by Lisa Eugene
“I want to hear about that too.” Gabe smiled.
“Of course.” She regarded him hopefully. “Is it possible to go to my lab?”
“No. That wouldn’t be wise now. As far as everyone is concerned, you were on the plane that crashed. Right now it’s better if that’s the general belief. I’ve made sure your name will stay on the manifest.”
“I can go by myself, take a car. You can monitor me. I’d go and be back without anyone knowing. I just can’t imagine the chaos that’s occurring at my lab.” Maggie watched Victoria twist her fingers with worry.
Gabe sighed and shook his head. “Although all of our cars have a tracking GPS system, it won’t matter if Cane finds you. There’s no telling what would happen. It might be too late by the time we get to you.”
“I’m just worried about my scientists, the lab.”
Gabe sighed and Maggie saw regret fill his eyes. “I promise that when this is over I’ll help you get your computer files in order and restore the software for your research.”
Victoria looked relieved. “Thank you. That would really help.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Gabe nodded and gave Maggie a quick kiss, stepping towards the door. “I’ll see about installing that computer upstairs.”
Alone in the sitting room, Victoria turned to Maggie. “I can’t thank you both enough for your help. I don’t know what I would have done without it.”
Maggie waved a dismissive hand and her eyes grew serious. “Please, we are happy to help. Your research is very important. I’m very sorry for the loss of your husband.”
She watched Victoria hug her torso and walk towards a window. She couldn’t read the woman’s features, but felt the sorrow and anger emanating from her.
“Paul was an idiot. He was easily duped by Cane Howard. He was never really interested in the research. I had him come work with me in hopes of keeping him out of trouble. But Cane used him. Cane got him out of a huge malpractice case a few years ago, sent in his top notch lawyers, bribed the plaintiff, and since then Paul has been indebted to him,” she explained.
“I’m sorry,” Maggie said, and the words sounded banal even to her. Cane Howard had no scruples. Nothing seemed off limits to him. The man had to be stopped. “Hopefully this will all be behind us soon and you can continue your research.”
“Yes.” Victoria turned from the window and offered a wan smile. “I’d like to put this behind me.”
Maggie’s brow wrinkled, a niggling question surfacing. “Do you know Kate Masters?”
Victoria frowned, shaking her head. “No. Should I?”
Maggie smiled, chasing away her plaguing concerns. “Just curious. That’s all.”
Maggie was so excited to finally have her own clothes that she tried everything on—all at once, and paraded around the bedroom while Gabe looked on with amusement. She loved the sound of his laughter. It was deep and sensual, and bubbled inside her like an unending stream of pure joy. It was a sharp contrast to her first few weeks with him and his constant surly, irritated disposition. She hoped that she was the cause of the delight in his eyes. He lounged lazily in bed, propped against the headboard with his long legs stretched out in front of him.
“You’re just giving me more work, Maggie.” His kissable lips pulled with a teasing smile as he regarded her mish-mosh layers of outfits. “I’ll have more clothes to peel off of you.”
“I’ll give you a hand,” she crooned in what she hoped was a sexy voice and started a slow stripteases.
She saw him shift his hips on the mattress and adjust the growing bulge in his pants.
“I hope you plan on giving me more than a hand.” His onyx eyes sparkled with promise. “A lot more.”
She tossed him a flirtatious wink and blew him a kiss, puckering her full lips in a way that had him swearing under his breath. Her fingers rolled down the Burberry shorts over her khaki capris. She folded them and laid them on a nearby divan. She was still wearing another pair of shorts under her capris and three shirts covered with the softest blouse she’d ever felt, made of Dupioni silk. She sent him another kiss and shimmied the blouse off her shoulders, then she folded it neatly, taking her time to make sure none of the fine silk got crushed.
Gabe chuckled, sending her that odd look he always gave her.
“No offense, but this is the strangest striptease I’ve ever seen. I don’t think you’re supposed to fold the clothes you take off. Actually, I’m pretty sure.”
