by Abby Gordon
"We were nearly done reviewing the files,” came her whisper. “I'd pulled out about five or six that I thought looked like good prospects. And he...,” Her breath hitched. Taking a deep breath, she plunged on. “He was suddenly on top of me and pulling my clothes up and down. When I tried to push him away, he grabbed my arm and started hitting me with his belt. He kept saying I would learn my place and it didn't matter who my boss was now because he could get me to do what he wanted."
"How did you get away?” Paul asked quietly.
A ghost of a smile appeared on her face.
"Paul, I have three older brothers and seven male cousins. They've taught me all sorts of self-defense tricks."
"Why didn't you file a police report?"
"I did,” she whispered, lifting her head. “I don't know what happened to it, but I did go to the police. They took pictures and my statement and everything."
"Do you remember who the officer was?” Sanders frowned, focusing on his notes.
"I kept his card,” she nodded, voice low and shaky. “I might still have it at home."
"I'll look it up,” Erickson promised her.
"Why didn't you tell me?” Keith wanted to know. This was way beyond Debbie feeling intimidated by the CEO. This was his assistant not telling him she'd been assaulted by one of his VPs! In his own damn building! “My God, Serena, how could—"
"I'd only been working for you four months,” she told him. “I didn't know you well enough to say something like that. And after,” she shook her head. “Shame can keep people quiet as well as fear."
"Shame? There's no shame there for you,” he said firmly. He studied her bowed head. He was certain what her answer would be, but needed her to answer for the police. “This is why you pushed so hard for me to tell Penny about Mark."
"Yes."
"God, I wished you had told me then,” he said.
"You said it yourself, though. She wouldn't have believed either of us. She doesn't now.” Her eyes fell on the tape recorder. “You can probably play that back for her and she won't believe it. She won't want to. She might eventually, but that's something she has to decide."
Paul leaned forward. His hand covered both of hers on her lap.
"Serena, Allen's men went through the recordings. They have a file of you going into Mark's office, the food arriving, and then you leaving just after eight."
Her head came up.
"I never thought of that,” she whispered.
"He tore your clothes,” Keith said, his voice sounding strangled. “They also have him coming after you, holding his belt."
She moaned softly and curled around her purse.
"I got in the elevator and managed to close it before he could stop me. I put my coat on and went straight to the police."
"And you didn't hear anything about this?” Paul scowled, glancing at the two detectives. “Nothing?"
"No,” she shook her head. “I don't know what happened."
"Something else to look into,” muttered Sanders. “God, if the officer was paid to bury this complaint...” he shook his head. “Internal Affairs will have a field day. I'm sorry, miss. This should have been prosecuted."
"How the hell have you been able to work on the same floor with him?” Keith wanted to know. He held up his hand. “The other day when the rose was delivered. That was part of it, wasn't it? He's been intimidating you the entire time.” He shook his head. “Dammit, Serena! That doesn't sound like you! You're not intimidated by anyone.” He studied the way she twisted her fingers on her lap. “Serena, look at me.” Slowly she lifted her chin. “Who did he threaten?"
"Claire. Others..."
Keith's phone rang.
"I'm about to disconnect my private line,” he growled. “Yes!” he barked. “No, Kevin, I am not taking him back! We weren't dating, for crying out loud! It was business and no, I am not going to take him back for Penny's sake. If you think he's so damned wonderful, then find him a job in one of your companies, but he can't have one in mine.” He slammed the phone down. Seeing Serena wince, he quirked a smile. “At least I didn't break this one."
"I'm grateful for small favors,” she smiled slightly. Catching Paul's puzzled look, she shook her head. “Late night conference call. Don't ask."
"'Nuff said,” he murmured, eyeing the thoroughly irate man.
"All right,” Keith finally said, glancing at the detectives. “Paul, stay in touch with the detectives and find out what happened to Serena's file from before. See if that can be prosecuted on its own or be added into everything else."
Sanders glanced at Erickson and they both stood. With practiced ease, they handed Paul their cards. He pulled his out and the white squares disappeared.
"We'll be in touch as soon as we find out anything. Miss Traydon, we may need you to come down to the station and give a statement regarding said the incident in question."
"I understand,” she nodded. “If it helps, I think his name was Andrews. And the other name was Jackson."
"Shit,” muttered Erickson.
"What?” Keith frowned.
"They're already under suspension,” Sanders replied. “We'll get this information to Internal Affairs and our lieutenant. We'll take care of this."
"Thank you,” Serena smiled. “I'm sorry I didn't follow up on it."
"We'll take care of it now."
"Thank you,” Keith replied, hand out.
The detectives left and Serena lifted her gaze to meet Keith's. Blue eyes held hers. She could see the anger, the sympathy, all the turmoil he'd been going through. For a brief moment, she nearly rose and went to him, wanting nothing more than to hold him. To take care of him. And then all she could think of was Master. What would his reaction be? Would he be angry? Want to protect her? All thoughts of Keith left her as all she wanted was for Master to hold her. She had to force herself to remain still and not rush out to her desk. To pull out the special phone and call him. To tell him she needed him. To tell him everything that had happened and beg him to hold her and tell her that everything would be all right.
