“For now, I would recommend just keeping your eyes open. Don’t confront anyone. Act as normal as possible and if you can, try to act like nothing is bothering you. If they see a reaction, it will likely be exactly what they want.”
“Will not reacting make them try something else?” Mackenzie asks.
“That happens, but again, I think your stalker is pleased with what they’ve done. They aren’t stepping up to take any credit for it and by now, they probably know that you know someone is doing all of this. Now that they’ve exposed your relationship, what else could they do?”
“That’s my concern,” Mackenzie says. “Maybe all of this stuff was just a warm up.”
Theresa writes something down. “I can’t promise you that it’s not, so we have to keep our eyes open at all times.”
“Okay,” Mackenzie says and I reach over and squeeze her hand.
“We will,” I say.
“Okay. I’ll get to work on checking out some other things,” Theresa says.
“I have the IP trace,” Macy says.
“Already?” I ask.
“Yeah,” she says. “It was easy. It’s internal.”
“I fucking knew it,” I say. “Who?”
“That’s the problem. It belongs to an unassigned desk down on the first floor.”
“Seriously?” Mackenzie asks.
“Unfortunately, yes. It’s definitely someone who works here, though.”
“That means you are dealing with someone who is very smart when it comes to technology,” Theresa says. “They know how to manipulate systems and they know that you can trace all of this stuff. That’s going to make it harder.”
“Not impossible?” I ask.
“Nothing is impossible.” Theresa smiles. “Can you ask IT if they can take us to the computer where the emails were sent from?”
“Yes, I’ll ask now.” Macy calls IT while we just stand there. I know Mackenzie and I are both thinking the same thing. Who and why?
“They said they can have someone meet you in the lobby in five minutes,” Macy says.
“Great. Would you like to come down with me?”
“Yes,” Mackenzie and I say at the same time.
We go down in the elevator and meet with John from IT. He takes us down a hallway that I personally have never had a reason to go down and opens an empty office.
“We haven’t had anyone in this office in two years,” John explains. “It’s where we keep all our extra equipment.”
“Can anyone get in here?” Theresa asks.
“Yeah, it’s not restricted.” He walks over to a desk in the back corner. “This is the desk.”
Theresa studies the area, flipping things over. She brushes something over the top of the desk and turns on a small portable light. “The person used gloves. There are no fingerprints.”
“What’s going on?” John asks.
“Someone sent a crazy email to my team,” I explain.
“Oh. We have cameras.” He looks up. “Hmm, this desk is almost out of view. We can see if there is anything recorded, though. It just happened today, right?”
“That’s right,” I say.
“That would be helpful,” Theresa says.
“Come with me.” We walk down an opposite hallway to the IT and security area. John asks Dean to run the security tape in that area from today. “Look, there’s someone.”
We watch the screen intently as a person appears in the hallway. It’s clear they were avoiding being seen by the cameras based on how close they walk to the wall. The person has a ball cap on and a baggy sweatshirt. Just before opening the door to the office they look over their shoulder and slip in.
“Definitely female,” Theresa says. “You can tell in her mannerisms. Does she look familiar to you?”
“How can I tell?” I ask. “I can’t see her hair or anything.”
“Just from the way she moves?”
“No.”
John switches to the camera inside the office, but we can’t see anything except the person’s arm. She knew where the camera was and she knew how to avoid it.
“Do you have any women who work in IT?” Theresa asks.
John shakes his head. “No, just guys.”
“Okay. Well, it’s someone familiar with how the office is set up.”
We watch the person walk out again, closing the office door behind her.
“What time did all of this happen?” I ask.
“Seven forty this morning,” John says.
“Seven forty?” I repeat. “No one is here that early.”
“She must have scheduled the email to come out when it did,” Mackenzie notes.
“Do you have to use a badge or anything to get in your building?” Theresa asks.
“No,” I say. “Oh, but we do have a badge to get into the parking garage.”
“We have cameras in there, too,” John adds.
“Can we see the records of who badged in this morning?” Theresa asks.
“Yeah, sure.” Dean hits some buttons on his keyboard and pulls up the badge records and then frowns. “No one came in the garage at that time. They must have walked.”
I sigh. “Can you check a specific person?”
“Yes,” Dean says. “Who?”
“Angelica Baker.”
He looks in a drawer and then accesses her specific badge number. “She drove in at eight on the dot.”
“So if it was Angelica, she would have had to be in the building at seven forty and sending that email, change clothes, go to wherever her car was, and pull into the garage,” I say. “All in twenty minutes.”
“It could happen,” Mackenzie says.
“What time did the perpetrator leave the office?” Theresa asks.
Dean checks his screen. “Eight oh two.”
“After Angelica drove in,” I observe.
“So it’s not her?” Mackenzie asks.
“I don’t see how it could be,” I say.
“We’ll get to the bottom of it,” Theresa says. “If you get any emails, texts, or anything else, be sure to save them. If it happens internally, ask IT to save the IP addresses.”