Maggie stood with her hands on her hips and gave him a vexatious huff. She struggled to hide her smile, but she was entirely serious. “Do you know how much bacteria we track into a room with our shoes? I can’t very well throw my new clothes on the floor!”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “You’re wearing about ten different outfits. It’ll take you forever to strip and we have to go down to dinner soon. At the rate you’re going I’ll be finished before I even see any skin.”
Maggie shot him a silly face, and ignoring his complaints she moved her hands to her capris. Smiling again, she turned with her back to him and swung her hips. She had no clue what she was doing, but popped a button and started to slowly drag the material down. She’d always fantasized about doing a striptease for a hot sexy man. Hot sexy man? Present. Maggie? Present. Clothes to take off? Finally present. Her roll call was complete. She had everything she needed…
She frowned and straightened suddenly. Wait a second… Finish? What was he talking about?
She swiveled around abruptly and her breath stopped still in her chest, refusing to shuttle in or out. Just stopped. Oh, God… She groaned. Loud. A bolt of potent lust struck her body right at the center of her sex. The sight of Gabe on the bed, pants open, and mouth-wateringly tempting erection jutting out of his pants was mind numbing, especially with his fingers leisurely stroking his large stiff shaft. His eyes were darkly saturated with arousal.
His long fingers pulled a slow stroke to the shiny head and he grinned, and then nodded to her.
“You can continue if you like, but my mind has already undressed you, beautiful. I suggest you come over here and give me that hand—and more—that you promised.” She could hear the scratchy tinge of lust in his voice.
Maggie swallowed, trying to remember how to get her feet to work. Her skin was tingling with the anticipation of pleasure and moisture was already soaking her panties at the gorgeous sight of him. She guessed she must have taken too long because with panther-like grace, Gabe rose from the bed and came stalking towards her, his dark eyes steady and menacingly determined.
“I’ll help you with the clothes,” he growled, and she could sense his impatience.
She suddenly snapped out of her lust-induced coma, and she jumped back away from him. “No! Wait!” She ran to the other side of the room. “You’ll break them! They’re all I have.” She started giggling. “You’re like the…the…anti-clothes villain!”
Gabe laughed and started chasing after her. “Maggie, come here!”
She giggled and darted away from him, pulling up her capris as they started to fall around her hips.
“If I had my way, you’d be naked all the time,” he informed with a laugh, deftly catching her with a strong arm circling her waist.
“No! No! Let me go!” She twisted and chortled as he tickled her. She was doubled over with laughter. Gabe was behind her, laughing malevolently and pretending to be the evil clothes-hating villain that he was.
A knock came from the bedroom door, and they quieted suddenly. Maggie bit her lip, realizing how loud they must have been.
“Gabe? It’s Thomas. It’s almost time for dinner. I was hoping to have a word with you before we go down.”
“I’ll be right out!”
He turned her to him and captured her lips, his tongue snaking in to do a thorough sweep of her mouth. She leaned into the kiss and groaned, hating that he had to go.
He pulled away and grinned down at her, brandishing his perfect white teeth. “I’ll have to
zap your clothes later, beautiful.”
Maggie stepped back as he buttoned and straightened his pants. He stole a quick peck of her lips before he strolled away, leaving her with a big stupid grin on her face.
By the time Gabe returned it was the dinner hour. She was slipping her feet into her new stylish pumps when he informed her that Thomas had secured an appointment with Director Miller in the morning. Maggie hugged him, eternally relieved.
“That’s great! I can’t believe he managed it so quickly.”
“Director Miller just left Washington DC, apparently on his way to New York to meet with Senator Schumer. Thomas was able to track him down. Miller is a good guy. He’s tenacious, and very interested in the information on Cane. Thomas really came through,” Gabe said thoughtfully. There was a hint of the affection he felt for his brother lacing his tone.
“I overheard him yelling on the phone earlier. He was pretty angry and insistent. He was demanding to see the director. I guess the Masters name pulls a lot of weight.”
