Boss: Romantic Thriller Read online

  “I’ll wait for you in the limo.”

  4.

  The driver stood at the back of his car with the trunk open. Kassidy locked her door and rolled her luggage over to the car. She removed her phone and sent the only text she could.

  With Tarek.

  Headed to Alaska.

  Things have gotten weird.

  Good news. I got the job.

  Chck bck in soon.

  “Mam,” the driver said. He stood at the passenger door with it open. She couldn’t see his eyes from the dark lens of his sunglasses. He may be a driver but from his height, build, and demeanor she imagined at one point in his life he was something more. She put her phone back in her purse and slipped inside the car. Tarek waited for her. He didn’t look her way. Was he ashamed of his actions? She was ashamed of hers. The car pulled away from her drive and headed out of her neighborhood.

  Tarek tapped a folder that lay on the seat between them.

  “Homework. You’ll be quizzed in four hours. There’s a laptop in the trunk that will be given to you when we board the plane. Your title is Solution Architect. The drilling in Deadhorse has encountered a few snags for a prospective business partner of mine. We arrive to offer him other options through MGS.”

  “About what happened earlier, I didn’t mean to cut you. But—”

  “It won’t happen again. I’ll keep my hands to myself.” He glanced at her. “I didn’t hire you for sex. I’m in need of a consultant. Someone I can trust. Read the file and be ready to give me some ideas.”

  He reached in his pocket and withdrew his phone. He placed a call. She picked up the file and began to read over the contracts. There were some interesting tidbits about LuxeOil. When she was only seven the Garcias had her tested. Her adoptive parents were told she had an IQ of 157. It would later explain the sophisticated ways she slipped into and out of trouble. She could read a 400-hundred-page book in an hour. She could put an entire contract to memory in less time than that.

  Kassidy felt Tarek’s sideways glances. He lost control with her in his kitchen and she didn’t flinch or shy away from her actions. There was a chip in his armor. That was more valuable to her than the job he hired her for. She was getting to him. And she would use that to her advantage.

  Chapter 5

  “Mr. Marshall, this is the captain speaking. We are making our final descent into Tacoma International Airport. The local time is 1:56pm and the temperature is 27 degrees Fahrenheit. The plane will refuel for approximately one hour. We will adhere to our schedule to Anchorage as planned. Thank you, sir.”

  Tarek pressed the bridge of his nose. Fatigue had settled in to his spine. He sat up and winced. The flight into Deadhorse would require two stops and take about sixteen hours if they continued. The next lag will be to Anchorage from Seattle and possibly a stay overnight before continuing on to Prudehoe Bay. Tarek unlatched his seatbelt. He got up from his seat and walked over to his new protégé. He’d given her space during their four-hour journey to work. Time was up.

  She glanced over at him when he arrived and gave him a small smile but soon after looked away when he smiled in return. Her beauty was unmasked nonetheless. Often a woman’s inner beauty was revealed in her smile. Tarek ignored its beguiling power and took the seat next to her as a matter of business. He suspected her attempt at putting together a financial appraisal for drilling in Alaska to compete with the three top mining companies already there would be juvenile at best. Some of his best people had been working on the very same thing for the past two years and failed. But she worked in silence during the flight and now he was curious.

  “What do you have for me?”

  “Here,” she pushed over the laptop with had a screen displaying graphs and spreadsheets. “I have nothing for you.”

  “Doesn’t look like nothing. Impressive.”

  “Look closer. I ran the numbers. I can’t offer much of anything because I don’t understand what the hell MGS is doing in Deadhorse? That contract is the worse one for any new project in the region too many loopholes and penalties. You have no position to bargain with. The capital investment will cost you, your profits for the next seven years. What I’ve given you is mathematically too costly to implement but the best option if you enjoy flushing money down the toilet.”

