Sweet Escapes: Romance Story Boxed Set (6 page)

Ayla swiped her card and the lab door clicked open.  She hurried to the console and jabbed her fingers into her pocket to retrieve the password.  She logged in and studied the files trying to determine which directory to search in first. 
Admin .... Personnel ... Projects... 
She clicked on the projects icon and a list of files came up on the screen.

She scanned the list, her finger trailing down the screen to help her eyes read the lines. 
Which one was it? 
She was about to click out of that directory when she saw a folder labeled "AgusEGas"
.  Could that be it?

She pulled the tiny flash drive out of her pocket, hands shaking so hard, she could barely line it up with the usb port on the computer.  She started to pull the files over onto the flash drive when --

Click.

Ayla spun around just in time to see the door to the lab opening.

***

Seamus made his way through the party, intent on catching Ayla alone.  He had noticed her looking at him across the crowd and hoped it was a sign she felt the same way he did, that last nights kiss meant something to her.

He wanted a chance to talk to her and let her know he wasn't the kind of guy who just went around kissing girls at random. Especially ones under his employ.  The truth was he felt a little uneasy about the way he had acted. It was out of character and he wanted a chance to explain.

His journey towards the building was interrupted several times by well wishers congratulating him on the companies anniversary and he graciously stopped to thank each one of them briefly.   By the time he reached the building Ayla was no where in sight. 
Where could she be?

Seamus checked the office area and the lab but there was no sign of her.  Then he remembered that she had been in the Beta lab with Gordie the night before. 
Maybe she was finishing some work in there?
  He turned and headed in the direction of the lab.

Seamus reached the door and slid his card into the reader.  The door clicked open and revealed Ayla, a look of surprise accenting her delicate features.

***

Ayla felt paralyzed, her brain spinning with fear.  She moved in front of the computer so that Seamus couldn't see the screen.

"Finally, I've caught up with you. I wanted to apologize about last night, I'm not sure what came over me,"  Seamus looked down, heat creeping into his face.  "I don't make it a habit to be so forward."

He was standing inches away from her.  Last night, Seamus had only been a few inches taller than her but today she was wearing flats and now he seemed to tower over her which caused her to have to bend her head back to look up at him.

She searched her brain for something to say, or do, to distract him from noticing the files open on the computer.

Finally, she did the one thing that she knew would consume his complete attention. 

She reached up and pulled his head down to hers, her lips slightly parted.  His momentary inaction allowed her to pull him closer and closer until their lips met.

Seamus wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.  His lips were insistent, his tongue probing.

For a moment Ayla was lost in the sensation of him.  The sweet and salty taste of his lips, the rough feel of his hands on her waist.  She pressed herself closer, forgetting all about the computer behind her.

His hands probed under her shirt, touching the soft skin of her back and she felt tingles of pleasure tingles she knew she shouldn't be feeling.  His lips left hers and she whimpered. He trailed soft kisses down the side of her neck.

Her head was spinning, her body finely tuned to every sensation.  His lips, his hands, the way their legs were pressed together.  She could feel every movement, every heartbeat, every vibration. 
Wait, vibration?

"Damn!" Seamus released Ayla and dug in his pocket for his cell phone.

"Yes?" he bellowed into the phone, "Calm down .... I'll be right there.  Yes, I'll take care of it."

He turned to Ayla, his face a mask of exasperation.  "My sister and one of her many emergencies."  He explained, hands spread wide. "Unfortunately, I must go help her. I'd really rather talk to you.  Perhaps, we could get together later?"

Ayla nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

"Ok, good."  Seamus made a hesitant move towards her as if to kiss her but then backed away, turning to exit the lab.

As the door clicked shut, Ayla breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to her work, convincing herself the kiss was merely a ruse to prevent Seamus from seeing what she was up to.

She quickly loaded the files onto her flash drive, secured it in her front pocket, logged out and made a beeline for her car in the garage.

Chapter Six

Victoria watched her brother leave the Beta lab on the surveillance camera in her office.  She couldn't believe her brother was making a fool of himself over this girl. Seamus would be furious when he discovered there really was no emergency, but she was certain stopping their little tryst was for the best. 

What bothered her more though, was the fact that Ayla was on the main computer. Victoria had a funny feeling her intentions were less than innocent. 

She spun around in her chair and picked up her phone, punching in the extension of her security chief. 

"Steve, I need you to look into the access logs for the main console.  I want to know which files have been accessed in the last hour and if any data has been copied.  Also, dig into the background of our new employee, Ayla Bannerman.  I have a funny feeling she may not be what she seems."

Victoria chewed on an expensively manicured nail while she considered what to do.  If Ayla discovered the truth about some of their technology she would have to be dealt with.  While many of McDonough International products were created in-house, some had been
appropriated
from other companies. If the information were to be leaked... Victoria would be ruined.

She had ensured most of the evidence of any wrong doings had been erased, but anyone who knew the origin of these technologies would be able to put the pieces together with the right files.  Files that were kept inside the secure directories on the main console.

The insistent buzz of the phone interrupted her thoughts. 

"Vic, it looks like your instincts are spot on as usual,"  Steve's voice was filled with tension. "The computer logs show the Green Gas files were decrypted and downloaded to a flash drive and, worse yet, preliminary research shows your Ayla Bannerman is really Ayla Henderson."

"Henderson?  Isn't that the name of the inventor of the technology we  um...  used for the GreenGas product?

"I'm afraid so, and with the files she's accessed, it doesn't seem like it's any coincidence."

She turned around to monitor Ayla's activity in the Beta lab, but the lab was empty.  Ayla was probably already in her car and well on her way home.