He rubbed his chin and nodded. “We haven’t always gotten along, but I’m proud of him. We’ve had a strained relationship from the time we were boys. Perhaps we can put the past behind us and look ahead,” he whispered.
“I think Thomas would like that too,” she said, recalling his brother’s words from earlier.
Maggie smiled as embers of elation glowed inside her heart. To hear Gabe say such words was a monumental step in healing his tortured soul. It was important for him to have his family’s support. She thought of her own brothers and how much they meant to her. Growing up, her parents had always emphasized the importance of family and unity. There had always been constant laughter and affection flowing about the house.
He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. His soft lips grazed hers and she moaned, deeply content. She let her palms rove over his broad shoulders. He looked gorgeous in a cream shirt and chocolate colored dinner jacket that matched his eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he said against her lips.
She pulled back and smiled, realizing she was just thinking the same about him. “Even though I’m wearing clothes?”
His smile teetered irreverently, and his gaze soaked in her silk blouse and smart capris.
“Yes.” He took her elbow and led her from the room then leaned in close to her ear. “But remember during dinner that whenever I look at you I’m undressing you with my eyes.”
Maggie gulped, a blush spreading over her body. She wondered how she’d make it through the meal.
Kate was already seated when Gabe escorted Maggie into the dining room. He kissed his mother’s cheek then pulled out a chair for Maggie. Maggie felt her nerves start to vibrate. Every interaction she’d had with Gabe’s mother so far had been tense and even hostile. She decided to make an earnest attempt to be amiable during dinner, but as Kate’s eyes followed her with veiled animosity, she realized how difficult the endeavor might be. She was determined, though, to try for Gabe’s sake.
Kate leaned forward, addressing Gabe, who sat across from her.
“Gabriel, you’ve been very preoccupied since you’ve come home,” she observed, flicking a telling glance towards Maggie. “I trust you plan on staying for a while?”
Gabe returned his mother’s gaze. “I’m not sure how long, Mother.”
“Well,” she said, her voice starched. “There are matters to settle. Family business matters that are long overdue. I’d like to have a word with you.” She sent Maggie another glance. “Privately. Tomorrow, then?”
Gabe gave her a decisive nod then turned his head to the doorway. Thomas and Victoria were just arriving for dinner. Victoria had her hair pulled back; her thick glasses seemed to take up most of her face. She gave Maggie a friendly smile and took the seat next to her, Thomas adjusting her chair. Maggie’s gaze flickered towards Kate, and she couldn’t help noticing again that the woman seemed suddenly ill at ease. Kate fingered her pearls, her forehead wrinkling pensively. Maggie chewed her lip, searching Gabe’s face to see if he noticed anything awry, but he was now busy exchanging words with Thomas. She took a deep breath and tried to convince herself that she was just imagining Kate’s discomfiture.
Maggie awoke the next morning in a big empty bed, instantly missing the warmth of Gabe’s body next to hers. She knew he and Thomas had already left to meet with the CIA director, and although she was thrilled that Cane’s criminal activity would finally be exposed, she was nervous for Gabe and Thomas. Cane was still actively seeking them, still trying to get his hands on the research for his nefarious purposes. Gabe had repeatedly assured her that Director Miller was an ethical and trustworthy man who’d do everything in his power to see justice done, especially when dealing with something of this magnitude.
Maggie sighed, anxiety causing goose bumps to march across her flesh. She wouldn’t feel relieved until the information was safely delivered and Gabe was back here with her. Cane always seemed to be right on his trail. He wanted the research and he wanted Gabe dead. She remembered the bruising along Gabe’s jaw and tears misted her eyes. Cane was a tenacious man who had power and wealth at his disposal and was used to getting exactly what he wanted.
Deciding that sitting in bed and stewing in her worries would do her no good, Maggie showered, dressed, and sought out Victoria. Maybe Victoria would join her for breakfast and distract her from the concerns crowding her mind. Besides, she wanted to hear more about the Sonic Scalpel and its exciting potential.
