Camouflage (Predator and Prey #1) (2 page)

Three Weeks Later

I sat at my desk with my monitors cued up reading my daily reports. I had nothing but good news to share with my partner, Nina, when she returned from Key West. Nina had started this company with her cultivated fortune using my lone idea and we’d built it from the ground up. Scott solutions had revolutionized the protocol of the modern day inventor. We saw an idea we thought the consuming masses couldn’t live without, we invested, and it had paid off in spades.

I’d started off as her assistant and was now half owner in the company, a goal I hadn’t intended to meet until much later, but was rewarded to me by the amount of work I’d invested. The day Nina had pushed those papers across my desk, I thanked excellence.

Our building was located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. I’d only moved here from New York when the position was offered to me. I’d always thought I would remain a New Yorker but was surprised for my love of both Charleston and the historic south it represented. It was very different from the desolate and depraved, shithole town in Tennessee where I once lived.

Six months in this city had me convinced that I no longer wanted any part of New York, and after my first mild winter, I was convinced I’d moved to paradise. I had a successful career and more money than I hoped at the age of twenty-nine, which afforded me a life more comfortable than I’d thought possible.

I had achieved my goal.

And I was bored out of my mind.

“Taylor, line four.” I picked up without giving my new assistant, Ross, the scolding she deserved. I didn’t like being surprised by who was on the other end of the line.

“Taylor Ellison,” I barked.

“And good morning to you,” Nina joked as I sat back in my chair with a smile.

“How’s it going in the Keys? Is Devin still alive?” I joked back.

“Barely. I’ve pulled my gun on him twice.” I chuckled knowing that might be the truth of it. I’d recently taught her how to use a pistol and she was a natural and never left home without it. Nina was now a far cry from the more timid woman I’d met. Recent events had insured she would never be the same.

“Remember clean shots only and leave the important parts. I have a meeting in five but is there something you need?”

My office door opened and Nina walked in with a smile. She had a deep set tan and her eyes were glowing with mischief. I was instantly envious; though I made sure my face gave nothing away.

“I thought I would take this one,” she remarked, ending our call and sitting across from me to look around my new office. “This looks great. Are you happy with the turnout?”

“I am, thank you,” I offered as I took in her appearance. She was glowing from weeks of sex aboard her boyfriend Devin’s boat. They had sailed away together in an attempt to reconnect. “You look good,” I admitted with only a slight grudge. The truth was, she deserved the smile she was sporting more than anyone I’d ever known. She’d gone through hell to get it.

“Thanks, I feel good. Look, I’ve been away for long enough. It’s time the favor was returned. Seriously, Taylor, you haven’t taken a day off ...ever. It’s time.”

“I—”

“It’s an order,” she said, half-joking.

I ignored her as I began to type up my final notes for the meeting I had in two minutes. I was never late and I wouldn’t be to this one, either. “Thanks, really, but I’m good. Maybe I’ll take you up on that in a few months.”

“Don’t you have family to see? Someone to do?” She knew I’d been frequenting The Rabbit Hole. That club had turned out to be part of her horror story, and another good reason for me to stay away.

“No.” I stood up then walked toward the door. “Want to sit in? The clients are in the conference room.”

“I’m aware. I got your 6 A.M. email.” There was concern in her voice. She’d been trying to get anything she could out of me for months. I’d told her I’d try to loosen up a little more with private details about me for the sake of our growing friendship, but one minute before a meeting was not the time.

With a sigh, she looked at me as I stood next to her at the door. “Taylor Ellison is all business all the time.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I confirmed as she followed me out.

Thirty seconds.

I counted them down as we reached the conference room door.

Three, two, one...excellence.

“You stupid fucking slut! Who the fuck do you think you are! You are no better than me! If you leave me like this, I will find you. I will kill you.”

“You won’t find me, Lazarus, and do you know why? Because you won’t have any idea where to look.”

“You think your sumtin’ with that scholarship, dontcha’? Well, I have news for you. They can smell trash. They’ll be able to smell you a mile away. I’m all you’ve got.”

“No, Laz, you are all you’ve got. Insult me again, and I will blow a hole through you.”

“Fucking whore, you—”

I aimed and pulled the trigger, shooting a clean hole through his thigh. His agonizing cries only fueled me as I squeezed again, this time clipping his ear.

I opened the door of the hotel room then looked him in the eye. “You stay away from me and stay the fuck away from Amber or I’ll come back and finish the job.”

“Red, don’t ...please.” The voice belonged to the boy I used to know. As I looked into his eyes, I saw equal parts affection and hatred for me. He didn’t want me to belong elsewhere and that was where the hatred stemmed from. The affection was something we’d started years ago and would never go away, regardless of how completely screwed up our relationship was now. Even through all of it, I still cared for him. As I stood in the doorway, prepared to leave and never lay eyes on him again, I let my feelings show, but only briefly.

