Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
N ovember 14 th
I am stressing. I thought I would be a cool ass business boss. But as Lenora’s launch gets closer, I am starting to freak out. I even snapped at Kendrick yesterday when the florist messed up my order and I have ten days to get it fixed. Jack called me into his office first thing this morning and I have a million things to do while being worried that he’s going to fire me. Well, not really. He won’t fire me. But I just want everything to be perfect. Ten days until the party and fourteen days until the launch of the book. I can do this. I can do this. Hell yeah, I can do this.
Paige was rethinking this whole Jack won’t fire her thing . Jack had sent a car to pick her up, and the office seemed quiet since most people didn’t arrive for another thirty minutes. She also didn’t know why the security guard not only unlocked the front door for her but was now escorting her to Jack’s office. They only did that when an employee was fired.
Her steps fell silently on the carpet as Paige approached Jack’s office. Amanda wasn’t even there yet. Dread filled her as she knocked on the closed door. Was the messed up floral order really a pink slip worthy offense?
“Come in,” she heard Jack call.
Paige opened the door and walked inside, pulling up short when she saw a handsome, serious looking man standing by the window. Who was he? Her replacement?
“Thanks, Ronnie,” Jack said the security guard. “You can go back downstairs now.”
The security guard nodded and closed his door on the way out of the office as if he were closing the door to Paige’s future.
“Jack, what’s going on?” Paige asked.
“Paige Turner, meet Clark Harrow from Simpson Security in Atlanta,” Jack said, indicating the man standing who was now watching her.
“Hello,” Paige said slowly, feeling as if she were being set up for something.
“Ma’am.”
It was strange for a man who was maybe ten years older than her to call her ma’am. But Paige was too nervous to care as she looked back to Jack.
“What’s going on, Jack?” Paige asked again, trying to keep the quiver from her voice.
“We’ve gotten some very credible, serious threats about publishing Lenora’s book. Some threats have been from people who don’t like women who enjoy sex, but this one seems more personal. Both Lenora and you are mentioned in the messages, probably because you’ve been identified as her editor in the press. We think it’s Chip, but I’m not going to risk your safety until we get to the bottom of this,” Jack explained. “Lenora has her own security, but Clark will be your bodyguard for the foreseeable future.”
Paige looked between Jack and Clark. So, she was being protected, not fired? Okay, this wouldn’t be bad. Bodyguard romances were hot. Clark certainly fit the bill. He had that protective former military thing going on with his posture and serious gaze in his blue eyes. His acorn brown hair was cut short and the suit didn’t leave much to the imagination about the weapons he was packing, and she wasn’t talking about the gun at his hip.
“Thank you, Clark. It’s nice to meet you. I appreciate you looking out for me.” Paige turned back to Jack, who was still frowning. “Will this delay the launch?”
“We don’t think so.” Another knock on the door stopped Jack from continuing as he called for the person to come in. Paige turned, expecting to see Amanda. Not the man who entered. “Max, thanks for coming.”
Max looked around, taking in Clark and Jack, but his eyes landed on Paige and stayed there. “What’s this about? You specifically requested me.”
“Threats have been made against Miss Turner, Lenora Hamilton, and me.”
Paige tore her eyes from Max’s and looked back to Jack. “They named you, too?”
Jack nodded before another man approached the door. “Ah, and here is Miss Hamilton’s head of security. The threats were specific enough that we wanted to bring the police in. Since I know you, and I know you know Paige, I thought you’d want the case.”
“What kind of threats and who is the man with the gun?” Max asked, nodding to Clark.
Clark stepped forward and held out his hand while reaching for his wallet with the other. “Clark Harrow, Simpson Security. I’ve been hired to guard Miss Turner. Here’s my gun permit.”
Max nodded and handed the permit back before turning to look at the file Jack had tossed on the table. Paige wanted to talk to Max. She wanted to read the threats and ask him if she would be safe, but Max was in full cop mode. His body held pent-up tension as he read the file before handing it off to Lenora’s security.
“Chip Avara,” Max said, shaking his head. “He’s everything wrong with the entertainment industry and men combined into one asshole.”
“His father was supposed to handle this,” Jack told Max. Paige watched the interaction. Jack and Max were comfortable with each other as they discussed the case and also reviewed other potential suspects.
“Miss Hamilton is still filming overseas. She returns in eight days. We have everything wired with cameras and a direct line for our security guards to the police station,” Lenora’s head of security told them.
Max nodded and turned to Clark. “Do the same for Miss Turner. Check with the landlord and get permission to have cameras set up externally at all points on the ground floor. Then install a camera in each room pointing to the windows, front door, and down the hallway. It’s a small apartment, but since she has a pet rabbit, don’t use motion sensors by his hutch.”
Jack cocked his head and looked at Max. “I wasn’t aware you knew Paige’s apartment layout.”
“I’m her friend, aren’t I?”
“Is that what you are?” Jack asked, looking between them again. “Things are making more sense now,” Jack said more to himself before he turned to Clark. “Can you get that done?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll do that now while she’s here at work.” Clark turned to Paige and made her promise not to leave the building until he returned.
“Don’t worry, Paige. We’ll get this solved,” Max told her. “Jack, call me if anything else comes in. I also wouldn’t open any packages you aren’t expecting.”
“It’s that kind of threat?” Paige asked with a gasp.
“I told you it was serious,” Jack responded.
“I’ll check on you both and call as soon as I have information,” Max told Jack but was watching Paige.
“Thank you, Max.” Jack shook his hand and Max left, pulling out his phone and making a call as he walked away.
Paige watched as Max disappeared down the hall. “A bomb threat?” Paige asked Jack.
“That and more. Let’s just say the person who made the threat doesn’t like women very much.”
“Are you sure it’s Chip?”
“We’re not,” Jack told her. “But he’s the most likely suspect. That’s why we called in Max. Don’t worry. Clark is excellent. You’ll be safe.”
Paige was sent off to work as the building began to fill with people, but it was hard to focus on the launch and also on the new clients they had coming in. Paige had instructed Kendrick not to accept any packages or flowers until further notice. She jumped when anyone knocked on her door and just wanted to go home.
Emergency meeting at my place tonight.
Paige sent the text to her friends and then did everything she could to focus on work for the rest of the day.