Jagged: A Standalone Bad Boy Romance (9 page)

I wished there was a way not to involve Taylor. But she was the only way into Kyle Enterprises. She was the only way to put my past behind us and move on.

Taylor drove the BMW up to the security station at Kyle Enterprises. Her hands were twisting the steering wheel.

“Just act normal, Taylor. Nothing is going to go wrong.” No amount of reassuring could stop the beads of sweat from running down her face.

“I know but I can't help it.” She rolled down her window and handed her ID to the guard. “I'm Mr. Kyle's daughter,” Taylor choked out.

I did my best to keep a low profile. I didn't want the guard to identify me and stop this whole rodeo before it got started.

The guard checked the ID and handed it back. “Little late for a visit?” He looked past Taylor at me but didn't seem to know who I was.

Taylor giggled nervously. “I know but he's so busy and this is the only time I can see him.”

He handed the ID back to Taylor. “Your father is definitely a busy man. Go right on in, Ms. Kyle.”

Taylor blew out a big breath as she drove to the parking lot. “I don't know if I can do this, Carter.”

“You're doing fine, baby. When you see your dad, let the anger do the talking. Make him think you want to reconcile.”

I couldn't do this without Taylor. If she backed out, I'd have a big problem with Mayor Trump.

Taylor parked the car, closed her eyes, and breathed through her nose. “Let me just go over the plan one more time. I'll get my father downstairs and outside. While you take the elevator up and do some magic computer work.”

“I only need his hard drive. I won't even need to turn on the computer. Shouldn't take me longer than five minutes. When I'm back downstairs and out of the elevator, I'll send you a text. You won't even need to look at your phone.”

“And what if he wants to go back to his office before you're finished?”

“Send me a text so I can get out or at least hide.” I put my hand on her thigh. You'll do fine, Taylor.”

We left the car and walked into the giant lobby. I'd never seen anything so extravagant before except for Taylor's father's house. The place was deserted except for a few security guards. We walked past all the elevators and Taylor pointed to a supply closet next to a lone elevator.

The door was unlocked and I opened it to find to a cramped room full of buckets and brooms. “I'll hide here. When I hear you get out of the elevator with your father, I'll take it up.”

“Tell me you love me one last time.” Taylor's deep blue eyes stared into mine.

“I love you, Taylor Kyle.” I kissed her lips, lingering there for longer than we should've. But she tasted so good. If we weren't about commit a robbery, I'd take her into the broom closet, hard and fast.

But my cock would have to wait. There would be a time for celebrating later.

I watched Taylor press the elevator button and wait. The doors opened and she looked over at me. I winked at her and she nodded, entering the elevator.

I closed the supply closet door and took a deep breath. Taylor was a smart girl. She'd be able to pull it off. But could I get in and out of his office before anybody saw me? I wasn't so good at the sneaking thing. My way was to blow the doors wide open with guns drawn and destroy my enemies.

Corporate espionage wasn't in my toolbox.

But I'd have to do my best tonight. Taylor's and my life depended on it.

The elevator zoomed up past all the floors. Sweat perspired down the sides of my face. My hands were locked to each other and I couldn't unravel them.
Act normal, Taylor. It's just your father.

Carter was no doubt used to doing things like this but for me, this was my first time. I took a couple deep breaths as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

My father's secretary sat at her desk, painting her nails. “Ms. Kyle, what are you doing here so late?”

Oh fuck. The secretary was supposed to be gone by now.

Even if I was able to get my father downstairs, how would Carter get past the secretary?

My father came out of his office when he heard the commotion. Anger flooded my veins. I'd never forgive him for what he did to Carter. “Taylor? I didn't expect to see you so soon.”

I fought every urge to punch him right in the face. “I need to talk to you, Daddy.”

My father turned to his secretary. “I won't be needing you anymore.”

She nodded quietly and walked by me to the elevator, her perfume lingering in the air. I breathed a big sigh of relief. The whole plan could have been jeopardized if she stuck around.

“I was hoping we'd get to have another conversation,” my father said.

“Not here, Daddy. Can we go somewhere?”

My dad smiled. “Sure, honey. Let me just get my things.”

I waited for my father to get his briefcase and we took the elevator down together. My father was done working for the night so Carter had all the time in the world to get the hard drive.
So far so good, Taylor. Keep it up.

We rode down in silence. I didn't even know what to say to him. All my planning had only gotten me to this point. What was I supposed to do next?

The elevator hit the bottom floor and I quickly glanced at the supply closet. It was closed.
Good luck, Carter.

My father and I walked outside of his building into the cold night air. “I'm truly sorry about what happened, Taylor.”

I couldn't hold back the rage anymore. “Are you, Daddy? Are you really sorry or are you just saying that?”

“You're right, Taylor. I'm not sorry for what I did. Carter isn't the right man for you. I'd do it again if I had the chance.”

How could my father be so cruel? When I was a kid, he used to read me Winnie-the-Pooh and sing me a lullaby to put me to sleep every night.
What happened to that man?
“I love him, Daddy. That won't change no matter how much you try to stop it.”

“You're stronger than I ever gave you credit for, Taylor. You remind me a lot of myself.”

That was the greatest insult. “I'll never be like you,” I seethed.

My father looked concerned and started checking his coat pockets. “I think I forgot my phone. Let's go back upstairs and we can talk some more.”

