Professional Liaison (14 page)

A loud banging sound came from over there heads and he heard Jonathan yell, “Rebecca!”

“We have to go—now. Follow me.”

She turned on her heel and headed out the door. He had no choice but to trust her, so he followed her out and to the left as the loud noises above them continued.

Within seconds they reached a long hallway with a bright light at the end. As they continued toward it, he could feel the warmer air from outside hit his skin and the smell of freedom almost made him giddy. Becky pushed aside some foliage and they stepped into the sunlight.

“There.” She pointed toward an overgrown path that led away from the house toward a red rock cropping in the distance. “Follow the path. There’s a car on the other side of the rocks with the keys in the ignition. Take it and go.”

“Aren’t you coming?” he asked, hearing the crash of heavy footsteps getting closer. “Come with me.”

“I can’t,” she said, but he could see the fear in her eyes when she shot a look back over her shoulder.

“Why? If you stay here, he’ll hurt you.” He grasped her hand and tried to pull her along with him. “You’re terrified of him. I can see it in your face.”

She shook her head and ripped her hand from his. “I can’t leave, not yet. I still have things I need to do here to make sure he doesn’t succeed with his plans. I need you to get to Melissa and warn her.”

Drew turned back and said, “I don’t understand.”

“Jonathan is my husband, but my maiden name is Marshall. My father trusted her with his company. I’m trusting you to help me stop Jonathan from taking it away.”

* * * *

Dawn sunlight streaked across the carpet of Melissa’s office as she sat behind her desk and pounded on the keyboard while she worked on her notes for the upcoming board meeting. She’d called an emergency meeting and it was set for first thing this morning.

Dark circles shadowed under her eyes and they’d lost the sparkle of a woman in love when she’d looked in the mirror this morning. After her shower, she stood drying off, but when she had caught her reflection in the glass over the vanity, the shock of what she saw, shook her to the core. Gone was flush on her skin from Drew’s lovemaking. Now, she just looked tired — too tired to care anymore. It had been two weeks since the shooting and his betrayal. No word. Nothing. No phone call, no note, no messages — nothing. He had convinced her he loved her and she been sucked into his lies with both eyes wide open. She couldn’t blame anyone but her own heart.

Andrea poked her head through the office door several moments later and said, “Coffee, boss?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Her secretary pushed open the door and set a large cup on the desk before she took the seat across from Melissa. “I know this isn’t going to be easy for you, but you are the best thing to happen to this company and I know you’ve got it under control.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Andrea, but I sure don’t feel very in control these days.”

“After this meeting, things will be better. I can’t wait to see Jack’s face.”

Melissa chuckled dryly.

Andrea stood and headed for the door. “Everything is ready in the board room. Nine o’clock right?”

“See you then.”

The door closed behind her secretary and Melissa leaned back in the leather executive chair with a heavy sigh. Once upon a time, she had lived for the wave and ebb of the corporate empire with its intrigue and day to day changes, attempted takeovers and everything that went along with it. Now, she just wanted a quiet weekend by herself to heal her broken heart.

Two hours later, the boardroom was filled to capacity. Twenty board members lined the long conference room table, including Arthur Marshall, the owner of Marshall Enterprises, and every person who held a position of management within the company.

Melissa stood at the end of the table and raised her hand to quiet the group. “Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate you making arrangements to be at this emergency meeting on such short notice.”

“Melissa, would you care to elaborate on why you’ve called us all here?” Arthur said as he focused his bright blue eyes on her.

“Yes, Mr. Marshall, I would.” Her eyes swept the entire group, landing on Jack who sat near the back of the room before it moved to Caroline sitting on the other side of the table. She shot a glance to Andrea who gave her a quick ‘you-go-girl’ smile before she focused on Mr. Marshall again.

“I took over as CEO of this company about six months ago. In that time frame there has been at least one attempt of another company trying to takeover Marshall Enterprises. I’ve done the best job I could to prevent this from happening, but it has come to my attention there is someone on the inside leaking information to Cockrill Enterprises.” She focused her gaze on Caroline again, watching as the other woman’s gaze dropped to the floor at her feet. “Under the circumstances and my failure to prevent or find out who is leaking that information, I feel it is in the best interest of this company to resign my position as CEO.”

