ample stomach. Kay snatched the stack from Gertie’s hand and held them up in front of his face. “Here you go, Mr. Lott.”

  He finally released Gertie to move the papers. Kay took advantage and headed toward the door, pulling Gertie with her. “We’ll see you tonight,” she called over her shoulder.

  They returned to their desks to gather their things, striding through the rows of desk as quickly as they could. “Is it just me,” asked Gertie, as she changed her shoes. “Or is he getting worse?”

  “It’s not just you, the other girls in the office have noticed the same thing.” Kay threw her arm around Gertie’s shoulder. “Come on, it’s time to find you an appropriate outfit. I think something that covers you from your neck to your toes should work.”

  Gertie laughed and allowed Kay to lead her out of the office.

  Four hours later, Gertie had been tweezed, styled and painted to resemble something that looked like Kay, and not at all like herself. She’d allowed her friend to pick out her outfit, a black lace dress with gold lining that was far too tight across the chest but flared out over her hips to fall to her mid-thigh and black high heels that Gertie felt foolish walking in. Kay also had her fingernails painted gold, and instructed the hair stylist to give Gertie’s honey hair long loose curls.

  Gertie had expected that her makeup would have been more like Kay’s, smoky eyes, bright blush, pink lips. But instead Kay had directed the makeup artist to do a relatively neutral eyeshadow, just a light shimmer of gold and a winged line of black eyeliner. Her lips were stained with red, and her skin had a glowing quality that Gertie had never been able to repli
cate at home.

  Over all, Gertie was pleased with the look, though she couldn’t imagine doing this twice every weekend, as most of the people in her office did. She would much rather carry five bags of groceries through two districts.

  Kay flat out refused to let Gertie wear a raincoat, despite the sprinkling of spring rain falling from the sky. “But I’ll get wet.”

  Kay shook her head. “I don’t care, a coat ruins the look. There will be plenty of men with coats and umbrellas that will fall all over themselves to shield you from the rain between the taxi and the club.”

  They had a quick dinner, where Kay ordered a bottle of wine and ate very little. Gertie tried to force herself to eat, but her stomach rebelled. Her nerves making her appetite vanish.

  “Come on, Gertie, you have to eat.” Kay urged before taking a gulp of her wine. “If you don’t you’ll regret it in the morning.”

  Gertie picked up her fork and made a show of putting a piece of sweet and sour chicken in her mouth. “What about you?”

  “I ate a big lunch.” Kay answered sitting up straight, and brushing the long curtain of stick straight hair over her shoulder. That was a lie. Her lunch had been smaller than Gertie’s.

  Gertie fidgeted with her clean silverware and Kay reached across the table to take her hand and give it a brief squeeze. “Don’t worry, Gertie. I’ll be with you all night. If you get overwhelmed or need a break, just let me know. If Mr. Lott corners you, I will come to your rescue, I promise.” She stretched her pink lips into a smile. “Remember, there’s strength in numbers.”

  “Strength in numbers,” Gertie murmured back, forcing a smile to her lips.

  7

  Gertie

  Oh, how quickly Kay’s promise was forgotten. Gertie perched on a high stool, leaning against the bar, her fingers idly fiddling with the straw in her drink. In the mirror behind the bar she could see Kay, surrounded by a crowd of admirers. She laughed at something one of them said, throwing her head back in a way that exposed her long neck and sent her hair cascading over her shoulder to shiver down her back.

  At least one of them was having a good time.

  Gertie stifled a yawn and glanced at the clock over the bar, wondering how much longer she would need to stay in order to fulfill her required Friday night outing. She brought her straw to her lips and frowned at it when she realized her drink was gone.

  “Gertrude Penn.” Gertie froze at the voice she recognized, dread building in her stomach. “I’ve been trying to find you all night. Let me buy you a drink.”

  She turned to face Mr. Lott as he came up next to her to lean against the bar, his hip brushing against her knee. She swiveled on her stool to move as far from him as she could. “Mr. Lott.” She gave a tight smile.

  He tsked. “Call me Stan. After all we aren’t in the office.”

  She shook her head. “I wouldn’t want to overstep, sir.” Gertie glanced to the mirror, hoping to see Kay coming in her direction. But her friend was busy, her eyes closed as a dark headed man nuzzled her neck. Her gaze flickered back to Mr. Lott as he inched closer, closing the distance that Gertie had created.

  “Gertrude, I insist. You wouldn’t want to be reported, would you?” His meaning was clear. Play nice or there will be consequences.

  She swallowed hard and gave what she hoped was a convincing smile. “Okay, Stan.”

  A smile broke over his face, and his fingers caressed her arm. She shivered, revulsion clawing at her throat. “There. That wasn’t so hard. Now, what are you drinking?”

  She glanced down at her empty glass, wishing she hadn’t left the booth where Kay sat. “Oh, this is a vodka soda.”

  He looked impressed. “No fancy cocktails for you?”

  “I honestly didn’t think too much about it, sir. I mean, Stan.” Kay had ordered a fruity sugary cocktail, and had been surprised when Gertie had placed her order, had called her boring as she so often did. But Gertie’s dad had always told her if you’re going to drink, avoid anything sweet to keep a hangover at bay.

