Power Play

by Tiffany Snow

  I sank into my chair, propping my elbows on my desk and resting my head in my hands. I had to get a grip. I was going to lose my job for real if I didn’t knock it off.

  “Sage! Look what came for you!”

  Jerking my head up, I saw a huge bouquet of red roses walking toward me. No, wait, it was Megan carrying a bouquet; I just couldn’t see her because it was so big. She set it on my counter. I hurriedly swiped away the wetness underneath my eyes.

  “Oh my gosh!” I jumped up to inspect the flowers just as Megan peered around to grin at me. “These are for me?”

  “Uh-huh,” she said. “Here’s the card.” She handed it to me.

  I broke the seal and opened the envelope, pulling out the little card inside.

  I’d tell you that I can be a total dick, but I think you already know that.

  —Ryker

  I smiled. I couldn’t help it. This morning had gone very, very badly, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. We’d both said some things that we shouldn’t have.

  Setting aside the card, I leaned forward, closing my eyes and burying my nose in the velvet petals of the roses. “Mmmmm. They smell wonderful,” I said with a sigh.

  “Glad you think so,” Megan said, still grinning. “Because they were hand-delivered.”

  She glanced toward the elevators and I saw Ryker standing there, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. He was watching me, a small smile playing about the corners of his mouth. When our eyes met, he straightened and headed for me. I barely noticed as Megan melted away.

  Ryker had changed and shaved. He still had his jeans and leather jacket, only now he wore a different color T-shirt. This one was a dusky blue that matched his eyes and made them seem even deeper in color. I caught a whiff of his cologne as he stepped into my cube.

  “Am I forgiven?” he asked, though by the twist of his lips I could tell he already knew the flowers had softened me up. He rested his hand on my hip and I had to tip my head back to look at him.

  “Of course,” I said, “and you deserve an apology, too. What I said—”

  “Shh.” He placed a finger over my lips. “This may have started because of him”—he tipped his head toward Parker’s office—“but it doesn’t have to stay that way. I like you, and I’m pretty damn sure you like me, too.”

  Leaning forward, he put his mouth by my ear. “I could smell you on my skin this morning.”

  My breath caught and my pulse tripled. Unthinkingly, my hands curled into fists, drawing my nails against him. He made a low noise of approval in my ear.

  “Is this when I tell you about the marks you left on my back?” he said.

  “Oh! I’m so sorry,” I said, pulling back slightly. My face got hot.

  But Ryker just grinned. “Don’t be sorry,” he teased. “You can scratch up my back anytime you want, sweetheart.”

  “Can I help you?”

  Both of us turned to see Parker standing by my desk. He didn’t look pleased. I quickly put some space between Ryker and me and tried to push his hand off my hip, but it wouldn’t budge.

  “I doubt there’s anything you could do that would prove helpful to me,” Ryker shot back, his smile gone.

  “Sage is working,” Parker said, ignoring the jibe. “We encourage visitors to consider that before…dropping by.” His gaze dropped to where Ryker was still touching me, then lifted to meet my eyes.

  “Do you always make your secretary come to work after putting her life in jeopardy?” Ryker asked. “I guess you were too busy yelling at her to ask why she was late.”

  “I thought it was perfectly obvious why she was late,” Parker said, his voice rife with contempt as he looked Ryker up and down. His lip curled in distaste. “Though I must confess I’m surprised it took more than a few minutes.”

  My jaw dropped in shock. Had Parker just insulted Ryker’s…sexual prowess?

  “Nice. Real classy, Parker, but then you and I both know it’s all an act. I know the kind of man you are underneath the expensive suits.”

  “At least I can afford a suit.”

  “Stop it, both of you,” I interjected. Good Lord, they were degenerating to the level of high school girls. Soon they’d be saying I know you are but what am I? “Parker, can I have a minute?”

  Parker’s gaze was unreadable as he looked at me, but then he turned and went back into his office, so I supposed that was a yes.

