GUNNER: The Underground Romance series

by KT Fisher

  I look over at her and she genuinely looks worried. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

  Charlotte smiles, “What are you looking at anyway?”

  “What?” I lock my phone and place it on the sofa.

  “You seem very interested with whatever on that screen.”

  “It’s nothing.” I shrug, standing and heading back into the kitchen to put my empty mug away. But I leave my phone in the living area and stupidly remember that Charlotte knows my password. When I hear her laughter, I know she’s unlocked it and discovered why I had my head buried in my phone.

  “Thought you weren’t interested in your new boss.” She giggles.

  I storm back in to the room, “I’m not!” I go to make a grab

  “So, why are you looking at shirtless photos of Kane then?” Charlotte turns around, blocking me from reaching my phone.

  “Charlotte!” I yell, jumping around her like a lunatic. “I was just curious. Now give me my phone back.”

  Giggling, my sister hands me back my phone. “There’s nothing wrong with finding the Murphy’s attractive. Personally, I think you’d be insane to not find them attractive, but you’re working for them, undercover.”

  Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Fucking undercover.”

  Charlotte rolls her eyes. “Go and get dressed,”

  “I will, but not because you told me to.” I turn and walk back to my bedroom, Charlotte following closely behind me. “You know, I was just curious about them. Apart from all the partying and fucking a lot,” Charlotte smirks. “I don’t really know that much.” My sister then raises her eyebrows, still smirking. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s not like that. I have a right to be curious.”

  Charlotte holds up her hands, as if she’s surrendering. “Look, I’m not saying anything.”

  “Your face says enough.” I frown, quickly turning my back on her and taking the black dress I’ve chosen to wear for my first day. It’s a pinafore, type black dress that I’ll wear a long sleeved white shirt underneath and a belt around the waist. It’s such a cute office outfit and after this weekend shopping for ‘work wear,’ I’m so excited to wear them all.

  “So, that’s the one you picked?” Charlotte asks,

  “Yeah,” I look back at her. “I think it’s my favourite.”

  “It is cute,” She sips on her morning coffee. “Especially when you want to impress.”

  I flash her an annoyed look. “Thanks for helping me buy them,”

  With me not working yet, I didn’t really have the money to be throwing at new clothes, so Charlotte helped me.

  “That’s fine.” Charlotte turns around and leave me alone to get ready. She leaves me feeling a little weird, but it’s probably because I need to get a move on. Closing my bedroom door, I dress for my first day of work and grab my bag and other belongings.

  “You ok?” I ask Charlotte, finding her in the kitchen.

  “Of course.” She grins and snatchers up her car keys. “Shall we get going?”

  We leave the apartment together and my nerves return.

  “Are you sure you’re ok?” I ask her, something isn’t sitting right with me suddenly.

  “Yes.” Charlotte huffs.

  “No you’re not.” Getting out of the elevator, I quickly stand in front of her, stopping her from getting to her car. “And you’re going to tell me, right now.”

  Charlotte hates being late. Always has done and the fact that I’m more relaxed about time making, drives her crazy. She knows I’m in no stress about getting to work on time, even on my first day. Well, obviously I want to make a good impression and on sudden thought, I don’t want to get fired on my first day. That won’t look good at all. So, in fact Charlotte needs to fess up pretty quickly so I get to work on time. Fuck.

  “Really?” Charlotte asks, full of attitude.

  “Yes,” I smirk. “Because if you don’t tell me, I won’t let you pass me and I won’t let you come to the next Underground fight night.”

  I see her eyes widen. I notice the panic and funnily enough, she had more of a reaction when I threatened her with the next night out than getting to work.

  “It’s nothing too big.” Charlotte tries to assure me.

  “So, you can tell me then.” It sure doesn’t look like it’s nothing by the unsettling look on her face.

  “About me buying you all your new work outfits this weekend,” she begins. “It wasn’t actually my money.”

  A cold feeling spreads down my spine. “Whose money was it?”

