Finally, she saw Maggie leave the building with her handbag and what looked like an empty tote bag. This was her chance. She pulled her hat down low on her head, hunched her shoulders, and crossed the street. She watched as Maggie turned the corner, and then she went into the building and took the stairs two at a time. She just knew she didn’t have any extra time today. She had to get in quickly, plant the bugs, and boogie. It wouldn’t do to get caught since the subject probably suspected that someone had been in the apartment and taken the tapes. Too bad Court and McGregor hadn’t told her to plant the bugs while she was here the last time. Oh well. That was the breaks.
Once she was inside, she wasted no time. She put bugs in the bedroom and between the kitchen and living room areas. That should cover it. The place was small. She took another quick look around since she was there. Who knows? Another tape could be lying about for her to pick up. She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
She finished and gave another fast look around in case anything jumped up and bit her. She opened the door, took a quick look out in the hallway, and stepped out. She had just finished relocking the last of the three locks when Maggie Sexton came around the corner. Her tote bag bulged with groceries, and a baguette of French bread was sticking out the top. Her head was down as she fished in her handbag for her keys.
Cassandra gave a silent sigh of relief as she sauntered past Maggie to the stairs and headed down. She kept her face turned away and made tracks. She was out the front door and around the corner headed for the subway within two minutes. She doubted Maggie had had time to put her bags down in the hallway and unlock the three locks before she was out of the building and down the street. That was close. Too close.
Cassandra’s heart was beating a mile a minute. She scampered down the subway stairs and stood on the platform waiting for the next train. When she was finally sitting in a subway car, she began to relax. Holy shit! That was close. Hi, there. Don’t mind me. I’m just planting some bugs in your apartment and BTW I broke in here yesterday and stole your blackmail tapes. Yikes! This was more excitement that she was ready for.
Chapter Ten
In the Cavanaugh suite at The Black Dahlia Hotel, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, Wednesday afternoon, December 30, 2015
Dillon had managed to book a nonstop flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, which was amazing given that it was the middle of the holiday season. Once they had returned to their suite at The Black Dahlia Hotel, Dillon took her into his arms for a deep kiss and a tight hug. He knew she was still on edge from her telephone confrontation with Maggie. He wished he could just absorb her nerves into his own body.
“Baby, why don’t you go down to the beach and get some sun while I go talk to Jamie Devereau and Dane Dunross?” He needed to vent, and he didn’t want to use Mikaela as a sounding board. She had enough on her mind as it was.
“Good idea. I could use some time listening to the waves and soaking up the sun. Maybe it will help me settle down. You know, nothing happened on the phone call, but it really upset my apple cart just hearing her voice.”
“I know, Mikki. Just knowing what you know and having to deal with her is a lot to stomach. Try to let it go. I’ll catch up with you in a while and we can decide what to do for dinner. The cruise starts tomorrow afternoon. You can think about what you want to take and if you need anything else for the trip. That big mall is right down Sunrise Boulevard if you need something.”
“Okay. See you later, Dilly.”
Dillon walked into the admin offices and found Dane Dunross getting a cup of coffee. He looked pissed. “Hey, Dane. What’s up?”
“Nothing. Old business. How are you guys?”
“I was going to use you and Jamie as a sounding board. Mikaela called Maggie just to have a holiday chat and see what she had to say, if anything. She sounded upset. Her computer had crashed. Imagine that. She was planning to make an insurance claim for the laptop since her apartment had been broken in to and some of her stuff was taken. It sounded like she might have discovered the tape and DVD were gone.”
“I know that’s the first thing I would check.”
“That’s what I told Mikki. Anyway, we don’t know what to do from here. Just wait the week and see if she posts anything? Confront her and let her know we’re on to her scam? Have a press conference and disclose that we’re being blackmailed and withdraw from the race?”
