Obsessions (13 page)

“Thanks Pierce. It’s good to see you,” Ryder
responded, walking with Pierce into the conference room where Tracy Allen and
John Belleview were waiting.

Tracy and John both stood up when he walked in the
room. Pierce introduced them both before he sat down across from Ryder. Before
Ryder sat down, he noticed Roxie and others sitting at the edge of the room
watching. The fake smile was plastered on Roxie’s face. She had no clue that he
was watching how she acted toward London earlier.

Ryder smiled as he waited for Pierce to talk about
the product he wanted to sell him. Pierce advised that Tracy Allen was the
designer of the program and she would be giving the presentation. Ryder just
smiled waiting for his chance to ask the questions he knew she wouldn’t know.
By the time he was done Tracy and Roxie would both be out on their asses.

Ryder listened for a while before stopping Tracy in
mid stride. “Hmm, Ms. Allen, your presentation has been very good so far, but I
did notice that you didn’t say anything about where you got the idea for this
program. I’m always fascinated at how programmers are inspired to create their
particular program.”

Tracy cleared her throat before she spoke. Ryder
could tell that he had startled her with his question. “Yes, well, Mr. Malone,
I can’t remember the exact date and time I started thinking of this program but
it hit me one day and I started it and finally finished it.”

Ryder narrowed his eyes at her answer and watched as
Pierce twisted in his seat. If anyone knew that was a piss poor answer then it
would be Pierce. The story would go along with the presentation. It showed the
why and how the program came about. Ryder knew that it would be talked about
when presenting the program. Why Pierce didn’t pick up on it earlier was beyond
him. Most of the stories were entwined into the commercials used to sell the
product.

Tracy should have been able to explain what gave her
the idea. Did she see something and knew she could write a program for it? Did
she have a relative in the service or on the police force and knew what type of
training they needed? But nothing like that came from Tracy. She didn’t know
because she was a thief who stole the product and wouldn’t know why because it
was London Grey’s idea.

“In the prototype you sent me, I asked if the bugs
had been worked out on the coding for Unit number 33 and you said that you were
working on it. I would like to finalize that now.” Ryder asked, and then
watched Tracy squirm.

She had no clue what he was talking about. Tracy
looked back at Roxie who quickly looked away from Tracy. Just what he thought,
Roxie would turn on Tracy when the time came. She would watch Tracy take the
fall and never look back.

“Do you know what the problem with the code is, Ms.
Allen? People’s lives will be affected if these problems are not worked out. This
product will be used for training law enforcement and our military, and they
will pay millions of dollars for it. The bugs we have already experienced would
damage our reputation if it weren’t worked out. So I ask again, Ms. Allen, have
the bugs been worked out or can you give me a reason as to why they haven’t?”

Tracy looked sick. Her face paled as she looked down
at her note pad then looked back up at Pierce. The room became very quiet as
everyone stared at her. As the person who wrote and made the program up, Tracy
should know the ins and outs of this program but she looked completely lost.
She didn’t have a clue on how to fix the problem since the program wasn’t hers.
The look wasn’t lost on Pierce Landon either, as he looked over at his Vice
President, John Belleview.

“Can everyone excuse Ryder and me for a minute?”
Pierce said to the people in the room. “John, can you stay with us please?”
John nodded and they watched as Tracy practically ran out of the room.

When the door closed, Pierce turned to Ryder. “I’ve
known you a long time, Ry. You know something or something is up. Which is it?”

Ryder smiled then looked over at John. “John, did
Tracy Allen ever tell you how she came up with the Active Shooter (AS) 2000?”

“No sir, I never asked.” John narrowed his eyes then
looked over at Pierce. “I have a bad feeling now. What did she do?” John leaned
forward.  Ryder could see him getting agitated waiting for an answer.

“She is not the writer of the AS 2000. If she were
the writer for it, she would have known the questions I asked. Tracy knew very
little about the program. Do you remember London Grey?” Ryder inquired.

