Playing in SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 9) Read online

  Chapter 14

  Audrey

  “Ready to go, kiddo?” I ask Jeanne as I walk into the lobby where she’s been helping Alex.

  “Yeah. I just have one more envelope to stuff.”

  “She’s been a big help today, Aud,” Alex tells me.

  “It was kind of boring, but fun, too.”

  “I’m guessing that the fun part was when Alex let you play some games on her e-reader.”

  “Shit,” Alex says.

  “It’s fine. You’re not her parent, and that’s the story we’re sticking to if Blake finds out.”

  “Agreed.”

  “I won’t tell,” Jeanne says, handing her finished work to Alex.

  “No worries.”

  “Can I come back tomorrow?”

  “Don’t you have tutoring?”

  “Yeah, but I’d rather be here. There are those big empty rooms off the cafeteria. Couldn’t I have lessons in there with my tutors?”

  “Well, you’d have to get permission from Matt since he runs this place, and then you’d have to ask your dad.”

  “I thought Reina was in charge.”

  “Of the Foundation, and the Society, yes. Matt is in charge of Corrigan & Co., the business, though.”

  “He came and helped me when he should’ve been running his company. He probably hates me.”

  “Nah. My brother-in-law may act tough, but he’s a softy,” Alex tells her.

  “You’re married to Matt’s brother?”

  “I am.”

  “Why are you a secretary?”

  “Because I love it here, and I’m not qualified to be a Society Girl, even if there was an opening.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Alex.”

  “I’m not. Just being honest.”

  “She’s a lot more than a secretary to us. We’d fall apart without her. I mean, seriously, have you ever tried to work that phone system? It’s a beast.”

  “I love how you all go out and fight the baddest of the bad guys, yet are scared of my phones.”

  “We all have our weaknesses,” I tell her with a shrug. She laughs and waves goodbye as she answers a call.

  “Can we go see Matt now? Or maybe he’s too busy.”

  “We can go up to his floor, and check. He’s always busy, but not as much as you’d imagine. He hires good people, and delegates whatever he can. He likes to make sure they all have a chance to prove themselves.”

  “I still don’t understand why Alex would work as a secretary. Couldn’t Matt give her a better job if she needed one?”

  “She doesn’t need a job.”

  “Oh, because she’s married to a Corrigan, right?”

  “No. She was a Griffin first. Well, actually her mother was a Griffin, and her father had even more money than they do. When her parents died, it all went to her.”

  “Wow. I guess I might still work if I was rich. It’d be boring to just sit around. I still don’t get why she’s a secretary,” she says as we get off of the elevator.

  “Someone who’s related to a Society mentor has to fill that job, and she’s more than just a secretary. She holds a lot of responsibility for keeping the balance between our public image, and our private reality. We all consider her to be at least our equal.”

  “I didn’t mean to sound like I thought she wasn’t important. My dad says every job is important.”

  “Your dad is right. Here we are,” I tell her, stopping outside of Matt’s office. “Are you ready to plead your case?”

  “No.”

  “Great, let’s go on in.”

  “I said no. We can just forget this.”

  “Forget what?” Matt asks, walking up behind us in the hall.

  “Jeanne would like to ask you for a favor.”

  “You put my friends—and my wife—in danger, and you want a favor from me?”

  “I thought you and Alex said he was a softy.”

  “Seriously, Aud? I was Special Forces, and you’re telling people I’m soft?”

  “Calm down, Commando. I only told her that so she wouldn’t be intimidated by you.”

  “What’s the favor, kid?”

  She bites her lip, but when I nudge her and nod, she squares her shoulders and looks him in the eye. “I would like to be tutored here. In one of the rooms off the cafeteria.”

  “You want to turn one of my employee rooms into a classroom?”

  “I wouldn’t change anything, or move anything. We’ll just bring books and stuff in, and then take them out when we leave.”

  “What are you going to trade me for the rent?”