Chapter Nine

The boardroom erupted in a frenzy of confusion as everyone started talking at once.

“Please,” she said, trying to calm the crowd by raising her voice. “Everyone, please take a seat.”

“This is ludicrous, Melissa. I will
not
accept your resignation,” Mr. Marshall said.

No one noticed the man and young woman who slipped inside the room until Melissa lifted her eyes and her heart stopped.

The petite blonde moved toward Mr. Marshall and slipped her arm through his, taking his attention away from Melissa for a moment. “Let me handle this, Daddy.” She moved toward Melissa and stopped by her side. “You don’t have to do this, Melissa.”

With a frown, she looked at Becky and said, “What are you doing here, Becky? You shouldn’t be getting involved in this.”

“I’m in up to my ears in this. Jonathan will be stopped. Mark my words.” She motioned toward the back of the room and Melissa’s had to suck in a ragged breath to calm the shivers rolling down her back when Drew approached.

“Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Becky Cockrill.”

With a sharp hiss echoing around the room, she raised a hand to quiet the group.

“My maiden name is Marshall and this wonderful, grey-haired man,” she motioned to Arthur Marshall before she continued, “is my father. I am married to Jonathan Cockrill, who has set his sights on taking down this company.” A small hand waved toward Drew. “This is Andrew Novak and he’s been helping me over the last week to gather information on what Jonathan planned. And, I know who is behind the leak within the company.”

Melissa let her gaze skim over his face for a moment, afraid to read what shone in his eyes when it met hers.

Becky tipped her head toward the back of the group and two hefty police officers slid into the room, moving toward where Jack and Caroline sat.

“The leak within the corporation and the person who has been telling Jonathan how and where to strike in order to bring this company down in none other than Jack Sommerfield.”

Jack jumped to his feet. “That’s absolutely ludicrous. I’ve worked my ass off for this company and given everything to it.” His hand waved toward Melissa as he continued. “That bitch took what rightfully belonged to me.”

“Jack, I would suggest you keep your mouth shut. You are already in enough hot water to put you in jail for a long time to come,” Becky said, opening the manila folder Melissa hadn’t noticed before. “I have cell phone records, recordings of conversations you’ve had with Jonathan at the our house concerning information on buyouts Marshall was working on and we have proof that you are the one who shot Melissa in Flagstaff. Your prints have been matched to a rifle Jonathan owns and the bullet casing found in the woods near the cabin. The medical center also helped the police match the bullet taken out of Melissa’s shoulder to the gun.”

Melissa’s wide went wide as she looked at the now screaming man at the other end of the room while he moved toward them with rapid steps.

“You’ll pay for this, bitch! This is my company,” Jack yelled as he lunged at her.

Drew stepped between her and the irate man, pulled back his fist and hit Jack, knocking him out cold. He hit the floor with a dull thud and didn’t move.

The officers quickly handcuffed the man and picked him up. Jack mumbled as he regained consciousness. After a moment, he began fighting the two men and the restraints as the pushed him toward the door.

Melissa stood with her mouth open, watching the entire scene with almost a surreal feeling.

Drew’s here. How can he be? Why?

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts before she faced Becky and Arthur Marshall. “I still can’t stay on as the CEO. I failed to protect this company from outside predators. I let my personal life interfere with what is best.”

“Can I talk to you?” Drew asked, stepping in front of her.

“No.” She moved closer to Arthur and said, “I appreciate your faith in my abilities, but I’m sorry. I want what is best for Marshall Enterprises and my continuing on as the CEO isn’t what is best.”

“Melissa. I need to say something,” Caroline said, stepping to her side and taking her hand. “There is no one in this company who denies you a personal life. You’re the best thing to happen to this company since Mr. Marshall retired. You’ve taken on more work than three people and the profits have doubled since you took over. This occurred while you’ve managed to keep everyone employed with the economy having such a rough time. Jonathan wanted this company and it had nothing to do with you other than you control the reins.”

