“We can’t give him any details. Just do what you do. He’ll tell you.”
“Do what I do?” she repeats, grinning.
“Yeah, he’ll tell you anything.”
“You give me so much power.”
“No, you already had the power. I’m just aware of its effect on people.”
“Alright, let’s get this over with. He gives me the creeps.”
“Yeah.” I push the elevator button. “I’m gonna hang back. I, um, may have gotten in his face while you were gone. I thought it was him that took you.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I lost my temper and grabbed his shirt. Everyone saw it.”
“For me?”
“Yeah, for you. He’s lucky he didn’t do anything to you. I don’t think anything could’ve stopped me from going to jail if he did.” The doors open and we step on.
“It’s nice to feel that someone is protecting me. I’ve had to take care of myself for so long. I like having you to lean on and…”
“What, babe?”
“I like the way you take care of me.”
“Good. This is the way it is now, for the rest of our lives.”
“I know.”
The doors open and we step off. I watch Mackenzie walk over to Tony, her hips swaying gently like they do. He looks up and when he sees her, a big grin spreads across his face. It pisses me off.
Mackenzie leans across his desk. I know they’re talking about her face when I see her touch the bruise on her cheek. She smiles and I can tell from here that Tony is completely captivated by her. The expression on her face changes suddenly as Tony speaks. She stands upright and from here I can hear her ask, “Are you sure?”
Tony nods and they talk for a moment longer. Mackenzie thanks him and walks back to me.
“You’re not going to believe this,” she says as she nears.
“What?”
“He brought her here where her car was.”
“Fuck. I totally forgot about that.”
“Oh, but there’s more.” She presses the elevator button. “He was worried she’d had too much to drink so he followed her home, even though she insisted she didn’t want him to.”
“Okay.”
“She went to your place.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she lives in your building.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Is it? She drove into the parking garage and pulled into a space. She walked inside and pressed the elevators and went up. Tony watched her to make sure she got in okay.”
“How does he know it’s where I live?”
“He doesn’t, but I do. He told me the exact streets and described the building when I asked.”
“How could she live there and I never see her?”
“She didn’t want to be seen. Explains how it was so easy for her to stalk you.”
“Yes, it does.” I rub my forehead. “So much is starting to make sense. The pictures of you coming in and out of my place, the stuff with me and Stacey.”
“Yeah.”
“Did he ask you why you wanted to know?”
“Yes, I told him I wanted to send her a thank you card for helping me with something.”
“Did he believe that?”
“I don’t care.”
“I need to call Theresa and tell her this. Sydney has been right under my nose all along.”
“You never noticed her. I have a feeling that’s been a common theme in her life.”
“Why me, though? Why fixate on me? It’s not like I dumped her or used her for sex. I didn’t do anything to her. There are so many women that I’ve given real reasons to hate me, but not Sydney.”
“That’s the problem. You seemed to have no problem nailing everyone else, so why not her?”
“I guess. That was Stacey’s problem with me, too. She didn’t understand why I wouldn’t just do her like all the other women.” I shake my head. “I hate saying stuff like this to you.”
“Hey, we both know your past. I was no saint, either. I was just more discreet than you.”
“I would never want to know how many men you’ve been with.”
“Good, because I’ll never tell you.”
“Do you know how many?” I ask. I have no idea why.
“Why? Do you?”
“No. Not even a ballpark. Shameful.”
“It’s not shameful. It’s just the way it was.” She grins and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “What if I told you I’ve been with three men my whole life? You are the fourth.”
“I wouldn’t believe you,” I say laughing.
“Hmm. Okay, well, you shouldn’t believe it. I don’t know how many. I stopped counting in high school. I was promiscuous as a way of dealing with things. Then when I realized that I had the upper hand, I went nuts. Add in the women and well… the number is probably not something to be proud of.”
We take our seats at a small table in front of the café. “I think we should be proud.”
“How so?”
“Neither of us got a disease. No one got hurt, no unwanted pregnancies, and believe it or not, this is my very first stalker and I didn’t even sleep with her.”
“Mine, too, and I didn’t sleep with her, either.”
I laugh softly. “I think she wanted you.”
“No, I think she wanted to be me.”
“No one could ever be you.”
She takes a bite of her sandwich. “You should call Theresa now.”
“I’ll do it in my office. I have finally learned the art of discretion.”
She laughs and it brings a smile to my face. “You know I love you, right?” I ask.
She nods. “I do.”
“Ooh, I like the sound of that. Say it again?”
“I do?”
“Without the question mark.”
She smiles. “Brayden…”
“Just one more time.”
She tilts her head at me. “I do.”
“Mmm, yeah, that sounds good. How does it feel?”
“You’re being silly.”
“You bring that out in me.” I take a sip of my soda. “Will you change your name? I mean, if we get married.”
