Snatched (Coronado Series Book 2) (17 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

They were on their way to the corporate headquarters of Bob’s company to clean out Rory’s office and Max could tell she was worried. “Are you ok?”

“I’m fine. I was just thinking about the last six years and how much I’ve learned. I have to thank Bob for giving me an opportunity - I don’t think I always appreciated it.”

“From what I’ve seen over the last week, I think you contributed a lot to the company. He was lucky to have you and I’m sure he realizes that.”

She squeezed his hand, “You say the nicest things to me. I sent off the last of my reports to Bob as well as the CFO of the company who is buying the hotels. If Jackson is up to something with the suppliers or contractors, then he better clean it up quick. I wash my hands of the mess.”

“I know he’s up to something because we traced another million dollar deposit to a bank in the Caymans. You would think he would’ve been a little more creative with his scheme. It’s so old school to do it that way. Then again maybe he wasn’t worried about being caught.”

“I think he feels invincible; he sees it as his business. He’s just waiting for his Dad to hand it over to him. He’s going to be surprised when it all goes away. There was a time when I felt sorry for him, but I’ve gotten over that.”

“What do you need to do today?”

“I want to clean out my office, turn in my laptop and cell phone and then meet with Human Resources. I have to decide how to roll over my retirement and stocks. It may take a while, so you can come back and pick me up.”

“I’m not leaving you in a building with your stalker. I’ll just hang out until you’re done. I have plenty of things to work on.” She watched as he pulled out a pendant from his pocket, “I want you to wear this while we are in the building. Don’t worry, it’s not a piece of jewelry. I see that look on your face.”

“What look?”

“The look of horror at the possibility that I’m buying you jewelry and ugly jewelry at that.”

“Was I that obvious?”

“Yes, sweetheart. If you need me - pull the bottom piece out and it will send an alarm to this receiver. I’m just being paranoid, but paranoid keeps people safe.”

She slipped it over her head and smiled at him, “How do I look?”

“Perfect.”

“In a couple of hours I’m going to be unemployed, so I think we should celebrate.”

“I agree. Can we celebrate naked?”

“Why did I know you were going to say that?”

“Because you had the same idea but didn’t want to admit it.”

“I was thinking of a martini and a nice dinner ….. but your idea has value too.”

“We will start with your idea and finish with mine: the perfect compromise.”
 

“Don’t let me forget to bring in the bags I brought - I’m going to need them for all the stuff in my desk.”

“OK, changing the subject…. When are you going to come and work with me?”

“Can I just consult with you for a while and see how it goes? I may still want to go to Sienna for year and learn how to cook.”

He wanted to tell her no way, that she was staying here with him and they were getting married and making some babies. Years of self-control allowed him to keep his mouth shut, “Sure, just let me know when you’re ready.”
 

He was rewarded with a radiant smile and a relaxed girlfriend. He would just keep his plans to himself until she was ready. Pushing her was not getting him anywhere, so relaxed was what he was going to be. Even if it killed him.

They walked into the building and he could feel the tension rolling off her. Maybe this was a bigger deal than she was admitting to. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, then she squeezed it back and pasted a smile on her face. They made their way up the elevator and walked down the hall to her office.
 

“Here we go. Do you want to sit in the lounge while I do this?”

“No sweetheart, I’ll sit here and work on my computer and wait.” He wanted to make sure that whoever was bugging her office realized he was there. He had the guys monitoring the two computers in IT and Jackson’s computer as well. He wanted to catch this guy and make sure he could end it quickly. He texted the guys back at the office to let them know they’d arrived.

Gavin sat in his office and was ready to go ballistic. How could she think of bringing that man here? Nothing was going according to plan and his time was running out. He needed to save Rory before it was too late. He knew he was being reasonable even if his mother thought he should still be on the medication. He had to come up with a plan quickly and take the necessary steps.

“I have collected a lot of stuff in my desk, and I don’t know if I brought enough bags in. I may ask you to go out and get me the rest.”

“Let me know. I’m looking up flights and hotels for Sienna. Do you still want to be there for Christmas?”

“I was thinking about it; you don’t have to do that though. Do you want to come with me?”

“Of course I want to come with you. I don’t want to miss out on experiencing the holidays with you.”
 

“That’s not for another two months. You may not want to be dating in two months.”

“Your right! I would probably prefer to be married, but even I know that’s not going to happen by then. I’m relaxing and taking a very slow approach - I’m surprised that you haven’t noticed.”

“I know – right! What with all the discussion of marriage and all of that. Very relaxed….. no pressure at all.”

“I knew you would be able to tell.”

Rory shook her head and laughed, “If this is relaxed… I would hate to see when you are applying pressure.”

“Funny, you didn’t seem to mind all the pressure I was applying this morning. In fact you were really enjoying it.”

“That’s true, keep up the pressure.” She watched a very smug and sexy smile light up his face, “You’re too good looking for your own good.”

“I’m sure glad you think that, because you may be the only one. Those words have never been used to describe me.”

‘I don’t really believe you, but I’m going to let you live with that illusion. I think it will work out for me if you never figure out how good looking you are.”

Her phone buzzed and she looked down at it, “Rita in personnel is ready to meet with me. Do you want to walk down with me?”

“Sure, let’s go.”

***

They stood in the elevator and Rory leaned against him as he rubbed her back. “That was easier than I thought, I just have to decide what to do with my stocks. I didn’t realize I had so many unused vacation and sick days. Look at this check. I think I need to go shoe shopping and buy myself a treat.”

