Enthrall Climax

by Vanessa Fewings

  Five months ago, I’d run a successful psychiatric clinic in Beverly Hills while secretly managing my renowned empire, Chrysalis. At the time, I couldn’t have imagined any other kind of life. But I’d made this work. I’d accomplished everything I had set out to do and I still had big plans for Cole Tea. A strategy was evolving to open offices in Seattle and Florida, as well as England. We were going global.

  And I was the man to take us there.

  Remaining stone-faced, I’d listened as Henry had delivered his monologue, explaining why he felt ready for this role. Dad would be ecstatic about Henry taking on more responsibility at the company and Mom would revel in the idea of her oldest thriving in the business he’d been destined for. I wasn’t opposed to Henry coming back fulltime; I just needed to work out where he would be an asset.

  With both adrenaline and uncertainty surging through my veins, I slowed the treadmill into “cool down” mode. I needed time to think carefully about his request and work out what was best for everyone.

  My ego was going to have to take a hit; I could feel fate’s fist flying toward me.

  After a hot shower, I redressed in my Brioni suit and dragged a comb through my hair. When I opened the gym door to leave, Sue was standing there.

  She was holding her scheduler and exhaled in a rush of excitement saying, “The New York Times wants to send over John Mayberry. He’s going to write a piece on you. I told them Friday, around ten?”

  No. I’d be in Italy then with Mia. Sue didn’t need to know that.

  “Let me think about it.” Having my personal life investigated by some ambitious journalist wasn’t the most appealing idea.

  “You have a 2:00 P.M. with the head of marketing. Dana wants to discuss personnel. Alex from accounting had to reschedule. His dog needs to go to the vet—”

  “What kind of dog?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Can you ask?”

  “Why?”

  I threw her a questioning glance. I liked Sue, but she leaned toward psychopathic, which was why I’d hired her in the first place. It helped having the human equivalent of a Rottweiler guarding my office.

  I was only half-listening to her because Shay was standing at the end of the hallway, and his fraught expression shot a wave of concern through me.

  I headed toward him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Give us a minute,” Shay told Sue. He waited until she was out of earshot before speaking to me. “Mia is not at her desk in marketing.”

  A chill ran up my spine. “Maybe she went to get a coffee?”

  “We’re checking the cameras.”

  I reached into my pocket and brought out my phone to call her. The ringtone immediately sent me to voicemail. “Mia, call me right now. This is urgent.”

  “I left her a voicemail, too.”

  “We’re idiots.” I shook my head at the ridiculousness of our panic. “Her GPS?”

  “What GPS?”

  “The one I forgot to tell you about.” I brought up the app on my phone. “She’s in the staff coffee room.” I breathed a sigh of relief as I flipped my phone around to let Shay see the blip.

  “My people checked the coffee room.”

  “Well, this says she’s in there.” I needed to get out of this suffocating basement and to Mia’s floor. I needed to see she was safe. “Check the cameras anyway.”

  “On it.” Shay followed me into the elevator.

  We quickly arrived in marketing and I stormed toward the break room.

  It was empty.

  This made no sense.

  There, on the coffee table, was Mia’s Rolex.

  A shiver of dread owned my body as I picked it up and clutched it in my palm. This was definitely hers. My gaze searched the room for any sign of a struggle or anything that might stand out. Nothing was out of place…though there was a magazine on the floor.

  I picked it up and turned it over. It was a copy of Time Magazine, the cover featuring Lt. Colonel Warren who was being hailed as a war hero after his tour of duty in Afghanistan. There was an entire exposé on him and I made a mental note to tell Henry; he’d probably like to read it.

  For now, I threw it back onto the stack and turned to face Shay. “This is her watch.”

  “Let’s stay calm.”

  I tucked her watch into my pocket.

  “Cole—”

  “Why would she take it off?”

  “Maybe this is her rebelling again?” He shrugged. “She’s moving to your department soon.”

  I focused on reducing the cortisol levels surging in my brain, stress hormones that were ruining my ability to let clarity guide me. I ran over Mia’s mood this morning. She was excited about the move.

  “Something’s wrong.”

  “You know what she’s like,” Shay countered.

  I pressed my hand to my chest to sense her.

  “She’s done this before, ran off without her security detail.”

  “Whoever took her knew she was being tracked through her watch.”

  “Let’s not go there yet.”

  I hurried out and weaved my way around the staff cubicles. The other employees hardly gave us a passing glance.

  I walked into Mia’s cubicle and wondered how she’d tolerated this small space. My sweet Mia had sacrificed comfort for the sake of making her own way. A chill washed over me when I saw her handbag resting in the bottom of the desk drawer. I knelt to rummage through it, looking for anything that might give away her location.

  Inside I found her wallet with her credit card—she only needed one because it had no limit—and some cash. So the chance of her having left the building was unlikely. Maybe she’d absentmindedly removed her watch?

  That’s bullshit and you know it.

  I glanced over at the opposite cubicle, at the young woman staring at us. Her expression reflected recognition and I recalled where we’d met. This was Mia’s friend, who I had asked to dance. Kelly, I think?

  She was probably wondering why her boss was inside her colleague’s workspace going through her things.

