His Wicked Pleasure (15 page)

              “I took the liberty to print out the key players. Some of these employees work mainly for Rossi Co.,” said Declan handing each of them a huge folder.

              “Kristie solely owns Rossi Co.,” said Jason taking a seat.

              “Yes,” Paul confirmed with a frown. “So we believe the gunman was after Kristie and no one else.”

              “Why Kristie?” asked Benny. “This just doesn’t make sense.”

              “Could it be her net worth?” Jason mused as he walked into the kitchen and grabbed them all a drink. He returned and passed them out to everyone.

              Declan shook his head. The only people who would gain from her financial worth would be her family and this was definitely a close-knit family who cared about each other.

              Sean thought for a moment and then said, “Maybe it’s personal.”

              “What do you mean personal?” asked Declan. Sean’s words had shaken him from his thoughts.

              “Maybe one of the employees asked her out and she turned them down,” Sean said as he looked at each person while he spoke.

              Not liking the thought of his sister in danger, Billy took a sip of his coffee, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and growled, “I hate this. I really freaking hate this. As if we don’t worry about Kristie enough. She’s not allowed out at all anymore.”

              “You can’t do that,” said William, Sean’s brother and Kristie’s best friend, shoving Billy. “That will destroy her and possibly make her do something stupid. Not happening.”

              “I agree,” said Benny tapping his foot while getting his point across. “I don’t even know if I want her looking at these pictures. It might make her even more upset.”

              “Lorie might know some of those employees,” said Paul as he looked at the computer screen. “She’s always at Rossi Co.; seems to be her favorite place to work.”

              “Yeah because she can’t work with us,” said Billy laughing. “We make her do actual work.”

~*~*~*~

              The moment Kristie walked into the doctor’s office, her life was changed for the better. Her doctor happened to be standing there talking to his receptionist. When he saw her, he grinned and then came around the counter where he confiscated her crutches.

              “Thank the powers that be. You no longer need these things,” he laughed.

              “Yeah,” said Kristie fist pumping with glee. “The world thanks you. Now everyone doesn’t have to run for their lives when they see me.”

              “Come on, I’ll take a look at that ankle,” said the doctor as he led Kristie into his office.

              Lorie walked next to her sister and whispered, “Me doth think the good doctor has the hots for you.”

              “Ain’t life grand,” replied Kristie with a soft chuckle.

              “Here we are,” said the doctor closing the door behind them.

              Looking around his office, Kristie noticed a bunch of degrees hanging on the wall, a few plaques with lots of writing, and, of course, a family picture. The desk was an expensive, old-fashioned, mahogany desk with a bunch of files neatly stacked on top.

              The window to his office seemed newly cleaned with a few streak marks and when Kristie looked outside, the view was of the parking lot, which explained the exhaust smell she was suddenly hit with.

              “Thank you for seeing me right away,” said Kristie giving the doctor her undivided attention.

              “How does your ankle feel? You seem to be walking okay without the crutches,” observed the doctor.

              “My ankle doesn’t hurt at all. I’ve been following the instructions given to me and kept up with my physical therapy,” Kristie said in an optimistic voice.

              “Wonderful,” said the good doctor. “Are you still in any pain?”

              Thinking for a moment, Kristie tilted her head to the side and glanced at the photo of the happy family. Bringing her eyes up slowly, she said, “Only when I don’t follow the routine.”

              “Great. Now just because your ankle doesn’t hurt anymore doesn’t mean you go crazy. Ease back into your daily routine. Slow and steady wins the race.”

              “Thank you,” said Kristie with a smile. “That will not be a problem.”

Chapter Fourteen

              Kristie rubbed her forehead as she stared at the computer screen. She’d been back to work for a week since her doctor’s appointment and part of her wished she were still off. Going over the figures of Rossi Co., she found a bunch of mistakes.

              Shoving her laptop across her desk, she stood up, walked over to the window and looked outside. The sun was shining, people were outside walking, and the birds and squirrels seemed happy to be alive. Deciding she needed a minute to regroup, she walked out of her office and down the hall.

              “Maybe a cup of tea will clear my head,” said Kristie out loud to no one but herself. Once she made her tea, she noticed the office seemed too quiet and took a walk around. “That’s it. I’m listening to Benny, time to cut the waste and clean house.”

              She pulled out the folder with the list of names and decided there’s no time like the present. Walking around the office quietly, she noticed empty desks and committed it to memory, and made her way back to her office to start working again.

              “Knock, knock,” said Lorie as she opened the door to her sister’s office and walked in.

              “Well, you’re in a good mood this morning,” said Kristie looking up from her laptop to glance at her sister.

              “I am,” said Lorie as she pulled out a chair in front of her sister’s huge desk and sat down. Looking at her sister with concern, Lorie asked, “What’s wrong?”