“Let me know when you want to go, because I want to watch the master in action. I like what you’re wearing today - those are some serious heels. They could be used as a weapon if need be.”

“Your right. We were taught that in a self-defense course I took. The instructor told us to stomp on their foot, then get them in the groin and run like hell.”

“Those are solid skills that every woman should know.”

They walked down the hall into her office and she realized that she’d made a mess. I think I need to drag in one of the bigger trashcans from the lounge. I’m going to throw a lot of this away.”

“Let me go get it. I’ll be right back.”

Gavin lurked around the corner of her office - trying to figure out when he would have the opportunity to speak with Rory alone. He needed that big man to leave, so he would have a chance to tell her what he thought. He quickly slid around the wall again as he saw him walking down the hall. Why would Rory choose a man who was so big and mean looking? She was too nice for someone like that.

Max carried the trash can down the hall and left it right outside her door, “You can hand me stuff as you’re ready.”

She walked over and handed him a big pile of brochures, “I don’t know why I kept all of this stuff. I don’t want to leave a bunch of useless stuff for the next person.” She continued handing him piles until she felt satisfied that she had gotten rid of all the junk. “I think I need those last few bags - I left them in the back seat.”

“Ok, I will go and get them.” He motioned to her necklace to remind her that she had it and she pointed to her purse and motioned that she had her gun. “Be back in a few minutes.”

Gavin could hear the conversation and knew it was now or never. He waited for the guy to get on the elevator and then walked into Rory’s office. She looked up surprised. “Hi Gavin, I didn’t hear you come in. I left my computer and phone with Rita - I think she’ll send it to your office later on.”

“Why are you leaving, Rory?”

Looking surprised - she studied him for a moment before she responded. “It’s time for me to move on. I don’t think I have the same passion for the job anymore.”

“Are you sure your new boyfriend isn’t making you?”

Laughing she shook her head, “Yes, I’m sure. I want to try something new.” She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up and a shiver run down her back. She instantly realized that Gavin was her stalker. She always thought he was nice enough - maybe just a click off from everyone else. She looked carefully at him and noticed he was sweating. His shirt was damp and his face was flushed. His eyes were looking a little wild and he was tapping his hand against his leg. She no longer felt like she should be in this confined space with him, “I was thinking of going down to the lounge to get a soda. Do you want to join me?”

“No, no I don’t. I don’t think you should leave and you should stop seeing that man. He is too big and he looks mean. I want you to stop, Rory.”

Dread ran down her spine as she slowly realized that Gavin was more than a click off. He was several clicks off and possibly deranged. “Thank you for sharing your opinion with me, but I really like him and he’s a good man. Did you know that he’s a naval war hero? He protected this country for fifteen years while he was in the Navy. I think he’s a good choice for me.” She recognized that might have been the wrong thing to say when she saw his face flush with anger.

“Quit saying that. He is not a good man and you have to stop seeing him.” He walked over to her and grabbed her arm and tried to pull her out of the office. He was surprisingly strong for someone who worked at a computer all day.

“Gavin, I don’t want you to do anything that you’re going to regret. I would like you to let go of my arm now.”

He pulled out a big scary looking knife from his pocket and held it against her arm, “Shut up Rory…. shut up! I have to think - you have to come with me.”

She tried to jerk her arm from his grasp and he let the knife slice through her sleeve, blood started flowing out of her arm. She looked down at her arm and saw the blood spilling out and felt a wave of nausea. She pulled her pendant and hoped that Max was close. He started to drag her out of the office, “Stop, my arm is bleeding! Let me get some tissues.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you, but you made me do it.”

Hearing those words made Rory see red: it was the match that lit the flame of her temper. She got some tissues and slapped them over her arm and grabbed her gun out of her purse. She was mad now. Two months of this bullshit was enough! He was waving a knife around and blaming her. She turned around and pointed the gun at him - his eyes got huge. “You didn’t expect that did you?” He started to back up, but bumped into the wall.
 

“I have been terrorized by you for the last several months and now you have the guts to come into my office and threaten me and slash me with a knife. I don’t think so - you slimy son of a bitch.”

She looked down and tried to remember where the safety was. She looked up and saw him try to scoot out, she quickly raised the gun and pointed it at him. “I would like you to feel a little of what I’ve been feeling since you decided to stalk me. I’m not very good with this thing, so I can’t guarantee that I’m not going to hit something vital. But, that’s just the price you’re going to have to pay. I’m normally not a violent person, but the last two months has changed that. Do you think this is how I wanted to spend my last day at the office? Well, I can assure it’s not!”

She heard boots pounding down the hall and knew Max was going to be here in a second. “That’s my boyfriend coming and he is going to want to talk to you. When I say talk… I mean pound his fists into your face.”

Max was instantly at her door with a wild look in his eyes and his big gun drawn - ready to shoot. He saw Rory’s arm and almost shot the man standing in her office just on principle alone. “Max, I would like you to meet my stalker, Gavin. I may want to shoot him. What do you think?”

Trying to get his heart rate to return to somewhere below the heart attack range, he let out a deep breath. “Well sweetheart, if that’s what you want to do then I think you should. You know all I care about is your happiness, and if shooting this god damn son of a bitch does that, then I say go ahead.”

Gavin started to say something and Rory shouted at him, “You shut up. You don’t get a say. You looked at me through my computer. That is the lowest thing that I’ve ever heard of.” She lifted her gun again and looked down the barrel, “I took the safety off, so I’m ready. I just haven’t decided if I’m going to keep my eyes open.”