by Sienna Mynx
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Is there anything else you need? I have to work to do.”
“Have dinner with me.”
“No thanks.”
“I read your report. The South American drilling project plan will be implemented, and the financials. I'm impressed. Let’s discuss it.”
“I can’t. I have plans.”
Tarek frowned. “Cancel them.”
“I said I can’t.”
“I’m your boss,” he said.
“I work for your brother now,” Kassidy told him. She loved the look of surprise in his eyes. “I’ve moved up under him and his division. You’re not my boss. Not anymore.”
Tarek cleared his throat. “Not for long. I’m back now. Things will change. I’m going to move you up to Senior Director of Operations, and back under me.”
“You’re promoting me?”
“Is that a problem?”
Kassidy glared at him but held her tongue.
“Can you handle it?” Tarek asked.
“I think I proved I can handle anything you throw at me.”
Tarek smiled. “Then have dinner with me. Let’s have the talk we should have had before I left.”
“I told you. I have other plans.”
“Fine. Play it that way. Stop by Bill's office and tell him to come see me.”
He lowered his gaze without a word and dismissed her.
Kassidy smiled.
He glanced up. “That's all. You can leave now.”
“Yes, Mr. Marshall,” she said.
Kassidy left his office and walked down the hall to Bill Harvti's office. Very few offices were kept under lock and key. Bill's was one of them. What she had given to Daniel so far was meaningless. His YouTube videos had a measly 22,000 followers. They would need something explosive to shake the media to bring the house of Marshall's down, and she'd spent two solid months hitting wall after wall. Kassidy had never told Daniel or anyone what happened between her and Tarek Marshall. She tried to pretend that it was nothing. But his dismissal just a few minutes ago crushed in on her ego and pride.
Kassidy knocked on Bill's door and opened it. He glanced up with a look of irritation on his face. “Hi, I just left Mr. Marshall's office. He asked that I stop by and let you know he wants to see you.”
Bill slammed his fist on the desk. He stood and gathered his things. Havarti mumbled to himself in search of something on his desk.
“Angela, I need you to make copies of these. All of these,” he said and pointed to the contracts. “Then please give them to my team. No email or fax. Each person gets a physical copy only. Do you understand?”
The last hard evidence she had she deleted from her phone. She’d been locked out of servers that could grant her access to contracts, and Daniel’s hackers found nothing in their email search. Havarti was old school, and for the first time since she started he’d handed over the golden evidence. The man even had his own copy machine inside his office. Everything he did or said was kept under lock and key.
“Yes, I understand. I know the attorneys under you. I’ll make sure each receives a copy.”
Bill sighed, relieved. He walked out and stopped. He looked back at her as if to question if she could be trusted. “How long have you been with the company?”
“Under a year,” she smiled.
He checked his watch and shook his head as if deciding.
“Keep this door closed, and then make sure it's locked when you leave.” He closed the door and was gone. Kassidy stood frozen. It had been almost eight long tireless months since she began her journey. She’d slept with Tarek Marshall, even fell in the love with the bastard. And all she got was a few glimpses of his corruption. And then one day she is thrown into the heart of the kingdom and given the key. It was like taking a small time jewel thief and giving them access to the vaults of Fort Knox. She didn’t know what to do or take first.
Kassidy hurried. She didn’t know where Bill was headed to, but had a feeling he could rethink his trust of her and return any minute. His office and desks were stacked with papers and contracts. There was too much clutter, chaos. There were crates of folders with files in them. Paper documents covered the floor at the front of the desk and the desk itself. And there were two laptops in chairs, and one on the desk. How did Bill manage to keep track of everything?
Kassidy went to the computer and saw on the desk more clutter, but it was the computer screen that caught her attention. The screen showed a spreadsheet with figures. Account numbers she was certain meant something on the investments and holdings in the company. But could it be useful? Kassidy wasn’t sure what to do with so much data. If she disturbed the screen in any way, Bill would certainly know and her cover would be blown. Maybe she could send the spreadsheet to her private email account and check it out later? Then she remembered how Havarti insisted no emails be sent. Havarti wanted her to make paper copies of the contracts and put them in the hands of the attorneys on his team.
