by Donya Lynne
Mark leaned forward and threaded his fingers together. “Don, I can see you’re worried. Trust me. Karma’s not going anywhere. I’m very good at what I do, and I can see how valuable she is. Believe me. I know what’s going on. I know she does half, if not more, of Jolene’s job.”
There was a moment of silence before Don spoke again. “You’re going to recommend Jolene’s termination?”
Mark nodded. “Yes. She’s not pulling her weight, she spends too much time stirring up gossip and spreading rumors, and she’s just not contributing. She’s dead weight, Don. She’s dragging the company down.”
“Jake will fight you.”
“He already tried.”
“You’ve already spoken to Jake about this?”
He had stopped by Jake’s office a few weeks ago when Jolene had been exiting. She had looked guilty, and both of them had been flushed, their clothes rumpled. Jake and Jo could take a lesson from him and Karma about how to have a proper office romance. Rule number one was never fuck at work unless you knew you wouldn’t get caught or could hide it well. Jake and Jo had failed on both counts.
“Yes.”
“And…?”
“Like you said, he resisted at first, but he eventually agreed.” All Mark had needed to do was drop a subtle hint that he knew about Jake’s inappropriate relationship with Jolene to convince him that releasing Jo was the right decision. Jake was more worried about not letting his wife and Phil find out he was screwing his admin than he was in sticking his neck out on Jo’s behalf.
So much for those good looks Jolene relied on to get her out of troubled waters.
Don nodded and sighed as he crossed his arms and rocked back in the chair. “He does like Jolene.” He sounded like he was choosing his words carefully, as if he, too, knew about Jake and Jo’s relationship. “But when it comes to getting the job done, he prefers Karma.”
Mark leaned back, his hands still linked in front of his body. “Do you have a problem sharing Karma with Jake’s department?”
Don shook his head. “No. But that’s a lot of work for one person to do.”
Mark explained his idea to redistribute the administrative tasks to incorporate Nancy more in higher level functions, which would loosen Karma’s schedule.
“That could work nicely for all involved,” Don said. “I think that’s more than do-able.”
“Karma’s a valuable employee. She’s smart, efficient, resourceful.” He knew her passion rested in writing, but she was good at her job here. “She’s a real asset.”
“I’ve been very pleased with her,” Don said.
“Likewise.” That sentiment held dual meaning for Mark. “She’s quite capable. I think she just needs a subtle nudge, and the possibilities are endless.”
“I can tell you’ve been working with her,” Don said, his eyes shrewd. “Since you arrived, her confidence has really improved. I’ve never seen her so eager to dig into new projects. You’ve been good for her, Mark.”
He smiled, thinking of all the ways Karma had changed in the last two months. “I just recognize talent, and I enjoy bringing the best out of people. It’s been fulfilling to watch her grow.”
Don nodded emphatically. “Yes, it has. In two years, I’ve not been able to tap in to that talent the way you have in less than two months. She just seems so much more confident now. Everything about her has changed.” Don met Mark’s eyes in such a way that gave Mark pause. He was an expert in body language and nonverbal communications, and he could swear from the look on Don’s face that he was aware of what was going on between him and Karma. If he was, he didn’t pursue it. Maybe Mark was just overreacting.
A bit ill at ease, Mark averted his gaze and quickly forged ahead. “Well, rest assured, I plan on recommending her to stay, and I am also going to suggest a healthy raise. She deserves it, especially since we’ll be loosening up salaries by letting a few others go. Would you agree?”
“Definitely.”
“Good. We can discuss that when the time comes.” Mark glanced down at his report. “Okay, let’s talk about Ken.” Don’s demeanor had unnerved him, and he was eager to move on. “Ken is—” His cell phone rang, cutting him off. One look at the caller ID made him frown. Chicago Police Department? Why would he be getting a call from the CPD?
“Excuse me. I need to take this.” He held up his index finger. “Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Mark Strong?”
“Speaking.”
“Yes, Mr. Strong. This is Captain Cole from the Chicago Police Department. There was an incident earlier at your apartment. How soon can you meet us there?”
Mark stood and paced toward the window. “What kind of incident?”
“Someone broke in. One of your neighbors found the door forced open. Our guys are there now.”
Was this a joke?
“What? Wait a minute. Are you saying someone broke into my apartment?”
“Yes. We’re investigating now, but—”
Mark began gathering his things. “There are officers at my apartment now?”
“Yes.”
Great. His apartment was crawling with police and he was over two hours away. How the hell had someone gotten inside his apartment? His building was secure. “Is everything okay? Is anything missing?”
“We don’t know. Place has been tossed. Can you come home and take a look around?”
“I’m in Indianapolis on business, but yes, I’m leaving right away.”
“I’m sorry about this, Mr. Strong.”
“Not your fault, Captain. Thanks for calling.”
He hung up and continued shoving papers into his bag. “I have to go. Someone broke into my apartment.”
Don was already on his feet. “So I gathered. Everything okay?”
