by Ivy Nelson
He called Sandra and Charlie and asked them to come see him. They had speeches to go over and he wanted to make sure Atleigh was on a tight leash. He had given one too many surprise press conferences in the last few weeks.
Sandra poked her head in the door. “You really need me right now? I’m kind of busy.”
“I just need ten minutes, Sandra.”
“Fine.” She sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Charlie joined them a moment later.
As he ran down the agenda, Sandra clicked her ink pen. He stopped and looked at her.
“Sorry.”
He shook his head and continued. Less than a minute later she was clicking again.
“Jesus, Sandra. Are you nervous about something?” he asked, tossing the agenda on his desk.
“Sorry.” She dropped the pen on the desk and shook her head. “Just eager to get back to my office, it’s a busy day.”
“No busier than the rest of us. I need you focused on this,” he said, eying her before continuing.
Ten minutes later, he ended the meeting so he wouldn’t be late for the next one. Sandra rushed out the door, muttering something about a press release. Charlie didn’t stay long either.
He spent the next few hours working with the advance team, then he spent time with Adara going over his and the senator’s schedule for the next week.
“It looks like you’re not getting much sleep next week,” she noted.
“When do I ever? I don’t think I’ve slept for the last seven years.” He grinned.
“Speaking of busy, why aren’t you with the senator at the press conference?”
“The what? What are you talking about?” Bradley felt himself panicking. What the fuck is Atleigh doing now?
“Yeah right here, see? His secretary shares his calendar with me. He’s speaking right now.”
“Shit!” Bradley ran into the conference room where they kept a television and flipped it on. Sure enough, Senator Sean Atleigh was taking the podium.
• • •
Darci was glad Bradley was working late tonight. It would give her plenty of time to think of a way to tell him about her plan to work with his father. Settling onto the living room couch, she flipped on the television. There hadn’t been time to catch up on the news all day. When she saw Sean Atleigh at a podium, she froze. He was giving a press conference, and his press secretary, Sandra was right behind him.
“My office would like to extend our condolences to the families who have lost loved ones at the hands of this serial killer. I know many of you are wondering about my chief of staff’s involvement in the investigation, as he was one of the last people to see Peggy Jacobs alive. He is currently grieving the loss of Miss Jacobs and can’t be here to speak for himself. However, Mr. Givens wanted me to extend his sincerest apologies to the family of Miss Jacobs. While he admits to being curious about the lifestyle that the victims were all involved in, he himself does not practice it. His appearance at the Midnight Diamond was a one-time appearance, after he and Miss Jacobs had ended their relationship. I would like to add that he is not a suspect in the investigation. When he is feeling up to it, he will make a statement of his own.”
The senator kept talking but Darci wasn’t listening anymore. Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes, so she squeezed them shut. Why the fuck didn’t Bradley tell me about this? Why would he lie? Darci suddenly felt trapped inside his apartment. Where could she go? What could she do? She didn’t want to leave the safety of the protection detail, but she also couldn’t stay there. Not when he was willing to put his career and that bastard Atleigh’s campaign above her. She picked up her phone.
“Michael, hey it’s Darci. Are you busy?”
Peter tried to talk her out of leaving. But he soon relented and agreed to take her to Michael’s house. After scrawling a note for Bradley, she walked out the door.
• • •
Bradley spent the next hour fuming inside his office. He couldn’t believe Sandra let him do that. The senator had gone home straight from the conference so there was no talking to him tonight. This was the last straw. He hoped and prayed Darci hadn’t seen the press conference but the chances of that were slim. When he tried to call her, she didn’t answer. This would be fun to explain to her. He’d sent a text to Sandra ordering her back to the office as soon as the press conference was over.
“What the fuck, Sandra,” he snarled when she walked into his office.
“Bradley, I’m so sorry. The senator insisted that this was the right move. The only way to make you see reason.”
“Reason? What the fuck does that even mean?”
“I’m sorry, Bradley, I was just doing my job.”
“By letting the senator get up in front of a crowd of reporters and lie about me? To force me to make a statement denouncing something I have no intention of denouncing?”
“I don’t want to talk about your kinky sex life. I don’t see why you can’t just give the statement and keep that shit private, anyway.”
“Get out, Sandra. Just get out. I’m too pissed to deal with this tonight.”
The woman retreated, and Bradley slammed his fist into the door behind her.
“FUCK,” he shouted.
Nobody could hear him though. He had already sent Adara and the rest of the staff home.
There was nothing he could do but go home and face Darci. When he got in the car, Peter was driving. Usually one of the other guards picked him up.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
Peter looked uncomfortable. “I’m not sure how to tell you this, but Darci left and went to Michael’s place.” Fear washed over him as Peter spoke. She must have watched the press conference. “I tried to talk her out of it. I’m not entirely sure what happened, and I’m not going to get in the middle of it unless I find out you intentionally hurt her.”
“Fuck. I didn’t. I swear. My boss just royally fucked me. Why aren’t you with her? Even if she’s pissed at me, I still want her protected.”
