by Kayla Grey
Mark raises a brow, his expression slightly agitated. “What is that, sir?”
“I need to pick up my tux, and Autumn’s wedding dress.”
I’m waiting. The hint of a smile curving my lips as I watch Mark and Martha exchange worried looks. A few minutes go by before either one of them look back at me.
“Sir, I know you’re hurting.” Martha says a twinge of sadness in her voice. “But it’s been six months. Shouldn’t you start thinking about… moving on?”
“No.” Turning my gaze to Mark, I smile, “Let’s go.”
He exchanges one more glance with Martha then follows me out grabbing my peacoat on the way to the elevator.
“Sir—”
“I already know you are losing hope, Mark. I can see it in your eyes.” I interrupt, slipping on my coat. “You haven’t given up though, right?”
I know he won’t go back on his word. But I need to hear him say it. He studies me a long moment before he responds, “No, sir. I promised I wouldn’t.”
I nod, satisfied and finish off the croissant. I feel both elated and devastated simultaneously. The thought of warm memories surfacing today is exciting. Anything to drive the terrors away, but knowing that I may never see her in her dress. Never slip her wedding bands on, or feel her velvet skin against mine again, is almost unbearable.
Mark looks at me when the elevator comes to a stop in the garage and I don’t step out. “Let’s walk.”
“Walk? It’s freezing out! And there’s several inches of snow.”
Shooting him an icy glare, I press the button for the lobby. “You do not have to come Mark.”
He shakes his head, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “It would be unwise to leave you alone.”
“There hasn’t been a threat since the first day back at the office.” I say waving him off.
“That may be, but there is no telling when someone will strike. I will not take the risk.”
“Well, I want to walk.”
I quickly make my way across the lobby’s marble floor avoiding eye contact with the camped out reports. I manage to slip out without being noticed, and am grateful that there isn’t anyone waiting outside either. Cupping my hands I blow puffs of warm breath over my cold fingers, then rub my hands together.
As I walk toward the tux shop, I’m eerily aware that someone besides Mark is following me. I could just be paranoid, but a sinking feeling in my gut says otherwise. I glance to my right and catch Mark’s alert gaze. He knows too.
I try to ignore the fact that they're closing the gap slowly behind us and focus on the road. We come up along side a small cafe and Mark grabs my arm pulling me inside. The person following us must have looked away just before I was pulled in because he stops at the store front and looks around. Cursing, he pulls out his phone. Whoever he’s talking to is giving him an ear-full because his face falls, and fear fills his eyes.
Mark grabs us a table near the tinted windows. After a moment of arguing that I’m fine in this crowded cafe, he gets in line to order us a drink. Not a second later, a black sedan speeds up and skids to a stop next to the man still standing outside the cafe. A man’s face appears, but is hidden behind a scarf. All I see is a head of sandy blond hair, and light brown eyes. If looks could kill, the man on the sidewalk would be ash right about now. After a moment of muffled yelling, the man gets in the car, and I watch them skid and speed away.
“Did you see the boy following us?” Mark asks setting a latte on the table and takes a seat next to me.
“Not really. His face was hidden under his hood. I could just barely make out his expression, but no details.” I tell him before taking a sip from my cup. I hum in appreciation as the velvet vanilla foam coats my tongue, followed by the warming liquid sliding effortlessly down my throat.
A woman laughing draws my attention. She is sitting with her boyfriend in the corner of the cafe, talking, and enjoying each others company. It wasn’t long ago that she and I were in a cafe similar to this one. We had been out wedding shopping and stopped in for a bite to eat and to get out of the cold. It was a perfect afternoon. I remember how the amber shades of autumn made her green eyes so vivid.
“Where is he now?”
“Where is who?” I ask forcing my gaze away from the giggling couple.
“The boy who was following us!” Mark snaps quietly.
“Oh, I don’t know. A car showed up a moment after you left. He got in and they took off down the street.” I shrug, enjoying my coffee more than worrying about my safety.
A growl rumbles low in Mark’s throat jerking me fully into the present. “What did the car look like? Did you see anyone else?”
I describe the black sedan the best I can. I couldn’t get the license plate before it took off speeding down the road, and it irritates the shit out of Mark. I tell him of the man hiding behind the scarf, as well as the heated conversation they had before taking off. I didn’t have to hear what was being said to know he was getting his ass chewed for not paying closer attention to where we went. “I didn’t recognize either one from the little detail I saw.” Though the one in the car reminded me a little of Luke. Not having enough detail to give Mark, I leave out that little detail.
“Sir, I need you to be more careful. When you notice something out of the ordinary I need you to pay attention.” I nod but stay silent. He pinches the bridge of his nose then downs the rest of his coffee. “I’m having the car come get us. If you insist on going out then we are driving so I can keep you safer.”
“I want to walk.”
“I don’t care. It won’t bring you closer to her. It won’t bring her back.” He bites out. Each word like a swift kick in the chest knocking the wind from my lungs. He takes a long inhale. “I’m sorry, Kage. It’s just how it is. I know why you wanted to walk today. I don’t want to dampen your high spirits either. My sole purpose is to keep you safe.”
