Sweet Escapes: Romance Story Boxed Set Page 5

  She quickly loaded the files onto her flash drive, secured it in her front pocket, logged out and made a beeline for her car in the garage.

  Chapter Six

  Victoria watched her brother leave the Beta lab on the surveillance camera in her office. She couldn't believe her brother was making a fool of himself over this girl. Seamus would be furious when he discovered there really was no emergency, but she was certain stopping their little tryst was for the best.

  What bothered her more though, was the fact that Ayla was on the main computer. Victoria had a funny feeling her intentions were less than innocent.

  She spun around in her chair and picked up her phone, punching in the extension of her security chief.

  "Steve, I need you to look into the access logs for the main console. I want to know which files have been accessed in the last hour and if any data has been copied. Also, dig into the background of our new employee, Ayla Bannerman. I have a funny feeling she may not be what she seems."

  Victoria chewed on an expensively manicured nail while she considered what to do. If Ayla discovered the truth about some of their technology she would have to be dealt with. While many of McDonough International products were created in-house, some had been appropriated from other companies. If the information were to be leaked... Victoria would be ruined.

  She had ensured most of the evidence of any wrong doings had been erased, but anyone who knew the origin of these technologies would be able to put the pieces together with the right files. Files that were kept inside the secure directories on the main console.

  The insistent buzz of the phone interrupted her thoughts.

  "Vic, it looks like your instincts are spot on as usual," Steve's voice was filled with tension. "The computer logs show the Green Gas files were decrypted and downloaded to a flash drive and, worse yet, preliminary research shows your Ayla Bannerman is really Ayla Henderson."

  "Henderson? Isn't that the name of the inventor of the technology we um... used for the GreenGas product?

  "I'm afraid so, and with the files she's accessed, it doesn't seem like it's any coincidence."

  She turned around to monitor Ayla's activity in the Beta lab, but the lab was empty. Ayla was probably already in her car and well on her way home.

  Victoria let out a sigh. "Send a text to my cell phone with her home address. I think someone needs to pay a visit to Miss Bannerman."

  Victoria slipped a small black snub nosed revolver from her desk drawer into her purse and headed out the door. Her cell phone beeped an alert and a smug smile crossed her face. She had a new text message from Steve.

  ***

  Seamus stood in the warehouse, perplexed. "But Victoria said there was a huge mix-up with todays shipment and it was critical I come down and straighten it out."

  Thomas, the warehouse manger, shrugged, "I don't know what she could be talking about, sir. Everything is fine and on schedule."

  A loud sigh escaped Seamus's lips. What was Victoria up to? On the phone she had been in a panic, shouting about how critical the timing of the shipment was for their new contracts. Had she sent him on a wild goose chase on purpose?

  He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and pressed the speed dial for Victoria. No answer.

  "Ok, Thomas, sorry for the confusion. I guess we must have gotten our wires crossed. Have a nice weekend." He spun on his heel and strode back to the parking lot.

  He slid into the drivers seat of his Mercedes, his thoughts drifting to Ayla. He put the car in drive and headed back towards McDonough International hoping he could catch her there to continue their conversation.

  A few minutes later he pulled into the empty parking garage. Most everyone had already gone for the day. The realization that Ayla had also gone hime made disappointment settled in his stomach like a heavy rock.

  Seamus slid his car into his parking spot. It was the weekend. He couldn't wait until Monday to catch up to Ayla again. Luckily being the CEO of the company had it's perks, not the least of which was access to the companies personnel files -- which just happened to include the home address of each employee.

  Chapter Seven

  Her stomach churning with nervousness and excitement, Ayla plugged the flash drive into her laptop. She scanned the files, her lips moving in silent prayer. Had she copied the right ones?

  Buzzzz!

  Ayla spun towards the door. Who could be ringing her doorbell?

  Buzzzz!

  She stood up and moved towards the door, her mind whirling to come up with an excuse to get rid of whoever was on the other side.

  Ayla turned the knob, but before she could open the door more than a crack, it was violently shoved in against her, knocking her off balance. She felt her eyebrows arch in surprise when she saw who was on the other side. Victoria.

  "Wha--"

  "You know why I'm here!" Victoria spat the words, advancing on Ayla.

  Ayla felt an expression of confusion cross her face. What was Victoria talking about? Her mind raced with possibilities. It took a few seconds for her to realize the other woman was talking about the files. She had been so focused on painting Seamus the villain -- she never considered that Victoria had been in on it too.

  She glanced surreptitiously toward her laptop. Victoria's narrowed gaze followed.

  "So, you think you can expose me through those computer files, Miss Bannerman... or should I say Henderson?"

  "How did you know my maiden name?" she felt her brows knit together. Had Victoria been investigating her?

  "When I saw you in the Beta lab twice this week, I became suspicious and had security do a background check on you."

  "Really? When did you see me in the Beta lab? I don't remember seeing you in there. And why would that make you suspicious... unless there was something in there you wanted to hide?

  Ayla saw a look of uncertainty cross Victoria's face. She moved in to gain the upper hand.