“Don’t worry, brother. I left the rest of the detail outside Michaels place. She insisted I be the one to pick you up.”
At least there was that.
Once in his apartment he found her note.
I can’t be backseat to your career. I’ll be back for my things tomorrow while you’re at work.
He cursed again, crumpling the hand-written note in his fist.
Chapter Forty-Two
“I just can’t believe he would do this, Michael.” Darci’s face was red and puffy from crying too many tears. Michael looked uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be crying on your shoulder. I’ll be OK.”
“It’s fine, Darci. I just want you to be happy. I can find a reason to arrest him if you want me to, but I really think you need to talk to him.”
“I never want to see him again, but I have to do this event with his dad Friday night. I’m dreading it.”
“You’ll be fine, Darci. It’s not like Bradley will show up.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I just really liked his family. It will be awkward being with them now.” Darci yawned.
“I think I’m going to try to sleep now.” She stood and gave her friend a big hug. “Tell Peter I went to bed when he gets back. Let him crash on your couch. Otherwise he’ll sleep on your front porch.”
He chuckled and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Look, I didn’t know this would happen, so I need to warn you about something.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“What is it?”
“Adara is on her way over. We made plans to… hang out.” If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn he was blushing.
“Oh, Michael. I’m so sorry. I’m just messing up your night. I’ll stay in my room. You can make Peter leave if you want privacy.”
“It’s fine, I just didn’t want it to be awkward. Especially if she’s still here in the morning, her working for Bradley and all.”
“I
t will be fine. Goodnight.”
Darci made her way to Michael’s guest bedroom and sank to the floor after she closed the door behind her. It was going to be a long, sleepless night.
• • •
“Darci, please answer my calls. I swear I had nothing to do with Atleigh’s little press conference. I had no idea that was even happening. Please, baby. Call me back.”
Bradley disconnected for what must have been the fifteenth time. Michael wasn’t taking his calls either. She had been gone for almost twenty-four hours and he was about to go crazy. The only thing he knew for sure was that she still had the protection of Peter. She had insisted on cutting the rest of the detail. It made him angry but at least she was still protected. Peter was giving him sparse updates, and he knew she was attending an event with his father later in the week. It had occurred to him that he could crash the fundraiser but that felt stalker like. He just needed to give her time.
Bradley had taken the day off and was contemplating not going back at all after the stunt Atleigh had pulled. Yes, his dream had always been to put a man in the White House, but those dreams paled in comparison to his feelings for Darci. Somehow, he had to make her see that.
He needed to talk to his parents. They didn’t always see eye to eye, but when it came to matters of the heart, they usually gave good advice. They might also have insight on what he should do with the mess he was in. He had been dodging calls from reporters all day, and Adara was not happy with the call volume they were getting at the office from constituents calling to demand that Atleigh fire “the deviant.”
He picked up his phone and called his dad.
“Hi, son. I'm glad you called.”
“Hey, pops. I heard a rumor you’re going to be in the city for a few days. Are you bringing Mom with you?”
“I am, and she’s dying to see you. Listen, Darci told me the two of you broke up. You've probably heard we are attending one of her events. I hope that won’t be too awkward for you.”
He sighed. “No, Dad. It will be fine. I’m glad you’re going. I didn’t want the breakup and I’m hoping I can fix it. Can we have dinner when you get to town? I could use some advice.”
They arranged to have dinner and ended their call. He flipped back to his call log and tapped Darci’s name again.
Still no answer. Maybe he needed to crash her event after all.
• • •
The luncheon with Governor Givens was successful. He spoke kindly of the work the ACSL was doing in the honor of the dead women and in the name of liberty, and the ACSL proudly endorsed him for president. But Darci had to plaster a smile on her face.
Despite firing the rest of the security team, she had allowed Peter to escort her to the event as long as he promised to wait in the car. The only reason she’d even allowed that, was because of his and Michael’s threats of spanking and other punishments if she didn’t. She assured him she would walk out with the governor and his security when it was over. He was going to have to forgive her for breaking that promise. Steve and Ailene had to leave before the event was officially over and Darci had no desire to go back to the office or Michael’s house.
Adara had been there again last night, and it was awkward. Now, Darci was saying goodbye to the last of the attendees of the luncheon. It was late in the afternoon and she just wanted to go home and sleep.
She stopped at the coat check to pick up her coat and smiled at the attendant. But then she recognized him, and her pulse sped up. “Weren’t you the valet driver that took my friend’s car a few nights ago?”
“Sure enough,” he said taking her ticket. He looked so familiar. Like him. But after Tessa, or Theresa, she was probably just being paranoid. The man stepped away from the counter to find her jacket. She thought about texting Peter to tell him to come walk her out, but the attendant came back empty handed.
“I’m so sorry, I can’t seem to find your coat.” Darci frowned. “You can come back here and see if you can spot it. A tag could have been misplaced or something,” he offered.