  Charlotte looks down to the floor, around at the cars as we stand in the underfloor garage and at the ceiling. Anywhere, but at me.

  “Charlotte!” I shout. “Why won’t you tell me?”

  She finally looks right at me but she looks scared. Shit, is it really that bad?

  “It was our grandparents.” She delivers and I just stand there. In total anger and shock. “Kayla?”

  “Why?” I ask. “Why would you do that to me?”

  “I was over at their place, you know having dinner and you popped into the conversation. They’re always asking about you. It would actually make my time there a little easier because somehow I’m the middle. I have to tell them how you are and what you’re up to. Then they get on at me for you not being there.”

  “Charlotte.” I snap, interrupting her blabbering.

  “I told me we were going shopping for your new job and they offered.” She explains. “Well, more like forced me to take it really.”

  I look down at my dress, as if it’s tainted but there’s nothing I can do about it right now.

  Sighing angrily, I stomp towards Charlotte’s car, her shoes making noise as she quickly follows.

  “Well, you’ve done it now haven’t you?” I growl as we get in to the car. Charlotte slams the door behind her as she gets behind the wheel. “You’ve given them what they want.”

  “They just wanted to help Kayla.” Charlotte sounds annoyed as she drives out into the day light. “They’re not going to blackmail you into visiting.”

  “So, do you go and visit them out of the kindness of your heart?” Charlotte doesn’t answer me, she just looks forward as she drives. “Exactly.”

  I’m just going to have to pay them back out of my first lot of wages. Fucking Charlotte.

  The drive to work is pretty quiet seeing as I’m pissed and Charlotte must feel bad. She better anyway.

  At least there’s one positive thing about this argument, I’ve forgotten all about my first day and my nerves. Charlotte pulls over in the first spot she can find and I’m about to quickly jump out the car but Charlotte reaches out and grabs me back into my seat.

  “Wait,” she sighs. “I don’t want you to go off on your first day with this hanging between us.”

  “Well you shouldn’t have done it then should you?”

  “Look, they wanted to help you, no strings.”

  “Yeah ok.” I roll my eyes.

  “We’re going off track.” Charlotte grumbles. “I’m sorry for not telling you and I feel bad. I know how you feel about them and their money. I shouldn’t have lied and I’m sorry.”

  I look over at her sorry face. “I’m sorry for kicking off so badly.”

  “We good?” She asks with a cheesy smile.

  I grin back. “We’re good.”

  We share a quick hug, laughing at our falling out.

  “Go on then, go and have a great first day!” Charlotte squeals. “Ring me when you’re on your lunch break! I wanna see how you’re getting on.”

  “Well I don’t know what time my break will be yet.” I giggle.

  “You’ll figure it out.” She shrugs. “Now go!”

  Giving my sister a final hug, I get out the car and wave goodbye as I walk towards the Murphy building, clutching my hand bag tightly.

  As embarrassing as it was when Charlotte caught me looking up Kane Murphy and his brothers, I did actually learn some things and not just that they all seem to hav
e great bodies, but how hard they all work. I thought they took over a business that their great grandparents created because they wanted to ‘play boss’ but in reality, the brothers have made the Murphy Enterprise a lot more money. Triple the family business earnings apparently. With their influencing status and the power of social media, Kane and his brothers have made the business what it is today. Of course, alongside all the business information, there were paparazzi shots of the brothers with women. Lots of women.

  As I enter the Murphy Enterprise building, my phone pings and I reach into my handbag to try and find it. I don’t want to be late on my first day, so I walk and dig into my bag at the same time, trying to retrieve it blindly but it’s no use. I can’t seem to find my mobile. I take multiple looks into my bag, trying to see into the darkness but of course I’m not watching where I’m walking and when I look inside for the third time it shouldn’t be a shock to me that I bump into someone.

  “Oh!” I step back, “I’m so sorry!”

  Taking my eyes from my handbag, I look up to see none other than Kane Murphy. He smirks at me, looking weirdly pleased with himself.

  “Ah, Miss Henderson.” Kane smiles. “This is your first day.”