“Mark, this is the first incident in six months.”
“No, sir. It isn’t.” My eyes dart to his. “We didn’t want to worry you, but you have received several more letters.”
“Any of them a true concern? Do they know about Wolf?”
“Any letter you receive is a concern. However, so far none of these are a threat on your life. Even today, I believe they are just watching you. The boy messed up and got to close. As far as Wolf goes. He keeps a really low profile. No one in the department knows he’s even working on this. I’m not worried about him.”
“I’ll be more observant.”
“I know you have been distracted. May I suggest until we need anything you focus on work? Use this energy you have to push your business further. You would be surprised the connections and opportunities available as you grow.”
My head drops and I feel my eyes become too heavy to keep open. “I can’t stop thinking about that night. It plagues my dreams. I failed Mark. I should have never left her side.”
Mark places his hand on my shoulder. “No one expects you to forget. I don’t even want you to stop thinking of her. Wolf and I promised to find her regardless of what state she may be in. But you can’t blame yourself for what happened at the house or the hospital. I know she wouldn’t.”
His words of comfort should make me feel better. Should push back the darkness rising in my chest. But they don’t.
“The car will be here in a moment.” He continues. “Are we still going?”
“Yes.”
I stand and place our dishes on the counter near the barista, who stumbles before catching herself.
Mark and I step out of the café just as the car arrives. Dwayne, steps out and hands the keys to Mark before opening my door. Dwayne is a good guy. Fairly new to the team so I don’t know much about him. Mark assures me that he is an excellent asset to the team.
Mark drives us to the shop, primarily in silence. Every so often, he speaks in hushes words to Dwayne, he only responds with a nod, and more information if needed. It takes longer to get to the shop than
normal due to the snow and heavy traffic. If we would have continued walking, we would have been there already. By the time he pulls up, I nearly bolt out of the car, ignoring the grumble he gives Dwayne to follow me.
“Awe! So nice to see you again.” A leggy, blue-eyed brunette says as I walk into the shop. “Did you decide on what you and your lovely fiancée wanted to do?”
I want to tell her no. That this will now be a surprise for when I find her, and hopefully she remembers me. But I flash her a smile, “Yes. The Armani black suit, and the fitted lace dress she loved the most.”
The woman, who’s name escapes me, claps her hands together grinning wide. “Perfect! I thought you might, so I went ahead and had them ordered the day you left, at no charge to you. We want our clients to have what they want and I figured she would want to try a dress on in her size. Is she here?” She starts peering around the store then toward the door.
“I’m afraid she isn’t. But I’m sure the size is fine. Can we get it altered if it’s either too small or too big?”
“Because it’s lace, we can’t alter it bigger, but we can do smaller if needed.” She says in an apologetic sweet tone.
“That’s fine.” I hand her my black Amex card paying no attention to the sudden heat covering her cheeks. I highly doubt Autumn will be gaining any weight. I pray that she doesn’t lose any due to her not being taken care of.
Dwayne appears just as the cashier hands me back my card, then walks around the counter to hand me my purchases. However, Dwayne takes them before I have a chance. A wide charming grin pulls the corner of his lips up. The brunette blushes and covers her mouth with a delicate hand.
“I’m Christina.”
“Dwayne, Miss.”
“Time to go.” I interject not wanting to stick around for their flirting. As I walk toward the door, I hear them exchange numbers followed by quickened steps in my direction. “Next time, refrain from flirting on the job.”
“Yes, sir. It won’t happen again.”
Thirty minutes later, we finally arrive back home. I head to the master the moment the elevator opens to the foyer. I hang up my suit and her dress in the back of the closet. A small sense of accomplishment glistens within the darkness taking over me. Stopping by my night stand, I pull a small black velvet box out of the top drawer. Popping it open I watch the diamonds from her engagement ring and wedding bands twinkle like her eyes in the glow of the city. Pocketing the box, I leave the room, and head to my office to continue my relentless research.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“WILL YOU BE taking a date with you to this evening’s gala, sir?” Vee asks just before she leaves my office.
“No.” I respond without looking at her.
She sighs, “Excuse me for saying this sir, but it’s been almost two years since she went missing. I know you don’t want to hear this, but you should really think about getting out there and dating again.”
“That will be all Vee.”
“Sir—”
“Enough!” I slam my fist on the top of my desk making her jump back. “I will find her. No matter how long it takes.”
“No one said that would change. But you can’t wait around forever. She wouldn’t—”
Abruptly standing, I shove my chair back, splaying the tips of my fingers on my desk as I lean forward. “I am so tired of people telling me what Autumn would and wouldn’t do. Or say. Or think. Or expect. Your job is to run my schedule, not my personal life. I have been lax lately, and I apologize for allowing the lines to blur. But this ends now.”
Vee opens her mouth to say something then snaps it shut. “I will let them know it’s just you then.” She says walking toward the door.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” She adds stopping and turning back to meet me frustrated glare. “This file came for you.”