“The police are there now.” He shut down his laptop. “My apologies, but we’ll have to finish this next week.” Damn it! He’d have to cancel his date this weekend with Karma, too. Their special night downtown…and all the planning and reservations…all of it ruined by some idiot who had decided to play cops and robbers.
“Don’t worry about it, Mark. Get home. Make sure everything’s okay.”
With a brisk nod, he hefted his bag over his shoulder and marched toward the door. As soon as he opened it and set eyes on Karma, he knew she could tell something was wrong.
“I’ll see you week after next, Miss Mason,” he said, willing her not to behave out of character.
To Karma’s credit, she adjusted quickly. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
“I’ve got an emergency back in Chicago. Someone broke into my apartment.”
She gasped. “Oh no. Is everything all right?”
“I’m on my way to find out,” he said.
“I’m sorry.” Disappointment touched her pale eyes, but she quickly replaced it with concern.
He paused for just a heartbeat. “I’m sorry, too.”
He was sorry for having to cancel, for not being able to be here, for having to bail on their weekend.
He tore himself away before he revealed too much of his feelings and hurried down the hall.
Once in his car, he typed out a quick text to Karma. So sorry about tonight. Was looking forward to it. Call you later.
He started the engine and pulled out into traffic as his phone dinged. At the stoplight, he read her reply. Was looking forward to it, too. But this is more important. Talk to you later. xo
He smiled at the xo. Before the light turned green, he sent another text. Will make it up to you. Promise. Xoxo.
Then he called Rob to ask him to go over to his place and hold CPD until he got there.
So much for best-laid plans.
Chapter 42
Don’t look back. You’re not going that way.
-Marcia Wallace
By the time Mark arrived home and met Rob and Captain Cole at his disheveled apartment, CPD had caught the suspects: a couple of teenagers who lived in the building and apparently got bored an
d took a dare from a friend to break into one of the apartments.
Lucky Mark. He couldn’t win the lottery, but he could be the one in a hundred chosen at random to be robbed.
The kids had left his place in shambles, but they had taken only three items: a gold watch, a diamond necklace, and a pair of matching wedding rings from where they had been tucked and forgotten inside the small, wooden chest on his dresser for the last six years, otherwise, he would have secured them in his safe.
After the kids apologized profusely and returned what they’d stolen, Rob headed out, and Mark spent a couple hours looking around for anything else that was missing. He also called his bank and all his credit card companies to request new accounts and to close the old ones. His files had been rifled through, and he didn’t want to take the risk. After he was sure everything else was covered and okay, he tossed the stolen items in his duffel, along with a pair of sweats, tennis shoes, and a T-shirt, and headed over to Rob’s, leaving the building superintendent to secure the door, which the building manager had agreed to replace tomorrow. Mark had told him to add an extra deadbolt. He wasn’t taking chances.
By the time he reached Rob’s place, it was after eight o’clock.
“Hey,” Rob said, opening the door to his brownstone and standing aside. “Everything back to normal at your place?”
“Getting there. They’ve got a special lock on my door. The super will install a new one in the morning. By the way, thanks for coming over and helping.” He dropped his duffel on the couch and plopped down beside it as Rob took the recliner across from him.
“No problem.”
Mark rubbed his palms over his face. “I can’t believe two stupid kids caused this much trouble. Because they were bored.” He gave Rob an exasperated, can-you-believe-that-shit look.
Exhaustion wilted his shoulders. The drive back had been long and tiring, and he was angry with the kids for taking him away from his job, Karma, and their weekend getaway. He couldn’t abide chaos or having his routine fucked with like that.
“Did you find anything else missing?” Rob picked up the remote and turned down the volume on the TV.
Mark let his hands fall to the side as he slouched. His voice sounded as tired as he felt. “No. Just my watch, the diamond necklace I bought for Carol, and our wedding bands.”
As angry as he was with the kids for messing up the normalcy in his life, he was angrier that they had reawakened old memories from a time he had worked hard to forget. Just seeing that necklace again, and especially those wedding bands, had seriously fucked with his head.
Rob seemed to sense this and got up, went to the kitchen, and brought back a pair of Budweisers.
“Good man,” he said, taking one and twisting off the cap.
“I ordered food, too.” Rob checked the clock. “Should be here any minute.”
Mark tipped back his beer and drank. When he pulled the bottle from his lips, he said, “Very good man. I’m starving. Haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“I figured.”
For a while, neither of them said anything, keeping their eyes glued to ESPN and the baseball game.
“You doing okay?” Rob said.
“Yeah, sure.” Mark frowned and absently fiddled with the label on his bottle. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Rob shrugged. “No reason. Just that your apartment was broken into, you had to drive back from Indy to deal with the fallout, and what those guys took was pretty personal. I mean, your wedding bands and—”
Mark held up a hand. “I’m fine. I don’t want to talk about her.” Or the necklace. Or the rings. He wanted to think about Karma, not Carol.
Rob held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry.”
