His Rules

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

K acey

Crazy.

That was the single word that entered my mind. But my thoughts centered on crazy like a fox. Maybe I should have told Sebastian my plans, but I knew he’d do everything in his power to stop me. He was a formidable man, but I was tenacious as fuck. Whatever Drake was doing would soon be brought to fruition.

As my mother had always told me, everyone had something to hide. I just needed to dig through the muck in order to find it.

Muck.

Who was I kidding?

“How long until you’re finished?” I asked as I continually checked the door leading to the main part of the office. We had maybe twenty minutes before the cleaning staff came in. I didn’t want to risk being seen by anyone.

“Another five. I almost have it.”

Stephanie had a jump drive on Drake’s desk. Hopefully she would find a private file. I paced the hallway, constantly glancing at the perimeter. Everything was dark except for the desk lamp she’d turned on. The glow could be seen from the corridor.

“I’m in.”

As soon as she issued the words, I breathed a sigh of relief. I scooted around to see what she was looking at on his screen. As she rolled through the various files, nothing stood out as being odd.

“These are all attached to the network.”

“Check to see if there are any private files,” I told her.

She continued scrolling and I continued perspiring. We’d done some goofy things in our youth, but this was breaking the law.

“What’s this? Do you recognize the name?” Stephanie asked me. “It’s on a private drive and it took me a minute to find it.”

“Vacation plans? I don’t think that’ll have anything.”

She snickered. “Hold on. This is a directory. Let’s see what files he has underneath.”

I continuously darted my eyes from the computer screen to the door. “Project A. What the hell is that?”

“Let’s see.” As soon as Stephanie pulled it up, my gut churned.

“Copy that.”

“You don’t want to see what’s on it?”

A thud coming from another office was our answer. “Just hurry. We need to get out of here.”

Her fingers flew and I turned off the lamp, moving like a thief toward the door. I was a pile of nerves. This was the nuttiest thing I’d ever done.

But the insane part? I would do it again if necessary.

“How long?” I whispered. The squealing wheels indicated it was the cleaning people bringing in the cart, but we just couldn’t risk the possibility Drake was onto us. I didn’t know how he could be, but the guy was cagey as fuck.

“One minute.”

One minute might be too long. I sweated and paced, trying to keep my cool.

“Got it,” she said and immediately backed out of what she was in, yanking the drive as she stood.

“Let’s go.” She trailed after me as I headed toward the back door that not only led to the hallway, but the stairs as well. We were forced to crouch down at one point when a light was turned on not too far away.

At least the guy was whistling while he was working.

I looked at her and she gave me a goofy grin. We moved a few inches, still bent over at waist level. When we were finally behind the door, I took one more look to ensure we hadn’t been noticed.

Then we fled like two thieves in the night.

Our next crazy plan? Going to Drake’s house.

He lived in a palatial home surrounded by thick stone walls and a gated entrance. However, it would seem Drake thought he was invincible. The gates were wide open, with no security cameras that either one of us could see.

“I don’t see any guards or cameras on the house,” Stephanie said while holding the night vision goggles in front of her eyes.

“Where exactly did you get those again?” She was a woman of mystery.

“I have friends.”

“Oh, come on. Secret agents?”

“I was dating a Marine and he had these. I kind of stole them from him.”

“Kind of?” All I could do was laugh. “You really are a thief.”

“Look who’s talking. Besides, all women are.”

I laughed and pulled the long sweater sleeves down my hands. Being with Sebastian had been even more special than before. When he’d left, I’d felt empty. Yet determined.

“I’m heading to the house. Just send me a quiet message if anyone shows.” The woman had even thought of walkie-talkies, the old kind. She’d had them for years. I was beginning to wonder if she moonlighted as a mercenary.

“That’s not a good idea.”

“So we’re just going to sit here and wait?”

“Drake isn’t even home.”