  “You are a surprise, Gertie.” She bit her tongue at his use of her more familiar name as he motioned the bartender over and ordered their drinks. “I knew you were different from the first time I met you. These other girls, girls born in 3rd, they don’t appreciate how good they have it. They are only interested in the newest toy or the prettiest face. But not you.”

  The bartender placed their drinks in front of them. Gertie snatched hers off the bar and turned to try to get up to return to the booth with Kay. But he blocked her, keeping her on the stool.

  “I knew that you needed something different, maybe someone older who can show you the way of things up here in 3rd. It’s different than it is in 5th.” His hand caressed the skin above her knee. She froze like a deer in the headlights, not sure of what to do. His hand moved higher, brushing the hem of her skirt. She swallowed hard, trying to keep the bile threatening to rise at bay.

  Gertie felt an arm slip around her waist, and she tilted slightly sideways, leaning into a broad muscled chest covered in a black t-shirt. She tilted her head back and met the newcomer’s grey eyes. “I’m sorry I’m late, Freckles,” he murmured, bending down to brush a kiss against her cheek, the low light of the bar glinting off his brown hair.

  Immediately, Gertie felt better. Her heart beat slowed and her stomach settled. She didn’t know this person, but she knew she trusted him more than the man who had been her boss for the last six months. She smiled up at him, hoping he could see the welcome in her face. “I’d just about given up on you.”

  He turned his attention to Mr. Lott. “And you are?” The grey eyed man asked, looking pointedly at the fingers that lingered on Gertie’s thigh. The older man quickly snatched his hand away.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Gertie broke in, motioning with her hand. “This is my boss, Mr. Lott. You remember me telling you about him?”

  “Yes, I remember.” His voice made it sound as though he didn’t like what he’d heard. Mr. Lott paled slightly. He offered his hand to the older gentleman, who took it, but didn’t look happy about it. “Thanks for keeping an eye on my girl. But I’m here now. You can get back to whatever it is that you do.” It was clearly a dismissal.

  Mr. Lott dropped his hand and took a step back. “I’ll see you at work on Monday, Miss Penn.” And he left.

  Gertie let out the breath she hadn’t known that she was holding. “Thank you,” escaped with the air from her lungs.

  He moved around to take the spot that Mr. Lott had vacated, keeping one of his hands on her waist. Gertie didn’t mind, it was warm and steadying. He shrugged. “You looked alone and in need of assistance.”

  Her eyes flicked to where Kay still sat, oblivious that Gertie had needed her, her lips locked with the guy who had been nuzzling her neck. “Yes, I suppose I am alone.” She sat up straighter. “Anyway, I’m Gertie. Gertrude Penn.”

  “Vail.” He picked up her drink and took a sip. She raised an eyebrow at him and he set it back down. “What? If we’re dating you would be okay with that.”

  She laughed and pushed the drink closer to him. “You’re right, drink up.” He shook his head, motioned the bartender over and ordered a beer. “So, tell me about yourself.”

  She shrugged and shook her head. “There’s not much to tell. I’m not very interesting.” She kicked herself. She had never been good at flirting, finding herself too honest at times. It had taken her months to build up a rapport with Liam.

  Funny how she thought of him as Liam now, and not Captain McDonagh.

  He took a swig from the bottle, and Gertie examined his profile. Strong jaw, straight nose, dark stubble covering the lower half of his face. She could see the curl of his dark lashes from this angle. She felt tiny butterflies in her stomach, just looking at him. “Come on, there must be something.” He wheedled.

  She fiddled with the napkin under her glass, trying to avoid looking at him. “No really. I work in data entry for the government. I was raised in 5th b
y a family of gardeners and farmers. Moved to 3rd sixish months ago. And, if you couldn’t tell, I hate being forced to go out.”

  He glanced around the bar and Gertie got the impression that he was memorizing every face he could, tucking them away for use later if needed. “Yeah, I don’t blame you with guys like your boss to keep you company.”

  Gertie shuddered and sipped at her drink. “So, what about you?”

  He grinned and Gertie felt her stomach flip just the tiniest bit again. “What about me?”

  “Well, you must be more interesting than me. I can’t imagine that someone like you does data entry.” Her face reddened as she realized what she’d said.

  He gave her a cocky smile as he shook his head slowly. “That I do not.”

  Gertie waited. But he wasn’t any more forthcoming. “So…” she prompted.

  “So what?”

  “Come on, if we were dating I would know at least some basic information about you.” He smiled but didn’t respond. “Okay,” she tried again, tapping her fingertips against the bar, trying to get a read on him. “What if I ask you three questions and you answer them truthfully?”

  “Do I get three questions, too?”

  “Sure. But I can assure you the information you learn is not going to be exciting in the least.”

  “Deal.” He motioned to her, indicating that she should go first.

  She thought about it for a moment, then asked, “How old are you?”

  He snorted and took a sip of his beer. “That’s the best you can do?”

  “Did you see the last guy who hit on me?” Gertie asked wryly. “Age is a factor.”

  She was rewarded with a hearty laugh, and her stomach flipped again. It didn’t usually do that. Not even with Liam. “Fair enough. I’m twenty.”

  “Okay, that’s not bad. Do you want to ask a question now?”

  “Nah, you ask all your questions first.”

  She tapped her fingers against the bar as she considered. Vail glanced around scanning the crowds of people again before he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers whispered against the skin of her cheek, his thumb grazed her lower lip. She tried to ignore the heat the roared through her and gave him a questioning look.