“Yes, she resigned yesterday I believe.” It was like
a light bulb went off in John’s head. “She’s the programmer isn’t she? Shit.” 
John jumped up and started pacing the room. “I should have known it. She was
there when Tracy presented the program to me. I feel like a fool. When I sought
London out at Milton College, her Professors advised me that she was a natural,
like Pierce. Someone who could pinpoint a problem in today’s world, and then
writes a program to help correct it. Genius was the word they used to describe
her.” John continued pacing, “Damn. I feel like such an ass. I just promoted
someone who stole somebody’s work, and now London is gone.”

“Don’t feel bad, John. My sister and London have
just become business partners. They will be competing against you,” he paused
to let that settle, and then continued, “or you can wait a week to let them get
settled and then contract with them on this program. I will still purchase it
as long as she doesn’t know that I’m the President of the Johnson Company.” Pierce
turned in his seat and studied Ryder.

Laughing aloud, Pierce got up from his seat, went
over to the coffee cart, and started pouring coffee into a cup. Pierce held up
a cup. “Anybody want one?”

Ryder and John both shook their head no.

“Never thought I would see the day when Ryder Malone
would do something like this for a woman.” Pierce took a sip of his coffee,
then turned around and leaned against the cart. “I should have known that Tracy
Allen didn’t write this program. These are not the type of programs this woman
has done in the past. This program is very complex and well I should have
known. This will be worth billions of dollars once it gets out that it can be
written for the CIA, FBI, and Home Land Security. How do you know London?”

“My sister and London are best friends and were
college roommates. I was here with my sister the day London quit. Roxie the
woman who is now her boss actually threatened her, and then put her hands on
her. London took care of her real quick, but the damage had already been done. Her
program was stolen and then they expected her to fix the problems in it too.”

“Well now we have a couple of problems here but
nothing that can’t be fixed. First, John you need to speak to Tracy and find
out why she lied. If she even lies to you one time, you fire her on the spot. She’s
a good programmer, and I never saw this coming from her. Second, bring her back
down and she can have a job as a basic programmer or she can walk out the door.
Third, fire Roxie. Fourth, we put this on hold until London gets settled and
then we will fly to Alpha City to personally speak to the dynamic duo. We
screwed up and I have a feeling that is what Eloise wants to talk to me about
tomorrow. We seem to be out of touch with things, John. We need to get back to
the basics. We’ve left it to others to manage while we lived the high life, my
friend. It’s time to get back to how we started.” Pierce Landon took another
drink then looked at the laptop sitting on the table. “I miss it. The old days,
when we were just getting started building the business. Maybe we need to get
more involved with middle management and see for ourselves what people are
inventing. It would stop people like Tracy from stealing others work. I miss
the excitement of watching others build something from just a single idea. And
finally, Ryder, you could have just come to me and told me what was going on.”

“I could have, but I needed you both to see what was
going on for yourselves. I was here when London quit and saw what Tracy’s
little minion said to her and how she treated her. You have some problems and I
wanted you to see it firsthand. London is a fabulous programmer. She loved her
job and she sees you practically as a God.” Ryder smiled and rolled his eyes at
John, making them laugh about the comment.

“No really. She’s spent a long time studying you and
wants to be just like you,” Ryder said, laughing. “Pierce, I think you can
rectify what has happened and if you play your cards right you will prosper
from contracting with their company. It’s a small company, but before you know
it, it will be as big as you guys. My sister is very good at business. She has
had a lot of experience with my companies. She’s a smart cookie, and you
already know what type of work London does since you have seen the program she
just created. I think you will find it interesting to hear why she created the
program. Plus, you need to find out if Tracy and the other woman have stolen
other programs. It’s not good business, Pierce, and you are too good a man for someone
to do that to you and make you look bad. I just needed you to see it in person
and I needed her to feel a little bit of the pain that she caused London. Plus,
I owed you one.” Ryder finished, and then picked up his cell phone to look at
the time.