"Everything will be all right, Serena,” Keith said quietly. “The company will provide your legal representation and call in more if needed. Bronson would be able to help, wouldn't he, Paul?"
Paul nodded as a voice called out for Serena.
"In here, Claire,” she called, turning her head.
The younger woman ran in.
"You wouldn't believe what is going on!” she told her, skidding to a halt between the chairs. She saw Paul and backpedalled so fast she nearly fell into Serena's lap. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “You stay away from Serena!"
"Easy, Claire,” Serena murmured. “He was here helping Keith. The big anthill we poked a stick into this morning caused a few headaches that Paul gets to try to calm down."
"Oh, my God,” Claire stared. Her gaze swiveled from one to the other. “I didn't think about that. You mean, he and... and..."
"David?” offered Serena helpfully.
"Don't say his name!” she insisted, backing up towards the door. “I'm going back to my desk. I don't need to be here."
"Claire,” Paul started.
"Don't talk to me,” she glared at him. “You... You... You..."
"Claire, please,” Serena moved towards her. “Calm down."
"How can you take his side?” she shrieked.
"I'm not taking sides,” exclaimed Serena. “I'm simply trying to tell you that Paul being here had nothing to do with you."
"Why not?” she asked indignantly.
"Claire, you're getting hysterical,” Serena told her gently. “Go back to your desk. Send Jason here. Keith's going to need his help dealing with the PR aspect of everything.” Turning her around, Serena gave her a little push out the door. “Go on. Tell Jason to come here."
Only after she was sure the other woman was headed down the hall did Serena turn around. Her eyes went to Paul. They were slightly censorious.
"You did a nu
mber on her,” she told him, returning to the chairs. “I don't blame her for acting like that."
"You know about that? From whom?"
"First Debbie, then Claire,” came her calm reply. “I don't think either has an accurate outlook on the situation."
"Why is that?” he asked as she sat down.
"Claire got so upset, she's not even sure what she heard and saw, much less what she told Debbie.” She gave him an understanding look. “Give her some time to calm down before you try to straighten anything out. Or at least let her focus on Debbie for a while."
Keith suddenly remembered he wasn't supposed to understand what was going on. At least not to Serena.
"Do I want to know what's going on?” he asked. “Or is this like my breaking the phone?"
"Only insofar as the less said the better,” Serena managed, definitely not wanting to go into explanations on either at the moment. Or any future moments. She leaned back in the chair, something Keith could remember her doing only a few times. “This is not going down as one of my favorite Mondays."
"Not a good shopping trip?” Keith wondered.
"Yes and no. Yes, we found more appropriate clothing and no, I don't know if she'll actually wear any of it."
"Who went shopping?” Paul frowned.
"Serena and Debbie,” Keith answered. “And I agree with Serena. This is not making my top ten list of good Mondays."
Jason appeared and Serena left, closing the door behind her. Almost gratefully, she sat at her desk. What a day! And it wasn't even one in the afternoon.
By five, she was shaking with exhaustion. Detective Sanders called and asked if there was anyway she could confirm the identities of the officers. The detectives met her at her apartment, where she found her planner for the previous year and retrieved the business card of the officer she'd spoken with. The date and time were marked on the back. While Sanders took it to the station, Erickson and two officers from Internal Affairs had gone over everything with her.
Keith did a press conference at two and steadied the stock price of the company. With all the rumors about the dismissals, the price of MC stock had plummeted. Keith's determination to root out everyone involved in the sexual harassment had impressed people. Already, several women's organizations were issuing statements of support and three politicians representing the area had called.
Debbie had called several times during the afternoon to keep Serena and Claire abreast of the latest news. She'd been giddy after Keith spoke to the press, then despondent and panicky when Duncan, Mark, Hester, and two other men had their say an hour later. Between her own thoughts, Debbie's apologies, and Keith's anger, self-flagellation, she decided, had become the newest fad. Hopefully, she thought, as the door closed behind the men, it would be short lived.
Penny Davidson had called, berating Serena for chasing after an engaged man and trying to browbeat her into retracting the statement she'd made to the police. Losing her patience from the stress, Serena told the younger woman in a flat voice everything—that she was involved with a man and had absolutely no interest in Mark, nor had she ever considered a relationship outside the office with him. When Penny hung up on her, Serena sighed and reached for the little bottle in her middle drawer and shook out two small tablets.
All she wanted, she told herself, shutting down her computer, was a nice long yoga stretch, a hot bath, and sleep. Well, not quite, she admitted with a smile. What she really wanted was Master to hold her and make the rest of the world go away. She checked the special phone and there was a message from him saying work was going to keep him at the office late and he didn't know if they'd be able to get together. The last remaining bit of energy in her slipped away.
"Have you bought a car since Friday?” Keith asked.
"Uh, no,” she replied, blushing. “I was busy all weekend."
He nodded and locked his office door.
"Then I'll take you home."
"Keith, you don't have..."
"I know,” he nodded. “But we're both tired. And since you seem to keep things from me, I need to make sure you get home safely."
"You're angry that I didn't tell you,” she whispered.
