Meachum laughed. “Caide, I was just coming to ask where the party was?”
“Sir?”
“It seems the entire office stayed late tonight. I was just wondering if I’d missed something.”
Caide stepped out of his office to glance around and saw Blaire and Brian both working busily at their desks. He smiled at Meachum. “I guess you’re right. No one gave me the memo either.”
Meachum patted him on the shoulder. “Go home, Caide, get some rest. We’ll see you in the morning.”
Caide watched him leave the office happily. As the door shut behind him, Caide found himself walking toward Brian’s desk. “Big day today?”
“Yes, sir,” Brian said, still jotting something down on a sheet of paper before looking up. “It’s been hectic. I’m just about finished for the night. I just didn’t want to leave anything unfinished, especially after I bailed on you the other night with dinner.”
“Don’t worry about that. We all have lives outside of this place, sometimes I think we forget that. Don’t give it another thought though, go home whenever you’re ready. This will all be here tomorrow.”
Brian let out a relieved sigh. “Can I be honest?”
“Sure.”
“I overheard Mr. Mason and Blaire talking about interviews for a new secretary. I’ve been worried all day. I didn’t know we had any open positions, so I kind of assumed—”
“That we were firing you?” Caide laughed. “Brian, no. We wouldn’t want to lose you, trust me, you’re the best assistant I’ve ever had. The decision to ever let you go would ultimately be mine, so trust me when I say that as long as you want a job here, it’s yours.”
With that being said, Brian began to stack up his paperwork, filing it in a drawer. “Thanks. I’m going to head on out then, if you’re sure there’s nothing else you need tonight?”
“I’m positive. We’ll see you in the morning.”
As he left, Caide made his way to Blaire’s desk, realizing that they were the only two left in the building gave him a certain thrill.
“What are you still doing here?”
Without responding she handed him a list containing seven names. Caide looked it over. “And this is?”
“That,” she began, finally looking up at him, “is a list of potential candidates to replace me. I emailed you each of their resumes. Mason wants us to pick five to interview by the end of next week. I like them all, so I need you to look over them and narrow it down for me. Number three is particularly interesting, she has an awesome resume, nearly eighteen years of experience.”
“You want me to narrow the list down?”
“Yes.”
He tossed the paper in the trash can. “Done.”
“Caide.”
“No one, no matter how much experience they have no one will replace you, you know that.”
“Caide.” She grabbed the list from the trash and handed it back to him.
“You’re really going to do this?”
“Do what?”
“You’re going to leave?”
“Yes, I really am.”
“Where will you go?”
“Somewhere. Anywhere.” She stood from her desk, walking around to face him. “Caide, do you know I have a Master’s degree? I graduated with honors. I worked my ass off in college to be able to make a name for myself, but here I am: fetching coffee and answering phones. It’s crap. It’s crap and you know the worst part? I have no one to blame but myself.”
“What do you want? A raise? A better title? Whatever it is just name it, I’ll make sure that it’s yours.”
“You’re not listening to me. Don’t you think they’ve offered me all of those things? You don’t have to advocate for me, Caide. You don’t see the work I put in for this place. I’ve put my whole life on hold for this company and it’s gotten me nowhere because all I think about is you.”
“Just tell me what to do. Anything. We can’t lose you.”
“There’s nothing for you to do. Just find someone to replace me so we can all just move on.”
“Is this about last night? Because I said I’m sorry—”
“It’s not about last night. Last night I finally got what I’ve been wishing for all these years. You finally admitted that this isn’t all in my head, that you actually feel the same way I do. When you kissed me, I thought I’d feel so happy, so in love, so loved. Instead I felt dirty. I’ve dreamed of that moment, Caide. Last night I finally realized that what I’ve spent the last seven years of my life hoping for, I’m better than that. I deserve more than some secret kiss in a dark car. I deserve someone who will be happy to kiss me, someone who will want to love me back. I just deserve better and I can’t get that as long as I stay here.”
“It’s not like I mean to hurt you, you know that I care about you. I just can’t hurt my wife either. I can’t leave her.”
“You don’t want to leave her. Or maybe you don’t know what you want—either way I’m leaving. Just please have me a list by the end of the day tomorrow.”
She patted his chest and turned to walk away, grabbing her jacket from the edge of her desk. Caide lunged at her, not sure of what had come over himself. She turned to him, and he was sure she was about to object, before she had the chance he pressed his lips to hers. He felt his heart pounding, his pulse immediately responding to their kiss.
She pulled away, looking confused. “Caide, I can’t.” She tried to step back, though he could already see her eyes giving in. He grabbed her jacket, pulling her to him again.
“Please. Please just give me a chance to figure this all out.”
“I’ve given you chances.”
“Just a little while longer.”
“Say it then.”
“Say what?”
“Tell me how you feel about me.”
He paused, his conscience was heavy with guilt, knowing another line was about to be crossed. “I love you, okay? I do love you. Maybe I’ve loved you all this time.”