He needed Pierce to understand the reason he did it
this way. He owed the man a lot. Pierce was his father’s friend and knew about
a deal that Ryder was in. He saved Ryder a lot of money by coming to him before
the deal went through and told him about the people he would soon be in
business with. Ryder never forgot it and told him then that he would find a way
to pay him back and now he had made good on that debt.

Chapter
16

London heard the front door shut for a second time,
so she opened the door to her bedroom to peek out. Her brows rose as she looked
out into the empty living room. The apartment was little so unless he was
hiding in the refrigerator, Ryder had left. She figured as much. He must have
realized that whatever happened wasn’t in his best interest. London couldn’t
stop the shudder or the thought of Ryder only wanting her for a piece of ass.
He didn’t think enough of her to at least say that this would be a mistake
because of her friendship with his sister or just to say good-bye.

Sitting down on the couch, London looked around her
little apartment and thought how strange her life had turned out. She only
wanted to be happy. Life had been taking bites out of her for a long time now. When
was the last time she actually had something to laugh about? It was time that
life gave her a break and if it didn’t then she would take it back. London made
a promise to take control of her life and make it into something great.

Damn you, Ryder Malone.
He wasn’t good enough for her
and if a good-looking man asked her out when she moved to Alpha City she was
going to take him up on it and to hell with Ryder. He was done twisting her up
into knots. People were always taking, taking, and taking from her. Well it
stopped tonight.

Her partnership with Zoey came at the right time and
she planned to make their small little company into something that could play
in the big leagues. It was also time she got in touch with Me-Len and learn how
to be a better witch-whatever that entailed-she planned to be the best at it.
Alpha City needed to watch out because London Grey was coming to town to make a
name for herself and live her life to the fullest. Her days of sadness had just
ended, and London the survivor, was here to stay.

* * * *

Ryder hung the phone up after explaining to his
sister that he needed to leave earlier than expected in order to get back to
Alpha City, and thankfully Zoey didn’t argue with him. She knew what he was
doing, but the computers she needed wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow. It was
better this way and Zoey had given him another excuse for them to stay one more
day.

For the first time in his life, Ryder hated the fact
that he had to select a mate that was a shifter. He needed someone who would
understand their way of life. His mate would need to be a strong shifter and
someone who was able to lead alongside him like his mother did for his father.

Ryder called Meryl Pierson to tell him that London
would be coming to Alpha City to live. She would need to get in touch with
Meryl, since he was over the local Coven.

“Meryl, I have some news to share. London’s coming
back with Zoey to live and open a business together.” Ryder informed the older
man.

“That’s great news, Ryder, actually I have some news
of my own,” Meryl said excitedly.

“Well go ahead. It sounds like you are about to
burst.” Ryder teased his advisor.

“Things have progressed with me and Lenny McGregor.
She plans to move to Alpha City soon.”

“Well, look at you, old man! You move quickly. I’m
glad to hear it. I think it will help London adjust when she gets to Alpha City,
to have her only family around her. I’m happy for you both, Meryl.  I really
wish you and Me-Len all the best.” Ryder said enthusiastically, even as his
heart ached with the knowledge that he could never be with London like he
wanted.

“I’m glad you called. I needed to talk to you for
another reason too, Ryder. Recently, the Coven has felt new magic moving into
the city. We are trying to pin-point where it’s coming from, but the location
spell isn’t working. Whoever it is, seems very powerful, and knows how to dodge
what we are doing.  We’re still working on it, and now that Lenny is moving
here I will have her help. The Coven agrees that we need her working on this.
She has a great deal of experience fighting against dark magic, and I would
like to put her on the pay roll.” Meryl suggested.

Ryder could tell that Meryl was worried about
something and if he was worried then he should worry too. If Lenny McGregor was
as good of a witch as Meryl said then he would be a fool not to hire her.
Knowledge and experience were very important to him.

“I agree. Tell her I will give her a fifty thousand
dollar bonus if she can get here tomorrow. Pay for movers to get her house
squared away, Meryl, so she can meet with us tomorrow. I want her here fast. I
will contact the Council and they will meet with us too. Also Meryl her salary
will be pay grade 23. Make it happen and congratulations my friend.”

