Touched by a Phoenix (36 page)

“Then stop acting like one and do as you’re told,” he retorted in a soft-pitched tone, trying desperately to control his anger.

“You’re being ridiculous. This is your life’s work. Your hopes and dreams. I won’t tell him.” Alexis was right up in his face, unafraid of him. She would not cower before him.

“I’m being ridiculous,” Brad spat. “This is your life—
our
life we are talking about.” Anger flashed in his eyes like lightning bolts streaking across the sky.

Alexis began to shake from the anger welling up within her. “Why won’t you understand? I’m trying to protect everything you’ve worked for and I
will
protect it at all costs,” she screamed.

“You’ll do as I say,” he thundered.

“No,” she shouted as tears of anger began to flow.

“My God Alexis, don’t be so damn stubborn about this. It’s just stuff!” he bellowed as he ripped off his sling and grabbed her upper arms.

“For the love of God Brad, Rescue One is basically your daughter. She is your design…your development…you are the one that gave her life. I won’t let anyone take her from you.”

“She’s nothing compared to you, Alexis. You are my life! Why is this so important to you,” his hands gripped her arms tightly.

She knew she should be scared. It felt as though he might snap her arms in half. “Because I admire your courage, because I respect your talent, because I love you…,” she screamed at him.

He simply stood there. No words, no actions, no nothing…for the longest time. Finally, he began again, “Alexandria, don’t you get it? You are the reason I was able to develop Rescue One in the first place. My life has no meaning without you. Your love set me free and I will not lose you…not now—not ever.”

Alexis was speechless.

He could not read her eyes. There were too many emotions swirling within them for him to comprehend. He had just poured out his greatest fear and she said nothing. He released her arms, letting his fall to his side, wishing he knew how to get through to her.

“Brad, I love you with all I am. You will never lose me.” She took his face firmly in her hands and kissed him deep and hard.

Her kiss unleashed a raw animalistic need deep inside him—a need that would not be denied. He crushed her into his chest with one hand while his other found her hair…unfastening the clip holding it back. Once free, he grabbed a hand full of her fiery red hair and pulled her head backwards as his lips found her throat.

The moan came from deep within her as his fingers moved towards the buttons of her dress. He didn’t know if it was fury or fear driving him…as he tore her dress away. With little effort, he carried her to the bedroom where he laid her across the bed.

“You are mine, Alexis,” he growled as he towered above her.

This was not the same man—his hands, his fingers, his lips delved aggressively. He was taking what belonged to him. The sheer intensity of each act was beyond anything Alexis had experienced. Every movement brought her closer to the brink.

“Baby…,” she breathed as a hot rush of air escaped her lips, further fueling his fire.

Arching her back, she offered herself to him, her body begging for his. His tongue flickered lightly, creating shivers along her smooth skin. Warmth spread across her face as the room began to spin…moans and sighs of sheer ecstasy escaping her lips. He paused a moment to watch her body writhe before him…before lapping away hungrily at her pulsing clit.

“Baby, please,” she begged. “Take me…please.” Waves of euphoria rushed from her head to her toes, spilling forth throughout her entire inner core, sending her closer and closer to the edge.

“Alexis…,” he growled through clenched teeth. “Tell me, Alexis!”

“I want you inside me…I need you…now,” she pleaded breathlessly.

He had been the cause of this most wildly explicit hunger inside her and he needed to feed it—
now
.

“You are mine, Alexis,” he roared like thunder as he drove into her—filling every inch of her with his hard shaft.

She cried out with pleasure as he thrust deeply…again and again, as his hands savagely clung to her hips. Her walls clenched around him as her body spiraled out of control and she released her honey like nectar. Her thighs trembled as her juices flowed around his already slick shaft.

The power of anger and the fear of loss had been so intense the spasms continued to rock her body. Faster he plummeted into her drenched garden. Rhythmically pounding into her like ancient drums…calling her body to his. Her body met his movements, thrust for thrust, until she came again.

Alexis was shaking uncontrollably now, her inner muscles clenched tightly around his shaft, drawing his essence from him. She could feel the beginnings of his climax as his elegant cry sounded much like the phoenix. He drove further into her with each spewing thrust until his hunger had been satisfied.

He sank down onto her, gasping for air. “I love you more than life itself,” he whispered as his breathing calmed.

“I know,” she panted in a hushed breath, “and I love you. I’m sorry.”

“Alexis, I need to keep you…our love safe. I want you to tell Martin what he needs to know.”

“Dad trusts him but I don’t. I will test his merits. If I believe he is worthy, I promise to tell him everything.”

Brad’s eyes flew open. His arm hurt like hell. He grimaced with pain as he shifted in the bed. The clock read 7:15 AM. He had nearly three hours before Dennis arrived.

He looked over at Alexis lying beside him. It was hard to believe they had argued last night. He prayed they would never fight again, but damn…last night had been wild.

His little devil was jumping up and down on his shoulder as he boasted, “High five man, let’s do it again!”

Meanwhile, his little angel simply shook his head as if he were disgusted.

Brad kissed Alexis tenderly as she snuggled closer to him.