  He glanced up with stark surprise. It was indeed the worst deal ever to be made. One his brother Dale could never see through. But she had seen it all in just four hours. How was that fucking possible? He looked over her figures as the jet touched down on the runway. They were jostled in their seats. She gripped the arm of her chair and he noticed. So she did have fears? Interesting. He smiled at her work. It was a very good attempt. He glanced over at her and she kept her gaze averted away. He’d shown her a bit of the darkness he carried with him and it scared her. Well it scared him too. No matter what, he wouldn’t cross the line with her again. It was too much of a distraction.

  The phone in his pocket rang. He removed it.

  “This is Tarek.”

  “We need to talk,” Dale said.

  “Fuck talking. I will see you when I retur—”

  “You attacked Henry!” Dale seethed.

  “I had a conversation with our brother.”

  “You shoved his head in the toilet! You fucking psycho! This has gone far enough. I’ve met with Havarti and the board. That’s right little brother. They met with me without you. I’m getting a court order to see father. And the next court order I’m getting is to keep you the fuck away from him. I’m going to stop you.”

  Tarek ended the call. He glanced over to his companion. She looked over at him. “This will do.”

  “Mr. Marshall, they are ready for you and Mrs. Brown,” the flight attendant said.

  “Shall we?” he asked.

  She blinked at the attendant with only a glimmer of curiosity. Tarek left his seat and stepped back for her to pass. Kassidy eased out of her seat. Together they debarked. The cold wind howled and snow pushed hard at them. Tarek used the large umbrella offered to him to shield her from the downpour. He had to put his arm around her shoulders to keep her close and covered. They walked quickly to the hanger under the protection he offered.

  When they entered the only thing to be seen in the open large space big enough to park four or five jets was a rolling rack of coats at the center. A man and woman sharply dressed waited. He closed the umbrella.

  “Care to explain?” she asked with a hint of a smile.

  “We’re headed to one of the coldest places on earth. You need to be ready,” he told her.

  “Good explanation.” She let go of his hand. “So I can take whatever I want?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  The woman and the man approached them both. “Mr. Marshall welcome sir,” said Jefferie.

  “Please meet Ms. Angela Brown. She will be accompanying me. Do you have what I asked?”

  “Yes sir. Hello mam,” he said with a curt bow. “This way. Mr. Marshall said you were a size six. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, that’s correct,” she smiled and glanced back at him.

  It turned out that Kassidy was quite good at shopping. There were an assortment of coats, gloves, jackets and boots to choose from. Tarek watched her reject several and separate the styles she would wear. He liked the white one she modeled with the oversized fur lined hood and matching snow boots. It was her final choice. His snow bunny grinned with approval. She glanced at him and he winked. Again he felt his phone buzz. He checked it and received the message he’d been waiting on. A confirmation that the meeting he requested with Yegor Kovalevsky was approved.

  “I’m ready,” Kassidy said.

  “It appears we both are,” he agreed. The two started back toward the plane together. This time she reached for his hand.

  5.

  Kassidy woke when the plane landed. She lifted her head off the passenger window and wiped at the corner of her mouth. She looked out at the snow covered lanes. She knew instantly the
y were in Anchorage. Tarek walked up.

  “The weather won’t allow us to fly in tonight. We’ll get a hotel here and leave in the morning.”

  “Okay.”

  “Dinner?” he asked.

  “Sure, fine, whatever,” she yawned. She undid her seatbelt and eased out of her seat. He blocked her from exiting into the aisle. He stared at her.

  “That was a good proposal you put together. You good with numbers.”

  She smiled and didn’t answer. He stepped back and let her pass. Once again they debarked together, like a couple.

  A car waited not far from the plane for them. And it was cold. She could only imagine what awaited them in Deadhorse.

  “We need to talk about it.”

  “About what Angela?”

  “About that scar on your neck and the blood on your collar,” she said.

  “It’s a scratch. Nothing.”

  “Why? Why did you attack me? Why did you make me attack you? Why did any of it happen?”

