End Game

by Willa Thorne

  I walked down a row of kennels toward Gemma’s kennel and stopped in dismay when I found it empty. One of the high school volunteers was cleaning the floor of that kennel.

  “Hi Jess, where’s Gemma?” I asked, but I already knew the answer.

  The girl looked up and blinked her long lashes. “She got picked up this afternoon. You knew she was getting adopted, right?”

  I tried to play it cool, despite feeling disappointed. “Yeah, I just wanted to say goodbye.”

  Jess was quiet for several minutes. “Yeah. I guess it’s good to get as many adopted before we sell.”

  What the hell was that supposed to mean?

  “... Before we sell?” I prompted. The girl stopped mopping and looked at me again.

  “Yeah… Sorry, Jill, I thought you knew.” Jess frowned. “Vivian said she can’t keep it up anymore-”

  I didn’t wait to hear anymore. I stormed down the small corridor and stopped outside of Vivian’s office. I clenched my fists, and exhaled deeply before I knocked on the wooden door to Vivian’s office.

  “Come in,” Vivian’s tired voice called out through the door.

  I pursed my lips as I put my hand on the knob and turned. As I opened the door, I observed Vivian with her face in her hands. She looked up as I entered.

  “Jilly Bean, so good to see you sweetie. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep Gemma here longer. Her new owner insisted she should be picked up before a certain hour.”

  I nodded with a frown. “I’m going to miss her.” I hesitated in my choice of words before I continued. “Jess just mentioned something about selling. What is that about?”

  “Oh that girl and her mouth.” Vivian exhaled as she raked a hand through her pixie-cut salt and pepper hair. She frowned, which made her wrinkles much more pronounced. “I was going to have a meeting next week to announce the news, but you’ve been a part of this place since… for years now.”

  I was dreading it. My heart already dropped to my stomach.

  “When I was thirty years old, I started this place out of my own backyard in Queens. Over time and with the right support, I was able to purchase this building and turn one of my passions into a reality. But times are different now, Jillian. Finances are not the same, and the support is not the same. We ran so many fundraisers before you started back with us, but I can’t support these animals anymore. I can’t even afford to hire staff.”

  My throat tightened. Just say it.

  “I’m selling the building, Jillian. I’m no spring chicken. I’m tired, and quite frankly, I can’t afford the upkeep anymore.”

  Even though I was expecting the words, it still hit me like an anvil.

  “I got an offer and the prospective buyer is very aggressive on this-”

  “Are they going to keep the shelter?” I asked. The question escaped my lips in a blurt.

  “No, honey. It’s not my business what they plan to do with the building, but I know he mentioned something about a shop. I will have to figure out where to place these animals.”

  I sat there stiffly, trying to absorb everything that Vivian was telling me. It was overwhelming, and then Vivian’s voice became choked as she continued talking about possibilities for the animals, but all the surrounding shelters were filled.

  “We can run one last adoption event next Saturday…” I heard her say as she wiped tears from her eyes.

  “Viv, we’re not giving up. You worked so hard for the last thirty years. You can’t just throw in the towel now.” My mind was reeling, thinking of anything and everything I could do to save this place. I kept thinking back to all the memories I had accumulated during my high school years and earlier college years. This shelter was in most of those memories.

  “This work doesn’t pay the bills and the cost has only risen-”

  I pursed my lips as the lump formed in my throat. I bit my lip to fight the feeling. I don’t cry in front of anyone and I had to stay strong for Viv.

  My phone suddenly rang and I dug into my pocket, assuming it was Elyse, asking if I could bring a snack for the kids at the youth center. But it wasn’t Elyse, it was Mason.

  “I’m sorry Viv. One second. I have to take this.” I excused myself and stepped out to answer the call.

  “Hey sexy,” I answered the phone.

  “Hello gorgeous.” Mason’s rich voice greeted my ears and despite the recent news, I still had to smile at hearing his voice. “I am in between conference calls and thought I’d give you a ring. Are you headed out with Elyse later?”

