Ribbon of Steele: A Romance of Suspense (4 page)

10

"Mackenzie Steele?", Nicole shouted from the bathroom.

"He just said his name was Mackenzie," Lizzie replied from the laundry couch, still drunk from their meeting.

Nicole appeared from the bathroom and stared at Lizzie with the end of her toothbrush hanging from her mouth. "I'm pretty sure you are talking about Mackenzie Steele," she laughed. "Kickass car, sexy bod, and oh yeah, and I almost forgot...a billionaire."

"We just talked. He was really nice," Lizzie said. In her mind, it was much more than that. He had reached deep inside of her and shaken her. She had a difficult time sharing this, even with Nicole. She felt stupid that she should have known who he was. "So what's his story," Lizzie asked.

Nicole fell into her chair and shook her head at her friend in disbelief.

"You're kidding right?", asked Nicole. You really haven't heard of him?

Lizzie shook her head, and Nicole made an amused snorting nose as she smiled back. "He's a hottie billionaire, what more is there to know?", said Nicole putting her hands in the air and smiling.

Lizzie rolled her eyes.

"Ok, ok," said Nicole. "He's got big family money. I can't remember his name, but his dad and this Wickes guy started an investment firm like a million years ago. They made boku cash. I guess a few years ago, Mackenzie's dad died and the Wickes guy took over. I think he and Mackenzie had some kind of falling out. Mackenzie is kind of a hotheaded party boy. I was really surprised to see him at shindig full of old investment guys. Whatever, give me the real, details. Did you two lovebirds exchange info?"

Lizzie wrinkled her nose. This was the one part of the entire interaction that she had regretted. Mackenzie had left so suddenly, she hadn't given it a thought that it might have been their only meeting
.
I'm not crazy, there was chemistry right.

Nicole picked up on Lizzie's body language. "That would have been hilarious. Can you imagine a rebound relationship with Mackenzie Steele? That man could make a woman cum by smiling the right way. Oof," Nicole said pretending to fan herself.

Lizzie laughed and nodded her head in acknowledgement. Maybe it was just a fantasy. Why would a billionaire playboy set his sights on her? He was probably just killing time. She decided that she would chalk it up to an amazing evening, leave it there, and vow to put Mackenzie Steele out of her head.

"Anyway, thank you SO much for everything this week," Nicole said. "I think it was a kickass party, if I don't say so myself," she said twirling her hair as she yawned.

"It was just what I needed," Lizzie said with a sigh.

"And you got flirty with Mackenzie Steele," Nicole said getting up from her chair.

Lizzie smiled. "Yes, yes I did."

11

Mackenzie rode home in silence. He had accomplished what he had set out to do, but had been thrown off while waiting to speak with Anderson. He had planned on having to put on a face for the party, but didn't expect to meet someone like Lizzie Fox.

Her perfectly curved body and large almond shaped eyes made him stir. The way her full lips moved slowly as she spoke had made him want to grab her small body and push it close to his. She was not like most of the girls he knew. She was beautiful and sexy, but in a way that seemed to be fueled by passion. She had fire and confidence. He kicked himself for not getting her number.

He should have been happy. Anderson had given him information tonight that would bring him answers.

He looked out the window as the Duesenberg's strong engine pulled them up the hill. He watched numbly as the lights of the city slowly faded and the road became less traveled. At the end of a small street, his car turned down into a drive and through the massive iron gates of his estate. As the car made its way around the circular driveway, he realized he had been thinking of Lizzie the entire way home. As James opened his door and he strode to the front doors, he made a decision. Lizzie Fox had bewitched him. He didn't know how, but he was going to do something about it.

12

It felt good to be back at work. Last week had been a whirlwind, and the routine of the furniture store had been easy to resume. Lizzie had spent half of the morning telling Mrs. Wendle about the party. She didn't know why, but she left out the part about meeting Mackenzie Steele.

She met Nicole for lunch at the Awoken Bagel. Nicole had surprised her by giving her a Louie bag identical to the one she had bought herself a week ago. Apparently, the party had given Nicole some "major street cred", and she wanted to thank Lizzie for her help.

She was in a happy mood when she returned back from lunch. Mrs. Wendle met her at the door. "This arrived for you while you were out dear," Mrs. Wendle said.

The velum envelope was long and looked rich. Inside, she could see see a small piece of paper. The name "Lizzie" had been written on the front without an address.