  Tarek glanced to his window. “I apologize. It won’t happen...”

  “What? Again? It was another test wasn’t it. If I had laid there like a limp fish and let you have your way would you have lost interest? Or are you a man into rape?”

  “I’m not a fucking rapist.”

  “You sure?”

  He turned his gaze toward her. “It happened. I didn’t intend for it to happen but it did. I can’t explain it. But let’s be clear Kassidy. When we fucked I had your consent.”

  She shrugged. “You’re a strange man. And now I know you’re a violent man too.”

  “Don’t pretend you didn’t know that before.”

  “What?”

  “You know more about me than I know about you. I’m sure.”

  “Not the real you. I met the real you this morning fucking me against kitchen counter.”

  “We can have a professional relationship from this point forward. Trust me. I understand boundaries. I can handle it.”

  She chuckled.

  “Something funny?”

  “Yes. You and the new professional tone you’ve taken with me. I guess it’s funny how we are back to where we started. Remember? Me, you, a plane, a limo ride to dinner that turned out not to be something different.”

  “Are you suggesting I’m flying you across the country to seduce you?” he chuckled. “Again?”

  “No. I just can’t help but feel the seduction in everything you do Mr. Marshall. Passing a piece of toast is a seduction with men like you.”

  “Why? Because I’m rich?”

  “No, because you’re corrupt.”

  Tarek brows lifted. He gained an awareness she didn’t intend to give him. She quickly tried to get back on track. “It’s the kind of business you deal in. Seducing people to do your bidding.”

  “I think you like calling me Mr. Marshall instead of Tarek because it gives you some sense of control. You aren’t in control Angela.”

  “Of course not. You’re my boss. I say it to remind me. You know, boundaries and all.”

  “Ah, clever. Should I call you Ms. Brown to remind me of the invisible lines between us. Employer and employee?”

  “Only if you intend to respect them.”

  “I said...”

  “What you think I wanted to hear. The question isn’t why you put the knife I had in my hand to your throat.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No Mr. Marshall. The real question is, why I enjoyed it. Have you bothered to ask yourself that? Me, hurting you. Aren’t you even a little bit curious?”

  “Are you saying you have motives?”

  “Don’t we all?”

  He smiled. “I suppose we do. As for my curiosity, I’m more of a practical man. I scared you. Tried to take control from you. So I gave it back to have you. And you liked it. See Angela. Power is the root of corruption. Take a bite and you want another. That’s why you let me fuck you. The rush, the excitement, am I right?”

  “That’s sick.”

  “That’s courtship,” he said.

  “You’re confused.”

  “And you’re not?” he chuckled.

  “Stop trying to twist things.”

  “I’m just having a conversation with you.”

  “No, you’re toying with me. I have another question. What waits for us in Alaska? And why did you give me that little test that you knew I would fail.”

  “You passed the test. We are going to meet a man named Yegor Kovalevsky and make a business proposal. That is all.”

  “And me? That’s it?”

  “It’s cold in Alaska.” He glanced over to her. “I wanted the company.”

  “So again you admit you hired me for more than my brain?”

  “Body, brain, all part of the same anatomy of a woman. I hired you, because there is something I need to do. I think you can help me.”

  “Then tell me? What your real plans are.”

  “You’d like that wouldn’t you. The key to information about me and my business?”

  “I want to be useful.”

  “Oh you will be.”

  “Do you trust anyone Mr.... Tarek?”

  “Tarek? No more formalities.”

  “Answer the question please.”

  “I trust everyone to be who they pretend to be. Including myself.”

  “And you pretend at what? Being an upstanding businessman. A good Texan? A good son and brother? What?”

  “I pretend to be whatever it is I need to be. I have since my father plucked me out of the orphanage.”

  “Orphanage?”

  “I’m adopted,” he said.

  “I didn’t know that,” Kassidy frowned.