“Damn it,” she mumbled. She took a step forward and felt something under her foot. She looked down. A small black USB drive was on the floor. Kassidy picked it up and studied it. She glanced at the screen and the drive. She couldn’t believe her luck. Was it just lying there waiting on her, or had Bill Havarti dropped it on his way out? Either way she didn’t hesitate to pick it up and put it in the pocket of her sweater. Kassidy used it to copy everything off the computer screen. She then started to collect the contracts. She went to the copier and began to make copies. And just as she thought, Bill returned.
“I forgot my laptop,” he said.
She nodded and tried to appear normal. He picked it up and then walked back out. Kassidy pretended at normalcy but she struggled to hide her smile.
Chapter 10
“There’s nothing on this!” Daniel tossed the USB back at her. “It’s just a bunch of account numbers that don’t mean shit.”
“Calm down,” she mumbled. “Keep digging. I know this is important. It has to be tied to the Campos Basin project.”
“Calm down? You've spent almost a year at that damn company and for what? Everything we have we could have gotten from our hacks. It's time to call this off. Pull you out.”
Kassidy frowned. “We are close Daniel. He just promoted me, and I'm attending his meetings again on the Campos Basin. This is the target.”
“Yeah, well, that makes it even more dangerous. A promotion out of nowhere? He's digging into your past again now.”
“That's ridiculous. No he's not! He broke up with me.”
“He is. My guys said your credentials have been checked. And it started again when he returned. He suspects something.”
“Why would he suspect something now? I haven’t done anything.”
“You tell me. How did you really get that promotion?” Daniel asked. “You sleeping with him again. And before you deny it I already know you have been. I didn’t believe that fucking lame story you gave me when you returned from Alaska six months ago. I hacked into your emails too. The only reason why I didn’t end things with us because I knew Tarek would dump you.”
“How did you know?”
“Never mind how. I knew you’d see him for what he was. And you did. But now he’s back and I need to know where your head is.”
“You’re an unbelievable asshole. My head is where it has always been. On my shoulders. Just like the responsibility of bringing down the Marshalls. You never intended to end things with me Daniel. Because you have nothing else but me.”
Daniel sighed.
“The point is, you were not supposed to get this close. You took a stupid risk by making it personal between you two.”
“It was always personal!” she shouted.
The people in the Barbecue restaurant looked over. She had to reclaim her emotions. “Ever since I was six years old it was personal. And it still is.”
“I’m sorry Kassidy.”
“To hell with you!”
“Our way is
to get in and out Kassie. Anonymity. I've put my entire team at risk by letting this go on. No one goes this deep. Not with these people. Now they are all curious about you. You work for his brother, you report to his brother’s girlfriend. You’re in too deep.”
“We're done.” She snatched up the USB drive and put it in her purse. She got out of the booth and stormed for the exit.
“Wait!” he yelled after her. Daniel caught up to her by her car.
“Get out of my way.”
“I’m an idiot. A jealous idiot. I want this to end. Give me back the USB drive and I’ll do more digging. I’ll put an end to it.”
“No. I’ll do it myself. I don’t need you or this anymore.”
“Wait. Kassidy. I need you.”
“Get out of my way.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“No! Get the hell out of my way.”
“How far have you gone Kassie? Look at me? Do you love him?”
"No," she lied. Without warning, Daniel grabbed her by the face, and kissed her. Shocked she didn’t move, she froze. The kiss went deeper, and it lasted longer than it should have. She turned face away. He let go of her face and stepped back. “What the hell is that?” she asked.
“I don’t know why...”
“Don’t you ever do that again.”