  “No,” my voice was quiet. “She has class and then a study session tonight.”

  Mason obviously noted the strangeness in my voice.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked sternly.

  I was trying to find the words to tell him what I had just learned, but my delay caused him to think I was hesitating.

  “Jillian. An answer.” His voice carried that dominant tone he used with me, typically late at night when my hands were bound behind my back.

  I sucked on my lower lip and then told Mason what Vivian had just said to me. “I don’t want anybody to know yet. She only just told me the news. We don’t have to worry yet. There’s still some time, right? I’m going to organize some fundraisers, and see if I can find some sponsors-” I spoke quickly.

  “Jillian?” Mason cut me off.

  “Yes?”

  “Put Vivian on the phone.” His voice was commanding, but he added a last part. “Please. I only have ten minutes.”

  “Okay,” I complied.

  I returned to Vivian’s office door and knocked lightly.

  “Come in!” I heard her strained voice through the door again and I entered, holding out my cell phone.

  “I’m sorry, Viv, but Mason wants to talk to you.”

  Vivian gave me a questioning look, but took the phone from me.

  ****

  Two hours passed, and my heart was still thundering in my chest. Mason managed to solve Vivian’s dilemma with a simple phone call. Actually, it took more than a simple, five minute phone call, but it all started with that brief conversation. Mason offered to buy the shelter from Vivian.

  My mouth dropped to the floor. I didn’t hear the full extent of the conversation but my Mason never ceased to amaze me. Mason had decided to stop by the Paw Connection before heading home that evening because he wanted to ask Vivian a few questions in person. He offered to buy the shelter, and keep it supported, and even insisted that Vivian remain the shelter’s director. He went above and beyond.

  “Why did you decide to buy the shelter?” I asked during the car ride home that evening. “You never cared for animals before…”

  A single dark eyebrow lifted as he looked at me. “I did, because you enjoy it there.”

  I couldn’t hide my smile. In fact, my face was hurting. His light brown eyes glinted and he only smirked.

  “How was your day aside from that?” He asked.

  I shrugged. “I went to work, and stopped by Paw Connection. I wanted to say goodbye to Gemma, but she got picked up by her new owner while I was still at the office.” I frowned.

  “That’s a pity,” Mason answered as he rested his chin between his thumb and forefinger. He gave me a sideways glance. “I did warn you not to name that mutt.”

  “I know, but I don’t follow directions very well.”

  His eyes glinted darkly. “Perhaps you’ll learn to listen one of these days.”

  “Possibly, but very unlikely.” I quipped. “Perhaps one of these days, you’ll stick to a promise you made years ago.”

  Mason scoffed. “We’re not bringing a mutt into my- our penthouse. Now you’ll have the shelter to do with as you please. That should be enough, don’t you think?”

  I nodded; He’d given me more than I hoped for in one afternoon.

  “How was your day?” I asked, wondering if he had made progress with the company transition.

  “It was average. Currently, I am in the middle numerous meetings with the investo
rs of J.A. Woodward and Company. My day was filled with measly percentages and charts. The topic alone gives me a headache.”

  I smiled and reached my hand across the seat. He took my hand and squeezed it firmly, then tenderly kissed the wrist that held our initials in white gold. Every time he did this, he sent tingles up my arm.

  The car parked outside of The Darling, and he offered a hand to help me out. Once we entered the hotel, he seemed odd, excited actually. I couldn’t explain it because Mason never got excited about much.

  “Close your eyes,” he whispered once we were in the elevator. I looked up at him with a suspicious expression, and smiled.

  “Another surprise?” I asked.

  “Another surprise,” his voice was smooth in my ear. “Eyes. Closed. Now.”

  I closed my eyes and felt my face flame bright pink, expecting him to do something kinky in the elevator. I was ready for him to push the red stop button, pull his tie from his neck and use it to bind my wrists above my head. Instead, the elevator chimed and the doors opened to his penthouse level.