Maggie strolled down the lush carpet of the upstairs hall and stopped at Victoria’s door. She knocked and entered at the command of Victoria’s voice. The room was spacious but not as large as the one she shared with Gabe. Tall widows with an eastern exposure prismed the vibrant rays of the early morning sun and showered the room with a beautiful rainbow.
Victoria was sitting at a desk on the shaded side of the room. Maggie smiled brightly, the effect of the dazzling rainbow lightening her gloomy mood.
“Would you like to go down to breakfast with me?” she asked, approaching the desk.
She frowned at Victoria’s dejected expression when the woman turned around.
“What’s wrong?” Maggie asked, a hand bracing on the back of her chair.
“I’m just a bit concerned about the funding for my research,” Victoria informed, pushing up her thick glasses. “Cane was my biggest supporter. He continued to fund the lab even after I denied him access to the data. He probably figured that he’d someday get his hands on it. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to continue without funding.”
“Well, don’t you have other sponsors?”
Victoria shrugged. “I don’t know who they are. I never handled this part of the project. Cane Howard was the one who actually brought in the other smaller sponsors, through his connections. I was just going through the list of sponsors now. Perhaps I can appeal to them for bigger donations, especially since we’re so far into the process.”
Maggie agreed, turning to the computer as Victoria scrolled through the list in her sponsor file.
“Stop!” Maggie almost yelled as the cursor passed over a now familiar name. “Oh my God!” she gasped. She felt a frosty shiver move down her back as absolute dread washed over her.
“What is it?” Victoria asked, her alarmed gaze jetting from Maggie’s face to the computer. Her brows wrinkled when she also read the name.
Masters Communications. It was listed as the second sponsor. Right under The Edge Corp.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Isn’t Masters Communications owned by this family?” Victoria asked, her face pinched with confusion.
Maggie didn’t hear the question. Her brain was too busy rapidly computing the meaning behind this discovery. If Cane Howard brought in the smaller sponsors, he must somehow have a connection with Masters Communications. Yet both Thomas and Kate acted as though they’d never heard of Victoria or about Cryostar’s research.
Maggie rubbed her arms, suddenly getting chille
d. She felt her heart stop in her chest, unable to pump against the fear filling her veins. She’d perceived something odd about Kate’s behavior every time the woman was in Victoria’s presence. Kate was always nervous and edgy. Guilty almost. The first time Victoria had walked through the doors of the mansion Kate had looked as though she’d seen a ghost. Had she known that Victoria was supposed to have died in the crash? And didn’t Gabe say that she’d been dating a wealthy business man! Could that man be Cane?
Oh my God! If that were the case then it was very possible that she’d tell Cane what Gabe and Thomas were planning on doing with the information that had been procured from his office! Cane would do everything in his power to stop that information from reaching the director. They had just received word yesterday of the meeting with the director this morning. Was Kate aware of the scheduled meeting? How much did she know?
Maggie felt her heart slamming against her ribs. The acidic burn of bile rose into her throat. Would a mother knowingly put her sons in danger? Would Kate want Gabe dead? A response rang emphatically in her mind, clanging loud like musical cymbals. Maybe if that mother blamed her son for the destruction of the family and the death of her husband. Maggie had to make sure that Thomas and Gabe made it safety to the director’s office.
She rushed towards the door.
“I have to find Kate Masters!”
Gabe smiled politely when Director Miller’s secretary greeted them at the front desk of a suite of offices the director was renting while in town. He looked around at the director’s private security detail that made no attempt to be discrete. Two men stood vigil in the lobby. Even though he and Thomas had been expected, they’d both been vetted before even getting to the secretary’s desk. Although he’d been loathe to do so, he’d left his gun in the car. But there was no way he’d be allowed to get within a mile of the director carrying a gun. The secretary rang an intercom and announced his and Thomas’ arrival, then rose and escorted them down a long narrow hall. He fingered the flash drive that he carried in the inside pocket of his suit coat, thinking how much it reminded him of the drive containing the research data that had been in his possession for so long.