Victoria let out a sigh. "Send a text to my cell phone with her home address. I think someone needs to pay a visit to Miss
Bannerman
."

Victoria slipped a small black snub nosed revolver from her desk drawer into her purse and headed out the door. Her cell phone beeped an alert and a smug smile crossed her face. She had a new text message from Steve.

***

Seamus stood in the warehouse, perplexed. "But Victoria said there was a huge mix-up with todays shipment and it was critical I come down and straighten it out."

Thomas, the warehouse manger, shrugged, "I don't know what she could be talking about, sir. Everything is fine and on schedule."

A loud sigh escaped Seamus's lips. 
What was Victoria up to?
On the phone she had been in a panic, shouting about how critical the timing of the shipment was for their new contracts.  Had she sent him on a wild goose chase on purpose?

He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and pressed the speed dial for Victoria.  No answer.

"Ok, Thomas, sorry for the confusion.  I guess we must have gotten our wires crossed. Have a nice weekend." He spun on his heel and strode back to the parking lot.

He slid into the drivers seat of his Mercedes, his thoughts drifting to Ayla.  He put the car in drive and headed back towards McDonough International hoping he could catch her there to continue their conversation.

A few minutes later he pulled into the empty parking garage.  Most everyone had already gone for the day. The realization that Ayla had also gone hime made disappointment settled in his stomach like a heavy rock.

Seamus slid his car into his parking spot.  It was the weekend. He couldn't wait until Monday to catch up to Ayla again.  Luckily being the CEO of the company had it's perks, not the least of which was access to the companies personnel files -- which just happened to include the home address of each employee.

Chapter Seven

Her stomach churning with nervousness and excitement, Ayla plugged the flash drive into her laptop.  She scanned the files, her lips moving in silent prayer.
Had she copied the right ones?

Buzzzz!

Ayla spun towards the door.
Who could be ringing her doorbell?

Buzzzz!

She stood up and moved towards the door, her mind whirling to come up with an excuse to get rid of whoever was on the other side.

Ayla turned the knob, but before she could open the door more than a crack, it was violently shoved in against her, knocking her off balance.  She felt her eyebrows arch in surprise when she saw who was on the other side. 
Victoria
.

"Wha--"

"You know why I'm here!" Victoria spat the words, advancing on Ayla.

Ayla felt an expression of confusion cross her face. 
What was Victoria talking about?
  Her mind raced with possibilities. It took a few seconds for her to realize the other woman was talking about the files. She had been so focused on painting Seamus the villain -- she never considered that Victoria had been in on it too.

She glanced surreptitiously toward her laptop. Victoria's narrowed gaze followed.

"So, you think you can expose me through those computer files, Miss Bannerman... or should I say Henderson?" 

"How did you know my maiden name?" she felt her brows knit together.
Had Victoria been investigating her?

"
When I saw you in the Beta lab twice this week, I became suspicious and had security do a background check on you."

"Really? When did you see me in the Beta lab? I don't remember seeing
you
in there. And why would that make you suspicious... unless there was something in there you wanted to hide?

Ayla saw a look of uncertainty cross Victoria's face. She moved in to gain the upper hand.

"Besides, I haven't done anything wrong. Just bringing home what is rightfully mine."

Victoria's demeanor darkened. "
Yours?
Nothing in there is yours. I sacrificed everything to acquire the files in that lab and I won't have you ruin everything I have worked for."

Ayla watched wide eyed as Victoria's hand reached into her purse and emerged with a small gun. Ayla felt a little faint.
Was Victoria going to shoot her?

But instead of pointing the gun at Ayla, Victoria whirled on the computer pointing the barrel straight at the flash drive.  "I'll make sure no one ever sees this evidence!" She took aim.

In one split second, Ayla saw all her hard work going down the drain.

"No!" she lunged toward the gun.

 
Bang!

***

Seamus strode slowly up the walkway to Ayla's house, suddenly uncertain as to whether or not he should have come.  What would he say to her?  Did she even want him here?

Lost in thought, trying to conjure up the perfect thing to say, he was suddenly pulled back to reality by the sound of...
a gunshot
?

The sound had came from inside Ayla's house. Seamus broke into a run. Reaching the front door in seconds, he was surprised to discover it standing open. He gaped at the sight before him, a look of astonishment spreading over his face.

***

Ayla tried to wrestle the gun from Victoria's iron grip. No easy task considering they were rolling around on the floor like amateur wrestlers. A movement over by the door distracted her for a split second, allowing Victoria to gain control of the weapon.

She looked over and saw Seamus standing in the doorway. 
Damn, she's called in reinforcements.

Victoria didn't seem to notice him and secured the gun with both hands, pointing the barrel straight at Ayla.

"Victoria, what the
hell
is going on?" Seamus's voice boomed through the room causing Victoria to stop in her tracks.

"As if you didn't know." Ayla couldn't help but blurt out the sarcastic comment before Victoria could answer. 

Seamus swiveled his head from one woman to the other, the perplexed look on his face would have been comical, were the situation not so serious.  Ayla's heart gave a little flutter. 
Was it possible he really didn't know?

"She was going to ruin everything." Victoria tightened her grip on the gun.  "Everything we worked so hard for.  Our entire company would be ruined."

"How could Miss Bannerman ruin everything, Victoria?" he asked, confused.

Ayla watched a kaleidoscope of emotions cross Victorias face.  Her arm holding the gun wavered.

"She wants to ruin us. Destroy everything I've worked for, Seamus, and I did it all for you!  After Adrianna died, you were so despondent and the company wasn't doing well.  I knew if we had a break through product it would lift your spirits and you'd be your old self again."

"But we did have one, we had GreenGas...." Seamus voice trailed off.