I cry out as the tension builds to the breaking point. My body is rocked by a series of unimaginable waves. Rich bursts into me at almost the same time. The hot, sticky fluid fills my insides and adds immense satisfaction to my pleasure.
I collapse forward, into him, drenched in sweat and fulfilled in the way only he can make me feel.
Rich’s breathing is ragged and hard. As he regains his strength, he pulls me close and whispers in my ear, “I love you.”
Chapter Eight
We clean up as best we can, get dressed, and drive back. Rich sports a satisfied smirk all the way to the hotel.
Min is frantic when we arrive. “Oh, my God!” she gasps. “What took so long? I’ve been dying in here!”
Rich and I share a look that she catches. She starts to frown. But, Rich calms her down and explains everything: The long wait, the conversation with their father. The um, traffic, on the way back.
“Does he look… okay?” Min asks. “I know he deserves to be there, but still…”
“He’s fine,” Rich answers gruffly. “If anything, they’re pampering him in there.”
Min senses Rich’s reluctance. “He is our father, Rich.”
Rich grunts in reply.
We get back into the car and drive to their house. Rich circles the block once, looking for suspicious vehicles. Even though we don’t find any, he remains wary as we approach the doors.
Min uses her key and we walk to the office. Rich activates the mechanism that frees the painting and help Min and me through. The heavy door at the bottom moves more easily this time.
Rich kneels by the safe. He looks at Min, then he looks at me. I give him a confident smile.
It’s only skin-dep. Inside, I’m trembling with the unspoken worry we all share: What if Rich’s father lied about the combination?
Rich takes a deep breath and punches in the code. Six-six, six-six-six. My breath catches. The second that passes feels like eternity…
The safe springs open.
“Shit,” Rich mutters. “He was actually telling the truth.” He reaches inside and takes out a single, dark USB stick.
“Oh my God!” Min jumps and envelopes me in a hug. She takes the USB stick from her brother. “This is it!”
Rich stands up. “All that trouble for something so small.”
“Can I see?” I ask. Min hands it to me. The device is small and heavy—much heavier than the cheap plastic dongles sold in stores. There’s a cap that comes off. I notice an inscription on the underside: ‘RedArm Corporation.’
As I give the USB stick back to Rich, a wave of relief washes over me. Finally, I feel the end of all this uncertainty is near.
I point out the lettering to him. He nods. “Yeah, that makes sense. RedArm is my father’s former business partner’s company.”
“What do they do?” I ask.
“It’s probably a shell organization to legitimize all the underground dealings that go on,” Min offers. “Officially, it’s a boutique consulting firm. But that can mean anything.”
“Told you she’s smart,” Rich winks. We climb the stairs to the main floor. “Lucky for us, RedArm’s offices are in a building close by.”
“So they’re the ones who sent Tam and Victor?” I ask.
“Most likely,” Rich answers. “Obviously, they have mob connections. Like Min said, the company is just a legal front.” Rich pauses to consider something. “I want to get this over as soon as possible. I’ll go there today.”
“Not without me,” I interject.
Min’s hand on my shoulder makes me stop short. “This is something he has to do by himself,” she says, her eyes full of compassion. “They wouldn’t just let three of us walk in there.”
“No,” Rich agrees.
“But we’re going with you to the building.” Min smiles at me. “We’ll wait in the lobby.”
Rich laughs. “I know better than to expect anything else.”
***
Min picks out black formal-wear from her closet. She gives me a pencil skirt and matching jacket, along with a white blouse and black pumps. Even though it all fits, I’ve never felt more uncomfortable. I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me in the mirror. I know all the clothes are terribly expensive, but they’re square-ish and make me feel awkward. Dressing professional is definitely not my style.
I turn around and nearly gasp when I see Rich. He’s wearing a perfectly-tailored, light-grey suit. It emphasizes his wide shoulders and trim waist. He looks handsome and dashing.
He looks me up and down. “Sexy,” he growls when our eyes meet. “There’s something about seeing you like that that turns me on.”