And just like that she was his. She threw her arms around his neck, her eyes rife with tears. He ignored the feeling of her tears hitting his cheeks as their passion grew. He allowed his hands to travel and she didn’t stop him. He rubbed her shoulders, slowly easing her jacket off. Her breathing quickened and he pulled back. “Should I stop?”
She kept her eyes closed, as if she were savoring the moment. “No.”
Caide didn’t ask twice. He lifted her up, sitting her on her desk. His hands explored her, stopping at her skirt’s hem line. He wanted her. All of his pent up passions had been building for too long. His shaking hands found their way to her blouse, fumbling as they undid each button. His heart pounded, making it hard to focus, and he couldn’t catch his breath. He’d never known passion like this. His hands found her hair again and he gently laid her down across the desk. His lips never left hers and her tears never stopped falling as they both crossed a line they’d sworn to themselves they’d never cross.
Chapter Ten
Blaire
It was during this, during the passion and the heat of their sex that she’d heard it. First, she wasn’t sure about it, they were making so much noise she’d just dismissed it. The second time she’d prayed to a God she wasn’t sure she believed in that she’d made it up. She’d prayed harder than she ever had, shut her eyes and allowed him to continue. The third time, however she’d known they had to stop. She’d heard them, she was sure of it. Footsteps. They weren’t alone in the office.
She tensed up, pulling away from him.
He stopped, panting, “What the—”
“Shhh,” she silenced him, holding her finger up. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” he asked, looking around.
“I heard something.”
“What do you mean? We’re the only ones here.”
She pushed him back, adjusting her skirt. “I heard someone upstairs.”
They stood quietly for a while. Blaire walked to the door, checking the parking lot.<
br />
“There are no cars out there, except yours.”
“Are you sure you aren’t just being paranoid?”
“I know what I heard.”
“Do you think they heard us?”
Blaire shrugged, afraid to make any noise.
“We should leave,” Caide whispered.
Blaire nodded, feeling uneasy, she sat at her desk, readjusting and gathering her things.
“Come on. I’ll take you home.”
“No,” she said hurriedly, “we can’t leave at the same time. If someone is here, I don’t want them to see us leaving together.”
“No one would suspect anything. I’m not comfortable leaving you alone.”
“I’ll be fine. Honest. I’m sure it’s nothing. It’s probably just Randy or one of the other cleaning ladies. I just need to collect myself. I’m calling a cab now.”
“Are you sure?” Blaire sensed relief in his voice.
“I’m positive. I’ll be fine.”
Caide threw on his jacket, kissing her cheek.
“We can’t do this, you know. I won’t help you cheat on her. Tonight shouldn’t have happened, not like this. You have to choose and if you won’t choose then I’ll choose for you.”
He kissed her again, this time on the lips. “I choose you. But, it’s not that easy. You have to let me tell her gently.”
She kissed him back. “Promise me?”
He nodded. “Are you sure you don’t want me to wait?”
“Go. I’ll be fine.” She began dialing a number.
***
Caide
Caide’s heart was pounding as he pulled into his cul-de-sac. His mind raced with thoughts of Blaire—and then thoughts of Rachael. How could he ever tell her what he’d done? He’d never been able to admit to Rachael when he’d messed up. Everything about her was just so perfect, in an annoying way. She never made mistakes like he did. He loved his wife, he truly did, she was the mother of his children and she’d been there for him when no one else had. The truth was, they didn’t laugh together anymore, they didn’t enjoy each other’s company like they should. Caide had known for a while that it was going nowhere, but he had the children to think about and Rachael was just so fragile. Since day one, he’d tried his best to do right by her. On the day she announced her pregnancy, he’d sworn he’d never be ‘That Guy.’ He’d do whatever he had to in order to protect his family. His own parents had never been great role models, and he’d vowed to make sure his children never felt that way. Of course, it hadn’t been that easy.
Caide had a lump in his throat thinking of what the next few days would be like. He pulled into his driveway, half expecting Rachael to jump out and attack him, confront him, accuse him of doing exactly what he had been. None of which happened.
Instead he tiptoed unscathed into the house. He crept down the hallway, spying Davis in his crib asleep. He walked across the hall to Brinley’s room, cracking the door open. His wife lay in Brinley’s bed, the two sleeping peacefully. Rachael stirred as the light from the hall hit her. He shut the door quickly, careful not to wake her. He walked to the bathroom, knowing he should shower. He turned on the water, stripping out of his clothes and climbing in. He stood, letting the hot water burn his skin before grabbing a wash rag and tirelessly scrubbing off every bit of evidence from the night.
***
Blaire
Blaire knew the look of a woman who’d been cheated on. She’d seen her mother wear it so many times it was burned into her skull. She knew the way their eyes glazed over. She could remember how their expression went blank, empty from pain, weighed down from the emotional weight of the worst thing a man could do to a woman, the worst way they could hurt them. She’d seen how deep, how dark the pain could get. Tonight, she’d become an accomplice to that pain. She’d turned into the woman she’d sworn she’d never become. Blaire hated herself for what she’d done. The guilt ate away at her heart.
That was why she followed her into the bathroom.
“Come with me,” she’d said.