  “Keep those eyes closed, Ms. Pryor,” Mason’s large hand clasped over my eyes and he guided me onto the marble foyer.

  “I don’t have much choice when your hand is already over my face,” I teased.

  “Keep walking,” Mason commanded as he guided me further into our home.

  My back was pressed firmly against his front as he walked me into the sitting room.

  I sensed other movement in the sitting room as someone came around the corner, followed by the jingle of a collar.

  My eyes flew open, despite Mason’s strong hand over my eyes. My eyelashes fluttered against his palm as my heart lept into my throat.

  “You didn’t!” I exclaimed.

  “Oh, I did.” He answered. He took his hand away from my face.

  I glanced down, expecting to see an expensive purebred puppy. Imagine my shock when I found Gemma staring up at me with big, brown eyes. Mason! It was Mason who had put in to adopt Gemma, and for the last three days, he had kept everything quiet on his end.

  “You! You were the one!” I beamed as I looked up at Mason. He gazed down at me with a half smirk.

  “Yes, darling. I know how to keep secrets very well.”

  “I should have known!” I continued beaming, giddy like a small child on her birthday. I knelt down to rub Gemma between her ears. I spent so much time with her in the shelter and I quickly learned that this was her favorite spot to be rubbed. I couldn’t contain how elated I felt by this surprise. Finally, I glanced up and noticed that Mrs. O’Malley was still standing there.

  “Mrs. O’Malley, don’t tell me you were a part of this whole secret?” I asked, almost laughing.

  The older woman just smiled. “Dear, I wouldn’t miss the look on your face.”

  I looked up at Mason. “I can’t believe you did this! You let me believe that we would never get a dog and that I would never see Gemma again!”

  “It was all worth seeing that surprised expression on your face, my love.” He only grinned.

  I stood and kissed him fiercely. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!” I wrapped my arms around him and he held me tightly. His lips crashed down on mine, almost bruising mine as he kissed me with such passion.

  “Well, that is my queue to leave. Dinner is wrapped tight in the fridge. I will see you in the morning. Try to not make too much of a mess,” Mrs. O’Malley joked as she made her way to leave the sitting room. I looked over and flamed bright pink. For two seconds, I had forgotten she was there.

  Mason had a positively devilish smirk on his face as he watched our housekeeper take her exit for the evening. He gave me a couple of hours with Gemma while he finished some work in his study. By the time she had fallen asleep on the leather sofa, I received a text message from Mason:

  Meet me in the dining room. Five minutes.

  I responded immediately. Yes, sir.

  9. Mason Woodward

  “Mr. Woodward.” The phone on my desk beeped as Elizabeth tentatively spoke my name.

  “Yes, Elizabeth?” I glanced up from the spreadsheets I was reviewing.

  “There is a Mr. Wei on the line. He insists he should speak with you.” My secretary was quite confused, as I had canceled all meetings for the next two days while I attempted to organize the company transition. I was head of the entire enterprise, which meant I was responsible for all locations of J.A. Woodward & Company, on top of my own hotel chain. I needed to hire a new CFO. I needed to find a way to be in Las Vegas, London, Chicago and New York all at once during such a delicate time. Still, despite the pressure of managing two large corporations, I gladly welcomed this level of stress rather than the overwhelming frustration of dealing with my father’s constant threats and berating behavior. I neither regretted my actions, nor did I miss him. When it comes to my father and what I have done, one could say I have become… numb. Nobody else seemed to miss him either. Their condolences toward me over his loss seemed to be a complete facade.

  When Elizabeth mentioned the name, “Wei,” a sick sense of dread washed over me. The feeling was quite similar to the stress I felt when dealing with my father. I have known about Jian Wei for years. I knew that my father had dealings with the man and others like him. I hadn’t seen the man since the charity event in London, but it was never a good sign when a man like Wei had interest in an individual. I could not ignore the man, and he was not a man to be brushed off.