“Okay.”
John and Dean nod. We walk out to the lobby and say goodbye to Theresa. Kenzie pushes the up button on the elevator and takes a deep breath.
“I have to go face the team now,” she says.
“Are you okay?” I ask as we step on.
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Yeah, probably not good.”
“I just hate my personal life being exposed. I never date people I work with and the one time I break that rule it’s with the damn boss.”
“Has it been worth it?”
“Of course, Brayden. I wouldn’t trade any of it.”
“Neither would I.” I lean over and quickly kiss her cheek. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
“I know.” The elevator dings on her floor. “Wish me luck.”
“You got this, Kenzie.”
“Yeah, I do.” She smiles and walks out.
Keeping my head up, I walk confidently back to my desk, highly aware of the questioning looks aimed in my direction. Matt sees me and smiles and that makes me feel better. At least there is one person here who supports me.
I sit down at my desk and start working as though nothing unusual is happening.
A girl named Karen walks up to my desk. “Hi, Mackenzie.”
I look up at her. “Hi, Karen.”
“I was gonna get a cup of coffee. Do you want me to grab you one?”
This woman has never said more than hello to me and now she’s offering to bring me coffee?
“Um, no, I’m good, but thanks for asking.”
“Sure.” She lingers for a moment. “Just so you know, I think you’re amazing. I look up to you and hope that someday I can be as good as you are. It’s no wonder you caught Brayden’s eye. You are the
total package.”
“Thank you, Karen.” I really don’t know how else to respond to something like that. “I work hard and I hope people see that regardless of my personal relationships.”
“I think they do. I’m sure there are a few people around here with sour grapes, but that’s any workplace. When someone is doing better than everyone else, it causes insecurity and jealousy in some people. I don’t really think it’s a big deal that you’re dating Brayden. In fact, I’m impressed.”
“Impressed?”
“Yeah. He’s the like the Academy Award of men.”
“Explain.”
“Well, he’s perfection. Gorgeous, smart, kind, successful, a little bit cocky. He is what most women want. Just like an actor who is always striving to win an Oscar. When you do, it’s like the ultimate. Brayden is the ultimate.”
“He is a very good guy.”
“Yeah, and you snagged him, something no one else has been able to do. So, I bow down to you, Mackenzie. Congratulations on your Oscar,” she says laughing.
I fight the grin that threatens to appear. “I’m not even sure how to respond to that.”
“You have more fans around here than you think. Because of you, we’ve been exceeding our sales goals and that helps all of us out in the long run. So don’t worry about the haters. They’re just jealous of you.”
“Is there anyone who seems particularly critical of me?”
“Not really. I don’t think Angelica is a fan, but she doesn’t like anyone. She’s been struggling for a while. I haven’t heard anyone say anything negative about you. Only that you don’t socialize and people think you can be a little cold and unfriendly.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard any of those things.”
“One comment made when we got the email was it’s obvious you are capable of warming up. I think it was said as a compliment.”
“Who said it?”
“Chad.”
“Thanks.”
“You don’t know who sent the email?”
I’m not sure how much I should say to Karen. For all I know, she could be the one who did it, but something tells me she isn’t. She seems quite genuine.
“No, we don’t.”
“Well, if they were trying to cause you a problem, I don’t think it worked. No one really cares, to be honest. It’s not shocking that two people like you and Brayden would hook up.”
“No?”
“Not at all. You’re beautiful, young, single, and ambitious. Brayden is all of those things, too. You were practically destined. I think it’s sweet and sort of romantic.”
“Yeah,” I reply.
“Can I ask you one personal question? It’s not overly so.”
“Um, sure.”
“Is Brayden romantic?”
A smile crosses my lips that I wish I could suppress. “He can be.”
“I knew it. I wish my husband could be. He’s getting better, though. Ever since I started talking about the heroes in the romance novels I read, he’s been stepping up his game. Nothing like a book boyfriend to make your hubby jealous.”
I laugh. Brayden is a book boyfriend come to life. I don’t even need to read. “Thanks for talking to me, Karen. I feel better knowing what others think. I just try to do my job. I’m really not a conceited bitch and I don’t think I’m better than anyone else, but I think I could try to mingle a little more.”
“You might as well, now. Brayden is very social with us.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“Not in that way.” She smiles. “Not anymore. He must have found the right girl.”
I smile. “You know what, Karen? Let’s go get that coffee.”
“Cool!”
I stand and walk through the office with her, watching everyone look as though they just saw a ghost. I think they are about to see a whole new side of me. Maybe a little more Kenzie and a little less Mac.
After my coffee date I call Brayden’s private line from my cell phone and tell him about my conversation with Karen.
“Well, that’s interesting. Maybe it backfired on the person. No one cares that we’re dating?” he asks.
“That’s what Karen said.”
“That makes me happy. I don’t want to hide my feelings for you.”