Why not? Blaire thought. There’s nothing you can say to me that will be worse than what I’m saying to myself. Nothing could hurt worse than this.
She was wrong. Upon entering the restroom Blaire was confronted with the worst pain she’d ever felt. She tumbled to the floor, her head pounding. Her vision blurred, coated by blood. She couldn’t see her attacker. The blows came, so hard and so fast that she lost count. She laid on the cold floor, feeling her blood flow around her, warming her quickly cooling body. Her thoughts jumbled, she swore she could see them on the floor mixed into her blood. Blaire tried to remember something comforting, a song, or a story; she tried to remember where she was, what was happening; she tried to remember her name. Finally, when all else failed, Blaire Underwood fell asleep, a dreamless sleep, from which she knew she’d never wake up.
Chapter Eleven
Rachael
Rachael busied herself in the kitchen, cooking breakfast for her sleepy little family. It was after six when Caide finally woke up and joined her.
“What are you doing up so early? You’re usually asleep when I leave.”
“I didn’t sleep very well. Brinley’s class is having a Parents’ Day today and we’re supposed to bring a snack. I thought I’d make cupcakes. Besides that, apparently if I want to see my husband I’m going to have to start waking up with you.”
Caide yawned, ignoring her comment. “Smells great. Why didn’t you tell me it was Parents’ Day?”
“Would it have mattered?”
“Of course it would have. Unless you don’t want me there.”
“Of course we want you there, I just didn’t want to get her hopes up. I figured you’d have some unavoidable meeting.”
Caide spoke up. “How about I call in today? I could go with you to Parents’ Day and then we could take them to the park afterwards.”
Rachael stared at him. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
“Caide, do not make me go in there and get those babies all excited just to break their hearts when you change your mind.”
Caide took a bite of his toast. “Go tell them. I can miss.”
Rachael kissed his head happily, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down to kiss her mouth.
“I love you.” His eyes had a hint of sadness she hadn’t noticed before.
“I love you too. I’m going to go wake the kids. They’ll be so excited.”
Rachael went to Davis’ room first, sitting down on the side of his bed. She leaned down and kissed both of his cheeks. “Davis.” She took his hand and kissed his fingertips. “Daaavis.”
He began to stir, rubbing his eyes with tiny fists. Rachael leaned down and rubbed her nose on his. This was her favorite part of every day: waking her children up. It came before the chaos had set in, before she could be stressed out. Just the few quiet moments she shared with her children each morning. She loved it. Rachael had been born to be a mother. Even with as much as she loved her studio, being a mom was the best, most exciting career Rachael could’ve ever imagined.
“No,” Davis cried.
She smiled, pulling his hands from his eyes, “I made your favorite breakfast and I’ve got a big surprise for you.”
He opened one eye. “What?”
“Daddy says we’re going to the park.” Brinley ran in the room, wide awake and with Caide trailing behind her, a smug grin on his face.
“I texted Mason,” he told Rachael. “Who’s going to beat me to the kitchen?”
“Me,” their children yelled simultaneously.
Rachael smiled, picking Davis up and racing to the kitchen.
“I won,” Brinley teased.
“I think it was a tie.”
Davis smiled, wrapping his arms around his mother. “I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. I love you so much.”
***
Caide
Caide followed Brinley over to her desk.
“This is where I sit every day, Daddy. See my name? B-R-I-N-L-E-Y. Brinley.”
He bent down, hugging his daughter. “How did I get so lucky to have a daughter who’s so smart?”
She giggled. Her teacher, a kind looking woman in her early fifties began addressing the parents from the front of the classroom.
“Welcome everyone and thank you all for attending Parents’ Day. Your children are all so excited that you could make it today. I’d like this day to be a chance for each of you to see where your children spend most of their day. Feel free to mingle and meet the other parents. We have plenty of refreshments. The children have all worked hard decorating the classroom with their best work and I know they can’t wait to show you everything. I’ll be available to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you have but I think the kids can take it from here. Oh, and I’d just like to say, also, it is such a pleasure to teach each of your children. They are all such great little people and I’ve truly grown to love each one of them this year.”
With that the children began to lead their parents around the room. Brinley grabbed Rachael and Caide’s hands, pulling them to a giant bulletin board in the back of the room.
“See that one?” She pointed to a drawing. “That one’s mine. It’s our family.”
As Caide started to tell her how great the drawing was, he felt his phone begin to vibrate.
Rachael looked at him. “Turn that off,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Sorry.” He reached in his pocket, hitting the volume button to silence it.
No sooner had he begun looking at the next piece of work that his phone began to vibrate again. This time he pulled it out of his pocket, checking the caller ID. He looked apologetically toward Rachael. It was a number he didn’t recognize. He silenced it once again, shoving it back into his pocket.
“Sorry, Brin. That’s a great picture though and look how well you wrote your name at the bottom.”
Brinley smiled. “Thank you, Daddy. Mommy, everyone is eating all of the cupcakes we brought. Can me and Davis have one too?”
If It Walks Like A Killer (The Carolina Killer Files #1) Page 4