  Shay lingered near the cubicle. “We’ll find her.”

  “Contact the authorities,” I snapped.

  “I’ll make the call.” Shay’s eyes widened as he read something off his phone.

  “What?”

  He raised his hand as though trying to get me to remain calm.

  Despite his fuckup and the agonizing fact Mia was in danger, I held back on my rage.

  “Speak to me, Shay.”

  “She went out the back via the stairs. She was escorted by two men.”

  “Tell me they work for you?”

  Shay gave a wary shake of his head. “She got into a Mercedes-Benz SUV.”

  We stormed toward the emergency staircase and took them two at a time, retracing her steps and searching the ground in case Mia had dropped a clue. Behind me, Shay was ordering his men to run the number plate caught on the CCTV.

  When we finally reached the bottom, I approached the middle-aged guard at the rear door and breathlessly asked, “Did you see a young blonde woman leave here with two men?”

  He shook his head. “Just started my shift.”

  I processed the convenience of such a fact and wondered if the men had waited for the staff to change.

  Outside on the pavement, I stared left and right hoping to see a trace of some sort.

  Shay caught up with me, also out of breath. “From the footage, Mia’s not struggling. She doesn’t seem distressed.”

  “Witnesses?”

  “Just the security footage.”

  “How did they get in without being seen? How did they get access?”

  “I’m trying to figure that out.”

  “Have their faces run through your recognition software.”

  His phone pinged and he stared at the screen. “Okay, we have something. Lance Merrill owns a Mercedes-Benz SUV. Not sure if he actually owns the one on the camera, though.”

  “Where does
he live?”

  “I’m on it.”

  I inhaled a calming breath and centered myself. Mia needed me at my best.

  “Get me a car.”

  Shay nodded. “I can do that.”

  “Find out Helete’s address, too.” I stared down at the number that appeared on my phone and answered, “Cole.”

  The line went dead.

  I swiped my ID badge to get back into Cole Tower and redialed that number.

  “Welcome to The Manhattan,” answered a chirpy male. “Pool bar.”

  I stopped halfway down the hall so the call wouldn’t drop. “Did you just see a blonde woman in her early twenties at the bar? Her name’s Mia.” I played my hunch.

  “This is the pool bar.”

  “You wouldn’t miss her.”

  “I’m afraid there are a lot of women here who match that description, sir.” He sounded terse. “If you give me a room number I’ll put you through.”

  “Someone just called me from your bar,” I said, through clenched teeth. “They used your phone. They could be in trouble.” Saying any more could endanger her more.

  “I’m not at liberty to reveal the names of guests.”

  The fucker hung up on me.

  “Find out if Mia’s at The Manhattan at Times Square,” I barked at Shay. Then I sprinted toward the elevator.

  We made it back to her floor and returned to Mia’s desk, searching for anything that might help…a business card, a contact in her notebook, a name on her scheduler.

  “Get IT to crack her code.” I pointed to her desktop.

  We were again being watched by Kelly, and with her cubicle being just opposite she might have caught some unusual behavior or even noticed the appearance of a stranger.

  I left Mia’s cubicle and approached her. “How are you?” I softened my tone so as not to alarm her.

  “I had fun the other night.” She smiled coyly. “We danced.”

  “That’s right.” I ignored the stares from her colleagues. “Did Mia Lauren say where she was going?”

  She glanced past me. “She won’t be long. She’s a hard worker.”

  “She’s not in any trouble.” I forced a friendly smile to reassure her. “Have you seen any strangers around here?”

  “No.”

  “I have Lance’s address.” Shay grabbed my attention. “I have a car waiting.”

  “One second.” I thanked Kelly and returned to the staff break room.

  I reached for the Time Magazine issue again, resting where I’d left it on the coffee table. Anyone considerate enough to take a break and sit on that couch would have picked it up before, surely? The room was just too organized and neat for any of my employees not to have taken a second to deal with such a small detail. Or maybe I was over-thinking it?

  There was a knock.

  I turned my gaze toward the door and saw Kelly. “Hey, everything okay?”

  “It’s probably nothing.”

  She looked nervous, so I gestured for her to come in farther.

  “Mr. Cole stopped off to say hello to Mia.” She glanced at Shay. “I think they met at the charity ball.”

  Of course, Kelly would think that’s when Mia and Henry had first met.

  “My brother?”

  She gave a nod. “I think Mia followed him toward the coffee room. She never came back.”

  Processing my brother’s motivation and the fact it was Henry, I should have been willing to consider this possibility…

  My thoughts circled back around as I realized Henry could very well have known about the tracker in Mia’s wristwatch, as she would have entrusted him enough to share this possessive foible of mine. She’d have made it a joke and Henry would have probably hidden his disapproval.

  Only Henry could have gotten men into the building without raising suspicion. My gaze returned to the Time Magazine and the man on the cover wearing combat gear. Had Henry warned her she was leaving with him at that very moment with no chance of returning to her desk, and her quick thinking had left us this vague clue? Did Henry suspect I was having a negative influence over Mia?

  This all verged on irrationality.