Ryder hung up the phone and dialed his assistant,
Will Chambers, to schedule some meetings. It looked like something was brewing
in Alpha City and that worried Ryder. Now may not be a good time for London to
come to town.

Ryder informed his assistant to get the cabins ready
on his property for London and Donnie to live in. Zoey lived on the property
too, and he had two cabins down at the edge of his property near the lake, and
he wanted London near him in case something happened.

Will didn’t question Ryder when he said he wanted
new furniture and fresh flowers to be added to her cabin. He wanted her to have
a king size bed and all new stuff. Both of the cabins had been renovated when
Zoey moved back home from college. She wanted her independence and Ryder wanted
her close by so it was the perfect solution.

“Alpha, you had a visitor today. Jim Sanders stopped
by and wanted to speak with you. He gives me the creeps. I wish we had a video
of his face when I explained to him that you were not here and I could leave a
message for you to call him back. His face looked distorted and mean. I thought
he was going to hit me.” Will sounded scared.

“Did he hurt you Will? Or threaten you in any way?” Ryder
asked, now even more concerned about what was going on in Alpha City. Will
wasn’t an Alpha wolf in any way shape or form. He was a submissive wolf by
nature, but an awesome assistant and pack member. If he was scared then
something was wrong with Sanders and he needed to step up security.

“No sir. He just…scared me a little,” Will replied.

Ryder took a deep breath before he spoke.  He needed
to calm down before he did something rash. “Call Nick. I want the offices
protected. Jim Sanders is not allowed to enter any of them. I want guards on
all the properties until further notice.  I will be home in a few hours.” Ryder
lowered his tone, because Will was scared enough, and he didn’t want to make it
worse. “Damn it, Will, you know to call me when that nut case comes in. I don’t
trust him and I won’t have him hurting you or anyone in the pack. Get Jamie to
meet me at the airport. You have a lot to do, Will. Be careful and activate the
alarm and let the pack know about Jim and what he did and said to you.  Are you
sure you are okay Will?”

“Yes sir.  I will take care of everything before you
arrive.”  Will answered.

“I know you will.” Ryder smiled as he hung up the
phone.

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Something
wasn’t right with Jim Sanders and now Meryl saying that the Coven felt dark
magic in the area was a red flag. Will said that when Jim got angry his face
looked distorted. His father taught him about witches and dark magic. He said
that it was something that nobody including witches should mess with. Once it
gets a hold of you it doesn’t want to let go.

Ryder reached down, picked up his phone, and
unlocked it. Flipping through his pictures, Ryder found the one that calmed him.
The picture was of London asleep in the bed. While she was passed out he
captured the peaceful moment that was on her face as she slept.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen
and he was in love with her. How could he not be? She was everything he ever
wanted in a mate except she wasn’t a shifter. Ryder shivered at the thought of
someone else claiming her or loving her. He wouldn’t be able to stand it.

At that moment, Ryder knew she would be the only
woman for him. Nobody could compare to her. He struggled for control every time
he was around her. He wanted her mind, body, and soul. No one had ever touched
him the way she did, or looked at him with so much fire in her eyes. He loved
every moment he was around her, even when they argued. The searing looks she
gave him made him want to ravage her. She was the one, and she was the one
person he could never have.

Ryder exhaled. He was tired of always being the one
in charge. Never having anyone to just sit and do nothing with. Watching a
movie with any of the girls he had been with was out of the question. He
couldn’t see Jena sitting down and just enjoying the movie. London would. Zoey
told him about all the times they just laid around watching movies and eating
popcorn. Damn he missed that part of life. Something so simple was never easy
for him.

Since he was a young pup, he was taught how to be an
Alpha. He never got to just relax and watch TV. His life was talking to clients
and building the business up to support the pack, taking care of his little
sister, and answering and dealing with complaints from others in his pack. He
never, not even one time sat down on his couch and watched a movie and relaxed.
Wondering if he ever would be able to, tore him apart inside.