Playing with Power - Book 5: New Adult Office Romance (3 page)

“I hope you aren’t mad, but Parker told me he was going to offer you the position and I knew we had to celebrate.” She pulled back, practically beaming with happiness.
Ah Faith, you’re too good for all of us,
Lauren thought. “I just had to make sure you said yes first.” Then speaking in a louder voice to the whole office she said, “It’s my pleasure to present the new CTO of StyleSpur!”

The entire office erupted in applause, punctuated with loud bangs as everyone pulled the strings on their poppers. Colorful streamers and glitter rained down on Lauren’s head as everyone cheered. They drew in to personally congratulate her, each person taking a moment to tell her how happy they were to have her in charge. Even Rochelle congratulated her, although her eyes were saying something completely different.

As this was going on, Faith was busy in the conference room setting up a brunch buffet complete with bottles of champagne. Lauren was led into the room where, in a truly bizarre twist, Parker proposed a toast.

“I’ll keep is short and sweet,” he said tartly. He raised his Solo cup of champagne. “To Lauren. May this be the beginning of a long and prosperous partnership.”

“To Lauren!” they all replied.

As the team mingled around the food, chatting and energized from the rare Monday morning treat, Lauren excused herself to the bathroom. Locking the stall door, she sat on the toilet lid and tried to collect herself. Parker’s words echoed through her mind.

A long partnership...I’m going to fuck over all these people. I can’t possibly find everyone a job and there’s going to be collateral damage, no matter how hard I try. Whether or not he deserves it, am I actually capable of destroying Parker’s company? I suppose I’m in too deep now...

She pulled out her phone and typed Landon a quick message.

I know you won’t get this until you land but...I got it. He made me CTO. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry.

Throughout the gathering, Lauren did her best to try and pull Faith to the side, hoping at the very least to arrange to meet for drinks later on. It seemed a nearly impossible task. Every time she got close to pulling her away, Parker appeared out of nowhere, still grinning like an idiot. Finally, as everyone began filtering back into the main room, remembering that they were indeed at work, Lauren was able to corner her in the nearly empty conference room.

“I’m so happy for you,” Faith said rubbing Lauren’s arm.

“Thank you sweetie, seriously. This was way too much, you outdid yourself. You certainly know how to throw a party. Listen, I was wondering if—”

“Oh, I can’t keep it a secret anymore!” Faith exclaimed. Her energy was so overwhelming Lauren nearly took a step back. “I promised I wasn’t going to tell anyone but...” she said looking around to see if the coast was clear. “Parker asked me to marry him over the weekend.”

Lauren had never been good at poker. According to her brother, she might as well play with her cards facing out for all the good her poker face did. She couldn’t conceal the shock on her face.

“I know, I know. You aren’t his biggest fan.”

“Faith, it isn’t that. I...there’s something I’ve gotta—”

Clearly not listening, Faith exclaimed, “Look! I’ve been wearing it spun around but look what he gave me.” She twisted the ring around on her finger revealing a gigantic diamond that sparkled under the fluorescents. “Isn’t it beautiful? He actually got down on one knee. I spent the whole weekend planning the wedding, can you believe it?”

“Oh man...” Lauren looked into Faith’s big eyes and saw nothing but hope. “It’s beautiful sweetie. You’ll make a gorgeous bride someday but—”

“Won’t she?” a deep voice said behind her. Parker strode past and grabbed Faith by the waist, holding her like some type of trophy. “I thought we agreed we weren’t going to tell anybody, baby?”

Faith flinched. “I only told Lauren. I didn’t think it’d be that big a deal now you two are partners and everything.”

He pressed his lips together in a tight smile. “Of course it’s okay. Speaking of partners, I need to steal Lauren away for one minute. Mind following me?”

Lauren wished she could shoot lasers from her eyes as she followed him down the hall. As soon as the door shut to Parker’s office, he slowly wheeled on her. Aware the glass walls offered little privacy, Parker’s body language remained neutral yet his tone dripped with venom.

“I know what you’re trying to do but don’t bother. I came clean this weekend, told her everything. I thought it was better she hear it from me. But don’t you dare—”

“So you won’t mind if we have a little girly chat about it then? Getting cheated on isn’t something you can just brush away with a shiny ring. I’m sure she’ll need to talk,” Lauren smiled warmly.

“Of course I can’t stop you, but I’d prefer if you didn’t.”

“I’m sure you would. You expect me to believe you told her about the blowjob I walked in on Friday night and then she happily agreed to marry you on Saturday? Parker, come on now.”

He coolly regarded her with heavy-lidded eyes, all emotion draining from his face. “You’re going to believe it because I’m telling you it’s true. You want to try and test me, by all means, go ahead.”
Ah, now here is the Parker I recognize. I knew he couldn’t hide behind that mask for too long.

“What exactly
are
you going to do about Rochelle. I was surprised to see her here this morning. As the CTO I think it’d be prudent—”

“Oh fuck off with that CTO shit,” he spat turning his back to her. “She still doesn’t know
we
know. I think we still might be able to use her.”

Lauren crossed her arms. “You’re serious? You’re going to keep her on? Fine. As far as I’m concerned she’s pulled from the development team and can sit staring at a wall for all I care.”

Parker shook his head. “You can’t do that.”

“I fucking can and will.”

When he turned and looked at her, a bright smile glued to his face, a thought flashed through her mind.
He’s a sociopath. He’s a clinical, plain-as-day sociopath. How have I never seen it before?

“Of course you will. You’re Lauren Kemp and you do whatever the fuck you want.” The way he spoke while smiling was clownish and creepy. “Get the fuck out of my office.”

Lauren gladly left, a small shudder involuntarily rippling through her as she returned to her desk.

3.