Silence fell again, and Rob seemed to get real interested real fast in the baseball game.
But Mark’s mind was short-circuiting down memory lane to the day six years ago that had changed everything.
He had been standing at the altar. His hands had been clasped in front of him, and he had been eager to begin the rest of his life with the woman he loved.
He remembered looking proudly over his shoulder at Rob, his best man, who grinned and nodded back. The minister stood in front of him, smiling benignly, a genial expression plastered on his face, his Bible tucked against his torso inside folded arms. Nine white candles flickered in a silver candelabra, which was shaped like an arrow pointing toward heaven and was set on the high altar behind the minister. More than three hundred guests chattered quietly as they prepared for the ceremony.
This moment had been all Mark could think about for months. The life he had planned was finally going to become reality. Today, he and Carol would become man and wife, and after their honeymoon in Mexico, they would buy a house. Carol didn’t know it, yet, but Mark had already been working with a realtor and had a line on the perfect four-bedroom two-story with a basement in the richest suburb of Chicago that would go up for sale in the next couple of weeks. It was perfect for their family. After getting settled in their new home, he would focus on his consulting career, and Carol would continue competing, then in two years, they would have their first child. Maybe even get a dog. A golden retriever. And two or three years later, they would have their second child, and their kids would go to the best schools. Mark had it all planned out.
He fought to contain the almost giddy feeling bubbling inside him. Most men didn’t get this excited about their wedding day, but Mark wasn’t like most men. He had never walked the beaten path and wouldn’t start now. He proudly admitted his love. Carol was beautiful, smart, and his parents’ star pupil. She had just won her first national dancing championship, and she was poised to rule the professional dance circuit for many years to come. Not a day went by when he didn’t tell her he loved her, and the two of them would become one of Chicago’s top power couples.
The organist started playing “Here Comes the Bride,” and Mark exchanged smiles with Rob once more as the guests rose in a whoosh of movement and turned toward the back of the church.
Seconds ticked by, and Mark stood tall, shoulders back, his excitement rising the longer the wedding march played.
Time stretched, and the guests began looking at one another, frowning, questions in their eyes, but Mark ignored them and kept his gaze locked on the foot of the aisle, waiting…waiting for his bride to appear. He didn’t want to miss his first glimpse of her in her dress. She would be lovely, more beautiful than he could imagine.
The music suddenly cut off, and Mark frowned and looked toward Rob, whose brow crinkled as he set his jaw.
What was going on? Where was Carol?
The maid of honor, a friend of Carol’s named Stacy, hurried around the corner and walked briskly up the aisle, her face red, her eyes skittish and filled with pity.
A low murmur sprouted throughout the church as the guests glanced around, looking for the happy bride-to-be, and then turned concerned eyes toward him. A sinking feeling tore at his heart. Something wasn’t right.
Stacy finally reached him, leaned forward, and whispered, “I’m sorry, but Carol isn’t coming.”
“What?” He didn’t understand. “What do you mean? Is she okay? Has something happened?” Surely, he misunderstood. Stacy must have meant to tell him Carol was simply delayed, not that she wouldn’t be there at all.
Stacy took a heavy breath and looked away. “I’m sorry, Mark, but…” Her shoulders sagged. “She told me to give you this.” She haphazardly shoved a lavender envelope into his hand then hurried back down the aisle and out the door.
He stared down at the envelope and dread sank into his soul. It was Carol’s stationery. He turned away from the guests as Rob joined him.
“What’s wrong?” Rob said.
“I…I don’t know.” Mark couldn’t fathom what was happening. He ripped open the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of lavender notepaper.
The rumble in the church began to strengthen, and Mark’s parents left their seats at the f
ront pew to investigate, but Mark didn’t hear their questions. His brain was too busy trying to process the note in his hand.
Mark,
I’m so sorry, but I can’t marry you. I thought I could make it work, but I can’t. I’m so, so sorry, but I’m in love with someone else. I should have told you, but I couldn’t. I’m giving back the ring. I never should have accepted it in the first place. I’m so sorry. So very sorry about all of this. I hope you can forgive me.
Carol
He reached into the envelope and pulled out her engagement ring. The one with the fat diamond he had given her eight months ago.
In an instant, the life he had so meticulously planned, which had seemed so perfect and within his grasp only a couple of minutes ago, disappeared. And not just disappeared, but exploded with such force that Mark felt it all the way to the soles of his feet. It was like a bomb had blown up in his chest.
In front of everyone, Carol had left him standing alone, to tell their friends and family that she didn’t love him…didn’t want him. God, he felt like a fucking reject. An idiot.
The minister’s merciful smile almost made him sick, and the flames on the candles stung his eyes like needles. Or maybe that was just his tears. He couldn’t be sure. Rob, his parents, the minister, and so many others gathered around him, imploring him about what had happened, but he couldn’t hear a word they said. Distress wrapped itself around his heart. An inconsolable sorrow so profound that he didn’t think he would ever recover wormed its way into his soul.