Scratch everything I said before. I love these clothes.
Min clears her throat. “You’ll get plenty of time alone,” she tells Rich, “later. Are we doing this, or not?”
Rich chuckles and tosses the USB stick up in the air. He catches it with his other hand and slips it into his pocket with style. “Hell yeah. I’m excited to get all this behind us.”
“Do you guys really think it’ll be that easy?” I ask. “I can’t shake the feeling that something’s going to go wrong. We just walk in there and hand them the USB drive?”
“Babe, I promise that’s all it’s going to take.” Rich leans down and kisses me. “I might need to sweet talk them a bit, but you know how good I am at that.” He winks at his sister. “I got you to fall in love, didn’t I?”
I knuckle him in the ribs. “Don’t push your luck.”
Min laughs.
We get into the car together. I let Min take the front seat with her brother. As Rich drives us into the city, I marvel at the splendor and sheer size of New York. Yes, I’d lived in the most populated state before. But, there’s something about this city that takes my breath away.
Thirty minutes of stop-and-go traffic later, Rich pulls into an underground lot beneath an enormous glass tower. When we walk into the lobby, I’m suddenly glad for the way we’re dressed. There are hundreds of people milling around here, and all of them have the same stark, professional garb. We would have stood out in anything else.
We walk to the elevator. Rich consults the building directory, then we step inside. We rocket to the top floor.
A gleaming steel desk stands directly in front of the elevator doors. A graceful, beautiful woman in her fifties smiles at us as we walk inside. “What can I do for you?” she asks pleasantly.
Rich takes the lead. “I’m Richard Blackthorne—”
“Oh!” The secretary exclaims. “Mr. Blackthorne’s son! We’ve been expecting you. Please, sit down. I’ll ring Mr. Calloway and let him know you’re here.”
I exchange a glance with Min as we’re ushered to the waiting area. “Can I get you anything?” the woman asks. “Water, tea, coffee?”
“We’re fine,” Rich answers cordially. “Thank you.”
As soon as the secretary turns back, Rich hisses at us. “You need to leave. Now. If they knew I was coming, that means they’re having us watched.”
“If we’re being watched, then how do you expect us to get away?” Min shoots back. She offers a composed smile to the woman at the desk.
“Go underground,” Rich says softly. “Take the subway. Nobody can follow you there. Get off on 12th street—”
“Richard!” I emphasize his name. “What does it matter if we’re being watched? We came here with what they want. You give it to them, and everything will be over. You said so yourself!”
Rich hesitates, conflicted…
“Mr. Blackthorne?” the secretary calls out. “Mr. Calloway will see you now.”
“Thank you,” Rich smiles at her. He stands up and straightens his suit. “Penny,” he says as he delays. “If anything happens…”
“Go!” I tell him. “Min and I can take care of ourselves.” I squeeze his hand. “Really. Don’t worry.”
Rich looks at me, then at Min. “You better,” he mutters under his breath. He walks to the front de
sk wearing a fake smile. The woman there escorts him down the hall.
Min scoots next to me when we’re alone. “We’re doing the right thing by staying,” she assures me.
“Then why does it feel like we’re always fighting what Rich wants?” I ask.
The secretary returns to her desk and starts typing on her computer. Time drags by. About fifteen minutes later, the elevator doors open to admit a balding man in a light beige suit. My heart freezes in my chest. For a second, I think that it’s Tam. He glances at me and Min. Relief floods my body when I see he has a completely different face. After a curt greeting to the secretary, he walks down the same hallway where Rich disappeared.
More time passes. I can’t keep my eyes off the clock. Why is the second hand moving so slowly? I look at Min. Her legs are crossed, and she’s tapping one foot nervously against the floor. Both of us are strung tight.
I hear a door open. Two voices drift down the hall. One of them belongs to Rich. Booming laughter comes next.
I look at Min and risk a smile. “If they’re laughing, that must mean something good, right?