As Alexis walked across the parking garage, she gazed over at the elevator. Her stomach turned at the rubble left behind from the almost tragic night. Six floors, well actually seven if you counted the garage stairwell. That was going to be a bit of a haul. Good grief Alexis, consider it your daily exercise and get a move on. Too bad I didn’t think to wear flats, she thought to herself as she veered left and headed for the stairs.

She stepped out of the stairwell at the sixth floor and headed to her office. She paused at the caution tape across the elevator. Anger took hold; she almost lost Brad in that damn thing. Someone was behind this and she wanted to know who as she marched to her office.

As she entered the reception area, Tiffany stood, “Alexis, it is so good to see you. We were all so worried. How’s Mr. Scott?”

“Good morning, Tiffany,” she smiled. “Brad is doing much better, thank you.”

“That’s wonderful news. Are you in for the day? Would you like your coffee?”

“No thank you Tiffany, there’s someone I must see first. Would you happen to know where I can find Mr. John Martin?”

“Oh the new guy, I believe he is in the office beside Mr. Scott’s.”

“Thank you, Tiffany. Would you let my father know that I’m headed down to speak to Mr. Martin and that I will be with him shortly?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Alexis turned on her heel and headed for the stairs. As she reached the third floor, she took a deep breath to settle her nerves. She had to protect Brad’s work but how? She had no idea…she would have to trust her instincts.

As she approached Brad’s office, the door was slightly ajar. Who in the world was in there? Brad’s office was supposed to be locked and secured with a guard. She slowed her pace and stepped quietly as she reached the door. Pushing the door open a little further, she could see the back of a man. She thought he must be a little taller than average…maybe about 5’11” or so.

It must be Martin since she didn’t recognize this man, but what was he doing rummaging around in Brad’s office. Alexis pushed the door open wide and took her place in the middle of the doorframe.

“May I help you?” she asked sarcastically.

The man did not startle easily. “No, if I need administrative support, I will let you know,” he replied coolly as if dismissing her.

“Who are you, Mr….?”

“Name’s Martin, ma’am.”

Not once did he look up from what he was doing, which irritated Alexis more than she could put into words. She stepped through the doorway and into Brad’s office. “Exactly how did you get into this office?”

“I have my ways,” his tone was smug.

“I suggest you leave now,” she roared.

He chuckled as he finally looked up, “And who do you suppose is going to make me?” he challenged with a snide little smirk, “you?…I think not.”

That was it. She had already had enough of this man. She walked towards him prepared to…to what…she thought. Oh, for the love of God girl, use your skills!

As she closed in on the stranger, she removed her jacket and stepped out of her heels, without missing a step. Something changed in the man’s eyes—they became cold and distant…he was assessing her.

She landed a quick blow to his solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him for a brief second. The quickness of the blow left Martin shocked momentarily and open for another attack. Alexis obliged all too eagerly, planting a simple sidekick into his midsection and causing him to double over. Alexis followed up with a quick uppercut but her opponent caught her fist just as she was about to land the blow.

Alexis was yanked off her feet violently and thrown across the room. She skidded briefly on the carpet before tumbling across the floor. Placing both hands on the ground above her head, she used her feet to spring into a back flip, putting some distance between them.

Training had kicked in as she crouched into position. She waited—waited until he was within distance, so she could finish the job. The instant he was within range, and with the speed of a cat, she spun her body around and swept her foot towards her opponent’s head. The attack was so quick Martin didn’t have time to prepare. She caught him squarely in the jaw, throwing him backwards. She then swiftly rolled forward and onto her feet, taking him to the ground with one final blow. Before he realized he was down, Alexis had her knee on his chest and her fist in a kill shot…directly above his throat.

“There are two things you need to know, Mr. Martin. Number one, I don’t care who you are, but my father trusts you and number two, if you hurt Brad…I will hunt you down and rip you apart piece by piece. Do I make myself clear?”

He stared at her for a long moment after which he said, “Yes Miss Saunders, I believe you would.”

“Ahem,” Phillip cleared his throat, “John, I see you have met my daughter.”

Alexis had not moved from her position. Her eyes flashed with anger and mistrust. She leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Remember what I said.”

His eyes flashed with something she could not make out as she lifted her knee from his chest. “I see you have taught her well, Phillip.”

“Since the two of you have already met, how about we get down to business?” Phillip asked, amused.

Alexis picked up her jacket and shoes as she walked towards Brad’s desk. Taking a seat, she slipped them on while Mr. Martin was collecting himself.

John realized Alexis was in control of this particular situation and decided further antagonism may not be a wise move on his part.
Damn…Phillip had taught the child well!
He would have to reevaluate his earlier assessment of her. She had the skill but her anger would get her killed. He would have to help her learn to remove emotion from the situation and focus before she got herself into trouble.

He picked himself up off the floor, brushed himself off, and straightened his jacket before taking a seat in one of the chairs across from Alexis.

Phillip took the other chair. “John, why don’t you fill Alexis in on what you’ve determined thus far.”

“The sabotage is a mystery. The person responsible for the elevator crashing appears to be an enigma. So far, we have been unable to identify through email, telephone, background checks, or financial data any useful information. We need to narrow the list of suspects down a bit and do a more thorough investigation. Since the building is a secure facility, it appears that it’s an inside job. But I’d like to reserve judgment until I know exactly what Brad is working on. Then we can decide what the best course of action is.”