She stopped dead in her tracks, a wave of emotion gripping her chest. “I miss you too...I’ll call you later, okay?”
She took a quick shower, resisting the urge to relive the stress between her legs with the shower head. I’m late enough as it is. As she climbed out of the shower, she caught a glimpse of herself in the full-length mirror and a naughty thought crossed her mind. Snatching the phone off the counter, she took a couple more photos in various poses. Her hair dripping wet, skin glistening with moisture, she bent and posed while wearing nothing but a dirty smile. Quickly sending them off to Landon, triple checking he was the correct recipient, she hurried about getting dressed.
After jumping into her tight skinny jeans, her phone chimed.
You’re killing me here! Now I’m gonna have to go take care of myself...REALLY wish you were here ;)
Holy crap. Lauren couldn’t believe how sexy the thought of Landon touching himself to her photos actually was. Even though he was thousands of miles away, right now, he was thinking about her in that way.
“Fuck this long distance crap,” she muttered to herself. I need to get out there as soon as possible, for a bunch of reasons.
After a particularly stressful Thursday at work, Lauren had finally convinced Faith to join her at a local bar for happy hour. They’d left the office at an uncharacteristically early hour so they could snag a table before the rush.
“I have to ask you something,” Lauren said hesitantly. “I don’t want you to get upset, though.”
Faith nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay? I know you went to the doctor the other—oh no, is it your aunt?”
Lauren shook her head but smiled. “You are just about the sweetest girl I’ve ever met, do you know that? You immediately worry about me and my problems whereas most people would think about themselves.”
“I don’t do it on purpose.” Faith shrugged, the bloom in her cheeks deepening. They were already most of the way through their second cocktails and Lauren finally felt she’d delayed long enough.
“I know you don’t, sweetie. That’s what makes it even better.” She took a deep breath and sighed. The narrow bar was filled with the after work crowd, all trying to down as much cheap alcohol as they could before heading back to their shoe box apartments. “I didn’t ask you out to happy hour just for fun, even though I love spending time with you. I wanted to ask you about Parker.”
Faith’s expression clouded slightly. Lauren noticed she started to spin her engagement ring mindlessly. “Yeah, I know. I wish I could tell you where he is.”
“Wait, you don’t even know where he is?” she asked incredulously. “I thought he just wasn’t showing up to work.”
“I know he’s alive and that’s about it. I think he might’ve gone to visit his brother but I’m not completely sure. He just up and left like he always does. For some reason, I thought it’d be different after we got engaged. I think now that you’re officially in charge, he feels like he can just do whatever he wants.”
“Fuck work, he has no excuse to treat you like that.” Her tone was more biting than she’d intended. Should I tell her about what I caught him doing? I don’t want to make her feel worse than she already does. What if he actually did tell her and here I am pulling it back into the light. Fucking Parker...
“It’s not just that he’s gone...before he left, did he happen to say anything to you about Rochelle?”
“Rochelle? No, why would he?” Lauren could tell from her reaction, if Parker had told her about the infidelity, he hadn’t been too specific.
Lauren took a fortifying gulp of her Cosmo and forced herself to look Faith straight in the eye. “I found out a few weeks ago that Rochelle’s name is really Rachel. She’s not actually who she says she is. She works for a competitor and has more than likely taken a lot of our trade secrets back to them. I told Parker when I found out, figured it was his decision to make as CEO, yet he’s done nothing.”
“How do you know all of this?” Faith asked incredulously.
She took her hand and shook her head. “I’m sorry sweetie, I really can’t tell you. Just please trust that it’s true.” Lauren felt a pit in her stomach. That’s not all you should know about her but I can’t bring myself to tell you the rest. Please forgive me...“I really think you should talk to him about her, find out what he says.”
Faith nodded and looked around the bar. “Sometimes I wish he wasn’t like this...I thought it was just something he’d grow out of but he seems to be getting worse.” The sadness in her voice brought another pang of guilt.
“You can’t change him. That’s not your job.”