“Uh sure, yeah, let me look.” The attendant unlocked the door next to the window and motioned her inside.
“What’s your name anyway?” Darci asked as she looked at the rack of coats in front of her.
“Kaden Larimore.”
She had been reaching for her coat, and her hand froze in midair and she whirled around. So, she had recognized him after all.
She tried to speak, but the words lodged in her throat and fear sent her stomach churning. He was holding a small pistol.
“You’re going to stay really quiet and walk out of here with me.”
“What are you doing this for?” she finally managed to whisper.
Her mind was racing. He reached out and grasped her upper arm. He slipped the hand with the pistol in his jacket pocket and said, “let’s go.”
On shaky legs, she walked with him out the front door.
Nobody was around to see the fear in her eyes.
Fuck, thought Darci.
“Did you kill all those women?” she asked as they approached a beat-up truck.
“Shut up and get in the driver’s seat,” he ordered pressing the gun into her side from inside his pocket.
She thought about running but figured he would just catch her. Her legs were like limp pasta and she was in heels. It was a miracle she hadn’t collapsed from the fear.
Instead, she climbed into the driver’s seat. He jogged around to the other side of the truck and climbed in. Tossing her a set of keys he said, “Drive. We’re going to Virginia.” She pulled out of the parking garage and turned into traffic.
A single tear slipped down her cheek as he directed her which way to turn.
Chapter Forty-Three
Bradley sat at his desk contemplating the choice he was about to make. He had considered showing up at his father’s event today to beg Darci to give him another chance, but there was no way she would consider it if he worked for Atleigh.
He had printed a letter of resignation effective immediately, and it now sat in an envelope in front of him. His heart told him this was the right choice, but it didn’t make walking away from something he had spent years doing any easier.
He stood with resolve and walked into the reception area where Adara sat working. He wasn’t ready to tell her yet. She would be upset. He suspected she might leave herself. If anyone asked her, she always said she worked for Bradley Givens, not Sean Atleigh.
He smiled at her and headed down the hall toward the senator’s office. His secretary was gone for the day. He knocked on the senator’s door but there was no answer. He turned the knob. It was unlocked which meant the senator would be back. Just as he stepped inside a voice startled him.
“Have you seen Darci today?”
He turned to find Michael Silas standing behind him.
“How’d you get back here?”
“Sorry, boss. That was me,” Adara said as she came in behind Michael.
“It’s fine.” Turning to Michael he said, “No, I haven’t seen Darci. Why?”
“She hasn’t been back to my place yet. Her boss hasn’t seen her since some luncheon she had today, and she isn’t answering her phone. I thought maybe she came to see you.”
Bradley’s heart raced as fear slammed into him. Had something happened to her?
He sat down on the couch in the senator’s office and pulled out his phone to call her. It went straight to voice mail.
“Fuck. We need to find her, Michael. Have you called Peter?”
“I did, but he isn’t answering his cell.” Michael came all the way into the senator’s office and sat across from him. “Think. Is there somewhere she would have gone? I’ve tried a couple of places she likes already and no luck. I can’t technically report her missing yet because it hasn’t been twenty-four hours, but I’ve got a bad feeling.”
Bradley stood to pace the room. He stopped in front of a wall of photos and ran a hand through his hair.
“
Fuck. I can’t lose her. We have to find her,” he said again. “I don’t understand, Peter would never let her out of his site.” Michael came to stand next to him. His eyes glancing over the pictures.
He stopped on one and got a funny look on his face.
“What is it?” Bradley asked.
“Why does Senator Atleigh have a photo of Kaden Larimore?”
“That’s his nephew. Why does it matter?”
“You’ve got to be shitting me? That’s the son of a bitch that raped Darci and got away with it.”
Bradley paled. “Darci never told me his name. Just that he left school after her accusation.”
Michael nodded. “I could tell he came from a rich family, and I always assumed they kind of swept him under the rug, sent him out of the country or something. I didn’t realize he was a sitting senator’s relative.”
“I know little about him. He’s the kid of a sister that doesn’t associate with the family much if I remember right. What does any of this have to do with finding Darci?”
“Probably nothing. Kaden Larimore was just on my list of people to check in on as possibly being her stalker, but I hadn’t been able to locate him yet. That along with Theresa Holden showing up gives me cause for concern.”
They left the senator’s office and headed back to Bradley’s. He had no idea how they would find Darci, but they had to.
He pulled out his cell phone and called his dad.
His father hadn’t seen her since he left her at the country club this afternoon.
Bradley gave Michael the address of the club and he took off, promising to call as soon as he had any information.
“Where are you, Darci?” Bradley said out loud as his office door closed.
Three hours later, Bradley still hadn’t gone home, and there was still no word from Michael.
Adara poked her head into his office. “Hey, boss. You need anything?”
“No thanks, Adara. I just don’t want to go home right now.”
“I understand. Want me to get some dinner? I’ve got a bunch of work to keep me busy. I’ll stay with you.”