              “I’ve decided to fire each and every person on that infamous list the guys put together,” said Kristie blowing her hair out of her face. “The guys are right and, frankly, I’ve had enough.”

              “Great,” replied Lorie with a smile. “I happen to agree with that list.”

              “Want to help me with the termination process?” asked Kristie with optimism in her voice.

              “Of course. I also want to run an idea by you,” said Lorie as she opened her purse and pulled out a huge file. “I really want to do this once and for all.”

              Kristie reached out, took the folder from Lorie and opened it. Feeling her heart melt, she looked across the desk at her sister and smiled. “Finally. I’m so happy to see these again.”

              “Do you think my sketches are good?” asked Lorie as she looked at her sister for approval.

              “I sure do. I have an idea,” said Kristie opening her laptop and moving closer to her desk.

~*~*~*~

              Declan sat behind closed doors the entire day as tidbits of information seemed to come in drips and droves. Apparently, his team had been given information of a possible situation in the Middle East.

              “So?” asked Paul walking into Declan’s makeshift office with his brows raised. “Are we, or aren’t we, deploying?”

              “It looks like we are,” said Declan as he tossed Paul a stack of papers. “The commander just got these. Why don’t you go through them for me.”

              “Sure,” said Paul taking a seat across from Declan.

              “I hate to leave my Barbie Doll. This is going to be the toughest assignment yet,” said Declan tapping his foot nervously.

              “I know what you mean but we do have a job to do,” said Paul trying to pull them both out of their misery.

              “Yeah, yeah. I’m aware. Doesn’t mean I like it.” Declan stood up and moved over to the large televisions that displayed the area where the possible threat was said to be. He surveyed the surrounding area. Finally, he shook his head and broke for lunch. He headed outside so he could do his best to focus and clear his mind.

              “Mind if I join you?” asked Paul biting into an apple and sitting down next to his friend.

              “Looks like a storm is brewing,” said Declan staring blankly up at the sky. He noticed that the winds picked up and dark clouds rolled in bringing forth a sweet, pungent zing to his nostrils. “Smells like a storm too. Kind of matches my mood right now.”

              “Well snap out of it. We’ve been invited to the girls’ house tonight. Kristie is cooking dinner and, according to Lorie, she’s an excellent cook,” said Paul enjoying the wind as it picked up.

              “Do we tell them tonight? Just incase we’re gone tomorrow?”

              “Yes. Of course we tell them. Why wouldn’t we?”

              “I don’t know,” said Declan standing there blankly rubbing the tension out of his neck. “I’m so afraid of losing her. I’ve fallen head over heels for her in such a short period of time.”

              “So telling her would be the wise thing to do,” Paul said. He was always the voice of reason. “If you don’t tell her, she’ll think you left her for someone else. Trust me man. I’ve been listening to my girl when she talks.”

              “You’re right,” said Declan pulling out his phone and looking at a bunch of pictures of Kristie. “She’s the one. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

              “I feel you man,” said Paul standing up and walking over to a trashcan to dispose of his apple core.

              “I have a few stops to make before we go to the girls’ house tonight. Maybe we should go separately,” said Declan lost in thought.

              “Sure, no problem,” replied Paul following Declan back inside the huge brick and stone building.

              The commander walked into the room about a half hour after Declan went over everything with his team.

              “Gentlemen,” said the Commander in a deep voice. “We leave at 0500 tomorrow. Finish your briefing, go home, get a good meal, and get some rest. See you then.”

              “Thank you Commander,” said Declan as he watched the commander exit as quickly as he entered. Turning his attention back to his team, he went over the plan a few more times. After another three hours, the men decided they were ready and Declan dismissed them. “Men. I’ll see you all at 0500.”

~*~*~*~

              Kristie had put the third tray of baked ziti in the oven when the doorbell rang. Noticing no one around, she wiped her hands, walked towards the front door and opened it.

              “Hey there Paul,” said Kristie greeting him with a huge smile. “Come on in. Hope you brought your appetite with you.”

              Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Paul looked at Kristie and smiled. “It smells like heaven in here. I can’t remember the last time I had a home cooked meal.”

              “Well,” said Kristie walking into the huge kitchen. “I hope it tastes as good as it smells.”

              “It will,” said Lorie walking over to Paul and taking his hand. “I was worried you wouldn’t make it with all this heavy wind and rain.”

              “Wildfires couldn’t keep me away,” said Paul as he wrapped Lorie up in his arms and kissed her.

              Kristie stood there for a moment watching her sister and Paul; she loved the happiness between them. Turning her attention back to the stove, she stood there stirring the sauce and decided to make Lorie’s favorite dessert.