  “My dad will pay you.”

  “No. I don’t need money, and you’re the one asking me, not your dad.”

  “I only have computer skills, and I’m not allowed to use any technology right now.”

  “I have Ainsley and her team for anything technological. Do you know how to clean?”

  She scrunches up her nose. “Yes.”

  “Good. You’ll help with clean-up after the lunch rush in the cafeteria.”

  “Don’t you have people to do that?”

  “Yes. Everyone who works in this building. We all take at least one shift per month.”

  “You clean up the cafeteria?”

  “I do. I’m not better than anyone in this building. From the small amount of time I spent with your dad, I’m pretty sure he has the same attitude. Which leads me to believe that your attitude has been influenced by your mother. It won’t fly here, and this is going to be your only warning.”

  “You’re right about my dad, and I won’t be a problem. I promise. I’ll clean every day, and treat everyone with respect.”

  “Good. You don’t need to take yourself out of the room every night. The rooms are never all being used at once. You can set yours up however you want, and keep it that way.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Just remember to always use your super brain for good from now on.”

  “We have to ask her dad, and then if he says yes, I’ll help her get settled tomorrow.”

  “He’ll say yes,” Matt says with a smirk.

  “How do you know?” Jeanne asks him.

  “He won’t want to say no to you, and that word will never come out of his mouth for Audrey.”

  I roll my eyes and hug him. Jeanne formally shakes his hand, which amuses him to no end, and then we say our goodbyes. Once we’re in the car, I let her pick the music, and we head home. Or at least we try to.

  About a mile from the building, the same cars are behind, and next to us. Vegas is a city of traffic, so they could just be people going the same way we are. Could be, but they aren’t. For one thing, they’re keeping pace with me, speeding up or slowing down when I do. And then there’s their tinted windows, which are darker than normal. I activate my distress signal, and keep driving.

  “We’re being followed, Jeanne. I’ve already sent out my distress signal, so my friends will be on their way. If we are forced to pull over, I need you to do exactly as I say.”

  “I didn’t do this. I swear.”

  “I believe you. Right now we don’t know if they’re after me or you. Just listen to me, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  The car on my left suddenly swerves towards me, forcing me to the right, and down a less busy street. The other cars surround us, and I tell Jeanne to hold on as I try to crash through one. It doesn’t budge, letting me know that they’re probably all reinforced. I can’t try them all without completely destroying my car, and leaving us at their mercy. At least my comm unit and camera came online when I sent out my call for help.

  “Jake and Isa are almost there, Aud. Matt’s coming from the office, too. Jade and Nate were out to dinner a couple miles away, so they’ll be there soon. Everyone else is further out, but we’re all coming. Just hang tight.”

  “Working on it, Ainsley.”

  “They have guns, Audrey,” Jeanne says.

  “I see them. The car has b
ullet proof glass.”

  It holds as the men surround us and empty their clips. I relay that there are twelve of them, and try to keep calm. Isa, Jake, and Matt should be here within minutes. My calm disappears when one of them takes a rocket launcher out of his car. The glass can probably withstand it, but I can’t risk Jeanne—or my baby. We’re vulnerable outside of the car, but it could turn into a deathtrap if we stay inside.

  “Jeanne, we’re going to have to get out of this car.”

  “No shit.”

  “I need you to be next to me, so climb onto the center console and get ready to exit right after me from the driver’s side, okay?”

  “Are you going to fight them all?” she asks, her eyes going wide.

  “I’m going to try and not fight any of them. I just need to bide us some time until my friends get here,” I tell her, holding up my hands to show the rocket launcher dude that I’m surrendering. Or pretending to, at least.

  “Why? You kick ass.”

  I sigh, and then tell her the truth. “Your dad should be the first one to know, but I found out today that I’m pregnant.”

  “Seriously. You and my dad are having a baby? That’s gross, but cool, too.”