“Lord, I know that,” she replied with a chuckle. It seemed like she was about to say something but Lauren got the feeling she shouldn’t prod. After a moment, Faith looked up and continued. “I know you’re leaving, probably just in time...”
“How did you—”
Faith smiled warmly. “I went out with Ali the other day and she accidentally let it slip. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t say anything to Parker about it but I’m really happy for you. It sounds like a great opportunity and you’re moving to California! I’m honestly jealous. She also said you’re with Landon DeWitt now. He’s a real hottie, good for you!”
“I’m gonna kill her, you know. She can’t be trusted with any secrets,” Lauren grumbled. “Wait, what did you mean when you said I’m leaving just in time?”
Faith looked around the bar conspiratorially, as if checking to see if the coast were clear. “The company isn’t doing too well...financially.”
“Well, I know we haven’t raised yet but there are still plenty of hats in the ring.”
“No, it’s worse than that.” Faith leaned forward and dropped her voice. “Parker’s been getting cash injections from his father to keep the company afloat. Not to mention, both he and Philip have been giving themselves bonuses. That’s why Phil ended up in rehab and Parker bought his yacht. He actually just got a huge lump sum only a month ago and it’s all gone.” She exhaled loudly and seemed to sit up straighter. “God, that feels good to say. You know me, Wren. I hate stuff like this but because I’m with him and I’m essentially in charge of all the accounts...”
Lauren couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She actually had never considered how the company was doing financially, figuring that if Parker was in control of anything, it’d be the money. His dad’s been floating us all along? Holy shit...
“Wait, what about the books we show investors when the come in? Any accountant would be able to pick up on it.”
“Probably, but no investor has taken it that far. The company essentially earns just enough money to break even but Parker makes it look like we’re really profitable by concealing his dad’s money here and there.” She crossed one arm under her breasts and lifted her drink. “I swear, if he spent half as much energy doing good as he does doing bad, he might actually be a half decent guy.”
7.
Lauren berated herself the entire way home. Why didn’t I just tell her? After everything that happened with Nick, even though it fucking sucked, I’d still want to know. I feel so fucking scummy, like I’m covering for Parker. That poor girl deserves the nicest man in the world yet she’s stuck to that son-of-a-bitch. And everything she said about the company? Damn. I knew things were bad, but why didn’t I see it before? I have to tell Landon about all this.
She tucked her chin a little deeper into her knit scarf. The temperatures were still warm during the day, but autumn was quickly creeping in at night. The nights came on a little faster, the cold cutting through her clothes. The two-for-one cocktails swimming through her system were doing a good job of keeping her warm, providing an invisible jacket that fought the chill. She made her way down the steps of the station, the stale warm air welcome for once. Slipping on her headphones, Lauren gripped the pole in the rocking car and yawned.
I’ll grab some soup on the way home, watch something on Netflix, and give Landon a ca
ll when I crawl into bed. Maybe we can even give phone sex a try...
A few minutes later, a cup of scalding hot chicken soup in hand, Lauren was walking the rest of the way to Damon’s building. She gazed up at the soaring high rises, feeling a little like a woman falling in love again but having to say goodbye. The city always felt a little more magical in the night. The darkness kept at bay by the myriad of lights, all the glowing windows representing thousands upon thousands of people she’d never meet. I don’t care if I look like a tourist, she thought as she tilted her head up and all around. Screw ‘em if they can’t find the beauty in their own city.
Suddenly, her scarf tightened around her neck and she was yanked backwards into the darkness of a bottom floor apartment entrance. A scream choked in her throat as the invisible assailant looped the ends of her scarf around their hands, pulling the fabric even tighter around her neck. With a strong hand holding her shoulder, Lauren was pushed into the darkness. She twisted and fought her attacker but couldn’t move much.
“Take whatever you want. I have money in my purse. I haven’t seen your face, just take it and go.” Her voice came out in a rasp, from fear and constriction. The attacker paused and Lauren immediately jumped on the hesitation, sensing that perhaps the person was having second thoughts. “Please, don’t do anything...take whatever you want and let me go.”