“No, don’t do that—if she doesn’t have another copy of the tape you don’t want to do her work for her. I’d wait and see if she posts anything. I’m sure there will be another text demanding payment even if she doesn’t have the goods to back it up. I think you should wait until Brown gets back and then you can all have a sit-down before you make any decisions.”
“That’s a good idea. I don’t want us to go off half-cocked. I’ll tell you—I’d like to rattle that bitch’s cage.”
“We’ll think of something. I’ll meet you for a beer later, but right now I have a meeting with the event planner.”
“I’ve seen her. Don’t act like it’s a trip to the dentist, man.”
“It’s a trip to the dentist. Believe me.” Dillon shot his brows at that cryptic remark. There was something going on with Dane. He wondered what.
* * * *
Katina knocked on Dane’s door and waited for him to look up. She didn’t want to be presumptuous and just walk in. When he looked up their eyes met, and she felt that old sizzle right down to her pussy. She’d bet her panties were wet. Why did she have to react that way to the one man who didn’t want her? It wasn’t fair. And why did he have to be so damn gorgeous? That wasn’t fair either.
It had taken her a long time to get over his rejection of her, and she didn’t plan to go back for another dose of pain and humiliation. After an intense and very intimate D/s relationship that had lasted over six months, it had been painful to have her Dom tell her that he wasn’t ready to get serious. It had been pretty damn serious to her. She didn’t want to admit it, but she knew she had been in love with Dane. His careless words when he had broken up with her had crushed her. She had walked away with her head held high, but it had cost her a lot to do it.
“Kat, I have to say you did an excellent job on the Brown wedding. I know Jack and Kaylin were very pleased.”
“Thank you.” She wanted to say What exactly did you expect? That I would do a substandard job? But she held her tongue. This man was her immediate supervisor, after all.
“That was meant as a compliment, Katina. Can’t we put our past behind us and just have a pleasant working relationship?”
“Certainly, Mr. Dunross.” She watched as the expression on his face hardened. Oh no. That had been a mistake. She should have just accepted his overture for what it was worth—not much—and left it at that. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“Yes, you did, but you have a right to your private feelings as long as they don’t bleed over into the job.”
“They won’t. I need this job.”
“Why? What’s going on with you?” Suddenly the angry expression on his face had been replaced with one of concern. Really? Where was that concern two years ago?
She was tempted to blow him off, but maybe she shouldn’t. “I have a lot of bills to pay. My sister was very sick recently, and we have medical bills. I’ve been helping her out because she didn’t have any insurance.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I just want you to know that I won’t be giving you a hard time unless you earn it. I want us to have a good working relationship, and I don’t want you to flinch every time you see me. I’m really not a monster.”
That was debatable. As far as she was concerned, she wanted as little to do with him as possible. If she could go the other way when she saw him, she would. “I’d like that as well. Thank you.”
“What events do you have coming up? Do you need anything from management right now?” So, he was going to turn the conversation back to business. That was fine with h
er.
“I have the BDSM event for the Savannah Le Club that began the day after Christmas and runs until the second. There are between 75 and 100 attendees. Some additional guests are scheduled to arrive in a day or two. That includes dungeon facilities, meeting rooms, hotel rooms, and some catering. I also have a wedding in February—Valentine’s day. I’ve had a few other inquiries for spring wedding packages that look promising as well.”
“That’s not bad for startup. How do you plan to promote?”
“I’ve got feelers out to some friends in clubs around the country. That will help to get our name out there in the BDSM communities. I’m also preparing a brochure to send to the Le Club facilities.”
“Good. Let me see it before it goes out.” He looked at her. “Katina, if I can help in any way, let me know.”
“Thank you. I’ll be sure you see the brochure when it’s finished.” She felt the tingle of tears starting to back up in her throat. Shit. She didn’t need that right now. She fought them down. His display of concern had gotten to her. “Thank you. I’ll let you get back to work.” She knew she should have let him dismiss her, but she had to get out of here and now.