  Then again, this was my thing; seeing beyond the ordinary, peering into the looking-glass and acknowledging even the rawest truth, not falling victim to the obvious. My bruised back, along with my ego, was proof that Henry was pissed off at me.

  Shay thanked Kelly and waited for her to leave before turning back to face me. “Henry is the last person who would do something like this.”

  My gaze rose from the magazine as my thoughts swirled with the idea that Henry was involved. His violence during our squash match revealed how vexed he was about my lifestyle. His recent desire to take over Cole Tea now left a bitter taste in my mouth.

  Shay looked adamant. “What’s his motive?”

  “Call The Manhattan. Find out if there’s a reservation in Henry’s name.”

  “I know you’re stressed. I feel like crap, too. That’s why we need to be methodical.”

  “If they refuse to answer, send one of your men. Tell him to visit the pool. Tell him to book a room in the hotel, if necessary, so he gets access. Better still, get him into the security hub and have him scan the footage for today.”

  Shay’s stare held mine and he gave a nod of resignation. “I’ll call Henry.”

  “Let me talk with him. Just find out where he is.”

  “Okay.”

  “Someone got to him,” I whispered.

  BACK IN ROOM 617, MY heart raced as I replayed Helete’s reaction to what I’d told her. She’d reached for her phone so there was a real chance she’d called Cameron. She knew how to contact him so it wasn’t such a stretch to believe.

  Barret was in the kitchen, talking on the phone to someone about the wisdom of moving me somewhere new. This time I was going to make a scene. Damn the consequences.

  What was Henry’s grand plan in all this? Did he really believe he’d make me fall out of love with Cameron?

  There was a bottle of wine chilling in a silver cooler on the coffee table and beside it rested a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries. A welcoming treat for the guests who had just checked in and actually wanted to be here.

  No doubt poor Shay was taking the flak for me being gone. Too many hours had passed and I never went this long without messaging either of them. I now respected their reasoning for keeping tabs on me.

  From outside the room a woman’s voice rose and, hearing her French accent, I knew it was Helete. I jumped to my feet realizing she’d found me. Of all my heroes she was the last person I’d have guessed would come save me. There was a loud knock.

  Barret flew out of the kitchen and hurried over to the door. “Sit,” he snapped.

  I remained standing and watched him open the door, keeping it ajar.

  He peered out. “Mia’s taking a nap.”

  “I’m awake now,” I blurted out, earning his annoyed glare.

  Helete wasn’t put off by his gruff attitude. “Let me in then.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief when Helete shoved open the door and stepped inside.

  She threw Barret a wary look and then smiled my way. “Mia, how are you?”

  I tried to ignore the threat of that man behind her. “Fine.”

  She surveyed the room. “Is Cameron here?”

  I wanted to ask if she’d called him, but the way Barret was looming, I refused to put her in danger.

  “Aren’t you going to offer me a drink?” She smirked.

  “Of course.” I reached for the bottle in the cooler.

  “I’m sorry,” said Barret. “We’re on our way out. Mia will call you later, okay?”

  Helete studied him and then turned back to face me as though summing us both up. The tension crackled and I tried to force a smile to protect her from Barret. With my wide-eyed stare, I did my best to convey he was dangerous without compromising her.

  “Later will be fine.” Helete reached into her handbag. “I totall
y understand. Let me give you my new number.”

  “Thank you.” I went with her decision.

  Helete’s gaze held mine and she offered a knowing smile. “We’ll do lunch.”

  “I’d like that, Mrs. Merrill.”

  Helete spun around and pressed a black device against Barret’s arm. He froze and then began shaking and wailing as he slumped to his knees. When he fell forward with his face crushed against the carpet, I gawked in horror at the unconscious man.

  She slipped the taser back into her Louis Vuitton. “Come on.” Helete grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the door and we stepped over Barret as we hurried out.

  The door slammed behind us.

  We navigated a maze of hallways until we found the elevator. Both of us glancing back to see if Barret had awoken and was following us.

  When we made it to the foyer, I almost cried with relief.

  Helete guided me toward a long black limousine and we leaped into the back. She slammed the door behind us and I collapsed on the seat. The scent of expensive leather and rich perfume drenched the air. If I ever smelled this combination again I’d slip into a panic. It was absorbed into my consciousness.

  That was going down as one of the scariest things I’d ever experienced.

  “Thank you, Helete.” I squeezed back tears.

  We’d joined another woman in the back, her striking high cheekbones and bobbed haircut reminiscent of an Eastern European style; she looked chic and sophisticated.

  I glanced over at Helete waiting for her to introduce us.

  “I tasered the bastard,” she told her friend. “Well, that was a bit of excitement, wasn’t it?” Helete pulled on her seatbelt and twisted to address her chauffeur. “Our next destination. Quick as you can.”

  I turned around in my seat toward him. “Can you drop me off at Cole Tower, please?”

  Helete unscrewed the cap to a bottle of water. “Here you go.” She handed it to me.

  “Thank you.” I quenched my thirst. “Do you think he’s okay?”

  Helete shrugged. “What was all that about, Mia? He looked dangerous.”

  “It’s a huge misunderstanding.” I wiped a trickle of water from my mouth. “I’m so relieved to be out of there.”