She walks over and drops the file on my desk, ignoring my outstretched hand, then turns to leave again. It feels like my teeth are about to break from how tight I’m clenching my jaw. I have never sent her home early before but, “Vee.” She stops looking back at me with irritated eyes. “You may go home. Take the rest of the day.”
Her mouth falls open. Her forehead creases as her brows lift in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“I was perfectly clear. Go home.”
“Am I being fired?” She snaps marching back to stop in front of my desk.
“No. However, you clearly have a different idea on how I should be running my life. The attitude you have suddenly adopted isn’t tolerated.”
Annoyance and frustration cross her face, then disappear under the something else, worry maybe. “Please don’t send me home. I apologize for crossing the line. You are right.”
“I appreciate the apology, Vee. I’m still sending you home. Go get some rest. You have been as stressed as I have. Besides I’m sure you need to get ready for the gala tonight.”
“I wasn’t planning on going. Roger ended up having to travel for work.”
“Then go meet him. I can see you want to. Take some time off. I’ll deal with the new girl.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile, then turns and leaves. Once the door shuts behind her, I glance down at the large manilla envelope she tossed on my desk. It doesn’t say who it’s from, but it’s addressed to me. My pulse jerks. It’s been a while since I have received anything personally. Usually Mark takes care of all anonymous mail. The label is hand written, and it’s definitely been through the post. Grabbing the letter opener from my top drawer, I splay the seam, holding the envelope away from my face.
When nothing happens, I dump the contents on my desk. A thick stack of papers clipped together falls out along with a small note. It’s from Wolf. I let out a held breath and re-take my seat.
Sorry for the incognito. I’m not sure if Mark has informed you of what has been going on. Hopefully this didn’t come as a surprise. If it did well, I’m sorry.
Anyway, I have sent several files I found on your fiancée’s family home. As well as all of her school records. You weren’t kidding when you said you were having issues getting them released. I had to pull a lot of strings.
The only other thing in here is a few business deals you did that didn’t go as smoothly as the others. Let know if we should flag any of these people.
One last thing. I must tell you that the more we look for her the stranger things are getting. Not for me, but for you. I know Mark wants you to focus on the company. Which by the way, congratulations man! Fastest growing company in the world. That is a huge accomplishment. Anyway, you need to be careful.
Mark may not believe it, but the action he has been interfering tells me she is still very much alive. I think we are on the right track. Hold out for a little longer. I’ll keep you updated on anything else I find out.
P.S. Don’t tell Mark I told you anything. He is trying so hard to keep you safe, and focused. I don’t want to break that either. I just feel you need to be aware.
W.
I roll my eyes and set the note aside. “Fastest growing only because you have given me nothing to do to help.” I mutter under my breath as I take the clip off the stack of papers.
I flip through the history on her family’s house. Although it’s interesting to know that it’s been in the family for generations. That she comes from old and new money. And their home was the oldest in town. None of it is relevant.
The papers from her school aren’t that important either. Just transcripts and grades. It appears at one point she had a stalker issue, but it was handled quickly and quietly. I slide them to the side. I want to go through it more, just to get to know more about her when I wasn’t around. But right now I want to see what else Wolf sent me.
The last stack is clients, I had issues with in the past. Kimber, as well as Jack, were small issues that were later rectified. We finished on good terms. I have even worked with Jack on a few more projects over the last year. Good man.
The last two though, I stare at confused. Brandon Hamilton, and his so
n, Christopher Hamilton. Brandon and I ended on very good terms. I made sure he and his wife were set for the rest of their lives. He was eternally grateful, and if I recall he sought me out. Not the other way around. However, Christopher was the problematic one. Yes, why couldn’t I remember his name. Pesky, childish, boy. He was so small and meek looking it made me sick. He even attempted businesses, at the magnitude I did. I could see my feelings echoed in his fathers eyes.
I stare at Christopher’s picture attached to his file for several minutes trying to place him. Then it clicks. Shit! I stand so quickly I knock my chair over. That son of a bitch is Luke! He has the same cold light brown eyes, and sandy brown hair. Snatching the phone from my desk, I call Mark.
Mark bursts through the door ten minutes later, shutting and locking it behind him. “Give me your phone.” He says abruptly. I hand it over and watch him smash it, then toss it in the trash.
“Your phone has been tapped.”
I stare at the shattered phone lying innocently at the bottom of the trash. “Wolf?” My gaze snaps to Mark.
“Always blocked your call to him. He’s safe.”
“Are you sure? They can hear what we are talking about.”
“You two have never used each others real names.” He says rolling his eyes. He’s always found it a bit childish. “There is no way to look him up. I assure you he’s safe.”
“Now, what did you find?” He adds walking around my desk to look at the spread out files.
I pull out the Hamilton’s files. “Do you remember this man?”
“Of course. He was probably one of your best deals. I’m my memory serves me correctly he has brought you a lot of business since that deal.”
“Yes, he has. On occasion, we still meet. That’s not the point though. Do you remember his son?” His dark annoyed gaze tells me he does, so I continue on pulling out his file and pointing to his picture. “This is the man I saw on the ambulance that night. The one that was calling himself Luke. I also believe it was the man I saw in the black sedan that day I bought her dress.”
