Indiscretion

by Anderson, Callie

  “In North Carolina.”

  “Wow, that’s far.” I couldn’t help the smile that grew on my face. “Wouldn’t you like to have her closer to you?”

  She laughed. “Of course I would, but assisted living here is expensive.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “Yeah. It’s tough, but I see her three times a year when I can.” She cleared her throat.

  That was my in.

  “What would you say if I made a call and had her moved to the best facility money could buy?”

  “I’d say you’re full of shit.” She whispered the last word.

  I laughed and kicked my legs on top of my desk. “Come on, Victoria, I’m trying to do something nice for you. You taught me everything I know.”

  “Now I really know you’re full of it. What do you want, Cole?”

  “Howard’s intern, Katherine.”

  “What about her?”

  “I need her schedule.”

  “Why?”

  “Just curious.”

  “You offered to pay for my mother’s assisted living,” she scoffed. “You’re not curious. Why don’t you stop beating around the bush?”

  “I want to get to know her better, and if you give me her schedule, it will make it easier for me to know where she is, so I can show up and surprise her.”

  “That sounds like stalking.”

  “Never.” I sighed, knowing that I would have to tell Victoria the truth. “I like her, and I know she likes me too but she’s hesitant because we’re working on the same case. All I want to do is get to know her better, but she’s playing hard to get.”

  Victoria sucked her teeth. “You know I’m a sucker when it comes to playing cupid.”

  “Please.” I waited a second. “I’ll have Melissa send you round-trip tickets.”

  “Fine.” She dragged out the word. “I’ll send you a copy of her schedule.”

  “And if you can call me whenever she leaves the office, that would be great.”

  “Well, she’s just left for lunch.”

  “Really? Do you know where?”

  “A friend’s restaurant in Midtown,” she said, and I was certain it had to be Caleb’s new place.

  “Thank you, Vicky.”

  “If you break that poor girl's heart, I will hurt you, Cole”

  “Never.” I laughed.

  I hung up the phone. It was a perfect day to go visit Caleb’s new restaurant. I sent him a message as I walked out of my office.

  Me: Hey, How’s the lunch rush?

  Caleb: Good, you should swing by.

  Me: Of course.

  * * *

  Raul dropped me off at the curb of Kitchen Step. Caleb had invited me to his grand opening, but work had gotten the best of me. I pulled back the heavy glass door.

  “Can I help you?” the hostess greeted me. She was a petite brunette with dark eyes. Cute but not whom I was here to see.

  “I’m here to see Caleb.”

  “He’s at the bar.” She smiled and pointed to the L-shaped bar that was to her left. I nodded and headed toward him. Nonchalantly, I glanced around the room for her with no luck.

  “The place looks great,” I said, patting Caleb on the shoulder.

  He pushed off the barstool and stood. “You like?” His smile was wide, and I could see how proud he was.

  “It’s great.” I sat on the empty seat next to him. “Business is good?”

  He waved the bartender down and ordered us two beers. “Yeah, man.” He sighed. “I was worried I was pissing a few million away, but it’s been great.”

  “What does your dad have to say?” I took a sip of my beer. Caleb and I had the same kind of father—the type who works his entire life to build an empire and then expects his son to take over the business, which was something neither Caleb nor I wanted to do.

  “I think he’s waiting for me to fail.”

  “Impossible,” I said turning in my seat. “This placed is filled.” I spotted Katherine sitting across from a man in the corner. “Is that Lila’s friend?”

  Caleb looked toward where I mentioned and nodded. “Yeah, Katherine.” He took a sip of his beer. “I’ve never met that guy, though.”

  “Hmm…” I took another sip of my beer.

  “Let her be, Rhodes.” There was a warning in his voice.

  “What?” I smiled.

  “She’s a nice girl, and I don’t need you fucking her over. Lila will murder me if my friend breaks her friend’s heart.”

  I lifted a hand in defense. “I won’t say anything,” I lied. I didn’t plan to say hi. I only wanted to see her again, and if she spotted me, I would play it off as a coincidence, but I could see her friend walking toward the restroom from the corner of my eye.

  There was no way I was passing up this opportunity.

  Caleb stood when someone from the kitchen called out for him. I tossed a fifty to the bartender and walked over to her.

  She was so preoccupied reading her file that she didn’t notice when I took the empty seat. I sat there for a few seconds and admired her blonde hair tucked behind her ears before I cleared my throat. “So, do I need to wait in line or take a number?”

  She slammed the file shut, snapping her head in my direction. “Cole,” she whispered.

  “Last night you were in the arms of Benjamin.” I brought my hand to my chest to make a point. “I got to fuck you in the conference room.” I pointed back toward the bathroom. “Is he the one you bring home to your mother?”

  Her face turned crimson. “Cole . . .”

  “Let me make myself clear. One. Last. Time. I don’t fucking share, and I sure as hell don’t play well with others.” She gaped at me, and I pressed on, keeping my voice low so only she could hear. “You know what happened last night will happen again, and if you’d stop playing hard to get, I’d show you how to come in so many different ways you’d be numb for days.”

