Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes said he was serious. Still, I had to ask. “You’re joking, right?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” No, you look like you’re gritting your teeth hard enough to break them. I didn’t say the words out loud, though, because I wasn’t sure about this particular brand of crazy.
I looked around outside the car. Even though the windows were tinted and there was no way for anyone to see inside, I still felt a bit conspicuous. “You want me to change here, in the parking lot of your office.”
“Just pull the dress on over your head, then reach in and take the top and shorts off.”
I had no choice but to do what he said, rolling my eyes all the way. “Hey!” I yelped. He grabbed my shorts and tossed them on the floor next to his feet. “You won’t be needing those again.” Did he think my credit cards stopped working?
“Those cost me a hundred bucks.” I held out my hand to him facetiously.
He one-upped me, of course, by reaching for his wallet, only instead of cash, he placed a black card there. “What’s this?”
“Look at it.” Why is my name on this card?
“When did you get this?”
“Don’t ask so many questions; it’s yours.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but words failed me.
“You do know I have my own money, right?” There’s no way he didn’t know. Everyone around these parts knows the Thornton kids are trust-fund babies. “What your father gave you and what I have for you are two separate things.” His logic is astounding. Still…
“I can’t accept this.” I know for a fact that the minimum for this card is a million dollars. I also know it’s not a regular credit card but more like a debit card where the funds are already there and you just have to swipe.
“Jessica, don’t piss me off.”
“Is this some kind of payment for services rendered?” I was indeed a little peeved, but nowhere near what he was apparently. No sooner had the words left my lips than I found myself pinned to the headrest with his hand gripping my chin forcefully.
“Say that again!” The fire in his eyes made my pulse tremble. I studied them for all of six seconds before doing the unexpected. I raised my head ever so slightly and kissed him. That took the wind out of his sails, and he soon sank in, all anger swiftly forgotten under the barrage of my tongue in his mouth.
I waited for the right moment, just when I felt that give in him before slipping away and jumping out of the car. I doubt he knew what hit him before I made it to my ride and peeled out of the parking lot. I was laughing so hard my eyes teared up. In the rearview mirror, I could barely make out his shadow in the car still sitting there.
I’d forgotten all about Dale’s message by the time I pulled into the little coffee shop across the street from his job. I’d timed my next move perfectly, giving myself some wiggle room just to be safe, but there was no fun in not seeing the results firsthand.
I sent off the encrypted email that had been routed through Zermatt and sat back and waited. I’d decided to go with the little side piece first. I knew once that domino fell, Dale would live in fear, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I wasn’t too obvious, though. This first message had nothing to do with their affair and more to do with some in-house shadiness that was sure to catch the higher-ups' attention. Even that was just the least of what I had in store for her. Once her boss took the first nibble, I already had a line of bread crumbs queued up to follow one after the other.
I shook my head once again at the idiocy of Dale. Though he didn’t know the ins and outs of my career since it was top secret, he knew that I was good with computers; in fact, I could build one with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back. Still, he’d chosen to mess with me. Then again, his narcissism probably led him to believe that he was untouchable. Either that or he really thought I was stupid.
I’d done a very good job these last few weeks after learning about their affair, going out of my way not to let on that I knew anything. I used that time to gather all the necessary information before making the last strategic move.
I sat up from my slouching position and took a sip of my imported coffee when I saw my prey exit the building across the street. I had the perfect viewpoint, so I could see the worry and panic on her face as she reached for her phone and frantically punched numbers on the screen.