"Hell, yes!” he nodded. Visibly, he fought for control of his emotions. “Serena, one of my Vice Presidents hurt you and you didn't feel confident in telling me. I'm thoroughly pissed about that. I'm glad you brought Debbie to me, but I am still pissed that you didn't tell me when this happened!” Sparks practically shot out of his blue eyes.
She opened her mouth and he held up a hand. She closed her mouth. “I realize intimidation can make people do things they normally wouldn't. You thought you were protecting Claire and others, even as you insisted Debbie talk to me to protect her and other women. I understand that, but I'm not convinced you would take the same steps to keep yourself safe. So, I will give you a ride home. Understood?"
"All right. I promise that next time something happens, I'll tell you in excruciating detail,” she relented, giving him a small smile. “And I'll let you drive me home."
"Now you're being sensible,” he nodded.
"But only because I'm exhausted and I really liked your car."
"Gee, you do such wonderful things to a man's ego,” he drawled.
"I'll let your women inflate your ego,” she teased. “Who was it this weekend? Or should I say, what color hair did she have?"
"Actually,” he replied quietly as they reached the elevator. “I spent a memorable weekend with a blonde. Very different from the Jekylls and Hydes."
Serena froze and felt her heart stop. She shouldn't be feeling this, she told herself. She knew, had known five years ago, he was only interested in women who were tall, supermodel thin, gorgeous, ultra-wealthy, and sophisticated. And she didn't meet a single one of those qualifications. She had known there was no chance of Keith ever looking at her as anything besides an efficient assistant. So why did she suddenly feel as if her heart had dropped out his office's thirtieth floor window?
The elevator doors opened, but Keith didn't move. Glancing up at him, Serena saw him staring at her quizzically.
"Really?” she answered. “I'm happy for you both."
Keith stared at her. The doors started to close and Serena quickly pushed the button to keep them open.
"You coming?” she frowned, confused at his hesitation.
Slowly, he stepped into the car and pushed the button for the garage level.
If he didn't know better, he would have sworn she'd been hurt when he mentioned he'd been with a woman all weekend. Get your ego in check. That doesn't mean she's in love with you. Besides, she was with a man all weekend and...she was with me, but is upset that I was with a woman. She is jealous of herself! He nearly grinned, until he realized she was jealous while she'd been with...him. The ironic circles hurt his head after everything that had happened that day.
He groaned.
"Headache?” she murmured as the elevator slowly started moving down. “I don't blame you. I had to take two aspirin around four."
"Did they help?"
"Didn't even put a dent in it,” she sighed, leaning back against the back wall. She closed her eyes, trying not to think of what had happened the last time she'd been in an elevator with a man. Too late. Her pussy clenched, ready for another go. “I don't know whether to do my workout, eat, or go straight to bed and sleep until tomorrow."
"Tough weekend?"
"No,” she smiled. “It was a wonderful weekend. I just didn't sleep much."
"Ah,” he nodded, as if remembering. “The man who sent the rose."
"Yes,” she replied simply.
"Maybe you should call him to get your mind off today."
"He already called and left a message that he was working late,” she sighed. “I knew it would be tough for us to get together during the week, though."
"What's he do?"
Serena shook her head.
"I'd rather keep that part of my life private,” she told him. “Especi
ally considering what I had to tell you today."
"You should have told me when it happened,” he said sharply. “Serena, think about what happened because you didn't."
Pain and shame filled her eyes as she nodded with each word.
"I know,” she whispered. “I have to live with that."
Keith studied her. From her pallor and trembling lips, she appeared stricken with guilt. If she knew who he was, he would punish her. Not too much, as he could tell that her conscience was giving her mental lashings that surpassed anything he could do. He sighed. She didn't know who he was, though, so he couldn't do anything. He considered that angle. When he'd called her, barely remembering to use the voice disrupter, he didn't think she would want him around her. Not after what Mark had done. Now, seeing how disappointed she was and how the entire day had affected her, he reconsidered. Maybe a night of submission was just what she needed. And he would tell her the truth.
The elevator beeped at the basement and he quickly guided her to his car.
Keith gripped her elbow tightly, unable to believe what he'd done. He had brought her to the basement! If she took a good look around, she would realize it was the same basement she'd been in over the weekend. Then she might wonder just who lived in the building and start putting pieces together before he was ready. Fortunately, she was too upset to notice much of anything. He could only hope she hadn't been paying much attention when the driver had picked her up and dropped her off to notice the building's exterior.
"Why don't you do all three?” he suggested, pulling out of his spot.
"What?” she frowned, glancing at him. “What three?"
"Workout, eat, and then get some sleep."
"I don't know,” she sighed. “I...I just want to be with him."
"Must be quite a guy,” Keith couldn't resist saying. “I'll have to meet him some time."
There was a short bark of laughter.
"I don't know,” she murmured. “He was the one who convinced me to get Debbie to tell you what was happening in Programming. Considering all the trouble that caused today, you might not want to meet him."
"Serena, do you really think I would rather be ignorant of what is going on in my own company?” he demanded. “I mean, come on! What kind of man do you think I am?"