  She slammed the manila folder on the table. Then, rising from her seat, she braced her hands on the table. “Let me make myself clear. One. Last. Time. Nothing will happen between us again. Ever.”

  I rose so that we were face to face. Cupping her jaw with my hand, I rubbed my thumb along her lower lip. Her rapid heartbeat pulsed under my finger that lay on her throat, letting me know her defensiveness was a front. “Sweetness, you need to work on your poker face.”

  I removed my hand and turned toward the exit.

  11

  Katherine

  I sat and massaged my temples, trying to breathe slowly. I had to calm my rapid heart rate. I needed a freaking break today, and I couldn’t seem to catch one. Maybe this wasn’t the best career for me after all. The stress kept piling up, and I was buried deep beneath it. Not to mention, I kept bumping into Cole everywhere I went, and Poochie had just dropped an atomic bomb in my lap.

  “Are you okay?” Poochie asked when he returned from the bathroom. “Hey, what’s the matter?” he asked again when I didn’t respond. “Katherine?”

  “I just have a killer migraine coming on,” I finally responded, looking up at him.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you, but when my boy got back to me that this Evan guy had previous rape charges against him, I figured it would be best if I told you in person. I don’t want you to go chasing this guy, though. You don’t know what kind of trouble he could be.”

  “I know.” I picked at my food. Poochie had found out that Evan had a bit of a gambling addiction, liked to frequent the trendiest nightclubs, and had been accused of raping four different women. Though those charges were later dropped for unknown reasons, they still followed him.

  After lunch, I sent Poochie back to my house. I was so flustered by my encounter with Cole and the news about Evan that my whole afternoon was wasted, and by the time I got home, I had forgotten Poochie was even there. Luckily, Lila had the night off and ordered takeout. She also invited Ben and Alexa to join us. With the wine flowing and the laughter shared over old stories, I completely forg
ot about the manila folder.

  * * *

  Four stranger’s names typed onto a plain white sheet of paper.

  Mackenzie Adams.

  Olivia Akuna.

  Giana Barnes.

  Nicole Johnson.

  Each of them a rape victim of Evan’s, and all of them had pressed charges against him but later dropped them.

  As I had with my stepfather.

  I needed a plan. I needed to get to know each of them, so they would confide in me about their experience with Evan Seymour. I hoped at least one of these women would be willing to come forward and help me in some way with the Venturini case, and maybe her own. I needed something: a lead, evidence, testimony, anything. I reread their information multiple times, memorizing their names, addresses, and employment history. If they all filed these charges against him, he had to have done something. But why would they back out?

  I had never found the courage to tell anyone but Lila and Ben, about what Gary had done to me. When my mother would ask why I was alone and sad in my room, I never found the voice to tell her that Gary had stripped me of everything and that his claws had left a permanent scar on my soul.

  After he left I sulked for months afraid to say anything. I never came out or filed charges of molestation. At the time I didn’t want to be “that girl.”

  I did now.

  I never had someone stand up for me, and I’d be dammed if I wasn’t willing to stand up for these girls.

  First, I needed to know why they dropped the charges, and then I needed to convince them it was okay to speak up. No matter how much money was thrown at them, it would never heal those wounds. I knew that from personal experience. Maybe these women had information that could help us win the civil suit and build a criminal case against Evan. If we had damning evidence, getting the District Attorney’s attention would be easy.

  Howard would never agree to this if he knew I was plotting to have a criminal case opened against Evan for rape charges. He would want me to spend my time and energy focused on Natasha’s case, on something substantial like old phone records and credit card receipts to prove the charges. But if this bastard raped these women, he needed to be behind bars.

  I didn’t have much time to figure out how I was going to do this, but my intuition kept telling me to investigate. Poochie had provided me with everything I needed: cell phone numbers, home addresses, and employment statuses. I never asked how he got his information, but I knew he had connections—good and bad. I Googled each of their work addresses and decided to start off with the one closest to me—Olivia Akuna. I would be paying a visit to her office during my lunch break.

  I filed the stack of papers Victoria had left on my desk, making sure to work ahead in the event Olivia was willing to open up to me during lunch. I was hopeful, though I had no clue what I would say to her. When I reached the bottom of the stack and read the note Victoria had stuck to the last file, my stomach turned.

  Katherine,

  Please bring these to Mr. Rhodes home office. Suzanne has the address.

  Victoria

  I flicked the Post-it note into the trashcan. No need to bother Suzanne. I knew exactly where he lived. “This blows,” I said to no one in particular. I was dreading going near Cole, but my career had to come first. He was a weakness for me, and my core wanted nothing more than to be wrapped around him, and my nails wanted to slide down his bare back.

  “Ugh!” I slammed the drawer of the filing cabinet. Pushing my chair back, I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted.

  “Everything okay, Katherine?” Suzanne asked from her cubicle.

  “Yes, ma’am. Everything is peachy keen,” I lied.

  * * *

  Olivia worked for a small broadcasting company. My hope was to catch her on her lunch break. The small TV media company was located across town—a quick subway stop away. I’d explained to Victoria before I left that I was investigating a lead on the Venturini case, and then going directly to Mr. Rhodes’s home office. Victoria didn’t question me further and gave me the rest of the afternoon off.