“So you kiss him, but you can’t kiss me?” he asked. She opened her car door and got inside. She slammed it. He beat against her window. She could hear him through the pane protest her leaving him.
“I care about you,” she heard him shout.
She shook her head. “Who asked you too.”
15.
One Week Later -
“So I come back and the first thing I hear is that my top Program manager, is now the Senior Operations Director over the Campos Basin drilling project?” Reese said with a sly smile.
Kassidy glanced up to her boss and smiled. “I left you a message.”
Reese chuckled. She gripped the top edge of the cubicle with her left hand, and dropped her right hand on her hip. She leaned in so only Kassidy could hear her. The long silver pearls Reese wore to accessorize her blue business suit swayed from her neck. And her expensive designer perfume made Kassidy’s nostrils itch with the urge to sneeze. Strong smells, good or bad, always made Kassidy nauseous.
“How did you manage that?” Reese asked, and her playful smile faded from her lips. She could see the gleam of anger in her eyes. While Reese was away, Kassidy took the report she was working on for her and submitted it to Tarek Marshall. It was supposed to be Reese's proposal. But Kassidy was tired of sitting on the sidelines and being ignored by Tarek. She needed to get his attention.
“Reese, I can explain.”
“Oh, please do. I have two Sr. PM's assigned to that project. He pulled them and gave all the work to you. So now you can handle the job all by yourself?”
“No. I can't. I could use your help.”
“Me? Not me? You're Ms. Big now. Hell you aren’t even under me anymore. He has you reporting directly to him again.”
“That wasn’t my plan.”
“It's really shitty of you to do this when I was gone Angela. I took you in under my wing. I taught you the ropes around here. I was going to promote you. But this move here honey. You can forget it. You're on your own.”
“Reese I'm sorry. Okay? Please. I took a chance and it paid off. But not because I wanted to bring you down. You taught me to go for what I wanted. That's what I did. I went for it.”
Reese glared.
Kassidy put on a sweet smile. “I am sorry.”
When Reese didn't respond, Kassidy snatched up her folders and walked out of her cubicle. She headed for the copy room. If someone was in there Reese would not unleash her rage in front of other people. She was a master at keeping her composure. But she was wrong. Reese was far from done with her.
“Hi, Mary, can you give us a minute please,” Reese asked the business analyst shredding her documents in the large blue machine.
“Sure Ms. Johnson,” Mary said and walked out.
Kassidy rolled her eyes, and started copying her power point deck. Reese closed the door. She slammed the copier cover down and forced Kassidy to look at her.
“Here’s the deal Angela. If you are going to be making these moves, you have to tell me first. I shouldn’t be blindsided.”
“Agreed,” Kassidy responded.
“The project in South America is huge now. Tarek Marshall is keeping a lot of the executives, including his brothers in the dark. He pulled you in because you're new and have no allegiances.”
Kassidy frowned. “I'm listening.”
"I know how to make this a success. I can get those agile teams churning everything out for you and make your deadlines. But you are going to have to give me information. Any and everything you learn from Tarek and his motivations.”
Kassidy brows lifted. “Really? Why, Don't you have access to this?”
“No. And you don't have to know why. You stole this project from under me. You want to make it up to me, then work with me, Okay?”
There was definitely more to this alliance than what Reese was saying. But as the only two black women on the entire floor there was an unspoken alliance between them. And Reese made sure from day one that Kassidy understood it.
“Deal, I can do that.”
Reese smiled, and the tension her face relaxed. “Thank God. Now, let's go to lunch today. And you can give me an update on everything you learned in the past week. Okay?”
“Shit!” Kassidy gasped.
“I'll treat,” Reese laughed. “C'mon.”
“No. Look,” Kassidy pointed to the scene beyond the windowpane. Snow was falling and it was coming down hard. Reese stepped over to Kassidy's left side and the two of them watched in disbelief.
“Ever seen snow like that in Texas?” Kassidy asked.