  "Besides, I haven't done anything wrong. Just bringing home what is rightfully mine."

  Victoria's demeanor darkened. "Yours? Nothing in there is yours. I sacrificed everything to acquire the files in that lab and I won't have you ruin everything I have worked for."

  Ayla watched wide eyed as Victoria's hand reached into her purse and emerged with a small gun. Ayla felt a little faint. Was Victoria going to shoot her?

  But instead of pointing the gun at Ayla, Victoria whirled on the computer pointing the barrel straight at the flash drive. "I'll make sure no one ever sees this evidence!" She took aim.

  In one split second, Ayla saw all her hard work going down the drain.

  "No!" she lunged toward the gun.

  Bang!

  ***

  Seamus strode slowly up the walkway to Ayla's house, suddenly uncertain as to whether or not he should have come. What would he say to her? Did she even want him here?

  Lost in thought, trying to conjure up the perfect thing to say, he was suddenly pulled back to reality by the sound of... a gunshot?

  The sound had came from inside Ayla's house. Seamus broke into a run. Reaching the front door in seconds, he was surprised to discover it standing open. He gaped at the sight before him, a look of astonishment spreading over his face.

  ***

  Ayla tried to wrestle the gun from Victoria's iron grip. No easy task considering they were rolling around on the floor like amateur wrestlers. A movement over by the door distracted her for a split second, allowing Victoria to gain control of the weapon.

  She looked over and saw Seamus standing in the doorway. Damn, she's called in reinforcements.

  Victoria didn't seem to notice him and secured the gun with both hands, pointing the barrel straight at Ayla.

  "Victoria, what the hell is going on?" Seamus's voice boomed through the room causing Victoria to stop in her tracks.

  "As if you didn't know." Ayla couldn't help but blurt out the sarcastic comment before Victoria could answer.

  Seamus swiveled his head from one woman to
the other, the perplexed look on his face would have been comical, were the situation not so serious. Ayla's heart gave a little flutter. Was it possible he really didn't know?

  "She was going to ruin everything." Victoria tightened her grip on the gun. "Everything we worked so hard for. Our entire company would be ruined."

  "How could Miss Bannerman ruin everything, Victoria?" he asked, confused.

  Ayla watched a kaleidoscope of emotions cross Victorias face. Her arm holding the gun wavered.

  "She wants to ruin us. Destroy everything I've worked for, Seamus, and I did it all for you! After Adrianna died, you were so despondent and the company wasn't doing well. I knew if we had a break through product it would lift your spirits and you'd be your old self again."

  "But we did have one, we had GreenGas...." Seamus voice trailed off.

  "Victoria, exactly what did you do?"

  Victorias face crumbled and tears ran down her cheeks. Her arms fell to her sides, the gun along with them. Ayla saw her chance and knocked the gun out of her hand. It skittered across the floor away from her, landing at Seamus feet. Seamus picked it up.

  Ayla expected him to take over where Victoria had left off and point the gun at her, but instead he unloaded the clip, removing the bullets and held the gun at his side.

  "Now, will someone tell me exactly what this is about?"

  Victoria covered her face with her hands. Her confession spilled out between sobs-- how she had hired hackers and corporate spies to steal technology for several products, GreenGas being one of them.

  Seamus turned to Ayla, "But what do you have to do with all this?"

  "The technology for GreenGas was stolen from my father. The proof is right there on that computer," she nodded towards her laptop.

  Ayla saw a cloud of anger on Seamus face as he turned to Victoria. "You did this? How could you?"

  At Seamus's harsh words, Victoria buried her face further in her hands and sobbed even louder.

  "Do you realize what you have done? Our company will be ruined once this gets out and you, Victoria, will not be the only one to suffer the consequences. I'm afraid we both will."

  Seamus pulled out his cell phone.

  "You're not going to call the police on me, are you?" Victoria pleaded. But the blare of sirens getting closer could already be heard through the open door.

  "It sounds like they are already on their way. Someone must have called when they heard the shot. I'm calling Simon Chase, our corporate lawyer. He'll be able to find someone to help you avoid seeing the inside of a jail cell. Although I should send you to jail after what you have done. But I won't, as long as you do things my way from now on. That means focusing your efforts towards righting the wrongs you have done so that we can save what's left of our company."

  Victoria nodded her head enthusiastically, "I'll do whatever you say, Seamus."

  Ayla felt her brows knit together. It seemed like Victoria was getting off awfully easy considering what she had done but her doubts faded when she saw the worried glance Seamus gave her.

  "Are you ok?"

  Ayla nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak. Seamus came to her side and gently took her into his arms. He lifted her chin, brushing her forehead with his lips.

  "I don't know if you can ever forgive me, but I promise I will do whatever it takes to make this right."

  Chapter Eight

  "Daddy, over here!" Ayla waved at her father from across the crowded restaurant.

  Augustus Henderson sat down next to his daughter and gave her a peck on the cheek. He reached his hand across the table to meet Seamus's.