  “Yes.” I sigh. “That was why I was rushing around.” Explaining why I walked right into him.

  “Here’s me thinking you couldn’t wait to see me.”

  I stand awkward, not knowing what to say after that. So I fake a laugh. “I better get going.”

  “Good luck.” Kane wishes me and as I rush away towards the elevator that I need to take up to my floor. My floor. That feel good.

  As I turn the corner I risk a glance behind me to see Kane still stood in place, with two beautiful women standing beside him, talking to him and trying to grab his attention but his eyes are on me. I almost stop in my tracks from the force of his intense look. Hypnotised by his dark eyes, I stupidly bump into something hard once again. The person I walk in to grunts and I quickly apologise. Risking a look back again has me cringing as Kane is laughing. I ignore the embarrassment and step into the elevator, along with the person I just bumped in to and ride up to my floor.

  What a way to begin my first day.

  Chapter Five

  Kayla

  Once again, I’m met by Claire as soon as I step outside the elevator. She looks cute, in her office wear and her huge smile. “Good morning Kayla!” She steps towards me, welcoming me into a friendly hug. “Welcome to the team.”

  “Thank you.” I step back, now matching her big smile.

  “Come on, let me show you to your desk and I’ll introduce you to the others.” Claire turns and opens the glass door, waiting for me to enter. As I do a huge rush of nerves takes over me and I take in a deep breath to try and calm myself. “Everybody!” Claire shouts, grabbing the attention of everyone in the glass office. “This is Kayla Henderson, she’s joining the team today so let’s make her welcome.”

  They wave a say their welcomes which is a little embarrassing. It’s like standing in front of the class all over again. Never one of my strongest points.

  Claire literally takes me to the four corners of the office, personally introducing me to everyone. It’s a little awkward, but I appreciate Claire doing this for me and then we get to the table of Jacob. A very handsome young man, looks to be about my age and when he smiles at me I do that awful girlish giggle. He’s the typical, tall, dark and handsome.

  “Nice to meet you Kayla.” He grins and oh my there’s a dimple.

  “You too.” I smile back. “You all seem very nice here.”

  “We try.” Jacob laughs. “Has Claire told you about your welcome party later?”

  Shock hits me. “My what?”

  Claire laughs. “Oh yes!” She claps. “Straight after work we’re all going to the local bar down the road to celebrate you joining the team.”

  “Your very own welcome party.” Jacob winks, making my cheeks burn a little.

  “You can come, right?” Claire asks, her smile faltering slightly.

  I feel like if I say no, it’ll be like I’m kicking a puppy. “Sure, I can come.”

  Her smile widens and then she excitedly steps closer. “Come on, you haven’t seen your desk yet, it’s right next to mine.”

  Of course it is, but for some reason I don’t mind at all. Claire is a very happy person and usually preppy people irritate me but I like Claire and I have a feeling we will become good work pals.

  My desk close to Claire’s and throughout my first day I often see her grinning over and asking me if I’m ok with my few tasks for today. I don’t know exactly what I want to do in marketing, I think it’s going to take me a few more years for that but for today, I’m helping towards the social media side of marketing and advertising.

  Around dinner time, I get a text message from Charlotte, asking me how my day is going. I send her a quick reply to update her and also tell her that I’ve got a welcoming party after work and to see if she can pick me up from the bar. She agrees to take me home, but she also replies with a laughing emoji about the welcoming party. Thanks Charlotte.

  When I finish texting my sister, Claire asks if I’m ready to take dinner and I figure I’d better go with her. She can show me around this huge place. She takes me downstairs to the second floor where a huge café looking kitchen is. It’s amazing and has all the types of food you would want for your work lunch.

  Claire notices my amazed look and laughs. “I know it’s the best right? I was like you on my firt day too and it’s all free.”

  My head snaps to face her. “What?”

  Claire laughs. “It’s true, you’re allowed a main, side and drink for free but we pay for anything else we want, which is fair when you get that for free right?”