“I can’t stay. I told you that. I’m sorry.” He shed a single tear as he glared up at me.

“I’ll come for you,” he warned.

“No, you won’t.” His shoulders stiffened as his greasy hair spilled over his face. He looked down at his worn shoes in defeat. I lowered my gun and walked out the door.

I shot up in bed, completely ruined from my dream, because that was just it. It wasn’t a dream. It was a reality in a different world I had escaped and hadn’t thought about in years. Glancing at my clock, I saw it was barely ten. Uneasy and still reeling from the clear vision of the look in Laz’s eyes, I took a hot shower. Ten minutes later, I was seated on my couch, preparing for a sleepless night, and a marathon of some mind numbing TV.

Looking around my lavish condo, I realized I’d picked out absolutely nothing in it, including the blanket covering me.

Realization came over me in waves.

I was trapped again, but in a different kind of reality. Did I have order and excellence to thank for that?

I shook off the throw blanket, walked into my closet, and threw my first hanger on. I didn’t design or throw together my outfits like most women. I took complete looks from the mannequins in the stores. From top to toe, I used the outfit and the jewelry they used to accessorize the plastic. It had worked for years and it continued to work now. Except that now the mannequins sported a much higher price tag. Of that fact, I was proud.

Going into Harvard my first year, I had no idea what fashion sense was. I’d come from nothing and been thrust into a world of wealth I couldn’t have been prepared for. I had no TV as a child, no internet aside from the two computers in our high school of eighty students, no anything. I’d only gotten my first cell phone when I was sixteen. Even then, it was outdated due to the limited supply of my shit town. I’d almost felt like I had come from an alternate planet when I’d entered Boston. If it weren’t for the two years I’d spent fucking Memphis’s wealthiest man, I would have been even more lost.

The dress that covered me tonight was nude and left little to the imagination. I put on matching pumps in the exact same color. The dress made my long dark red hair stand out in comparison. Slipping on my stockings and garter, I admired the body I’d worked hard for in the last few years. I had a solid muscled core and rounded hips and was thankful for a smaller but ample bust-line than one that would match my top heavy mother. In minutes, I had carefully layered my makeup the way I was taught then grabbed my keys.

I might have nothing to do on a Saturday night, but I had toys to play with if I so desired. I owned an array of muscle cars, which I paid the association extra to keep covered. These were my babies, and I needed no chauffeur to take advantage of them. This was my one indulgence, and I had no shame when it came to them.

I slid my finger along my Charger I’d nicknamed ‘Bomber’. It had the exact sleek look of the fatal plane. Completely blacked out from roof to turf, she was my pride and joy. I’d rarely taken her out in the last few months and decided tonight was the night. Slipping in, I turned the ignition as she roared to life, the idle alone heightening my senses. I was instantly turned on by the heavy repeat of the engine.

I’d fantasized of having the right cock in this car, but in my original daydreams, he had owned the car himself. I was sure there were plenty of men out there who owned a muscle car, but the new woman I’d become was slightly choosier for a different breed of man than those who owned a car like this.

Was I a hypocrite? Yes, maybe. The type of man I was now suited for wouldn’t own this type of car. His would be a lot more expensive and way more foreign.

This car and all my others were my way of keeping a small part of that Tennessee girl inside of me, and I would not fucking apologize for it.

Pulling into downtown, I bypassed the bustle of King Street to drift a little further, pulling into a piano bar I knew encased the company I was looking for. I would have a few drinks to take the edge off, and maybe a willing cock to exhaust me.

The young valet took one look at my car and then the small flash of my bare pussy as I exited and was hard as a rock by the time I handed him my keys.

“Fuck...is this heaven?” I heard him whisper as I smirked, leaned over, handed him a twenty as I whispered, “Which part? Take care of it and you may get a taste.”

Before he had a chance to answer, I was through the door. Though the music was far from what I enjoyed, the atmosphere was more desirable. Intimate tables were lined throughout the small bar and on the back patio were a set of couches surrounded by lavish plants, small trees, and highlighted by soft electric blue lighting. I walked up to the bar, getting a good share of attention as I passed by without looking in any direction. I was more than aware that the good ol’ boys, the ones who felt they ruled the city, congregated here. Tonight, I’d decided to play with one of them in my bed. These men valued nothing but money and power. But I knew they had a weakness for quality women and tonight that’s what I’d offer. It only took minutes for the first to approach. Unfortunately for him, I would have to pass.

Davis Jeffries, CEO of Blue Corp, was the first to make a move, approaching me just as my drink was set in front of me.

“I’ve seen you before. I think we’ve met,” he said as I turned to him with a smile. I heard his inhale as he studied my face, letting his eyes drift down to my chest before moving back up. He made no apology as he appraised me. He was bold, and maybe he could back it up. It was a shame I was on the prowl and I wouldn’t take the first bid.