Chapter Eleven
Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on board the Golden Dolphin, Thursday afternoon, December 31, 2015, New Year’s Eve
Dillon and Mikaela were amazed. From the Chihuly handcrafted light fixture in the lounge to the Botero sculpture in the central lobby, the ship was magnificent. They’d had no idea just how enormous the Golden Dolphin actually was—three hundred feet was the length of a football field, but the true dimensions had to be appreciated in person. Their suite was huge and elegant. The décor was traditional and done in navy blue and gold, and they had a private sitting room and deck as well. Their steward had already unpacked their bags.
“This is fantastic. When Jamie told me he bought a big boat, I thought he was talking about a big boat—not practically an ocean liner. Come on, Mikki. Let’s go out and check everything out.”
“Did you notice the helicopter up top when we came aboard? Wow. And there are two tenders. The man definitely thinks big.”
The ship had five decks with accommodations for thirty-six passengers and a crew of twenty-one. It was the ultimate in luxury. Dillon was anxious to see the BDSM facilities and how they had been set up aboard. They climbed the central staircase that bisected the ship and were able to check out the elaborate foyers on each of the upper decks as they rose. The crew’s deck including the galley and crew quarters as well as the engineering deck that housed the mechanical plant and tender garages was below. The dungeon facilities and theme rooms were located on the third deck. When they came out on the top deck—where the master suite, the pool deck and lounge area, as well as the formal dining room and library were located—there really wasn’t anything more to say. Words were inadequate.
Mikaela joined the ladies sitting by the infinity lap pool enjoying tropical drinks that were being passed around by uniformed stewards. Dillon went into the dining room that had been transformed into a billiards parlor where the men were smoking Jamie Devereau’s excellent Cuban cigars. He took a scotch on the rocks from a passing steward.
Jamie said, “So, how’s it going? Is Mikaela settling down?”
“I can feel the nerves buzzing under her skin. I wish I could do something for her, and we could just end this.”
Jack Brown, tan and relaxed from several days in Bermuda, said, “Jamie told me what’s happened since we’ve been away. So, Morgan Court has the originals, and you don’t know if there are any more copies.”
“Yes. Mikaela managed to negotiate a few more days’ leeway to get the five million dollars together. At this point, I don’t think she should pay.”
“I agree,” Jamie said. “I’d bet that Maggie Sexton doesn’t have a backup. If it were me, I’d call her bluff and let the chips fall. But I’m not running for election to Congress. A sex scandal involving a congressional candidate would make a lot bigger story than some money guy getting in trouble again.”
“If it were only my rep on the line, I’d agree. But Mikaela has had a really hard year, and she was just starting to come back to herself when this shit hit. At this point I’d just as soon drop out of the race. It’s not worth all of this turmoil to me. Now, my father is another story. He’d have a cow if I dropped out.”
Jack said, “I get that. I’ve had my issues with my dad over the BDSM thing. Thank goodness he’s crazy about Kaylin. I thought his face was going to split from grinning at the wedding.”
“That was a great wedding, by the way. I’m hoping to have one of my own soon. I was planning to propose on New Year’s Day. I thought Mikki was finally ready, and then all this shit came up.”
* * * *
Mikaela smiled when Kaylin sat down beside her. “Hey, girl! How’s married life?”
“Great. Just great. We had a wonderful time on the cruise to Bermuda. But I’m really looking forward to the party tonight. We have a couple of days to relax on the way to Cozumel, then a couple of days to dive and sightsee, and then back home again. Tell me what’s been happening with your situation.”
Mikaela filled Kaylin and Anne Sutton in on the most recent developments. “I’m tempted to tell her to just post the damn video, but I have Dillon’s election to consider.”
Kaylin said, “Does she know you know who’s responsible for the blackmail threats and the posting on YouTube?”
“I don’t think so. She may be suspicious if she’s discovered her originals are gone. She sounded upset when I called her yesterday to say happy New Year.”