  “Right.” I nod, not quite believing that the Murphy brothers have arranged this for everyone who works in the building.”

  “Only, you haven’t got your key card yet for proof, but your name should be behind the desk until you get it. Should be sometime this week I would have thought.” I follow her to the rows of food, thinking of what I want. There’s everything from sandwiches, salads, pasta, even pizza and Chinese food! I settle on a pack of bacon and chicken pasta salad and a cookie on the side. Just like Claire told me, they receptionist has my name behind the desk and I get my food and a much needed cup of tea, free of charge. Wouldn’t it be great if all job places did this for their employees?

  As we sit for out lunch, Claire asks how my morning has been and then, if I’m excited for my little welcome get together late today.

  “I won’t lie to you, I’m not looking forward to it.” Her smile falls slightly and I quickly continue. “Just because I’m a little awkward at parties that are meant for me.” I nervously laugh.

  “I’m sorry.” Claire frowns and I feel bad.

  “No don’t be!” I try to assure her. “This is one of the kindest things anyone has done for me, I’ll be fine.”

  Claire smiles a little, not fully but she doesn’t look as glum anymore. Fuck! I should have lied.

  We finish our dinner and return to the office. I still feel awful that I told Claire I don’t like having parties, especially when I don’t really know anyone and it’s in honour of myself. I’m just going to have to face it and try to have a good time, or at least look like I am because upsetting Claire is something I really don’t want to do.

  As we ride the elevator, it’s silent and a little odd. “I’m sorry Claire, I should have kept my mouth shut.”

  Claire smirks. “Don’t be daft, you were being honest and I should have asked you first. I wanted to make you feel welcome.”

  “And I do.” I assure her. “Really, I do. Thank you.”

  She finally gets her big preppy grin back and I can relax again. We return to the office and as soon as my ass is on my seat, Kai walks into the office, scanning the place and as his eyes land on me it’s obvious I was the one he was looking for. Kai smiles sweetly and makes his way over to me.
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  “Hi Kayla.” He stands beside my desk and I don’t feel intimidated at all. I like being around Kai. He gives off good energy and he feels comfortable to be around because he’s so kind but he looks like a mean machine. “How you getting on? You ok?”

  “I am.” I nod, glancing over at Claire who’s sat at her desk, acting like she’s not listening to Kai and I. “Thanks to Claire.” She beams over at me as Kai turns to give her a thankful nod of the head. “She’s helped me settle in a lot.”

  “Claire is a good woman.” Kai grins. “I think of her as my work wife.”

  Claire’s cheeks brighten and she turns back to her computer.

  “That’s cute.” I giggle. “I’ve been tasked with social media branding today and I’m enjoying it.”

  “Good.” Kai nods, looking pleased. “I was a little worried my brother only hired you because you’re gorgeous.”

  I wasn’t expecting that, so I just sit awkwardly and smile.

  “It turns out he did a good job this time.” Kai laughs.

  Just then, when it couldn’t get any more awkward, Kane walks into the office. Heading right over to Kai with an annoying smirk. Kane stands next to his brother and looks down at me.

  “How’s your day been Miss Henderson?” He asks me and I feel as though I don’t want to answer his question, but he’s my boss.

  “Good.” I answer and the smirk widens on his arrogantly handsome face.

  “No more bumping into people?” He quizzes sarcastically.

  I feel my fellow work employee’s eyes on me and I know that my cheeks turn red. I can feel them heating up.

  “No, Mr Murphy.” I reply, ignoring everyone’s stares but I can’t ignore the way Kane’s eyes just darkened when I called him, Mr Murphy. All of a sudden, images of Kane fighting come to my mind. I can’t help but shake the memory of him half naked and sweating from my head. I have to look away from him because I’m starting to feel embarrassed.

  “Ok.” Kai frowns at the both of us. “Well it’s great to have you on board, you know where my office is if you need me.” I smile up at him and then Kane disappears from the glass office. Kai leans down closer to me. “Sorry about the gorgeous comment, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”