I watch with fascination as her cheeks blush a bright pink. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kenzie embarrassed.
“I’ve never thought about it.”
“Think about it now.”
She chews her lunch and stares off into space for a moment. “I think hyphenating would be nice. Mackenzie Reed- James.”
“How about Mackenzie James-Reed? It sounds better.”
“It’s confusing for people.”
“What if I hyphenate, too? We could both be James-Reed.”
“That’s a very modern thought. You would change your last name for me?”
“I would jump off the top of this building for you. I would swim to Coronado Island for you. I would tattoo flowers, hearts, and puppies on my arm for you.”
She laughs. “I don’t think any of that will be necessary.”
I take her hand in mine and with all seriousness, gaze into her eyes. “We can figure out names later. I just need you to know, all joking aside, the only thing that matters is that we are together.”
“I agree,” she says softly. “Now stop talking to me like this at work. I need to keep my game face on. Kenzie is for after hours.”
“I need an alter ego. You have Kenzie. What do I have to describe this pile of loving mush I become in your presence?”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” she says, tapping her chin.
“You have a name for me?”
“Sexy beast.”
I laugh. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. See?” She shows me her phone and how she has me programmed that way. “You are that for me.”
“Well, you can’t really call me that.”
“Can’t I? I do. In my head, anyway. What is your middle name?”
“D
on’t have one.”
“Hmm, well I guess you’ll just have to be Brayden all the time then. Sexy beast Brayden and loving pile of mush Brayden.”
“Works for me. Tonight when I get you home, I’m going to be climb between Kenzie’s legs and lick her until she screams Brayden.”
“That’s my sexy beast talking.”
I laugh. “Finished?”
“Yes. Back to work.”
“I’ll call Theresa. You’re feeling okay still? Not too tired?”
“Not at all. I’m energized by being here.”
“Good. Let me know if you need to leave early or anything.”
“I will.”
Back in my office, I dial Theresa and tell her what we discovered.
“I’ll call the building manager and talk to him,” she says.
“I can do that. We have a good relationship.”
“Let me know what he says. I can get a search warrant. I’ve got some connections.”
After hanging up with her, I dial Bob’s number.
“Hi, Bob, this is Brayden. I need a huge favor.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I know this is an unusual request, but I need to know what apartment number Sydney Sheldon lives in.”
“I’m not supposed to give out information like that.”
“I know, but this is serious. She kidnapped my girlfriend and she’s on the run. I need the information to give to the police.”
“Kidnapped your girlfriend? Are you serious? That little blond thing?”
“She had help. We got her back, but Sydney might be in danger and no one knows where she is. We just found out today that she lives in the same building.”
He sighs. “She lives in 8A.”
“For how long?”
“Six months or so. Are you sure it’s her? She’s so quiet and keeps to herself.”
“I’m positive. She’s been stalking me for months.”
“Oh, that reminds me. I was checking hallway lights one day and I saw her on your floor. I asked her what she was doing up there and she said taking pictures from the hall window. She said the view was better.”
“She took pictures alright, but not of the view. Of my personal life.”
“Crazy.”
“It is. Please don’t tell anyone about this. It’s still dangerous at this point. I’m going to report it to the authorities so they can search her place.”
“I understand.”
“Thanks for your help.”
“Of course.”
I hang up and call Theresa back, telling her what I know. All I can do now is wait.
At five, I go downstairs to pick up Kenzie. She smiles and grabs her purse.
“Can we do the tattoo now?”
“Now? Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“I can call my buddy and see if he has time. You usually have to call ahead, but it is a Monday.”
I dial Kyle’s number. “Hey, Kyle. It’s Brayden. You wouldn’t have time for a quick tatt tonight, would you? Yeah? Cool. We’ll be there in about twenty.” I turn to Kenzie. “He can do it.”
“Is that who did yours?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” We get in the car. “Did you find out anything else today?”
“Yeah, that bitch lives two floors below me. I told Theresa and she said she can get a search warrant. She’ll also be contacting the police.”
“Unbelievable.”
“I know. I’m not worried, though. We have good people working on this.”
“I’m not worried, either.”
I pull up to Pigment Tattoo and we go inside. Kyle waves at me and his eyes linger just a little too long on my girl. I can tell he notices her bruise.
“Hey,” he says, slapping me on the shoulder. “Long time, no see.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks for fitting us in. My girlfriend wants to get a tattoo tonight.”
“Cool. Do you know what you want?”
“Yes, the clover tattoo Brayden has.”
“Alright. Where do you want it?”
“Same place.”
Kyle frowns. “That’s a hot place, but I try to shy the women away from it. If you have a baby it will get all stretched out.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
“I know a really nice place, super sexy.”
“Okay,” she says.
He reaches over to the table and flips open a book to a page where he shows us a picture of a girl with a flower and a vine going down the side of her torso. “I could put it here, just under your bra line and maybe add a little vine around it. What do you think?”