Melissa hadn’t noticed in all the commotion going on the large group of employees that filtered in the room and now stood at the back. When they all started talking at once, her head swam until Andrea stepped forward.

“Melissa, you can’t leave. Everyone here, except for Jack of course, has your back.”

A loud chorus erupted from the back of the room.

“I appreciate everyone’s support, but…”

“But nothing. We will not let you walk away from the company,” Mr. Marshall said. “You’ve done nothing but good things for Marshall Enterprises since you came on board. It is impossible to protect the company from every angle. If I had to admit it, this whole thing is mostly my fault. I hired Jack in the first place. I knew he wasn’t happy when you were given the position of CEO above him, but I never felt he had the best interests at heart, which is why he’s continued to be held in the position he was.”

She chewed her lip as her gaze swept over the group. Silence prevailed while she debated on what to do. Her eyes met Drew’s for a moment. He stood against the wall with his arms crossed over his broad chest and stared, eating her up with his gaze.

God, he looks good.

Enough. He walked away without even a backward glance.

“All right. I’ll stay.”

Cheers erupted loudly and she had to smile. Most of the employees of the company had known her since she’d started there five years ago as a department director.

Caroline hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Don’t walk away from him.” When she stepped back, she nodded slightly in Drew’s direction and then turned to head back to the rear of the room.

“Welcome back,” Mr. Marshall said, taking her hand in his. “You need to hire another Vice President of Marketing. I have a sneaky suspicion Jack won’t return.”

Melissa laughed and hugged him. “I’ll take care of it.”

When they separated, Mr. Marshall said, “Lunch is on me today folks. I’ll have it catered in after while here in the conference room.”

A loud roar of laughter and clapping almost had her covering her ears as she laughed right along with everyone else.

“Now. Get busy, Ms. Gordon. You have a company to run.”

“Yes sir,” she replied, laughing as the group starting filing out.

Her heart dropped to her toes when Drew headed for the door along with everyone else, but it sped up again when the last person filed out and he shut the door, locked it and pulled the blinds on the windows that peeked out into the offices on the other side.

Propping himself against the door, he folded his arms over his chest and cocked a questioning eyebrow in her direction.

She stood on the opposite end of the table and bit her lip.
This is crazy. I can’t let him get to me. This is my turf — my office.
Taking a deep breath, she headed toward him.

When she reached his side, she said, “Excuse me. I’ve got work to do.”

“You heard me. You aren’t going anywhere until we talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

A battle of wills commenced for several moments until she turned on her heel and walked toward the large windows facing the Phoenix skyline.

Goose bumps skittered across her flesh and she wasn’t sure if it had to do with Drew being so close or the air conditioning in the room. She wanted to think it was the cold air, but that didn’t explain the way her nipples puckered to hard nubs under her silk blouse.

Damn it! Why do I have to react to him this way? He fucking deserted me, for God’s sake.

Get a grip, Melissa.

“Don’t pull your Dom shit with me, Drew. I’m not doing this anymore.”

She knew the moment he stood behind her. Her body went on high alert, tingling and flushing in response to his nearness. His cologne met her nose and she fought the urge to groan and throw herself against his chest and beg him to love her.

He didn’t touch, but he didn’t have to. His warm breath flittered across the back of her neck and she closed her eyes.

“You can’t deny what’s between us, Liss.”

Fuck! Why does he have to call me that!

“There’s nothing to deny. We had a quick fling. It was fun, but it’s over.”

“Then why are your nipples hard just thinking about what it felt like having my mouth there.”

“Physical reaction, nothing more.”

“Are you hot? Is your pussy clenching thinking about me sucking on your clit?”

A small moan bubbled from her lips and he chuckled behind her as he slid one arm around her waist. One hand hiked up her skirt to dive between her legs, slip across her clit and spread the moisture seeping from inside, across her thigh. His unspoken way of telling her she wanted him no matter what he’d done.