My heart jumped out of my throat. Carter didn't have enough time. I reached out my hand to stop my dad. “No stop! We need to talk outside. You're phone can wait. I'm what's important right now.”

My father shrugged me off. “Don't be ridiculous, Taylor. We can talk in my office while I search for my phone.”

I had no choice. I quickly took out my phone and sent Carter a quick text:

On our way.

He wouldn't have time to go back down the elevator. He'd have to hide and ride it down while we were in my father's office.

We walked back into the building and to the elevator. My palms were sweaty as we waited for it to descend to the ground level.

“We can work this out,” my father said. “I only wanted the best for you.”

I couldn't concentrate enough to argue with him anymore. All my brainpower was focused on Carter.
Did he even get my text?

It would be all over if my father found him. Carter would go back to prison. My father might even prosecute me when he finds out I was the one that betrayed him.

The elevator opened and we stepped inside.
We're coming, Carter.

I waited patiently until Taylor and Mr. Kyle exited the building before jumping into the elevator. I didn't know how much time Taylor was going to be able to give me so I needed to work fast.

The elevator doors opened on a big room with tiles floors and a wood-paneled ceiling. I thought it was Mr. Kyle's office but realized it had to be the secretary's. Mr. Kyle's would be behind the big double doors.

I opened them to find exactly what I pictured his office to look like. It was bigger than my entire house. The view of Saint Marks all lit up was breathtaking. I could stand and stare at that scenery all night. But I had a job to do.

His desk and computer were on the far left side of the office. A framed photo of Taylor and her father from high school graduation sat on the desk. Taylor and Mr. Kyle looked so happy together. But so much had changed now.

I put the framed photo down and started taking apart the computer tower. In prison, computers and I became very close. They had me working on repairing computers night and day. They said that my background of fixing up motorcycles could help.

It didn't.

Computers were foreign to me but after a couple years I became somewhat familiar with them.

Once the computer was opened, I spotted two hard drives and unplugged them both. But I couldn't guarantee that everything I needed was on these. I searched the drawers for any papers that he might try to hide. A locked drawer piqued my interest. That's where
I
would hide the documents that could put me away.

I tugged on it hard but it wouldn't budge. He wouldn't keep the key just sitting around. It was probably on his person. I'd have to open this the old-fashioned way. I picked up the left side of the desk as high as I could, my muscles bulging through my leather jacket.

I let go and the desk slammed to the ground. I checked the drawer but it was still locked.

One more time should do it.

I picked up the desk again and heaved it to the ground. The lower drawers smashed and broke apart. The locked one was opened part way. I took the whole drawer out and spotted another hard drive.

Bingo.

The two in the computer probably held nothing. I tossed them to the side and took the hidden hard drive. “I got you now, you son of a bitch,” I said aloud.

The doors to the office opened and I froze in place. “Who are you talking to, Carter?” Mayor Trump asked, walking in with a gun pointed right at me.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Mayor?”

“Cleaning up some loose ends,” he replied. “Now drop that hard drive and put your hands up.”

I let the hard drive slip out of my fingers and to the ground. I slowly brought my hand behind my back to reach for my gun.

Mayor Trump shook his gun at me. “Not so fast, Carter. Hands up high where I can see him.”

I wouldn't be able to pull my pistol out fast enough. The mayor would get off two shots before I could even fire a first. I hesitantly raised my hands up.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.
Taylor was on her way up.

It was all over now.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened to the top floor.

Please be gone, Carter.

But it was worse than I ever could've imagined.

The door to my father's office was wide open and Carter stood there with his hands raised above his head.
Why didn't you try to hide?

“What are you doing in my office, Carter?” my father's voice boomed.

Mayor Trump came into view, holding a gun pointed right at Carter. My stomach flipped over. I wanted to scream but nothing came out of my open mouth.

“I'm glad you all could make it,” the mayor announced.

My father stepped forward. “Morty? You can't be serious. Put the gun down.”

Carter laughed. “Your name's Morty? Morty Trump? You must've been picked on a lot when you were a kid.”

Trump pointed the gun higher at Carter. “Shut the fuck up, Carter. You'll get what's coming to you soon enough.” He turned back to my father. “I won't let you control me anymore, Kyle. With you gone, I'll be free and Kyle Enterprises will be done for.”

My father stood in front of me and put his hands up. “Put the gun down and let's talk about this, Morty.”

The mayor swung his gun around and pointed it at my father. “We're done talking.”

Carter and I locked eyes. He was so calm in such a tense situation. That's when I knew he had everything under control.

Carter reached down behind his waistband in slow motion. He pulled out his handgun and pointed it at the mayor. The mayor realized what was happening in the corner of his eyes. He swung back around to meet Carter but it was too late.

Carter fired off two shots, hitting the mayor in the chest and head. Blood sprayed in large arcs, splattering over the ceiling and walls of my father's immaculate office. A scream finally escaped my lips and I grabbed onto my father for comfort.

Mayor Trump slumped to the ground like a bag of bones, blood pooling around his body.

Carter quickly jumped to the mayor and picked up the gun. He pointed both of them at my father. “Get on your knees, Mr. Kyle.” Carter's eyes glowed with rage.

I stepped in front of my father and spread my arms out. “Don't kill him, Carter. Even if he's a bad man, he's still my father.”

Carter stared at me, his chest expanding and contracting. The rage left his eyes and he lowered the gun. “Call the police, Taylor. Your father is going to prison for a long time.