"Courier brought it," said Mrs. Wendle anticipating Lizzie's next question.

Lizzie opened the envelope carefully and unfolded the note inside.

Lizzie, I apologize for my quick exit during the party. I would very much enjoy to be in your company again. I wonder if you might have dinner with me this Saturday at Pemlilly? I will be out of town much of this week, but look forward to seeing you again should you choose to accept my invitation.

Most Sincerely,

Mackenzie

She read the note three more times, folded it, and placed it back in the envelope. She looked up. Mrs. Wendle was looking at her expectantly.

"It's from a new friend," said Lizzie. "And does this friend have a name?", asked Mrs. Wendle.

"Mackenzie," said Lizzie.

"Mackenzie...?", asked Mrs. Wendle fishing for a last name.

"Just Mackenzie for now," said Lizzie with a smile.

"Well, Mr. Mackenzie's courier said he would be back later for your response," Mrs. Wendle said with a wink. "Whatever that might be."

Lizzie penned her reply, and put it in a envelope for the courier. At a quarter past two, the courier arrived again, and Lizzie handed him her letter.

A few hours later, the courier returned again.

Lizzie, I am so pleased you will be joining me this Saturday. I will arrange to pick you up at an address you provide at 6 o'clock.

Most Sincerely,

Mackenzie

Again, Lizzie penned a quick response and handed it back to the courier. There was something extremely sexy about communicating this way. The anticipation had left her watching the door all day long. Her body quivered thinking about meeting him again
.
Holy shit, I'm going on a date with Mackenzie Steele
.
She wondered about the restaurant and how she should dress. Her brain was swimming. Nicole wouldn't believe this.

13

"Has he never heard of a text message?", Nicole questioned jokingly. "Where is he taking you," she asked while eating a large bowl of chocolate ice cream.

"I was going to ask you that. It's called Pemlilly, but I've never heard of it. Do you know how formal it is?", asked Lizzie.

Nicole scoffed, and nearly made ice cream come out of her nose.

"This is another one of those things I should know about isn't it?", said Lizzie.

Nicole nodded, still trying to swallow her ice cream. "It's his fucking house. He lives on the north shore. The Pemlilly Estate," said Nicole holding her arms out as though her explanation should have rung a bell.

"Ok, now I'm freaked out," replied Lizzie.

"You better wear sexy underwear," Nicole laughed, taking another spoonful while making lewd gestures with her spoon.

"Stop. There is no way I am going to have sex with him, Nic," Lizzie said. "I'm not ready, and even dinner is now scary."

Nicole waved her arms in dismissal. "You're fine, but I can go in your place if you want," Nicole joked. "You know, like if you aren't feeling up to dining in a mansion with a hot billionaire."

Lizzie laughed and walked towards her room. She was excited that she would be seeing Mackenzie again, but it made her nervous as she replayed their conversation in her head. It had taken Sam years to learn even a few of the things that she liked, and Mackenzie had drawn them out of her in a matter of minutes. In a way, it was empowering to have her desires out in the open. In another way, it scared the hell out of her.

What should I wear
?

Nicole seemed to read her mind.

"Just don't forget the sexy underwear," she heard Nicole call from the living room.

14

I was a cool and crisp fall morning, and the leaves crunched beneath Mackenzie's feet as he walked through the forest at Pemlilly. At over three hundred acres, Pemlilly was huge and had miles of paths leading around the property. His father had been an avid sportsman, a hobby Mackenzie also shared but had traded lately for a more urban lifestyle. Consequently, the many woodland trails on the Pemlilly estate had become overgrown as though nature had finally returned to reclaim her property.

Mackenzie was looking for one trail in particular.  He knew it well as a boy, however the leaves and overgrowth made him second guess where he was going. He hopped over a log in the path, turned down a sharp bend in the trail, and began to smile. Up ahead in a clearing, he could see the outline of a large oak tree with a scar on its trunk. Near the base of the trunk was a small concrete slab. Only when nearly on top of it could one tell that the concrete slab was the first in a series of six stairs descending into the ground. Mackenzie's grandfather had created this spot as a fallout shelter during the Second World War, but he had never been inside. Over time, leaves and brush had collected at the bottom of the stairs, and Mackenzie made several trips down and back up the stairs to clear out the debris. Finally, he was ready to open the door. He removed the key from around his neck and held it up in the door. Above the door was a weathered inscription carved into the stone.

Veritas Lux Me
a
.