  “Thanks for the flowers,” I said. “Sorry about Parker. You and he are just, um, like oil and water, I guess.”

  “Yeah, I’m positive that’s what it is,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “I’m sure it doesn’t have a thing to do with you.” His sarcasm was obvious and I bristled.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked. “It’s not my fault you two go at each other every chance you get.”

  “Listen,” he said, moving closer to me. “You may have told me that you and Parker haven’t slept together, but he sure as hell acts like you have. He acts as though he owns you.”

  “Well, he doesn’t,” I said. “But he’s right about me needing to work. That deal is supposed to go down tomorrow when the markets open and Viktor’s in town to oversee it.”

  “Wait a minute,” Ryker said. “He’s here? In Chicago?”

  I nodded. “Parker’s supposed to be going to his hotel tonight, but he didn’t tell me which one.”

  “Damn,” Ryker muttered.

  “Why?”

  “If we knew where he was staying, maybe we could get someone in to plant some bugs,” he said.

  “Why would you do that?”

  “To find out more about his organization. Overhear his plans, see who all’s involved…”

  And an idea struck me.

  “What if I plant the bugs?” I asked.

  Ryker frowned in confusion. “You’re going with Parker tonight? That’s a terrible idea. Viktor tried to kill you—”

  “He already knows he didn’t succeed,” I interrupted, explaining how I’d answered Parker’s phone. “So if I can get Parker to take me along tonight, I can plant the bugs for you.” And maybe the cops would finally know that Parker was just doing his job, nothing illegal.

  “I dunno…” Ryker looked skeptical.

  “It’s not hard, is it?” I asked.

  “No, but—”

  “Then I can do it. Please, Ryker.”

  He glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck as he considered it, and I held my breath. Viktor had tried to kill me, had killed two other women already, and was most likely threatening Parker. I wanted to help bring him down.

  At last, Ryker gave a sigh of defeat. “Fine,” he said. “If you can get Parker to take you along, and that’s a big if, then I’ll get a warrant and give you the bugs to plant. Just stick them somewhere people don’t normally look. Underneath a desk or even a chair.”

  “What if I get caught?” I asked, trying to consider all contingencies, even the bad ones.

  “If it doesn’t look like you’re going to get an opportunity to plant them, then don’t,” Ryker said. “Viktor’s a nasty son of a bitch, but if you do get the chance, then do it. Just don’t let Parker know what you’re doing. It’s not your responsibility to make sure Parker stays on the right side of the law.”

  It scared me, doing something like planting a listening device. That was something they did in the movies, and here it was now invading my real life. Yet, Tania was in trouble; her sister and her friend were dead. It seemed like I should try to do something about that, and if the cops needed someone to plant a bug, then maybe I should do it. Perhaps it would help atone for Hanna’s death in God’s ledger of my life—a checkmark in one column versus the X in the other.

  “Okay,” I agreed. I glanced at the clock. “You’ve got to go, though, or Parker will be pissed.” I dug Ryker’s keys out of my pocket and walked him to wait for an elevator.

  “I’ll talk to you soon,” he said as the elevator dinged, and then he leaned down and kissed me.
/>   I thought it’d be just a quick brush of his lips, but his tongue slid against mine and his hand gripped my waist. Suddenly, I wasn’t in such a hurry, and I twined my arms around his neck. Ryker could really kiss and it was a few breathless moments later before he lifted his head. It confused me, making me question my earlier doubts about his feelings for me.

  “Been wanting to do that for hours,” he murmured. “Our morning after wasn’t quite what I’d envisioned.”

  “Maybe next time will be better,” I replied without thinking.

  “If that’s a promise, then you just made my fucking day.” Ryker slid his sunglasses on, his lips twisting in a sultry smirk. My cheeks got hot, but I had no comeback before the elevator doors closed.

  I hurried back to my desk, pushing thoughts of Ryker and amazing sex aside as I tried to figure out a way for Parker to include me tonight. Maybe I’d just have to wing it. Back in my chair, I was catching up on my work when Parker came out of his office and stood in front of my counter. I glanced up to see him moving the roses aside.