With a sudden and hard shove, Lauren toppled forward. A dizzying flash of pain shot through her head as she collided with a metal door. She landed in a heap at the entrance, her head throbbing, and consciousness fading away for a moment. She shook her head, not knowing what had happened. Did I faint? Oh Jesus, my soup. Did I spill my soup? Shaking herself a little to clear her head, the danger of the situation came flooding back. Fuck, no, someone just hit me. As her panic returned, she immediately saw Nick in her mind’s eye.
Her hands were covered in a warm liquid that she briefly thought was blood. On quick inspection, she realized it was the chicken soup slowly leaking through the lid. The hot container was still clutched in her hands, tucked against her body. She heard the rustle of leaves behind her as the attacker approached, the sound of their heavy breathing became her entire world.
Suddenly, an overhead light flicked on, bathing the dark foyer in light. The tenant had obviously heard the commotion outside and was looking to investigate. Lauren heard the attacker gasp and step back. This was her chance. Tearing the lid off the soup, Lauren quickly twisted onto her knees and threw the contents towards the person’s face. So sure her attacker was Nick, she was shocked to hear a feminine voice scream out.
“You fucking bitch!”
Lauren shimmied back and pounded on the door, but heard no sounds coming from inside the apartment. It was the first time she’d gotten a good look at her assailant. Dressed in all black with a hoodie pulled up, the figure clutched at her face and cursed. Lauren scrambled to her feet and hesitated. Although she seemed incapacitated, her doubled-over body still blocked the stairs to the street. I’ll have to go through her, she thought with startling clarity. Quickly closing the distance between them, Lauren took advantage of the element of surprise. With a strong shove, she knocked the assailant to the ground. As the woman tried to brace herself, her hands flung the dark hood away, revealing her face.
For a moment Lauren thought it was a trick of the light. It can’t be...but as the figure on the ground rolled to her back, she knew.
“Rochelle? What the fuck are you doing?” Lauren shouted as she stepped closer. The anonymity of the attacker removed, her fear was quickly replaced with anger. Rochelle sat up, bracing herself as if she wanted to leap to her feet. Her eyes were dark and sharp, focused on Lauren’s movements.
“If I scar from that shit, I’m totes suing you to pay for my plastic surgery.”
“No, don’t move, you fucking stay right there.” Lauren felt a warm trickle of blood run down the side of her face from her temple, the sensation enraging her further. Parker must’ve come to his senses and fired her finally. Of course, she’d blame me and not the guy whose dick she was sucking. “You had to have known this might happen. It’s not like you ever actually had any loyalty to us!”
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t give a shit about the people there,” she muttered. “What the fuck do you know about loyalty, anyway?”
Lauren shook her head and bent the grab her purse. She gasped as a jagged flash of pain fired through her side. “I don’t even understand what the hell you were trying to do.”
Rochelle’s smirk turned into a low chuckle. Her blonde hair hung in limp clumps, torn loose from her high ponytail. She looked gaunt, her face thin and skin stretched. She looks insane, Lauren thought. “So clueless. This isn’t some Bond movie. I’m not just, like, gonna spill my guts cause you asked. Sahra was right about you.”
“What the fuck does Sahra have to do with anything?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know!” This sparked another round of eerie giggling and Lauren just wanted to put some distance between them.
“Fine, whatever. You’re obviously unhinged or something, so I’m just gonna leave,” Lauren said holding her hands up. She side-stepped to the stairs and turned to ascend, but Rochelle was too quick. Before she even had time to register the crunch of the gravel behind her, Lauren’s head was wrenched back. A fiery pain shot through her scalp as she was led by her hair, nearly knocking her off balance yet again.
With a grunt, Lauren twisted under the grip of the ponytail and swung a looping fist as hard as she could towards Rochelle’s stomach. The impact weakened her grip but she still held on. Lauren noticed the girl was wearing thin running shoes. Without another thought, she jammed her pointy heel into the center of Rochelle’s foot and twisted. The girl screamed in pain, loud enough to finally attract the attention of anyone walking by. The heel stuck in Rochelle’s foot as she tried to yanked it out. Oh God, I’m gonna puke. Not sparing another look, Lauren took off down the block toward Damon’s apartment building.
