His Wicked Pleasure (21 page)

              “This is the best way to fall asleep,” she whispered in a tired voice.

              “It’s the only way I want to fall asleep.”

Chapter Twenty

              Before anyone knew it, it was time for Daniella’s big birthday bash. Kristie stood in front of her full-length mirror and turned around a few times in an attempt to see herself from ever angle.

              “Knock, knock,” said Lorie as she made her way into Kristie’s bedroom and stopped short. “Wow. You look amazing.”

              “Thank you. So do you.”

              “Declan and Paul just got here. Wait ‘till you see how handsome they look. Don’t say anything but Paul bought Ares a bow tie and decided he’s taking him to the party too.”

              Kristie laughed and put on her gold bangle bracelet. It was one of a collection that her mother had bought her and her sisters many years ago to celebrate the adoption. “That’s so cute.”

              “Ares is absolutely adorable,” said Lorie watching Kristie gather up a few gift bags.

              “Did you remember to get a little something for Benny?” asked Kristie walking towards the stairs.

              Lorie turned white and stopped in her tracks. She grabbed her sister’s arm leaving a mark. “No. I completely forgot.”

              Prying Lorie’s hand off her skin, Kristie said, “Relax. You’re covered. You can pay me back later.”

              Letting out the breath she was holding, Lorie asked, “What did we get him?”

              “A four-day weekend for two at Disney World. I even included a rental car.”

~*~*~*~

              “There you are,” said William. He walked over to Kristie with his arms opened wide. Gathering her up in his arms, he gave her a kiss on both her cheeks. “I’ve missed my best friend.” He turned around and clasped Declan in a man hug. “Welcome. I’m so glad you’re all here.”

              “Hey man,” said Declan with a smile. “Good to see you.”

              “What can I help you with?” asked Kristie looking around. Balloons of all different shapes and sizes were scattered around the house with happy birthday banners in between.

              “Nothing yet,” said William as he led them towards the backyard.

              “Is Daniella here yet?” asked Lorie looking around for her sister.

              “No. Not yet,” replied William with a scowl.

              “Oh. They’re not fighting, are they?”

              William held his hands in the air and shook his head. “I can’t keep up with either of them.”

              Declan wrapped his arms around Kristie and whispered, “What happens if they don’t show up?”

              “We’ll have some food, some drinks, and gracefully leave.”

~*~*~*~

              Daniella walked around greeting everyone and finally made her way over to her family. “Hey there.”

              “Hey there yourself,” said Kristie as she looked at Daniella’s beautiful smile. “You look positively radiant tonight.”

              Daniella laughed at her sister’s compliment and replied, “So do you little sister.”

              “Yes. I suppose I do too.”

              “Sorry it took so long before I came over to all of you.”

              “Here,” said Billy tossing his sister a small box. “Happy birthday.”

              Without hesitation, she opened the small box and pulled out a pair of diamond earrings. “Thank you so much. I love them.”

              Benny handed her a gift bag filled with clothes that she’d picked out. “Happy birthday Daniella.”

              Jason handed Daniella an envelope and said, “It’s what you asked for. Happy birthday.”

              Lorie and Kristie sat there ignoring Daniella’s stare and started a conversation between them.

              “Um hello. Birthday girl standing here.”

              “I’m guessing you want your birthday present then,” said Kristie as she handed Daniella a card first “Here you go. Happy birthday.”

              Daniella ripped open the card barely reading it and looked over at Kristie. “Thanks.”

              “I hope you know that I stood there in that store for hours searching for the perfect card. Happy birthday.”

              Lorie completely ignored Daniella and stood up. “Is it time to go home now? I’m exhausted.”

              “Hello,” said Daniella stomping her foot on the ground.

              “Hi,” said Lorie. “I honestly forgot about your birthday and was wondering if you’d accept a rain check?”

              Kristie looked at Daniella who was standing there with her mouth opened in shock. She could barely contain her laughter as she thrust a magazine into her hand. “Here, happy birthday from Lorie and I.”

              “A magazine?” she asked in confusion as she looked between Lorie and Kristie.

              “Yes. A magazine,” said Kristie moving closer. “Open it.”

              Daniella opened the first page and looked up. “Shut up. No way.”

              “It’s all yours,” said Lorie standing next to Kristie with a huge smile.