Despite Landon’s insistence, Lauren didn’t feel it was necessary to stay at Ali’s apartment. Nick had probably vented whatever frustration or anger he’d been feeling and that was that. It’d been over two weeks since she’d received the photos and nothing else had happened. Besides, she felt safe enough staying at the office with three other roommates. Even so, she was looking forward to a night with her best friend.

As she was walking home from work, she got a phone call from Landon.

“Well hello there. I wasn’t expecting a call from you tonight.”

“Well, here I am, all yours,” he replied. She loved hearing the smile in his voice. Lauren was always surprised at how giddy she felt every time he called.

“Don’t you have that thing tonight?”

“It’s only three in the afternoon here, babe. I don’t need that long to get ready.”

“Ugh, I can’t wait until we’re in the same time zone.”

“Well...that’s actually why I’m calling. I had a meeting with Christopher this morning and it looks like things might be moving quickly in the next couple weeks, a lot faster than we originally thought.”

“Why, is something wrong?” Lauren still didn’t like the idea of having to deal with Christopher Liche in any form but also relished the idea of being able to prove him wrong. She hadn’t spoken to him since their first and only meeting but the memory of his dismissal was fresh.

“Nothing’s wrong, no. It’s just, the applications for the incubators are coming up and we should be fully incorporated and running well before we apply.”

“I still don’t understand why we have to do all that. Can’t we just start a company like everyone else? I mean,” she switched the phone to her other ear, “it just seems so...tech-hipster.”

Landon laughed so loudly Lauren heard his dog barking in the background. “We absolutely
can
do it without the incubator, but we have a great shot at getting in. It’s just the difference of slow growth and accelerated growth. Don’t you want to hit the market and dominate within a year?”

It was still so hard to believe but the more they talked about it, the more she wanted it. Deep in her gut, she wanted to run a successful company that she’d built from the ground up. Applying to these incubators would make everything public and real.

“Of course I do. I just need to learn more about it before I feel comfortable, I guess.” She fumbled in her bag for her keys and dropped them on the ground with a clatter.

“Where are you anyway?” Landon asked, his voice wistful.

“Just walking through the lobby up to the office. Why?”

“Curious. What are you wearing?” He was closer to the phone now, his voice husky and breathy.

“Seriously? I’m not answering that,” she giggled. “Besides, you probably wouldn’t like the answer.”

“Oh! That’s another thing. You need to go shopping. You’re becoming the CEO of a fashion related startup and you need to look the part.”

Lauren pouted briefly as the elevator doors closed. She knew he was right but that didn’t make it any easier for her to pick out clothes. “You mean I
shouldn’t
be on the cover of magazines in jeans and a stained MIT sweatshirt?”

“Hey, I love your sense of style but seriously. You have the company credit card, go shopping.”

“I guess I could take Ali tomorrow if she isn’t doing anything.” The elevator stopped with a wobble and she stepped out. Brian and Lev were working under their headphones but otherwise the airy office was quiet. “How much can I spend? What’s my budget, boss?”

“Oh, I don’t know, three, four.”

“Hundred?” she asked idly. She started flipping through the mail on her desk, attention drawing to a large square package.

“No...thousand.”

“
Thousand?
” she yelled. Both coders shushed her as they glowered from their computers. Lauren walked toward the kitchen to give them some peace. “Three, four
thousand
dollars? You’re joking, right?”

“Baby, that’s a drop in the bucket and we can even write it off as a business expense. It’s like this, and I’m wearing my Landon businessman hat now, okay? You’re gorgeous, young, and intelligent. If you want to appeal to the largest demographic of people, you have to look the part. Men should want you and women should want to
be
you. Make sense?”

“I suppose,” she said, toeing the cracks on the floor. “I suppose I’ve never considered myself a commodity like that.”

“Not a commodity, a marketing technique.” He laughed again. “You really are the perfect woman, you know. You’re actually fighting me when I flat out tell you to go spend thousands on clothes.”

Lauren grabbed a pair of scissors from the knife block and strode back to her desk. Tucking the phone against her cheek, she sat down in the chair and replied, “I’m far from the perfect woman but I’m glad you think so. When do you have to be at the opening?”

As she sliced length ways through the tape on the package, Lauren realized there was no address label, only her name. She heard Landon speaking but didn’t register what he was saying, the words dimming as her hearing disappeared.
Shit, should I even be opening this?
With a trembling hand, she cut the remaining tape and opened one of the cardboard flaps.

Dark brown splotches covered much of the inside of the cardboard box. The room was so dark, she couldn’t see inside with only one part open. As she lifted the second flap with the scissors, she noticed a neon green note taped to the underside.

This is what you’ve done to me

The note was completely covered with clear tape, so while it wasn’t stained, a few droplets of moisture clung to its surface.
Oh Jesus, it’s blood,
she realized.

“Wren, are you listening to me?” she faintly heard Landon ask.

“He...he sent me something...there’s blood, I think...” she stammered. She looked down at her fingers and saw a bit had stained her skin. In horror, she pushed the package away, knocking it on its side. With a wet, sticky sound an entire raw heart rolled out and across her desk. The only thing stopping it from tumbling completely off and to the floor was the huge knife sticking out from the middle.

Lauren screamed and pushed away in her computer chair, wheels skittering across the floor.

“What is it? Are you alright? What’s happened?” Landon asked frantically.

“It’s a heart, it’s a fucking heart. Nick sent me a real goddamn heart with a knife in it.”

“Holy shit,” Lev said as he peered over the monitors. “Someone isn’t very happy with you.”

4.

Lauren shuffled up the flights of stairs, exhausted from her long day. All she wanted was to relax and attempt to salvage whatever she could of her girls’ night with Ali. Swinging the heavy duffel bag over her shoulder, she trudged up the last flight. Ali whipped the door open just as she raised her knuckles to knock.