He inserted it into the door. He had feared the lock on the steel entry door would be frozen shut, but the tumblers inside of the door's lock clicked and gave way with a twist of the key. He pushed hard with his shoulder. The door opened slowly for the first few inches and then more easily. Daylight flooded the bunker for the first time in years. It was eerily quiet. From a long way off, he heard James start the Duesenberg. He stepped into the bunker. He had expected a much larger space, and was surprised to see the room only extended about ten feet in either direction. The air smelled as though it hadn't been stirred in years.  His eyes scanned the space. On one wall there were supplies. A lantern, matches, and canning jars lined the wooden shelves on the wall, and looked as though they had been there since the 1940s. On the wall opposite the door was a small cot. A heavy wool blanket had been carefully rolled and placed at the foot of the mattress. The last wall held a small writing desk. Its chair had been neatly pushed back into place, and a single piece of paper sat on the desk. Mackenzie walked to the desk and picked up the paper. It was dated exactly ten years ago to the day.

September 18, 2003

My Dearest Son,

I regret I am unable to tell you this in person. My health has degraded to such a degree that I know I will not have the pleasure of being in your company again.

I am very pleased you were able to find this letter through the instructions I left for Marc Anderson, and I am sure you are wondering why I asked you to be here on this date. The truth is my son, I wanted to buy some time. As I write this, we are feuding. I needed you to grow up a bit more before telling you what I am about to say. It's a funny thing about time. It causes you to reflect differently after a few years. I sincerely hope this is the case.

I know you and I have failed to see eye to eye in recent years. We both shared harsh words on a great many things. I hope the last ten years have helped you to better understand my position. I hope you can now understand why I have transferred the company into Mr. Wickes' control in the last few months. I know you want to run Steele and Wickes, but as I write this, you are not ready. I hope you will also understand that my anger towards your extravagant lifestyle was not meant to cause pain, but to provide direction. I trust that the last ten years have allowed you to think and reflect. I hope you are ready.

As part of my recent deal with Mr. Wickes, I have secured the 51% of the company for you beginning on January next. You are now endowed with a great responsibility. I trust that time has allowed you to gain the composure and strength needed to fulfill your legacy.

Copies of all the legal documents outlining this arrangement with Wickes can be found in the drawer below. It was conducted with the utmost secrecy and only Wickes and I were part of this arrangement. As you might expect, I immediately sought Mr. Anderson's council following our agreement.

Mackenzie, please know that your mother and I loved you very much. You made us immensely proud. I trust you will step forward to meet the challenge I have given to you on this day.

In the drawer below, you will also find something your mother wished you to have.

Love, Dad

The letter was dated three days before his death. Mackenzie took a deep breath and opened the drawer. Inside, on top of a large stuffed folder was a small platinum ring engraved in scripted font.

Veritas Lux Me
a
.

Mackenzie rubbed ring between his thumb and fingers, deep in thought. His mind was reeling. He thought of his father, and remembered how angry he was after hearing the company had been turned over to Wickes. His father did have a plan for him, he just didn't know it then. Thinking back, his father was right. He had done a lot of growing up in the last ten years. At first, his lifestyle was fast and he took risks, but ten years had given him perspective, just as his father had wished. Still, it was a lot to take in. He thought about crashing the catamaran, and wondered if he was truly the man his father had hoped him to be. Mackenzie looked down at the small ring that belonged to his mother. He wished she was here. She was honest, warm and caring. She truly embodied the saying on the ring.

Veritas Lux Me
a
.
Truth is my light.

He placed the ring carefully in his pocket, and stepped back to survey the room. For a moment, he didn't want to return from the bunker. Six stairs above him was a changed world. He turned his attention to the letter and the folder. The folder was black and had Steele and Wickes' old company logo on it. Below the logo, there was one large word, written in a bold font and embossed with gold.

Confidential

Mackenzie ran the palm of his hand over the face of the folder to remove a fine layer of dust.

Picking it up carefully, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In only a few minutes, the last ten years of resentment he held towards his father had melted away. For a moment he felt a quiet calm, but it was replaced quickly by anxiety over the task his father had assigned. He paused for a moment and strengthened his resolve.

Ok Dad, let's do this.

He ascended the six stairs out of the bunker, stopping to close the heavy door behind him. Walking back to the estate, he caught the flicker of tail lights passing out of the Pemlilly gates and turning slowly towards the city.