  “I’m going to do everything I can to protect you, Jeanne. If they attack, I will fight. But I won’t initiate anything.”

  “I get it. Are we getting out now? He looks impatient.”

  “Yes. Just stay behind me.”

  I open the door and step out slowly. Jeanne gets out behind me, and I position myself fully in front of her. “What do you want?”

  “The girl. She’s coming with us.”

  “You can’t have her.”

  “There are twelve of us and one of you.”

  “I know, it’s really unfair to you isn’t it?”

  “Lady, we can do this easy, or we can take you down hard.”

  “It’s not going to be easy.” Where are my friends?

  “We’re not going to be easy on you once we each take a turn. We might go easy if you let us have her.”

  “Not a chance in Hell. Of either of those things happening.”

  “Take them both,” he says; the men start to move towards us.

  I prepare to fight, but Jeanne has other ideas. “Take me,” she says running in front of me. I grab for her, but she pulls away, and looks me in the eye. “I’ll go with you as long as you don’t hurt her. Please don’t hurt her.”

  “Jeanne, no.”

  “It’s your lucky day, lady. Our boss is listening in, and he says we can’t touch you. Take the girl.”

  “No,” I say moving towards them, even if Jeanne doesn’t want me to. I can’t let them take her, even if she’s doing it to protect my baby. I want this baby, but I can’t let them take her in order to protect it. Jeanne has to come first right now.

  “Yes,” the man says, raising a gun at me as I raise mine at him.

  “You’re not taking her as long as I’m standing.”

  I hear the cars screech to a stop behind me, and I know that my friends are here. The men around me drop like flies as they’re taken down before they can even get their guns ready. Then it’s just me, Jeanne, and the guy standing in front of me with the gun. I see his eyes go back and forth as Matt, Isa, and Jake flank us. He pushes Jeanne towards us and runs for the nearest car. Matt is on him before he gets the door open, and there’s not much fight as he knocks the bastard out in seconds.

  “Maybe you should’ve been in the ring with Nate,” I tell him with a smirk.

  “Nah. He can have the ring, and I’ll take the streets.”

  “The streets belong to Aiden,” Isa reminds him.

  “And I have the Corrigan building,” Jake says.

  “Fine. I’ll just stick to the boardroom, and make the money that pays all of your salaries.”

  “Works for me. And thanks for riding to our rescue. All of you.”

  “Looks like we almost didn’t make it,” Isa says.

  “Yeah, what happened. I thought you’d be closer behind us.”

  “Huge accident that blocked all lanes on the 215. I’m thinking it wasn’t actually accidental.”

  “I’d say you’re right, Jake. It was too convenient. If I’d had my bike, I could’ve gotten around it, but I brought my damn car today. The side streets were hell,” Matt tells me.

  “Whoever is behind this has resources. Big resources.”

  “I didn’t think anyone really wanted me. It wasn’t supposed to be real. How is it real?”

  I turn to Jeanne, and know she’s going into shock. Having people with guns and rocket launchers trying to kidnap you is not easy for someone’s brain to deal with. Especially when you’re just a teenager.

  “Jeanne,” I say, taking her in my arms. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

  “Right now I am. What about next time? When they come for me again? What if they go to my house? Oh my God, my dad! Is my dad okay?”

  “I’ll call him right now. Isa, can you send some people to him?”

  “On it.”

  I pull out my phone and dial. He picks up almost immediately and I realize he’s in his car. “I’m almost home. I had to stop for groceries.”

  “Change of plans. I need you to go to my apartment, and wait for me there. Some of my friends are going to follow you there.”

  “What’s wrong, Dree?”

  “I’ll explain everything when you get there. Just go straight there, okay?”

  “It’s not like I can say no, is it? I just have to follow your directions blindly, right?” he asks, sounding frustrated.