“I bet she is. If that was her only copy, she has no alternative now but to bluff. I wonder what she would do if you told her to go ahead and post the other video. I wish Chloe was here. She and J.J. are meeting us in Key West tomorrow. You met Chloe—she was my maid of honor. She’s in the Strategic Investigation Division that handles narcotics and vice and is more versed in situations like this. I’m just homicide.”
Anne looked puzzled. “So this Maggie had no idea anyone had entered her apartment, and now went back in again and planted bugs? Maybe you should wait and see what the bugs reveal.”
“I don’t know if Maggie’s taken up talking to herself, but that’s probably a good idea. I’m not ready to make any decisions yet.”
* * * *
Maggie Sexton was tearing everything out of her closet, pulling storage boxes out from under the bed, and emptying the kitchen cabinets and living room shelves. She didn’t remember moving the original tape and DVD to another hiding place, but who knew? That made as much sense as someone coming in and taking them. No one knew they existed. She had even gone as far as checking that Jim Mariano was indeed still in Los Angeles. He was. She had called his studio saying she was a reporter and wanted an interview, and they had confirmed he was in town and available. She just bet he was. She sat on the edge of the bed, lay back, and screamed, “Where the fuck are they? Shit. Shit. Shit.”
The apartment was a mess. Clothes, CDs, and DVDs were strewn everywhere. “Now I have to clean this mess up and get to work.” Tomorrow was New Year’s Day and she was off, although the store was open. She had given Mikaela until Friday, January 5, to come up with the money. Maybe she should put on a little more pressure. She sure wasn’t going to give up on the one plan that could get her out of this dive and into the life she deserved.
Maggie began to compose another text in her head. She might send it on her way in to work.
* * * *
Morgan Court picked up his cell phone when John McGregor texted. Heard Maggie grumbling as she tore apartment apart looking for tape/DVD. Apparently no backup copies. Morgan called John just to confirm.
“She was cursing up a storm, and we could hear stuff being thrown around. She sounded desperate.”
“Good job. I think Cassandra deserves a bonus for this. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks, boss. She did a good job. I think she almost
got caught leaving the apartment this time. It was close.”
Morgan smiled and dialed Dillon Cavanaugh. When he answered his cell, he said, “My security guy just texted me that Maggie Sexton is tearing her apartment apart looking for the missing tape and DVD. John said she was cursing like a sailor. If she had backups she wouldn’t be doing that. I think you guys are in the clear on that score anyway.”
“Thanks, Morgan. I’ll tell Mikaela. That is going to make our New Year’s perfect.”
* * * *
Dillon rushed out onto the deck and pulled Mikaela up into his arms for a hot kiss, much to the apparent delight of Kaylin and Anne. “Mikki, Morgan Court just called. He said Maggie is tearing her apartment apart looking for the tape and DVD. She wouldn’t be bothering with that if she had a backup. I think we’re in the clear.”
“Oh, Dillon. Do you really think so? That would be such a relief.”
“I’d be willing to bet on it at this point. If she had a backup she wouldn’t be so upset.” He sat down and pulled Mikaela into his lap. “I think we can relax and just enjoy this cruise.” He sighed as she relaxed into his arms. It felt so good to be holding a relaxed Mikaela instead of the tightly wrapped bundle of nerves she had been since the first text had binged onto her cell phone.
“Let’s celebrate.”
* * * *
Mikaela planned to dress to the nines for the New Year’s Eve party in the main lounge. There was more to celebrate tonight than just the turning of the calendar. She was eagerly anticipating the lobster and seafood buffet. She had not had an appetite in days, and she was also looking forward to the dancing on deck. Dillon was going to love the slender, long-sleeved, sequined column gown in emerald green with high, strappy heels that subtly accentuated her body.
Michaels, Skye - Mikaela's Debut [The Black Dahlia Hotel 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 9