No, there were no lights on inside the house and his car wasn’t in the driveway. That didn’t mean it wasn’t parked in the garage.

“I just want to take a quick look. Nothing more,” I told her.

“This isn’t smart. Just wait five minutes.”

She was right. “Okay, then I go in.”

The five minutes seemed to drag by. I was close to hyperventilating. “That’s it. I’m not waiting any longer.” I opened the door before she could object.

Then not one but two cars rolled down the street, the headlights of the first car barreling down on us.

“Oh, shit. Close the door.” Stephanie slouched down before I had a chance to.

Now, in the darkness, we waited. There were a few other houses on the street. I could only hope our luck would hold. I slunk down as well while still being able to peer over the dashboard. I also shouted for joy when both vehicles pulled into his driveway.

“This could be it,” she whispered.

“Yes, it could be.”

It took a minute, but a single party each climbed out.

Stephanie immediately returned to her lookout position, using the night vision goggles.

“Do you see anything?”

“Nothing. They’re blocked by foliage. Come on, babies. Step a little further to the left.”

Seconds passed and they were brutal. I was trying not to lose my mind.

Suddenly, she whistled.

“What?” I demanded.

“Take a look for yourself. Do you see what I see?”

Even with the specialized goggles, it was tough to make out any distinct features. “Not yet.”

“Strain those eyes, girl.”

“Fine.” I didn’t need to. One of the parties stepped forward and a motion sensor turned on a floodlight.

“Tell me what you see?”

“Two people arguing. No, they’re doing something else.”

She yanked her laptop into her hands, her fingers flying. When she turned around the screen, I could tell she was giving me one of her stern looks.

“Now do you see what I see?” she asked.

I glanced at the photograph on the screen and back into the goggles. “Holy shit.”

“The new suit looks fabulous on you, darling. Red is your color,” Stephanie said in passing.

I was barely paying attention, although I’d forced her to go shopping with me, finding a hot red pantsuit that fit me like a glove. I looked like some femme fatale from a movie. My instinct told me that’s what Sebastian was going to need at this point.

“Thanks. Why doesn’t he answer his phone?” I tossed mine onto the couch and continued pacing the floor. “Maybe I should just drive over to the house.”

“Look at what time it is,” Stephanie instructed, her fingers still flying over the keyboard. She’d taken over from me a few hours before, both of us trying desperately to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

And dear God, it was a bloody mess at this point.

I glanced at my watch and groaned. “It’s almost nine. I’m late for work. The board meeting is going to start. Sebastian is all alone. We need to hurry.”

“He’s a big boy and I’m going as fast as I can. At least I found out the deal with Waterhouse Industries.”

“It’s not enough. We need a smoking gun. We need a loaded gun. Oh, this is such a nightmare.”

“Just breathe. I’m almost finished. Two more files.”

I glanced at my watch again. We weren’t going to make it. Could they fire Sebastian? I had no idea, but damn it. Why hadn’t he just agreed to allow me to help?

A few minutes passed and I looked at my phone at least three times. The board meeting was now underway and I was miles from the office.

When my phone buzzed, my stomach lurched. Maybe Sebastian was calling. I noticed a strange number and frowned, almost ignoring it, but my gut told me otherwise.

“Yes?” I answered.

“Kacey? Is that you?”

“Sheila?”

“Yes. Why aren’t you here? The shit is hitting the fan.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean Mr. Winfield is going to be arrested. The cops just walked into the conference room. The office is all abuzz.”

“Oh, shit. I’ll be right there.”

“Thank God.”

I ended the call, lunging toward Stephanie. “We need to go. Now.”

“What is going on?”

“Sebastian is going to be arrested. That is not going to happen on my watch. Whatever you have, we need to grab and run. I’ll think of something on the way while you drive.”

“Hold on here. You want me to be your accomplice?”

“I do.”

She half laughed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. And bingo. We got the bastard. Come on, bestie in crime. We have a man’s reputation and freedom to save.”