  Bracing myself inwardly, I responded to my secretary. “Yes, Elizabeth. Put him through.”

  I rubbed the bridge of my nose and felt the knot in my jaw tighten.

  “Mason, boy, it is good you had time for this old man.” Wei’s voice assaulted my ears. The greeting could be accepted as welcoming to unsuspecting ears, but nobody has called me boy since I was sixteen years old.

  “Do I truly appear to be a boy to you?” My tone was limited in patience.

  The man only chuckled. “I was beginning to think you would not return my calls. I have something you want.”

  Fuck.

  “I have everything I need, but I appreciate your consideration.” I kept my demeanor professional yet firm, as always.

  The weasel only laughed. “Believe me. You want this.”

  There was a sick, twisted chirp to the inflection of his words.

  “Tomorrow. Noon- let’s call it a casual business meeting in your office. Yes?”

  My lip curled into a snarl, but I said nothing other than, “done.”

  “Good, good. And Mr. Woodward? There is no need to speak of this meeting with anyone, yes?”

  There was underlying threat in those words.

  “Why do I have need to discuss my business matters with anyone outside of the office?” I countered. I briefly glanced toward the gray New York skyline.

  Wei only chuckled. “I will see you tomorrow, boy.”

  My adrenaline was pumping as I replaced the phone on the receiver. My stress suddenly shot through the roof. I was at a loss for what Jian Wei could possibly want from me. I have never had to deal with this man personally, but his reputation among my father’s associates precedes him. Of course, there has been questionable rumors circulating about this man’s business tactics. A few years ago, the wife of one of Wei’s business associates went missing and the body was found lifeless in the Hudson River.

  Authorities questioned Wei, but there was no critical evidence that he had been involved in such a crime. All allegations and charges that have accrued over the years have been dropped. The rumors surrounding his immoral corporate agenda has not gone unnoticed, but the man has never been fully charged with any misconduct.

  Still, it is not uncommon for men and women to be paid for their silence. I knew Wei was no good, and I certainly wasn’t about to let myself fall into his pocket. I questioned why a man like him would want to meet with me. This was not a good sign, and if he wanted to do business, he would have been much more abrupt about a proposition. I have something you w
ant. The words replayed at a haunting rate over and over through my mind. What the fuck would I want from him?

  My focus was done for the day. After gathering my briefcase, I opened my office door to leave. I was about to leave some instructions with Elizabeth, but stopped in my tracks when I witnessed Ian leaning against the wall, just outside my office door.

  He wore a fitting black suit and his light brown hair was slicked back. His arms were folded as he leaned against the wall with a cocky grin on his face.

  “Bloody hell. I don’t recall giving you an appointment,” there was a growl in my voice.

  Ian only grinned. As much as that grin once irritated me, I no longer felt the strong desire to punch it off his face.

  “I was in the neighborhood. Your lovely secretary let me in.”

  I cast Elizabeth a look, and she was clearly irritated. “He let himself in, Mr. Woodward.”

  “Yeah, I guess I did.”

  I raked a hand over my face. “You happened to be in the neighborhood- in Manhattan’s Financial District?” I cast him a cock-eyed expression.

  “Admit it: You’re happy to see me.” Ian grinned, and then leaned in casually. “A little bird told me that our friend is interested in you.” He imitated my cock-eyed expression as he looked at me. He leaned against the wall, with arms folded, maintaining his casual presence.

  “What bloody bird is this? How the fuck do you know my business?” I hissed in a low whisper. I glanced at Elizabeth, who was busy preparing to leave for the day.

  Ian straightened. The smirk was wiped from his face and he was completely stoic. His demeanor went from zero to sixty within the blink of an eye. “I make it my business to know everyone’s business.”

  Uncomfortably stiff silence followed.

  “Right then.” I opened the door to my office and gestured for him to enter. He slouched in the chair, and perched his leather loafers on the edge of my desk.