“I’m feeling better about it. Karen called you an Academy Award.”
“I’m sorry?”
“She said you were the ultimate, like when an actor wins an Oscar.”
Brayden laughs. “How did you respond to that?”
“I said you were a good guy.”
“Good answer.”
“I wanted to tell her she was right. You are the ultimate prize. I could never want for more than what I have in you.”
“It makes me so happy knowing that I give you that feeling. You deserve it, babe.”
“Tonight, I plan on showing you my award winning bedroom skills.”
He laughs again. “I can’t fucking wait.”
“See you later, lover.”
“Bye.”
I put my phone in my purse and go into the ladies room to freshen up. Just as I’m reapplying my lipstick, Angelica walks in and scowls at me.
“What is your fucking problem?” I ask.
“You.”
“Jealous much?”
She scoffs. “I am not jealous of you. Just cuz you have the boss’s dick in your mouth every night. I’ve had it before, too.”
“Too bad you couldn’t keep it.”
“You’re a bitch, you know that?” she says.
“Yes, I do. You’re lucky I hold back at work.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Take it however you want.”
“You’re defensive because you don’t like having your business with Brayden put on blast. You’re worried that everyone knows that you’re a fraud and that you had to seduce the boss to make sure you look good.”
I laugh. “That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I book all my own accounts. I pitch the stories. I close the deals. You don’t fucking know what you’re talking about and you better shut your mouth if you know what’s good for you.”
“Or what? You’re gonna kick my ass?”
“Let’s just say you probably don’t want me as an enemy.”
“We already are enemies.”
“No, you hate me. I don’t give a fuck about you. If I start to give a fuck, you better watch out.”
“Whatever, Mackenzie. What are you gonna do when Brayden dumps you and moves on to the next conquest?”
“Why don’t you worry about your own life and leave mine alone.”
“I’m sure it scares you. He’s fucked every viable woman in the building. You have to be wondering when he’s going to get tired of you.”
I know her words are meant to hurt me, but she can’t. She has no idea of the bond between me and Brayden.
“You’re nothing but a jealous smut bag.” I say it plainly, with a smile on my face, as though I just told her the weather. “You’re embarrassing yourself with your obvious jealousy. Brayden didn’t want you for anything other than a fuck and it must not have been very impressive since he had no problem moving on to someone else. Everyone knows about it. That must suck for you.” I fluff my hair in the mirror before I continue. “We all know you aren’t making your sales goals. You should be far more concerned about keeping your job than worrying about who Brayden is fucking now.” I turn and look her dead in the eyes. “Which is me, by the way.”
“You’re a fucking bitch.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
I swear this chick is about to jump me when the bathroom door opens and two women walk in. They notice the obvious tension between us. I grab a paper towel and wipe my hands.
“Nice chatting with you, Angelica.” I turn and walk out, but my blood is boiling. I am so pissed I walk straight to the elevators and push the button for the penthouse. After exiting, I approach Macy just as she’s hanging up a call.
“First of all, he’s always available for you and second of all, what the hell happened? You look like you are ready for a fight.”
“I am. This bitch…” I pause and take a deep breath. “One of my coworkers just said some crazy shit to me and I’m pissed.”
“I’m sorry, Mackenzie. Go on in. Brayden won’t mind.”
“Thanks.” I rap softly on his door and walk in. He looks up and smiles.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Sorry to bother you.” I slump in a chair. “I’m so fucking pissed.”
“You never bother me. What happened?”
I tell him about the confrontation in the bathroom and he paces in front of me.
“I’m going to fire her.”
“You can’t. Not over this.”
“She hasn’t met her goals in three months.”
“We have six months before we go on a warning. Two missed quarterly goals. She’s only missed one.”
“Hostile work environment? Maybe you should file a complaint with HR.”
“No. I can handle her. I’m just angry.”
“Is there any way it could be her stalking us?”
“I don’t think so, Brayden. She was angry like it was the first time she knew it. Our relationship was news to her.”
“Do you want me to talk to her?”
“No. Then she would think I sent you to fight my battle. Just so you know, if I see her outside of work and she gets in my face, I’ll kick her ass. I may look polished, but I can fight. That skinny bitch won’t know what hit her. Bitch doesn’t know I was raised in the hood.”
“I kind of like it when you get like this. It’s hot.”
“You’re silly.”
“So you told her we were fucking?”
“Well, I think it’s fairly obvious at this point.”
“Yeah, it is.” Standing behind me, he slides his hands down the front of my blouse, over my breasts, and down to my stomach.
“What are you doing, Brayden?”
“Seducing you in my office.”
“No.”
“Don’t you need to release all that built up tension?”
“Nice try.”
“Come on, Kenzie. I’m so turned on by you right now. Can I just have a little something?”
I feel my defenses melting and decide to have a little fun with it. Standing up, I turn us around until Brayden is leaning against his desk.
Chasing Desire Page 38