  “I know I’m behind, but I should be caught up in a couple of hours,” I said. “When are you leaving to meet Viktor?”

  “Shortly,” was his succinct reply. “But I’m not out here to talk about your work, Sage. Tell me what the hell happened. You were wanting to be with me Thursday night, and then you spent the weekend with Ryker?”

  Oh, yeah. That.

  I started typing again. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I said. As far as I was concerned, nothing more needed to be said, though he made me sound like a real slut and I wasn’t too crazy about that.

  But he didn’t go away. Instead, he rounded the counter until he stood right next to my chair, facing me, and leaned back against my desk. “Are you trying to get back at me for not sleeping with you?”

  My fingers froze over the keyboard. I looked up at him in shock. “Did you just ask me that?”

  Parker’s gaze was unrelenting. “It’s a valid question. I turned you down; you know Ryker and I don’t get along. It’s the perfect revenge.”

  I gritted my teeth, ignoring how his words hit a little too close to home. But he was also wrong. “I wouldn’t have slept with Ryker if I didn’t feel something for him,” I bit out. “Not everything in my life revolves around you.”

  Something flashed across Parker’s face—a wince maybe—and was gone.

  “Fair enough,” he said evenly.

  “Can we just get back to normal?” I asked. “Last week was…an aberration. You told me you don’t want to train a new assistant, and I don’t want to lose my job, so we’re in agreement, right?”

  He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Right.”

  Okay, that was new. The barest touch of his fingers against my skin had sent a shiver through me. I wanted to say something—tell him to stop doing that—but I couldn’t make myself. He’d said no to anything more, so if the occasional innocuous touch was all I would get, I’d take it.

  I took a deep breath, suddenly having an idea of how to go along with him tonight. “You told me you wanted to be friends,” I said, remembering what he’d said in his apartment Thursday night. “So I have a favor to ask.”

  “Name it.”

  “I’d like to come with you tonight,” I said, “to the meeting. I’d like to be the one to tell Tania about Niki and Hanna. She deserves to know.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said flatly, pushing himself to his feet and rounding the counter.

  I jumped to my feet and followed him. “Please,” I said, catching hold of his sleeve. He stopped, turning to look at me. “You weren’t there. Hanna was just feet from me. I did nothing and they—” My throat closed up and I couldn’t continue. I stared up at Parker, blurred by the tears in my eyes, and prayed he’d understand.

  “Shh, don’t cry,” Parker said, wrapping his arms around me. “You shouldn’t have had to see that. Shouldn’t have been anywhere near something like that.”

  I tried not to be disappointed when he pulled away, his hands moving to clasp my arms.

  “Fine, you can come,” he said, “but try to stay under the radar. If Viktor is trying to target you, I’d rather he went for me instead.”

  “I’ll stay out of the way, I swear.” I held my breath and gazed hopefully up at him.

  He heaved a sigh of resignation. “I hope I don’t regret this,” he muttered under his breath.

  Yeah, me too.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I texted Ryker while standing in front of the mirror in the ladies’ room and got a reply back almost immediately saying he was on his way to the office with the bugs and I should meet him around the corner. Twenty minutes later, I was pushing a little plastic bag inside my purse while Ryker gave me instructions.

  “Remember, they need to be somewhere open, but hidden, which is why underneath a table works so well. They’ll stick to any surface, so no worries there. And above all”—he placed his hands on my waist and drew me toward him until our bodies touched—“don’t do it if you are in any danger of getting caught. These men are dangerous.”

  I nodded. “Okay. I won’t.”

  He kissed me, then said, “Call me when you get home, okay? I’ll be waiting.”

  That made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It had been a long time since a gorgeous, sex-on-two-legs man told me he’d be waiting for my phone call. I could totally get used to that.

  I hurried back inside, mindful that Parker had said he wanted to head over around seven and it was pushing that now. My stomach gave a horrendous growl. All I’d consumed today was coffee, which seemed a pretty bad idea, but I just hadn’t had a chance to stop and eat.

