In the Dark (9 page)

A week. One lousy week was all the time Martha and I had to plan the party. Between work, and spending every night with Rick, I’m surprised I pulled it off. Sure, Martha helped, but I did most of the work because I know what Walter likes. As I survey the room and all the guests enjoying themselves, I’m overcome with pride. Not only that, but it’s been the best week of my life. When Rick and I weren’t screwing each other’s brains out, we actually had conversations. I told him all about my goals and plans, and he even offered to help me. It was a sweet gesture, but one I had to decline. I need to do this on my own.

“Excellent work, Miss Black.”

A shiver runs down my spine at the sound of his voice. Slowly, I turn to face him. “Thank you, Mr. McAllister.” I try my best to maintain a modicum of professionalism, but it’s hard with him standing in front of me, looking so sexy in his black tux.

Leaning forward, he whispers, “You look absolutely ravishing. My compliments to your stylist.”

I dip my head, hiding a shy smile. I found the white and gold, single strap gown hanging on the bedroom door when I arrived at the condo last night. In fact, I found an entire ensemble, shoes and accessories included.

“Thank you. He is quite talented…in many…many areas.”

Behind the veil of his champagne glass, he mutters, “I’m sure he’d be willing to demonstrate one of those talents right now.”

“McAllister!”

I lose my smile as he turns to the man who interrupted us.

“Johnson. The wife let you out tonight, huh?” Rick asks.

The man laughs in response. “Only for a few hours.” He glances in my direction, then turns to me with a smile. “And who is this beautiful creature?”

“This is Kelly Black,” Rick introduces me. “She’s Banks’ assistant, and also the organizer of this little event.”

“Pleased to meet you.” I extend my hand.

“And I you. Gregory Johnson.” Bringing my hand to his lips, he kisses above my knuckles.

“Oh!” I exclaim. That was unexpected.

“Would you care to dance?” Johnson asks.

I glance briefly at Rick, and find him clenching his jaw. What should I do? I don’t want to insult the man but I don’t want to make Rick angry either. Nonsense. Why would he be angry?

“I’d love to,” I reply. I might as well. I won’t be able to dance with the only man I want to dance with anyway.

Gregory leads me to the dance floor, and after only a few seconds his intentions become clear. His hand keeps ‘slipping’ down to my ass, and he’s incessantly licking his lips. He’s also holding me a little too tightly for my comfort. I take a good look at him. Other than the fact that he’s married, he’s nowhere near my type. He’s tall and skinny, even more than Jimmy. His hair is jet black and greasy, and his nose is a little crooked. With a polite smile, I step back.

“Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to check in with the caterer.” I turn and leave him standing on the dance floor, shuddering in disgust as I walk away.

**Rick**

I’m itching to march over there and punch Johnson in his already crooked nose. I can’t stand the way he’s trying to grope her. Remembering where we are, I clench my fists at my sides. I attempt to have a conversation with a few people standing around, but I can’t keep my attention away from her. Johnson better not get any other ideas. Finally, she steps back and walks away from the asshole.
That’s my girl. Wait…what?
My girl? When did she become my girl? That’s when it hits me. I want her to be mine. She
is
mine. I don’t want to hide anymore. Hiding means having to suffer through situations like this. She’s mine and it’s time I accepted it. It’s time everyone knows it. I need to talk to her. I eagerly search the crowd but find no trace of her.

“Rick!”

I turn to the voice, trying to smile. “Walter! How’s the party?”

“Great! But I want to talk to you about something.”

“Sure.”

He leads me to a quiet corner, and gives me a stern stare. “You’ve got eyes on my Kelly, don’t you?”

“What?”

“I’m old but I’m no fool, McAllister. Trips to my office for no reason, calling her up to yours. I saw the way you were looking at Johnson just now.”

His
Kelly? Who does he think he is?
“Walter, look –”

“Let me finish. You’re a good man, Rick. She’s a nice girl. All I’m saying is…don’t hurt her.”

He surprised me, but I realize Walter’s only looking out for Kelly.

“I hope everyone is not as astute as you are old man,” I reply, patting his shoulder.

“I mean it, Rick.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Don’t try,” he warns. “Do it.”

I nod, shaking Walter’s hand. Now, I just have to find her. I spot her friend Rosalinda, and head in her direction.

“Miss Sanchez?”

She turns and fixes an alluring smile on her lips. “Yes, Mr. McAllister?”

I notice she pushes her chest out as she places her hand on her hip. Even before Kelly, I wouldn’t have looked at her twice.

“Have you seen Kelly?” I ask.

Shock registers on her face. “Kelly?” Her brows furrow in confusion, then as if something clicks in her mind, she smiles. “No I haven’t.”

“Thank you.” I nod and walk away.

Where the hell is she?

**Kelly**

My phone vibrates in my clutch, and I pull it out. A text message.

2123000000: I KNOW.

What the hell? It’s the same number from before, same message. It can’t possibly be a mistake. This has to be about Rick. Fuck. I need to find him.

“Kelly.”

