Chapter 16
Dakota
The public relations team's office is pure chaos when we enter. The screens loop Olivia's interview. Her tearful confession unfolds too perfectly, as if choreographed. And knowing her, it probably is.
“The stock market opens in half an hour. Those statements will sink our shares, at least short term,” announces the department director in a grave voice.
“The company's already falling hard in the derivatives market,” another confirms.
“I'm waiting for confirmation on some things. Either way, we should prepare an immediate response. Her accusations make no sense. Even if she accessed the plans through Thorne's leak, she can't prove they belonged to her father's company. In court, her accusations fall apart on their own,” I indicate, waiting for Crow to send me information we'll obtain through not-quite-legal means.
“I'd like to see her father explain how the prototype works. His knowledge doesn't go beyond basic engineering,” Anna mutters, digging her nails into her thumb.
“Got it,” I mutter under my breath.
“Got what?”
“Olivia took significant short positions on the company in the futures market. She'll make good money today,” I explain.
“And you know this… how?” Anna asks, confused.
“There are things better left unknown.”
“I'll talk to one of my contacts to get the SEC to investigate. If it's true, she's in for serious trouble,” the head of legal chimes in.
The lawyers rush to prepare a press release, dismantling Anna's ex's accusations, but this doesn't seem part of the general threat against her. It looks like a simple trick to make quick, easy money.
“I'm heading to the corner café for food if you don't need me here,” I announce, seeing everyone busy.
The café across the street sits almost empty this morning. While waiting for a sandwich, I sense it — a subtle shift in energy every soldier learns to recognize. Two bulky men who just entered position themselves carefully beside me.
“Miss Martinez,” the taller one whispers, trying to be discreet. “Miss Olivia Carlson wishes to speak with you.”
I evaluate them quickly. Ex-military by their stance, likely armed.
“Not interested,” I growl.
“That wasn't a request,” the shorter one mutters.
I move before he finishes speaking, driving my elbow into his solar plexus. As he drops to his knees, I strike his companion. The barista screams when she sees me pull out a gun, keeping it low but visible.
“Get out,” I warn.
“That's what I wanted to know,” I hear by the door.
Olivia enters the café like she's ready for one of her movie photo shoots. She signals her thugs, who retreat, and smiles proudly. For a moment, I'm tempted to tell her she'll likely end up in jail for trying to manipulate the stock market. Her performance for the press today, though I admit it was better than most of her movies, was not just illegal but stupid. Then I think better of it. Much as I'd enjoy seeing her panic, I don't want her fleeing before the police pay her a visit.
“I was curious, you know?” she continues.
“Go to hell.”
“I know Anna well and I know you're not her type. She likes more sophisticated women. Actresses, models… you know. Now you've made it very clear. You're just her bodyguard,” she adds with a tone of contempt.
“Leave,” I growl.
“You know? She has too many enemies. You can't protect her forever,” she warns, backing away slowly. “You should worry more about yourself.”
I watch them walk down the street, the injured thug still coughing.
***
“What are you hiding?” Anna asks when we get home while I check the windows for the third time.
“Nothing.”
“Dakota,” she insists, placing her hand on my cheek. “I know you. Something happened.”
“I don't want to worry you.”
“I'm already worried. Will you tell me what's going on, for fuck's sake?” she persists, holding my chin to make me look at her.
I let out a long sigh and tell her about my encounter with Olivia this morning. Her face reflects a mix of rage and fear while she listens.
“You can't hide things from me, Dakota,” she says with a firm voice, though her gaze burns intense, almost pleading.
Moving closer to her, I caress her cheek with my fingertips. She closes her eyes, tilts her neck, and the way she parts her lips makes my legs tremble.
“I just wanted to protect you,” I whisper, stroking her cheekbone with my thumb.
“I know,” she murmurs. “But I need to know what's happening.”
She smiles and slips a hand under my belt to pull me toward her before kissing me. When I part her legs with my knee, she moans against my mouth, grinding against my thigh while tangling her fingers in my hair.
“You're driving me crazy,” she hisses against my lips.
“That makes two of us,” I confess, cradling her face in my hands.
Before I realize it, clothes start falling at our feet. I trace her naked body with desire, pushing her against the wall while I kiss her nipples. And hearing her soft pants, the day's stress vanishes and my encounter with Olivia suddenly becomes nothing but an echo from the past.