  The first thing I saw when I entered was the receptionist’s desk. It looked like a long black tube from ceiling to floor, with a cutout for the receptionist and a metallic copper material hanging behind it, giving the illusion that the desk itself was located inside a wire.

  Approaching the desk, I waited patiently until the receptionist was off the phone. “Hi, welcome to Lake Electric. How can I assist you today?”

  “Hi, I’m here to see Olivia Akuna with Accounts Payable. She’s not expecting me, though. Do you know if she’s out to lunch, by any chance?” I asked, plastering on the fakest smile possible.

  “She usually steps out at about a quarter to one. If you’d like to take a seat, she should be out shortly.” She pointed to the two chairs along the wall.

  I sat on a black leather chair, tapping my foot. This could possibly be the worst idea I have ever had. No, I’m doing this for Natasha—no. I’m doing this for the fourteen-year-old me.

  I needed to get all the dirt I could on Evan. Olivia could very well want to tell me everything she knew. I looked through her file, which I’d saved on my phone, once more. Poochie had added a picture of each woman, so I knew who I was looking for. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted her red hair. I stood quickly, following behind her.

  “Hi, Olivia?” I asked as she walked toward the elevator. She turned so abruptly I almost collided into her. Her green eyes were bright against her pale, freckled skin. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. My name is Katherine Wolf. Do you think I can have a minute of your time?” I held my hands together, silently pleading with her.

  “I’m on my way out, and I really don’t like to discuss work during my lunch break.” She pointed to the receptionist. “Maybe you can schedule an appointment?”

  I nodded but walked with her into the crowded elevator, keeping quiet until we got to the main floor. Once the elevator opened and we made our way through the lobby, I followed her out of the building. “It’s not work-related, actually. Do you mind if I join you while you walk? I’m a… lawyer,” I lied. “And I could really use your assistance on a case.”

  “What case?” she asked while we walked down the busy Manhattan block.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t really discuss that,” I informed her, biting my lower lip. I was worried I wouldn’t get anywhere with this lady.

  “Well, how can I be of assistance if you’re not willing to tell me anything?” The streetlight turned red, so we joined the pedestrians waiting for the light to change.

  I looked into her eyes as I exhaled softly. “I want to discuss Evan Seymour.”

  The second his name came out of my mouth her face changed, and she averted her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know who that is,” she said, looking straight ahead through the wall of people surrounding us.

  “Please, Olivia. You can really help this case.” The light changed, and I followed her as she attempted to walk away.

  “Listen, I really don’t know who that is.” She stopped when we got to the other side of the street, allowing people to pass between us. “Please leave me alone.”

  “Olivia, I know you had rape charges dropped against him. I can help,” I said softly, not wanting anyone to know her business.

  Her rosy skin turned milk-white, and her body began to shake. “Leave me alone, or I’ll sue you for harassment.”

  “Olivia, I—”

  “Leave me alone, Ms. Wolf. I can’t help you.” She turned quickly on her heel and darted down the street.

  Fucking great. Bombarding her was clearly not the best idea. Rubbing my fingers on my temples, I glanced to the skyscrapers above, looking for some kind of answer.

  “Fuck.”

  The week just kept getting worse.

  * * *

  I retrieved the penthouse elevator key card from the doorman and waved it over the keypad. The door closed, and I began to ascend closer to Cole. My heart acce
lerated with every floor I passed. I needed a break this week. This meeting with Cole had to go smoothly. I couldn’t take any more stress, or I'd end up living in the freezer section in the supermarket.

  I thought back to the past few weeks from hell and the defense attorney on the case that could make my career. I got pinned against a wall in an elevator and propositioned by said attorney, then actually slept with him on a conference table at a charity gala. Then I learned that the asshole who screwed my client over had potentially raped four different women, women who later chose to drop their charges. And finally, I blew my chance of Olivia telling me anything about Evan Seymour. Now I was seconds away from meeting the man who had me sexually frustrated and satisfied all at the same time.

  Seriously, there isn’t enough ice cream in the world to help me.

  Sex and drugs always helped.

  No, no, no. I’m worth more.

  The elevator stopped and slowly opened its door to Cole’s house. “Here we go,” I sighed.

  I pressed the Seymour file to my chest as I walked through the foyer. Attempting to calm my rapid heartbeat, I inhaled and exhaled softly as my heels clicked against the marble tile.

  “Breathing exercises aren’t going to help, sweetness.” His sultry voice startled me.

  Gasping, I snapped my head toward the kitchen bar. There he stood—calm, cool, and collected—wearing a crisp white T-shirt, faded jeans, and Converse shoes. Not at all the billionaire bad boy heir I was used to. He looked like the perfect boy next door. My knees trembled at the sight of him.

  “Cole,” I murmured as I approached the kitchen counter. His freshly-showered scent hit me, and I wanted nothing more than for him to take me right there and then.

  God, don’t do this to me.

  “Katherine.” One eyebrow lifted as he said my name. “May I offer you a drink?” He turned his back to face the wet bar.

  “Here are the files you requested.” I dropped the manila folder on the granite island that separated us.