Rich emerges from the hall. He is accompanied by a short, heavy-set man with closely cropped hair and a beard speckled with grey. Even though he’s probably no taller than me, he projects power and confidence. He claps Rich on the back, and his deep voice fills the room once more. “It was a pleasure to see you again, Richard. Send my regards to your father.” Another laugh.
“Thank you, Mr. Calloway.” Next to the shorter man, Rich looks relaxed and striking. As the two men approach us, Min and I both stand. I brush away a piece of lint from my skirt.
“This is my sister, Min,” Rich says. “And my girlfriend, Penelope.”
“Mindy!” Mr. Calloway exclaims, laughing. He takes her by the shoulders and kisses both cheeks. The action obviously takes Min by surprise, but she recovers quickly. “You’ve grown so much. Why, you were still suckling at your mother’s breast last time I laid eyes on you!” He clears his throat and coughs in his hand. “No disrespect meant, of course. Sometimes my tongue gets ahead of me. Your mother was a wonderful woman.”
“Thank you,” Min says politely.
“And Penelope!” I’m brought in for the same hug-and-kiss treatment. Rich chuckles. “My, aren’t you beautiful?” Mr. Calloway nudges Rich with one elbow. “She’s a keeper, this one. Don’t you let her go, son.”
Rich smiles at me with his eyes. “I don’t intend to, sir.”
“Well!” Mr. Calloway claps his hands together. His enormous presence fills the room. “I certainly appreciate you coming here and returning this vital piece of technology.” He turns the USB stick over in his hand. “I’m sorry for all the trouble it caused. Mindy, my dear girl, we never meant to frighten you. It was just business. And Penelope! Richard told me all about what you went through as a result of this.” He looks at the USB stick in disgust. “Please accept my most sincere apologies. Now that this chase has come to an end, I hope we can put all this unpleasantness behind us,” he says smoothly.
Then, turning to Rich, he holds out his hand. “Richard! I meant what I said in there. RedArm can use more bright men like you. If you ever find yourself in the market for a job, come to me. I’ll set you up nicely.”
“Thank you once again, Mr. Calloway,” Richard says. He’s amicable enough, but I can tell the offer rubs him the wrong way.
“Oh, nonsense! It’s my pleasure. It’s the least I can do after your services to our firm.” He holds the USB stick up in emphasis. “Sandra!” he barks at his receptionist. “Get these three fine young people a table at Dieci’s tonight.” He turns back to us. “My treat. Unfortunately, I have to fly to Boston early tomorrow morning, or I’d join you. But then again, why would you want an old fart like me ruining your evening?” He breaks off into more heavy laughter. “Dieci is the finest Italian restaurant on the east coast. It’s one of only two establishments to be granted a perfect thirty-point rating from Zagat. Reservations stretch eighteen months in advance.” Mr. Calloway winks at us. “Lucky for you, I own the place. Enjoy yourselves tonight—as a token of my appreciation.”
“We will, sir,” Rich says. “Thank you very much.”
“And that same offer extends to you, too, Mindy,” Mr. Calloway says. “It’d be good business for the Blackthorne and Calloway families to be partners again. Too much animosity has arisen between us over the years. I’d like to remedy that. If you’re looking for a job once you’re done with school, let me know.” He pauses. “You know, I see an MBA in your future. Work for me for three months, and my firm will sponsor your education at the school of your choice. Two years at Wharton or Harvard can pay real dividends in the future.”
“Thank you, Mr. Calloway.” Min gives a tiny bob of her head. “I’ll certainly consider the offer.”
“Well! It was a pleasure to see you again, Richard, Mindy. And an honor to meet you, Penelope.” He shakes all of our hands. “My work beckons. You three enjoy the nightlife. God knows, you’ve earned it.”
Chapter Nine
I run out ahead of Rich and Min into the open air. I throw my arms out wide and spin around. People shoot me strange looks as they pass. But I don’t care. For the first time in I-don’t-know-how-long, I feel like a free woman.