  Parker was waiting for me and glanced up from where he was putting files into his briefcase when I stepped to my desk. In moments, he was standing by my counter.

  “Ready?” he asked, not really waiting for an answer as he headed for the elevator. I scrambled to keep up with him.

  We were the only two inside the elevator and neither of us spoke. The doors were a burnished bronze material that reflected our images, only slightly distorted.

  You wouldn’t have been able to tell he’d been working all day, other than the faint shadow of whiskers on his jaw. I always loved seeing that, but I tried not to stare.

  It seemed awkward now, the silence heavy between us, and it made me sad. Could we really be friends, just friends, after everything that had happened between us? It seemed I had no choice but to either give it a shot, or lose him entirely. My decision was a no-brainer.

  No food, lack of sleep, and too much stress was giving me a pounding headache and I let out a tired sigh. Closing my eyes, I rubbed my forehead.

  “You all right?” Parker asked.

  I glanced up at him. “Yeah. I’m fine,” I lied.

  His gaze was steady as he studied me, and I gave him a weak smile, which he didn’t return. Okay then.

  The elevator dinged and I looked away, preceding him out into the parking garage. It felt less surreal now to slide into the passenger seat of the car with him. I guess once you’ve taken a bath in front of a man, there’s not a lot left to be uncomfortable about.

  “You had dinner, right?” Parker asked, pulling out into the street. My eyes caught on his hand as he handled the gearshift.

  “Um, no,” I said. “I didn’t really have time.”

  He glanced quizzically at me. “Then where did you go?”

  It wasn’t like I could tell him I’d met Ryker in the alley to get listening devices the cops wanted me to plant. I rubbed my forehead again, the headache throbbing.

  “Had to run an errand,” I mumbled, hoping he’d drop it.

  “Then we’ll make this quick with Viktor and get you home.”

  Making it quick with Viktor sounded awesome.

  More silence. Then, “So I guess you’re…seeing…Ryker now?” A nice way to put it.

  That headache was getting worse by the second.
r />   “Um, yeah, maybe, I guess…” Wow. That sounded so bad. If I said I wasn’t seeing him, that pretty much meant I was a one-night-stand kind of girl, right?

  Parker didn’t reply for a moment. “I hope it doesn’t end badly for you,” he said at last.

  I stiffened. “We just met last week,” I said. “It’s not like we’re engaged.”

  He glanced my way and our eyes met. “You just met him last week and yet he’s already gotten you into bed,” he said bluntly.

  My eyes narrowed. “Are you slut-shaming me?”

  “No, of course not,” he denied, backtracking.

  “Because it sounds like you are.”

  “I’m not—”

  “Talk about the pot and kettle,” I sputtered, indignant and embarrassed. “That’s so politically incorrect, I can’t even—”

  “That’s not what I’m saying,” he interrupted, his voice very loud in the car, which shut me up. “I’m surprised,” he continued more quietly, “because I thought you were looking for something…more.”

  I frowned. “Okay, first, you’re saying that because I’ve had sex with Ryker, that our relationship is therefore shallow and destined to be short. Second, you’re presuming to know what I want in a relationship, and third, since when have you begun analyzing my love life?” All of which I thought were very valid points. “Also, that does sound pretty damn judgey to me.”

  Parker’s lips twitched at my tone, which should have irritated me, but didn’t because I was too relieved to get a response from him other than the cold shoulder he’d dished out all day.

  Our conversation was cut short by Parker pulling up to the hotel. A valet hurried to open my door while another scurried around to his. A few moments later, I was following a step behind Parker as we entered the lobby.

  I wasn’t surprised to see that Viktor was in one of the best hotels in Chicago, and Parker must’ve known where we were going because he headed straight for the elevator.

  As we were walking down the empty hallway of the twenty-first floor, our steps muffled by the thick carpet, Parker spoke.

  “Remember,” he said, “keep a low profile. Don’t draw attention to yourself.”