  "Seamus, good to see you as always."

  "Same here, Auggie."

  It had been four months since she had uncovered the truth about the GreenGas project at McDonough International and her father was back to his old, happy self.

  Despite what had happened, the two men had become fast friends over the past four months. Seamus had made good on his vow to make restitution for the technologies Victoria had stolen, and he had instituted Ayla's father as Vice President of the GreenGas division, giving him full reign over the direction and production of the product.

  This included a hefty salary and all the funds her father could ever need to develop new products. Ayla was delighted with Seamus's generosity and how things had turned out because her father might never have had the opportunity if he had attempted to bring the product to market on his own. Instead of being angry and bitter over the theft, Ayla had been happy to see her father put it all behind him and take up the reigns of the division with his old enthusiasm and ambition.

  Much to Ayla's surprise, her father had even taken a shine to Victoria, who was quickly approaching their table. Augustus stood and pulled the chair out for her.

  "Hello everyone." She smiled cheerfully.

  Ayla studied the other woman from across the table. Four months ago she would have recoiled at even being in the same room with her, but to be honest, Victoria had stepped up to the plate and worked tirelessly to repair the damage she had done. She seemed truly remorseful and on a more positive path now.

  It was still too early to say if she would ever go as far as to be friends with Victoria, but at least now she didn't mind being in the same room with her ... or even at the same dinner table, which was very important ... especially now.

  A waiter started over to the table, but Seamus waved him away. He cleared his throat and Augustus and Victoria looked up from their menus quizzically.

  "I didn't invite you here just to have dinner," he explained.

  "Ayla and I... we have an announcement." He pulled Ayla's left hand up from the table and the huge diamond ring she wore sparkled in the light. "We're getting married." Seamus grinned with pride.

  Ayla's father leaned over in his seat and hugged her, "That's wonderful!"

  "Thanks!" Ayla gushed the word out. She wore a huge smile which had been plastered on her face since Seamus had proposed the night before.

  Augustus made his way around the table to Seamus, clapping him on the back and shaking his hand in congratulations.

  Victoria clapped her hands together in delight. Hesitantly, she reached across the table and touched Ayla's arm.

  "I couldn't have picked a better person to marry my brother or to call sister-in-law. I'm so happy for both of you." She turned to Seamus and gave him a hug.

  Ayla felt her heart thaw just a bit towards Victoria. Maybe there was hope for her soon-to-be sister-in-law after all.

  At Seamus's signal, a waiter came over and filled their glasses with champagne.

  "I'd like to propose a toast," he smiled at Ayla. " To new beginnings!"

  Four glasses clinked together sending up a melodious chime, much like the happiness bubbling up inside her.

  Her father was back to his old self and immersed in his work again. Victoria had made restitution for the wrongs she had done. McDonough International had quietly recovered from the damage and looking like it would be stronger than ever. But most importantly, Ayla was going to marry the man of her dreams.

  Four months ago when she'd started work at McDonough International, her entire goal had been revenge. Now, sitting with her father and future sister-in-law, she smiled to think how her single act of passionate vengeance had led to such a happy ending.

  The End.

  Physical Attraction

  Leighann Dobbs

  This is a work of fiction. None of it is real.

  All names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real names, places, or events are purely coincidental, and should not be construed as being real.

  PHYSICAL ATTRACTION

  Copyright © 2012 Leighann Dobbs

  All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner, except as allowable under "fair use," without the express written permission of the author.

  Table Of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chap
ter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter One

  So this was the juice bar, Olivia thought. She'd been visiting the gym for months now, but today was her first time here.

  Stepping up to the counter, she ordered a strawberry banana smoothie and found a table near a window so she could watch traffic as it passed by the back of the building.

  Or rather, she tried watching out the window, but her attention kept getting snagged by the ladies seated at a table on the other side of the lounge.

  They were talking about Jordan Waycross, the sexy new trainer who'd come on staff about six months ago.

  Olivia couldn't deny their allegations about him. At six foot two, with dark, curling hair, flashing green eyes which always seemed to reflect an inner tease, and all those muscles and tongue-temptingly defined abs, who could?

  It was their insinuations about how he had an eye for anything female she found disturbing. A man with a roving eye spelled trouble. Unfortunately, she knew this first-hand.

  Five years ago, her husband had found himself some newer-model 'eye candy', and he'd left her to raise their four-year-old daughter alone.

  "Fancy meeting you here, Ms. Stretton. Never figured you for the 'bar' type," Jordan called from the counter.

  Speak of the devil, she thought. Or rather, eavesdrop of the devil.

  He grinned, and she felt her own lips turn upward in an answering smile. It seemed he had that effect on everyone.

  A chuckle slipped out before she could squelch it.

  "You figured right, Mr. Waycross. Today is my first time in any kind of bar even a juice one."

  She raised her smoothie glass in salute.

  He paid for his drink and sauntered across the lounge to her table.

  Prowled, more like it, she thought, watching the way he moved closer, noticing how the room seemed smaller with him in it.