  I don’t answer, because he’s right. I’ve given him no choice. Not because I’m trying to control him. I wouldn’t do that. The fact that he doesn’t know that is a problem. It means he doesn’t really know me. Right now I’m not really sure that he wants to.

  Chapter 15

  Blake

  I know I was being an ass with Audrey on the phone, but I don’t do well with just trusting everything to someone else. I like facts, and information. I think about whether I can really be with someone who will have to keep so much from me. The resounding answer going through my head is “yes.” I want Audrey, and I’ll learn to deal with whatever comes with that.

  I follow Ainsley into the underground garage of the building, and Reina pulls in behind me. I noticed them join me on the road minutes after I got the call from Audrey. It was all very James Bond, but with the hot women doing the protecting. It gets even more 007 when we go inside. There are guards in the lobby, but also retina and hand scans, the elevators work on their own, and I can tell that no one who doesn’t belong here will ever get inside. It’s probably the safest place on the planet.

  “Audrey’s down the hall to the right,” Reina tells me as the doors open without even telling me what floor we’re on.

  “Thanks.”

  I knock, and am surprised when Jeanne answers the door. She throws herself into my arms, causing me to drop my groceries as I catch her and hold her tight. Audrey walks out and picks up the bags, taking them inside and leaving us alone. I pull back a little to see Jeanne crying.

  “They came for me. Really came for me.”

  “Who came for you?”

  “Men. I don’t know. They were following us, and then we had to get out of the car before everyone else could come and save us.”

  “Audrey was there to save you. You were in good hands.”

  “She couldn’t save me.”

  “Why not? Were there too many of them?”

  She hesitates, and it makes me nervous, because she never hesitates unless she’s hiding something. “Yeah. There were like twelve.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing. There were just too many.”

  “Hey, are you guys coming inside?” Audrey asks, coming back to the door.

  She looks tired, and she’s dressed down again. I know she didn’t go to work that way, and for some reason, it bothers me that she changed c
lothes. Jeanne was almost taken, and she just decided to get comfortable. What the fuck?

  “Nice clothes, Audrey,” I say pushing past her to walk in.

  “Dad!”

  “What? Am I supposed to be happy that Audrey is relaxed enough to change out of her work clothes right after you tell me that some men almost took you?”

  “Your father isn’t really upset about my clothes. He’s upset about you almost being kidnapped. My clothes are just something for him to focus on.”

  “Don’t do that. Don’t try and dictate my feelings. Maybe I just care that you look like a slob.”

  “Oh-kay. I’m not going to apologize for being comfortable. It’s been a rough day.”

  “Rough? Jeanne was almost kidnapped. For real. And you had a rough day? Poor thing.”

  “I am trying to be calm, because I understand why you’re upset, and I also understand that I’m the only person in this room that you can lash out at. But please do not make me ask you to leave.”

  “You think I’m upset with you because you’re convenient?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, you’re wrong. Maybe you should try to get to know me before you analyze me. I’m upset because my daughter is lying to me in order to protect you.”

  “What?”

  “I’m not, Dad. I didn’t lie!”

  “You said Audrey couldn’t protect you, but you hesitated about why. I need to know the truth.”

  “I told you there were too many men.”

  “There’s more that you’re not telling me. Was she too intimidated by them? Did she freeze? Forget her gun? What?”

  “’She’ is right here, and can answer for herself.”

  “Then go ahead, and tell my why protecting my child was so hard for you.”

  “I’ll answer your questions one at a time. There is not a man on this Earth who could intimidate me enough to stop me from protecting Jeanne, or anyone else. I did not freeze, and I had my gun. To answer your bigger question, I knew I wouldn’t be able to take them all on and come out in one piece.”

  “So you worried about yourself. You put yourself before my child. That’s what you’re telling me.”

  “No, that’s not it at all. Your child is always going to be first for me. And Jeanne would’ve been taken while I was fighting since I couldn’t keep twelve men busy at once. I did what I could to buy us time before my friends came, and it worked.”