              “I can’t believe I have my own magazine. Thank you. Thank you so much,” said Daniella with excitement in her voice.

              Kristie turned to Benny and tossed him a gift-wrapped box. “Just a little something for you. It’s from all of us.”

~*~*~*~

              Declan pulled into Kristie’s driveway and helped her get out of his truck. “I had a great time tonight. You really have a great group of friends.”

              “I really do,” said Kristie opening the door and walking inside. “Do you want to stay for a little bit or do you have to get home?”

              “Are you trying to get rid of me Barbie Doll?”

              “Not at all,” said Kristie leading him upstairs. “I feel weird without having Ares with us.”

              “Not to worry. Tomorrow Paul is bringing him to one of the SEALs who specializes in dog training,” replied Declan following Kristie to her room.

              Kristie sat down on her bed and looked at Declan for a moment before she spoke. “Tell me a little about yourself.”

              Taken completely off guard, he sat down alongside her and asked, “Like?”

              “What’s your middle name? Where did you grow up? Tell me about your parents. How’s that for starters?”

              “Well,” said Declan reaching over and placing a kiss on her lips. “My middle name is James, after my grandfather. I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. My parents are still together and still live in North Carolina.”

              “Are you close with your parents?” asked Kristie. She wasn’t sure why, but she sensed a little discomfort and unease in his tone when he mentioned them.

              Taking a breath and letting it out in a huff, Declan replied, “My parents aren’t really the warm and cuddly type.”

              “Oh. I see,” said Kristie feeling the need to change the subject.

“What about you? What’s your middle name?”

              “Marigold.”

              “Like the flower?”

              “Exactly like the flower. Mom said that when I was born, all she saw was gold hair and decided that would be my middle name.”

              “I like it. But you know what I like more?”

              “What’s that?” asked Kristie turning onto her side, as she got comfortable.

              “I like the fact that you’re all mine and the more time we spend together, the more I can’t get enough of you.”

Chapter Twenty-One

              September arrived with a bang and Kristie felt like her world was shattered apart. Rossi Co. was suffering daily. The numbers were always off with the financial reports and it was even broken into. To top it off, Kristie and her family were getting threatening emails every day. The email address was to an untraceable one and, so far, they weren’t able to find the culprit.

              Kristie’s nerves were on edge and Declan decided it was time to put an end to the insanity. Declan had his team investigate every single employee of Rossi Co. and once they all came to the same conclusion, with the help of Sebastian and the police, they set a trap.

              “Barbie Doll,” said Declan on the other end of the phone in a serious voice. “I want you to remember what we discussed. Don’t play hero and don’t deviate from the plan.”

              “Yes sir,” replied Kristie in a dejected voice. “I won’t do anything stupid so stop worrying and let me get ready for work.”

              “No matter what you think, Barbie Doll, I happen to love you and care about your safety.”

              “I’m aware G.I. Joe.”

              “I’ll be out of town for a few days. I’ll speak to you soon.”

              “Okay. Talk soon.”

~*~*~*~

Kristie sat in her office going over the quarterly figures for Rossi Co. when her intercom buzzed. “Miss Rossi, Sebastian is on line one for you,” said her assistant Stefan in a monotone voice.

              “Sebastian? Okay, patch him through,” replied Kristie with a smile. Waiting for the office phone to ring a few times, she picked it up and said,
‘Hello.’

              ‘I hope I’m not bothering you but I need to talk to you. It’s important,’ Sebastian spoke clearly into the phone.

              ‘No. It’s okay; you’re not bothering me. What’s up?’

              ‘I need to speak with you.’

              ‘Right now?’

              ‘Yes. Right now. It’s very important.

              ‘Where?’
asked Kristie in a concerned tone as she sat at her desk and tapped her pen nervously on the file directly in front of her.

             
‘The Grill.’

              ‘The Grill? I’m so busy and there are so many people that know us and will see us together. By any chance can you come here?’

              ‘No. I need you to meet me here, at The Grill. Trust me, it’s important,’
replied Sebastian with conviction.

             
‘Oh, okay. I’ll be there right away.’
Kristie hung up the phone and frowned when her sister Lorie walked into her office.             

              “Did I hear Stefan say Sebastian was on the phone for you?”