“You have. Taylor Ellison, Scott Solutions. How are you, Mr. Jeffries?” He gave me a small smile as he motioned to the bartender.

“Davis, please ...ah, yes, Taylor. I hear congrats are in order,” he remarked of my new partnership in my company.

“Thank you,” I murmured before taking a sip of my drink, feigning interest in conversation and in him as I looked at the couch full of millionaires behind him. They all owned a small portion of Charleston, textiles, travel, and one of them actually the last name of several land marks of the city. None of them were interested in their conversation as they stared at Davis’s back to see his progress. It was clear I had my pick. In fact, I recalled two of them had propositioned me at one point. Two men I didn’t recognize had their backs to me and were in a heated discussion.

“—and I swear I had. Would you care to join us?” Davis finished as my eyes roamed back to his. He was attractive with dark blond hair that had been tamed neatly with the proper cut and product. His suit was tailored, outlining a fit body, and I was sure he would make for an interesting evening. Still, before I made a decision, I wanted to weigh my options. I allowed him to lead me to my buffet. Every man stood aside from the two who were clearly having a deep conversation. The patio was dark and I nearly stumbled as Davis led me to sit on the white couch next to him. The rest of the men greeted me with lust filled eyes and soft hellos.

“Gentlemen,” I said sweetly, my intent anything but. I set my drink down and took a corner seat, distancing myself from Davis enough to let them know I was fair game. The inner me cheered as they all began to speak at once.

“Taylor Ellison, right—”

“Scott Industries, I heard the stock was soaring—”

“I’ve been meaning to introduce myself—”

I gave a soft laugh as the men fumbled over each other, and I saw Davis tense. It was game on. I replied to a man I knew owned two textile plants and a nationwide retail chain.

“John, yes, hi. We actually have a meeting in a few weeks,” I admitted as he leaned in from across the table.

“Yes, we do.” He grinned, as if he’d won the upper hand, and he might have until the man that had just been in an aggressive conversation with the man beside him set down his empty glass with a loud clink at the table opposite me.

“Daniello,” I said on a whisper in surprise as his angry eyes met mine. I was sure the anger was misplaced due to his recent argument with a man that stood to leave. He looked gorgeous in his ever present, double breasted suit and wingtips. He was perfectly put together, aside from his slightly mused, slicked back hair. His eyes were intense and his jaw firm as he addressed me.

“Taylor,” he rasped out as he took in my dress and the men who surrounded me.

“What a coincidence,” I said, making polite conversation. “You have business in Charleston?”

“I have business everywhere.” His words covered me in curiosity, but before I had a chance to respond, Davis moved slightly my way to engaged me.

“I have an idea I’d like to run past you,” he whispered as I kept my eyes on Daniello, who looked ready to jump over the table and hurt Davis, or me, or both of us.

“Oh yeah,” I flirted, finally turning my eyes away from the man who had haunted my thoughts for months to focus on Davis. “What’s that?”

“I was wondering—”

“I had hoped to finish our game,” Daniello interrupted without apology as I crossed my legs to dull the ache that began to grow the minute I saw him. “But you have not been back to the club.”

“I grew bored of it,” I said simply and without looking at him as I averted my conversation back to Davis. The men next to us shifted uncomfortably, sensing the undeniable tension in the air. The only one seemingly oblivious was Davis as he continued. “I was wanting to ask if you are free—”

“You look bored now,” Daniello said smugly as he lifted his empty glass. “You should put your mouse down, Taylor.”

Davis turned to glare at Daniello who sat confidently as a fresh drink was delivered. He stopped the waitress by putting his hand on her bare leg as she stood next to him. Her eyes were hot on him and I knew immediately anywhere that hand wandered she would welcome it. Her lips were parted as he rubbed the back of her thigh with his fingertips. “Thank you,” he whispered to the waitress, stroking her as his eyes challenged mine.

“Why don’t you put
your
mouse away?” I snickered as his hand drifted up further, brushing just beneath her skirt. She opened her legs slightly as the men at the table looked on in awe and frustration. A few of them averted their eyes, clearly uncomfortable at the display. I was both shocked at the abandon of the waitress and at the same time not at all surprised. Daniello had that effect. I knew it the minute I saw him at the club months ago.

After an uncomfortable lull in conversation, uninterrupted by whimpers from our fearless waitress, one of the men next to me cleared his throat loudly and began speaking. They all joined in, leaving Daniello, Davis, and I to our own discussion.

I turned to Davis. “Looks like the help is busy, and I could use another drink.”

“Say no more,” Davis said with uncertainty, looking between Daniello and me as he stood, but not before staking his claim with a kiss on my cheek.

“I am rather enjoying my mouse,” Daniello whispered as his hand slid up even further, brushing her where what I knew was as hot as the burning between my legs.