I want to run through the streets and dance. I want to take in the sights of New York City without fear of the future. I want to melt into Rich’s arms and kiss him passionately as the world passes us by.
Apparently, Rich has a similar idea. I feel his hands wrap around my waist. He lifts and spins me, laughing when he sets me down. I pull his head in for a long, sensual kiss. His body is a solid wall against mine. For the first time ever, I can enjoy the feeling with no lingering doubts in my mind.
Min is beaming when we separate. “You deserve that,” she says. Whether to me or to Rich, I’m not sure. “Penny,” she almost squeals, “That’s it! All this is over.” She laughs. “It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?”
“Believe it,” Rich says, swinging an arm over both our shoulders. We start down the street together. “We need to celebrate. You girls want to go shopping?”
“You mean you’re going to let me pick my own clothes for once?” I joke.
Rich kisses my forehead. “Baby, today you can pick anything you want.”
“I’ve never been shopping shopping before,” I admit. All the clothes I’ve worn my entire life have either been hand-me-downs from the orphanage or, when I finally earned some money, triple-markdowns from the sales rack at Macy’s.
“Then you’re in for a treat,” Rich says, his eyes glimmering. “If I remember correctly, Min here has quite the penchant for maxing credit cards with expensive clothes.”
Min elbows him in the gut. Rich oomphs.
“That happened once,” she defends. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe you remembered. And it only happened because I used my small credit card!”
“With a ten-thousand-dollar limit,” Rich whispers to me. He pauses for effect. “When she was twelve.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or be amazed. Ten thousand dollars for clothes? It’s more than I would have made in four months working at my old job.
“Don’t worry,” Min says. “I’m not as spoiled as Rich is trying to make me sound. At least not anymore,” she adds, breaking away from Rich and pulling me forward. “But today, he’s right. We definitely need to celebrate.”
***
Rich doesn’t interrupt as Min and I shop. I’ve never dreamt of stepping into the expensive store we’re in now. But by our third stop, I feel right at home. I have a great time with Min, picking out different clothes. The fact that we’re the same size makes it even more fun. Sometimes, something I don’t like fits her perfectly. Other times, it’s the opposite. We even try on the same thing at once and giggle like little girls when we see ourselves look like twins in the mirror.
Rich keeps his distance, sometimes lounging on the seats in the dressing room, other times flirting
with the attendants working the store. I don’t mind. In fact, I like seeing him like this: relaxed, carefree, and confident. I know his thoughts are never far from me. Every once in a while, when he thinks I’m not looking, I find him smiling at me.
We leave the final store, our arms overflowing with bags. I didn’t mean to buy a lot, at first. But, Min convinced me otherwise. She paid for everything using her dad’s card, ignoring Rich when he tried to get us to use his.
I’m exhausted but exhilarated when we get back to the hotel. Min wants to go home to put her things away. At least, that’s what she tells Rich. I know by the wink she gives me that she’s really leaving to give Rich and me some much-needed time alone.
“I’ll be back at seven to pick you up for dinner,” she tells Rich when he gives her the car keys. “I’ve never been to Dieci, so don’t be late!”
Rich has a wolfish smile on his face after he closes the door on his sister. “So, beautiful,” he says, stepping into me and wrapping his arms around my back. “We have a few hours to ourselves. No distractions. No worries. What do you suggest we do?”
I have to tilt my chin up to look at him. I love the musky scent that fills my lungs with each breath. “I don’t know,” I say coyly. “I have all these new clothes that your generous sister bought for me. And I’m going to have such a hard time picking out what to wear tonight. Maybe I can try them on for you… and you tell me what you think?”
“A sexy fashion show,” Rich rumbles. “Sounds like an amazing idea to me.”
I go up on my toes and brush my lips against his. “Be right back,” I promise, darting out of his arms when he tries to kiss me for real. “You just make yourself comfortable over there on that couch, cowboy, and enjoy the show. But remember!” I warn him, “Keep your hands off the model at all times.”
Rich laughs. “I’m not making any promises.”
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