Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)

by Kennedy Layne

Gareth glanced over his shoulder to find Mancini holstering his weapon while two uniformed police officers were kneeling over Nielsen. He was holding his right shoulder with an expression of pain, but it was clear that he’d finally given up.

  “Ms. Ellsworth, are you alright?” Mancini had come up to the two of them as if this was just another day at the office. That was doubtful, considering the fact that Gareth had read the statistics regarding the low percentage an officer actually drew his firearm during his career. Again, the collective display of composure was outstanding. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No,” Cynthia replied after clearing her throat a couple of times. Her blue eyes were dark from the adrenaline rushing through her veins. The way she was clutching his arm told him that she was still in fight mode. “I’m fine. But Nielsen admitted to killing Brad Manon and Kurt Langston. He—”

  “Good. We have all the evidence we need to put Nielsen away for a very long time, but your statement will solidify the case. That was nice work, Ms. Ellsworth. This could have ended a lot differently had you not acted with those outstanding self-defense moves.” Mancini nodded toward another man, though it wasn’t a uniformed officer. “You got this? I’m going to take Ms. Ellsworth’s statement. You can…”

  Gareth took this opportunity to gently take Cynthia’s beautiful face into the palms of his hands. He was shaking from all the adrenaline, but he didn’t give two shits about who saw his reaction. He’d come too close to losing her to care what anyone else thought of him.

  “Don’t you ever do that again,” Gareth whispered desperately, searching her gaze for confirmation that she was okay. She’d been held at gunpoint. One mistake could have killed her. “I mean it, Cyn. You are everything I need in this world.”

  “Is that why there’s a ring box in your jacket?” Cynthia was smiling brightly, telling him that her adrenaline was still pumping at a high level. She would come down eventually, and he would be there for her. If this lightheartedness was to keep herself together, then he’d follow suit. He’d do anything for her. “Is that why we were having lunch at our favorite restaurant? I’m sorry I didn’t make it. I got a little distracted with catching the killer and all.”

  Gareth couldn’t help but laugh, though he sounded more like a lunatic than the man the hospital staff was hauling away on a gurney to the ER. A glint of light bounced off the metal handcuffs, telling a story all on its own.

  “Ms. Ellsworth, this is where I need to reintroduce myself,” Detective Mancini interrupted, either not knowing or caring that they were in the middle of a private conversation. He had a case to close, and Gareth was more than willing and happy to continue to divulge such intimate feelings later when he and Cynthia were alone. “I actually work for the State Police SID assigned to assist the local Internal Affairs department, and I have been investigating Fred Nielsen for quite some time.”

  “That’s why you met with Smith in private the other day.” Cynthia was connecting the dots that Gareth already had time to link together. He had released her from his grasp enough so that she could face the detective, though they both kept ahold of each other’s hands. “You were hoping that he would have more information that could lead you to an arrest while Nielsen was busy elsewhere.”

  “Honestly, I was working every angle I could,” Detective Mancini confessed with an unapologetic shrug. “Nielsen cashing out his retirement fund early to invest in a tech firm raised a lot of eyebrows early on. As we all know, that’s not a crime in and of itself. With that said, a rookie overhead a phone conversation that I’m not at liberty to disclose. At least, not until this case goes to trial, but it got the ball rolling. I’m sure you get the rest.”

  “Were you brought in before Brad’s death?” Cynthia asked, a slight tremor in her voice finally making itself known. Her adrenaline was finally starting to fade. Gareth wrapped his arm around her and held her close. “Or after?”

  “Before, but you can understand how everything began to unravel from there. Why don’t we find a seat, and you can start from the beginning?” Detective Mancini must have been able to secure a private room, because he began walking toward an officer who was standing in an open doorway that led to what appeared to be a small conference room. “Phil, could you grab some coffee for me and Mr. Nicollet and a water for Ms. Ellsworth?”

  “Please, call me Cynthia. And thank you for remembering that I don’t drink coffee.”

  The last thing Gareth needed was caffeine after all they’d gone through today, but he also wouldn’t turn the stuff down. The next few hours were going to be a rather rough crash, especially given Cynthia’s need to testify against Nielsen in the inevitable murder trial.

  Mancini stepped to the side to allow Gareth and Cynthia to enter the room first.

  “Did I mention how proud I am of you?” Gareth held out a chair for Cynthia, who was looking down at her high heels. The very shoe that might have saved her life. “A lot of people would have been frozen in fear. But not you, Cyn. You kept it together and saved everyone involved.”

  “Are you kidding?” Cynthia lifted one side of her red lips that hadn’t faded in the least as she continued to amaze him on every level. “I saw the odd-shaped box in your jacket and realized what you had planned. I wasn’t going to miss that for the world. Oh, and I expect a do-over. I want the whole nine yards.”

  “I love you.”

  What more could he say?

  His life would never have a dull moment.

  “I love you, too, Gareth Nicollet.” Cynthia glanced down her legs once more in admiration. “And for the record, I love these heels.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  One month later…

  “This isn’t so bad for hell,” Grace said as she slowly spun in a circle, taking in the large trading room that would eventually become Gallo Capital Management. It was still bare bones, with nothing to see but the drywall and cement floor. The potential for their upcoming office space was beyond exciting. “I think I can stay awhile.”