Reese shook her head no. “The weather report said it was coming tonight. Some freak snow storm that could last three days.” Reese drew back her sleeve. “It's only eleven. What the hell is going on?”
“It's the environment. We are destroying nature.” Kassidy said. “It's nature’s way of fighting back.”
“Oh please stop with that Global Warming bullshit. It's snow nothing more.” Reese huffed. “I'm going to dismiss the office early. You get out of here too. I'll call you tonight and we can talk about Campos Basin.”
“I don't know a lot Reese, I just started on the project, and I’ve only attended two meetings with him so far.”
“Honey, trust me, sometimes we don't know, what we really know.” Reese winked and then walked toward the door.
“Hey?” Kassidy said. Her former boss looked back at her. “Thanks for understanding Reese. I do value your input, and any help you can give me is appreciated.”
“Just don't forget what a nasty jackass Tarek Marshall can be. He'll turn on you in a flash.” She snapped her fingers. “Remember your loyalties.”
“Got it, I won’t.”
“And get the hell out of here. I'm serious. These good ole boys can't drive in that crap. The roads are going to be crazy.”
“I will. Talk to you later.”
Reese left. Kassidy frowned. Now she had to worry about Reese. Maybe Daniel was right. This nightmare would never end if she didn’t find a way to do it. And she should do it soon.
Chapter 11
“It’s fucking snowing out there,” Tarek grumbled.
The men gathered didn’t respond. A lot had changed in the time he’d been away. The most notable change was his father. The last he saw of him he was being fed with a spoon. Now, he sat upright in his wheelchair and spoke clearly. The old guy truly was indestructible. Tarek stood at the window with his hands shoved down in his pockets. He glanced back over his shoulder. Alek, the family matriarch, had polished off his drink, and was now lighting another cigar, a bad sign for a man recovering from a stroke.
“You can’t smoke in here,” Dale s
aid.
“Pops, you know what the doctors said,” Henry chimed in.
“Let him have the fucking cigar, if he wants,” Dale said.
“You just told him he couldn’t smoke in here,” Henry quipped back.
“It’s his fucking building, he can do whatever he wants,” Dale replied.
Tarek walked away from the window. He sat on the edge of the desk. He half listened to his brother’s bicker. Instead, he stared at his father and waited.
“How are things with Kovalevsky?” his father asked.
“Things are open. The deals we agreed too can go either way. He’s still very much invested in our success.”
“I’m sure he is,” Dale mumbled.
The old man only took one puff off his cigar before extinguishing it with his thumb. “Quiet, Dale. Your brother knows what he is doing. You and Henry are to stay out of his way.”
For several minutes, Tarek processed what wasn’t said:
Be careful, but do the dirty deed your brothers never have the balls to do. Get the job done, and keep the Marshall name out of it by any means necessary. Wipe the blood off your shirt Tarek, in case the media is watching. Be the man they fear, just never let any of that stink rub off on me or my sons. And maybe I will forgive you for going to my enemies and handing over a sizeable portion of my profits. Maybe I will forgive you for turning the board against me and Dale while I was stuck in a wheelchair and shitting in a diaper. I understand son. This is all about you proving to me that you are a man. Not the boy I used to kick around. But remember. I’m the bigger man and I still can crush you if I wish.
All of Tarek's brothers weak, silver spoon fed, and sheltered. His father knew from the moment he plucked Tarek out of the orphanage that Tarek would never be weak.
“Boys, wait outside. I have something to discuss with your brother,” Alek Marshall said. Dale was hesitant, but Henry did exactly as his father asked. After a stare off with Tarek, Dale turned and followed Henry out.
Alek stared at Tarek. “I'm not mad son. I understand why you thought it might be possible to defeat me. Kovalevsky is a powerful man. But his power is Russia, mine is here. I still run Texas, I still run this company. Remember this; the rope I give you is the one I will hang you with if you ever try to challenge me again. Are we clear?”