  “Buried little fact money can buy.” Tarek said and the bitterness in his tone was biting. Silence settled between them as the car sped along a dark road. They arrived at the restaurant. He reached and took her hand. He brought it up to his lips.

  “What if I told you I lied when I said I would keep my hands to myself.”

  “I’d tell you that I’ve known you were a liar from the very beginning.”

  She stared directly into his eyes. Tarek frowned. “Who are you Angela?”

  “Your employee. And right now I’m a lady you haven’t fed anything but crackers and grapes all day.”

  He nodded and let go of her hand. Kassidy left the car first with the aid of the driver. Tarek followed. They went through the doors of the hotel and bypassed registration. He was met by someone on the staff and escorted to an elevator. She thought they’d have dinner first. She was so hungry she felt weak. But the time difference had it light outside instead of dark. And the snow storm had covered the sun so she could only see grey and not much else. Tarek said a few things to the young man and a door was opened.

  “My room?” she asked.

  “Our room,” he said and went inside the suite. She paused for a moment and then followed. And to her relief the first thing she saw was the dinner set up.

  “So you had this planned?” she asked and shed her coat.

  “I had it arranged when you were asleep on the plane. We have to eat. With this storm not many places are open. Besides the food here is good.”

  Kassidy surveyed her surroundings. The suite had two separate bedrooms. In the center were two large sofa’s a coffee table and television mounted on the wall. There was a bar and a desk with a computer on top of it. He tipped his driver who left the luggage. And then they were alone.

  “Fish or steak. Your choice?” he gestured to the table. She was hungry enough to eat a horse so she chose the steak. She sat and he walked away to one of the bedrooms. He was talking on his phone again. He’d been on the phone several times since they landed. She considered waiting for him but her hunger overruled. She ate several swallows of her dinner before he returned. Half of her meal was devoured. And she wanted to taste his fish.

  “Everything okay?” she asked between chews.

  “Looks that way. We are clear to leave in ei
ght hours.” He said.

  “What time will that be here?” she frowned.

  “Six in the afternoon.”

  “Oh? Well at least the curtains are closed to make us think it’s night time.”

  He sat down and she reached over with her fork and swiped some of his fish. He looked at her with an amused smile. He didn’t object. “The weather should be clear enough for us to helicopter in.”

  Neither of them bothered with the wine. He sipped his water and dropped his napkin over his lap. She cut her steak into thin slices and ate before lifting her gaze to catch the way he watched her.

  “You’re hungry?”

  “Aren’t you?” she asked.

  He started to eat, but he kept watching her.

  “You stay here often?” she asked.

  “I’ve made a few trips.”

  “You come alone, or with a traveling companion.”

  Tarek laughed. “Alone. The room to the left is yours. I’ll take the other.”

  “You’re the boss,” she shrugged.

  His phone rang again. He looked at it and then her. “Excuse me, get some rest.” He left the table after barely touching his meal, speaking into his phone. Kassidy sat there staring at her steak. She reached for her purse. Her phone was dead. She’d forgotten to charge it. She knew she needed to check in with Daniel and soon. Tarek was right about her fatigue. But for Kassidy it was more of a restlessness. She picked up her purse and walked over to her luggage and dragged it to her bedroom.

  Tarek sat on the edge of the bed with no shirt, just his trousers. He tossed his cell phone and leaned forward. His eyes were trained to the patterned carpet under his feet and his thoughts wandered.

  Two decades ago his father broke ties with a powerful man in Moscow. That severed relationship crippled the Marshall legacy. His father secured a patent on drilling technique that almost caused an international scandal. And they became the leading pioneers in the industry ever since.

  It fascinated Tarek that the old man buried the secrets to his financial gains and loses so deep that not even the media or the government knew them all. Tarek only learned recently about the Kovalevsky connection and the bitter feud between the Russian business Czar after his father’s stroke. It was then he gained power of attorney and access to his father’s attorneys.