  “We might have ended up here, but please don’t jinx us,” Laurel responded with a laugh, still carrying the bottle of red merlot she’d brought with her after Smith had given her the keys to show the office space to Cynthia and Grace. “I think we’ve had enough excitement this year. Wouldn’t you two agree?”

  Cynthia totally agreed, but she remained silent as she continued to walk through the empty office space. It was smaller than what Brad and Paul had rented for Manon Investments, but that choice had been made with a purpose. This more intimate setting made for a better working environment, especially after such distrust had been left behind with all the recriminations.

  Laurel and Grace took a seat on a plank of wood left behind by some of the workers. They continued their conversation about the events of the past couple of months, giving Cynthia time to explore her new work environment at her leisure.

  A fresh start was what everyone needed, and this space was perfect.

  Gareth was due back into town this evening, and they’d set aside the weekend to go house hunting. She didn’t want to be too far from the city, so they’d narrowed their search down to a few surrounding neighborhoods. She’d even chosen around eight properties for them to comb through first.

  But they would have to wait until tomorrow.

  Tonight was all theirs.

  “…trial date. The SEC is now involved, but Smith has given them everything they needed and more in relation to what happened.” Laurel must have sensed that Cynthia had come back into the trading area, because she was holding up a plastic glass filled with wine. “Greed is a powerful motivator. We deal with it every day, but Fred Nielsen clearly let desperation take hold where common sense should have won out.”

  Cynthia gratefully took the wine, but she couldn’t spend another minute of discussing Fred Nielsen or Phil Colbert. Brad had been no better, but again, no one deserved to die in such a fashion.

  “Ladies, we have bright futures ahead of us,” Cynthia reminded them as they
both scooted over to give her room on the plank of wood. “Talk to me. What’s been happening with the two of you lately?”

  Their professional careers weren’t the only thing that had changed recently. Grace had officially moved in with Rye, Laurel and Smith had set a wedding date in the summer, and Cynthia had gotten engaged to the man she wanted to spend her life with—a man typified by honor, compassion, and loyalty.

  It so helped that he respected her love of high heels.

  She glanced down, just now realizing that she was wearing the black high heels that always brought her luck. Technically, her burgundy heels had lived up to the challenge as well, but her current choice spoke volumes for the weekend ahead.

  “My mom and Smith’s mother have basically taken over the wedding plans, but I’m more than okay with that.” Laurel sipped her wine and continued to talk about locations, the size of the guest list, and more importantly the color scheme. “It’s taken up so much of our time, though, and I miss this. Us. I love our wine powwows.”

  “You just love the wine,” Grace countered with a grin. “Be honest.”

  Laurel bumped shoulders with Grace in response before shooting a smile toward Cynthia.

  “What about you? I’m surprised that your left bicep isn’t larger than your right, considering the size of that engagement ring.”

  “I think she’s just obsessed with his large—”

  “Enough,” Cynthia replied with a laugh, kicking off her high heels and settling in for the second bottle that Laurel thought she’d snuck into the new office space in that tote bag of hers. “I missed this, too.”

  They’d all been through a lot these past two months, both in their professional and personal lives. One thing had always held steady, though. And that deserved a toast.

  Cynthia held up her wineglass, waiting for Grace and Laurel to follow suit. The plastic cups didn’t clink the way their usual crystal glasses did in their salutes, but the fundamental meaning was still the same.

  Their bond was unbreakable.

  “To friendship.”

  ~ THE END ~

  Thank you so much for reading the Office Roulette trilogy! Did you know that the Keys to Love series is about to come to an end with the last two books releasing soon—Unlocking Shadows and Unlocking Darkness? This small town romantic suspense will keep you guessing, so click below to the series page and read all about it!

  Keys to Love Series—Click HERE

  Their homecoming wasn’t so welcoming. Four brothers and one sister each gave twelve years of their lives to serve their country and fulfill their family’s legacy of service. As each of them return to their home of record, they weren’t prepared for what awaited them—an unforgivable sin that has been hidden for twelve long years. Secrets and lies are concealed in the dark shadows of the very town they were raised in, and the Kendall family will have no choice but to rely on one another to unravel the sinister evil that they all hold the keys to unlock.

  Books by Kennedy Layne

  Office Roulette Series

  Means (Office Roulette, Book One)

  Motive (Office Roulette, Book Two)

  Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)

  Keys to Love Series

  Unlocking Fear (Keys to Love, Book One)

  Unlocking Secrets (Keys to Love, Book Two)

  Unlocking Lies (Keys to Love, Book Three)

  Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four)

  Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love, Book Five)

  Surviving Ashes Series

  Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)

  Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)

  Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)

  Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)

  Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)

  CSA Case Files Series

  Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)

  Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)

  Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)

  Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)

  Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)

  Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)

  Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)

  Red Starr Series

  Starr’s Awakening(Red Starr, Book One)

  Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book Two)

  Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Three)

  Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Four)

  Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Five)

  Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Six)

  Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Seven)

  Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Eight)

  The Safeguard Series

  Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)

  Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)

  Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)

  Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)

  Honest Intentions (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)

  Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)

  About the Author

  First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.

  I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.

  Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…

  Email:

  kennedylayneauthor@gmail.com

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  facebook.com/kennedy.layne.94

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  twitter.com/KennedyL_Author

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  www.kennedylayne.com

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  www.kennedylayne.com/newslettertext.html