The voice stops me in the corridor, and I turn around. “Oh. Hey, Jimmy. You having a good time?” I ask, clearly distracted.

“Yeah,” he staggers in my direction. “You could make it a whole lot better, though.” He smiles, his gaze roving my body.

“Jimmy, don’t you ever give up?”

His smile fades. “You didn’t have a problem giving it up to
him
.”

“You’re drunk. You should call a cab and go home.”

“Not until I get what I want.”

He grabs my hand, dragging me down the corridor.

“Jimmy, let go of me!”

Ignoring my protest, he opens a door, and pushes me through it. I trip on the hem of my dress, and almost fly head-first over the balcony. Cringing, I stare at the garden below. Before I can recover, Jimmy is behind me, pinning me against the railing.

“A year…” he grumbles against my ear. “A whole fuckin’ year I’ve been chasing you. He takes one look at you and you throw up your skirt without hesitation. What is it, the money?”

Oh, God. Please don’t let him hurt me!
“What are you talking about?”

He grabs the back of my neck and squeezes. “I
know
. I know everything.”

Fuck. It’s Jimmy! He’s the one sending the cryptic messages.

“That first night in the parking structure,” he continues. “It was supposed to be me. If that bitch Rosalinda hadn’t held me up,
I
would have been your knight in shining armor.”

The parking structure? Then, it dawns on me – the reason they couldn’t find anything wrong with my tire. “
You
let the air out of my tire!”

“Yes,” he admits. “I saw the way he looked at you. I should have killed him then.”

“No!”

He tightens his hold on my neck.

“Instead, I watched you…your apartment, the condo…like I said, I know everything.”

“Oh, my God! You’ve been stalking me?”

“I think of it as…surveillance.”

I feel sick to my stomach. How could I not know? How did
we
not know we were being watched?

“Jimmy –”

“Shut up! You’re gonna give me some of what he’s been getting or I will let everyone know.”

He grabs my skirt, pulling up the floor length material.

“No! Jimmy, please…don’t!” I struggle against him but he’s surprisingly strong. Reaching behind me, I try to grab or scratch him but I can’t. My panic grows when he rips apart my pantyhose.

“Stop!” I scream, trying to break his hold on me.

The door bursts open behind us, and I thank whatever angel is watching over me.

“I believe the lady said no.”

Rick!
There’s a cracking sound, and I spin around to see Jimmy falling to the floor.

**Rick**

I heard her voice coming from outside but I wasn’t expecting the scene that greeted me when I opened the door. The bastard had her bent over the balcony, and was about to rip off her underwear.

“McAllister,” he spits at me from the floor.

Kelly uses the opportunity to move around the man, and runs to me.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

She nods and steps behind me. I observe the scum on the floor, shooting him a furious glare. I want to kill the son of a bitch.

Slowly, he struggles to his feet.

“You’re dead, McAllister. Then I’m gonna have her. One way or another.”

He swings at me, and I swat his hand away like I would a bug. The action sends him spinning. Moving behind him, I put him in a headlock, and punch him in the side.

“You so much as think about her again, I will kill you with my bare hands. Understand me?”

He tries to get free, but I tighten my hold on his neck until he goes limp. I release him, and he falls to the floor in a heap. When I turn to Kelly, she runs into my arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. I wrap her in a tight embrace.

“It’s okay. You’re okay…” I coo in her ear.

“Is he…?”

“No. He’ll wake up soon.”

“Oh, God, Rick! He was going to –”

“Shh…”

“If you hadn’t…how did you know?”

“I didn’t. I was looking for you, and I heard your voice when I walked into the corridor.”

“You were looking for me?” She stares up at me with wide eyes.

“Yes. I wanted to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“Us. I don’t want to hide anymore. Fuck the company and what people will say. I want you and I want everyone to know you’re mine. I think…I think I’m falling in love with you, Kelly.”

Fresh tears well in her eyes. “Oh, Rick…” She throws her arms around my waist. “I love you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Yes, I do!”

She loves me. I can’t believe it. What have I done to deserve her love? I don’t care. Whatever it is, I’m happy. She’s mine and I’m not letting her go. Removing my handkerchief from my pocket, I wipe her tears.

“Come on. I want to dance with the most beautiful woman at this party.”

**Kelly**

While Rick talks to the security team and calls the police, I make my way to the bathroom to put myself back together. The night’s events flash in my mind – Jimmy attacking me, Rick fighting him, and his admission. The only thing that matters is Rick has acknowledged his feelings for me. I launch into my happy dance. I’m finally getting what I want – Rick. When I exit the bathroom, Rick is right there waiting. He reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine.

“The security team has him in custody. The police will be here soon.”

I nod, waiting for him to make the next move. He leads me back into the main ballroom, keeping our fingers laced.
This is it.

As we move through the crowd, there are open-mouthed stares and whispers, but Rick ignores them. He takes me to the dance floor, and tugs me into his arms. I tip my face up to gauge his mood, and in front of everyone, he plants a soft kiss on my lips. When he pulls away, I lay my head on his chest with a sigh.
I got my man and I couldn’t be happier.