Page 103 of Protected
Despite firing the rest of the security team, she had allowed Peter to escort her to the event as long as he promised to wait in the car. The only reason she’d even allowed that, was because of his and Michael’s threats of spanking and other punishments if she didn’t. She assured him she would walk out with the governor and his security when it was over. He was going to have to forgive her for breaking that promise. Steve and Ailene had to leave before the event was officially over and Darci had no desire to go back to the office or Michael’s house.
Adara had been there again last night, and it was awkward. Now, Darci was saying goodbye to the last of the attendees of the luncheon. It was late in the afternoon, and she just wanted to go home and sleep.
She stopped at the coat check to pick up her coat and smiled at the attendant. But then she recognized him, and her pulse sped up. A third time could not be a coincidence. But after Tessa, or Theresa, she was probably just being paranoid. The man stepped away from the counter to find her jacket. She thought about texting Peter to tell him to come walk her out, but the attendant came back empty handed.
“I’m so sorry, I can’t seem to find your coat.” Darci frowned. “You can come back here and see if you can spot it. A tag could have been misplaced or something,” he offered.
“Uh sure, yeah, let me look.” The attendant unlocked the door next to the window and motioned her inside.
“You’re Kyle, right?” Darci asked as she looked at the rack of coats in front of her.
“Actually, I’m Kaden Laramore.”
She had been reaching for her coat, and her hand froze in midair, and she whirled around. So, she had recognized him after all.
She tried to speak, but the words lodged in her throat and fear sent her stomach churning. He was holding a small pistol.
“You’re going to stay really quiet and walk out of here with me.”
“What are you doing this for?” she finally managed to whisper.
Her mind was racing. He reached out and grasped her upper arm. He slipped the hand with the pistol in his jacket pocket and said, “let’s go.”
On shaky legs, she walked with him out the front door.
Nobody was around to see the fear in her eyes.
Fuckthought Darci.
“Did you kill all those women?” she asked as they approached a beat-up truck.
“Shut up and get in the driver’s seat,” he ordered pressing the gun into her side from inside his pocket.
She thought about running but figured he would just catch her. Her legs were like limp pasta, and she was in heels. It was a miracle she hadn’t collapsed from the fear.
Instead, she climbed into the driver’s seat. He jogged around to the other side of the truck and climbed in. Tossing her a set of keys he said, “Drive. We’re going to Virginia.” She pulled out of the parking garage and turned into traffic.
A single tear slipped down her cheek as he directed her which way to turn.
39
BRADLEY sat at his desk contemplating the choice he was about to make. He had considered showing up at his father’s event today to beg Darci to give him another chance, but there was no way she would consider it if he worked for Atleigh.
He had printed a letter of resignation effective immediately, and it now sat in an envelope in front of him. His heart told him this was the right choice, but it didn’t make walking away from something he had spent years doing any easier.
He stood with resolve and walked into the reception area where Adara sat working. He wasn’t ready to tell her yet. She would be upset. He suspected she might leave herself. If anyone asked her, she always said she worked for Bradley Givens, not Sean Atleigh.
He smiled at her and headed down the hall toward the senator’s office. His secretary was gone for the day. He knocked on the senator’s door but there was no answer. He turned the knob. It was unlocked which meant the senator would be back. Just as he stepped inside a voice startled him.
“Have you seen Darci today?”
He turned to find Michael Silas standing behind him.
“How’d you get back here?”
“Sorry, boss. That was me,” Adara said as she came in behind Michael.
“It’s fine.” Turning to Michael he said, “No, I haven’t seen Darci. Why?”