She didn’t remember getting her phone out or even dialing, but she suddenly became aware of Landon’s voice in her ear.
“Hey babe, how’s it going.”
“I was just attacked.” Lauren’s voice sounded disembodied and flat, foreign to her ears.
“What? If Nick put one fucking finger on—”
“No, it wasn’t him. It was Rochelle. She knocked me down but I...I got away. I still don’t know why she did it. She came up from behind and...” Her words came out between panted breaths as she walked briskly home. Her body tingled with adrenaline and she was thankful for the darkness. At least the night hid her bloodied knuckles, knees, and face.
“Wait, this is the girl who I found out was working for another company, right? Jesus Lauren, are you alright? Did she—”
“No. She still works for us. Parker never fired her. Or, maybe he did and that’s what this is all about.” Lauren turned the corner onto Sixth Ave and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Damon’s building towering high.
“Are you serious? Wren, did she hurt you?”
She blinked back tears at the concern she heard in his voice. “I’m alright. Just a little scraped up, I guess,” she replied softly. “Bitch scared me half to death, though. Came out of nowhere.”
“This is unbelievable. Why hasn’t Parker gotten rid of her?”
Marco did a double-take from his desk as Lauren walked into the lobby, immediately jumping to his feet. “Ms. Kemp, your head—” but she waved him away, doing her best to flash him a warm smile.
“Hold on a sec, babe.” She tilted the phone away from her mouth, covering it slightly with her hand. “Marco, really, I’m fine. Thank you.” She pressed the elevator button and returned to Landon. “He hasn’t fired her because he’s fucking her.” That earned her another look from the doorman which she chose to ignore.
“Wren, tell me exactly where you are. I’m coming out tonight instead of tomorrow.”
Lauren stepped inside the elevator and leaned ag
ainst the wall, suddenly feeling exhausted. The adrenaline must be wearing off, she thought. “Don’t be silly. I’m perfectly fine. I’m actually in the building now. I’m just going to clean up and go to bed. It’s been a really—”
“What if you have a concussion? Wren, seriously. Just wait a second.”
“Damon will take care of me,” she said sleepily. If she’d been more aware, she would have realized it was her first slip. Up to this point, Landon had no details of her living situation. He knew she was staying with a friend but now had a name. The elevator door opened and Lauren’s eyes fluttered open, locking with Damon’s. “Speak of the devil...”
“Lauren? Wren! I’m taking the next plane out. Will you please just tell me where you are so I can come to you when I land? I’ll search every damn building for a doorman named Marco.”
Her eyes flooded with tears when she saw the concern on Damon’s face. He gently guided her inside the apartment and she was reminded of Ali’s story about her mother the nurse. When I saw the fear in her face I knew shit was serious. “Marco said you were hurt and on your way up,” he whispered.
“I’m alright, Landon. I’ll just see you tomorrow. Really, I’m fine. I have to go.” Lauren didn’t wait for his protests, hanging up without another word. Her eyes drifted up to Damon’s, steely and filled with worry.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, okay?” He gently slid his hand around her back, tucking it under her armpit. She winced as he led her towards the bathroom. “Your ribs?” Lauren nodded through gritted teeth. He folded a towel and placed it on the closed toilet seat lid, gesturing for her to sit. “Alright, let’s take a look at you. Take your shirt and pants off.”
“Mr. Kael,” she giggled weakly. “You’ll have to at least buy me dinner.” She tried to her best to inject a little humor into the situation but his expression spelled no-nonsense.
“Lauren, if you have a broken rib, it might puncture your lung.”
The severity of the situation stabbed fear through her and she stood. Fixing a brave face, she let Damon strip the torn and bloodied clothes from her body. Standing in her black bra and black boy short underwear, she began trembling, the very core of her body seeming to quiver.
Playing with Power - Book 5: New Adult Office Romance Page 5