Kenzie’s face lights up. “I love it.”
“Cool. Give me a sec to set up and I’ll bring you right over.”
“That’s gonna be hot, babe,” I say.
“Yes. I’m excited.”
“Nervous?”
“No.”
Kyle motions for us and I help Kenzie lie on her side and tuck her shirt up. She takes a deep breath, while he starts his work.
“Would you like anything else on it? Initials or anything?”
She flashes her green eyes at me. “Yes. Can you work a B and K into the vines?”
“You sure you want to do that?” I ask. “A tattoo is forever.”
“So are we.”
I lean down and kiss her nose. “Definitely.”
“So a B and a K?” Kyle confirms. “You sure?”
“I am,” she says. “More than I’ve ever been about anything in my life.”
“How does it feel?” I ask.
“A little stingy, but not bad.”
“It looks amazing.”
“I love it. Can’t wait for summer to show it off.”
“You’ll be showing it off for me way before summer.”
“True.”
My phone rings and I see it’s Theresa.
“Hello.”
“You need to get here fast.”
“Get where?”
“Home. Sydney is here and she won’t talk until you show up.”
Fuck.
We drive at breakneck speed. When I pull up, there are cop cars surrounding the building. Several officers have guns drawn. Theresa rushes over to us.
“She’s in her apartment with the man. She’s got him tied up and is threatening to kill him and then herself. She won’t come out until she talks to you.”
“I don’t want to fucking talk to her. I don’t give a shit if she kills that asshole.”
Theresa frowns. “We don’t want this to end in violence. See if you can reason with her to turn herself in.”
“No.”
Kenzie rubs my arm. “I think you should. Then they can be arrested and pay for what they did. If they die, they get out of this.”
I sigh. “I don’t know if I can control myself when I see the guy who did this to you.”
“You will when you see him,” Theresa says. “Sydney beat the shit out of him and he needs medical attention.”
“Sydney did?” I ask.
“I wonder how she overpowered him,” Kenzie says. “He seemed like a big man to me.”
“He is,” Theresa confirms. “Sydney has a bat.”
“Okay, well, I guess we better just go up there. Kenzie, you stay here with the officers.”
“No way.”
“I don’t want you to see any of this.”
“I’m going, too.”
Theresa touches Kenzie’s arm. “Actually, it may be better if you stay away. She’s been talking nonstop about you and your presence might be a trigger.”
“Talking about me how?”
“She keeps repeating she’s sorry and she didn’t want to hurt you, but it’s all your fault this happened.”
“Oh.”
“I would feel better if you were down here,” I say.
“I’ll stay.”
“Thank you.” I kiss her cheek. “Alright, let’s go handle this.”
We press the eleva
tor button and wait. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins and I don’t know if I’m prepared for whatever I’m going to see. I want this over as soon as possible.
Theresa pats my back as the doors open. The floor is crowded with police officers and Bob is in the corner looking very worried. An officer approaches me.
“Mr. James?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Here’s what we need you to do.” He starts throwing all kinds of direction at me about what to say and what not to say and what kind of tone to use. He wants me to tell her that I’m not mad.
“So you want me to lie to her? Because I am mad. In fact, that is not even a good enough word.”
“We just need to deescalate the situation. You can tell her how you feel once she is apprehended.”
“Got it.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. We’re going to put a vest on you. She has a gun and we don’t know if she will use it or not. You’ll be safe.”
I shoot a look at Theresa, who frowns. I have to go in a room and talk to some crazed bitch with a gun. Nice.
We approach the door and he calls in to her. “Miss Sheldon, Brayden is here to see you.”
“Brayden?” I hear her say.
“That’s right. He’s coming in now, so don’t be alarmed.”
“Okay.”
I walk in and yeah, I definitely wasn’t prepared for this. Sydney is sitting on the floor next to a very frightened man who is bleeding heavily from his forehead. Sydney herself is covered in blood, with a black eye and cuts and scrapes everywhere. She’s holding a gun in one hand and a bat in the other. She actually smiles when she sees me.
“You came.”
“I did.”
“I just want to tell you some things before this ends.”
“I’m listening.”
“I know you’re probably mad at me. I didn’t want to hurt her. Did she tell you that?”
“She did.”
“It’s his fault.” She points to the man on the floor. He struggles against his bondage and she smacks him in the head with the gun. It’s becoming clear how she was able to overwhelm him. “He wanted to hurt her all along, but I didn’t know. I swear.”
“Who is he?”
“His name is Philip Williamson.”
“Why did he want to hurt Mackenzie?”
“She took his job.”
“I’m sorry?”
“She took the job he wanted at Capella. He spent months talking to Charles and then Charles retired and you took his place. The next thing Philip knows, Mackenzie is working there. He thinks she took it from him.”
Chasing Desire Page 46
