“I know who it is,” I said.
“Do you now?” Adam smiled a quiet, captivating smile.
“It’s Elissa,” I said.
“And Elissa is…?”
“The receptionist,” I responded. The phone kept ringing. “She knows I’m up here.”
“By all means,” Adam said, motioning to my hip with one hand, “answer the phone before it goes to voice mail and she assumes the worst.”
I pushed the answer button and held the phone up t
o my ear. I had no idea what I was going to say to her.
“Hi, Elissa,” I started.
“Hi? What the hell do you mean ‘Hi’? Where the fuck are you?”
“I’m…um…in Mr. Kender’s office.”
“Olivia, you were supposed to get out of there!”
“I know, but…” Adam’s hand covered mine and he gently pried the phone away. I hadn’t even heard him stand up.
“Hello there, Elissa,” Adam said, his voice as smooth as silk. “Tell me, is Mr. Kender near you? Hand the phone to him now, without a word, or I’m going to start removing body parts from your friend here.”
I inhaled audibly, and Adam looked up at me, shaking his head and putting the index finger of his free hand up to his lips to give me a silent shushing. Then he reached that same finger out and stroked it lightly over my jaw line. Shivers started on the skin he touched and traveled throughout my body.
“Mr. Kender, so nice to speak with you again.” Adam dropped down into Mr. Kender’s desk chair and put his feet up next to the laptop. “I’ve been enjoying the company of your PA. She’s been very informative—with a little persuasion.”
Adam looked up at me and winked.
“I’m a little surprised, actually. She’s a lot older than your usual tastes. She’s probably out of high school at least, you sick little fuck.”
Adam pulled the phone a little ways away from his ear. I could hear Mr. Kender yelling but not what he was saying.
“I sure hope you walked away from the crowd,” Adam said. “You’re not exactly subtle.”
He leaned back in the chair and stretched his neck to the left and then the right.
“She’s extremely attractive.” Adam’s eyes started at my feet and then moved slowly up to my eyes. I shuddered. I swear I could feel his gaze over every inch of me. “Is that why you hired her, Mr. Kender? Are you trying to tap this sweet young thing? Have you laid a hand on her at all?”
I shook my head and watched a slow half smile creep over Adam’s lips.
“Good,” he mouthed silently.
“I’ve got the files, Mr. Kender.” Adam’s voice lost the nearly playful, light tone he had been using and became cold and hard. “This is just the first step. When I’m done with you, you are going to wish I had just pulled the trigger.”
Adam was silent for a moment, his eyes dark and not matching the tight smile on his face. Suddenly, he laughed.
“Not a chance! Now hand the lady her phone.” He paused for a moment and then spoke again. “Elissa, I want to thank you for allowing that piece of trash to use your cell. I would suggest you have it cleaned. I wanted you to know your friend is safe—she won’t be harmed in any way. Sorry for the earlier threat, but I really needed to talk to him.”
He closed the phone and handed it back to me.
“So…um…” I babbled, “…you have what you came for? Are you going to let me go now?”
“Let you go?” Adam looked at me questioningly. “I didn’t realize I was holding on to you.”