Page 87 of Protected

“That’s enough, Darci. You’re not going. End of discussion. And if you don’t stop arguing you’ll be in trouble later.”

“This is fucking stupid. I’m a grown woman with a job to do.”

He was quiet for a few seconds but his next words sent a little chill through her.

“You’ve got about thirty seconds to drop the attitude or I’ll drive to your office and help you drop it. Do you want me to bend you over your desk? Because I will. I’m not playing with your life, baby.”

She sighed. “No need. I’m sorry.”

It pissed her off that his dominating tone made her wet. But it did. It wasn’t even eight in the morning, and she was already having a bad day. Taking a deep breath, she did her best to keep the anger out of her voice when she said goodbye to Bradley.

“I’ll pick you up for the benefit tonight, baby.”

By eleven, Darci was pissed off again when Jim said goodbye. It had taken weeks, and she had worked damn hard to get the ACSL invited to this luncheon. She was fuming by eleven-thirty and decided to stage a jailbreak. The goon squad hadn’t changed their routine at all, and it wasn’t difficult for Darci to come up with a plan. She sent a text to Kimberly.

Meet me in Jim’s office. Don’t spook the security goon.

After Kimberly stood up from her desk and crossed the room to Jim Perkins’ office, Darci waited a few minutes. Her boss had already left for the Hilton. If she left soon, she could get there in time. Once Kimberly was safely inside the office, she grabbed a folder and put her cell phone to her ear. Stepping outside the door, she spoke into the phone.

“Sure, Jim. I’ve got Kimberly looking in your office now. I’ll call you back in a few.” She smiled at the security guard on her way past him and slipped into Jim’s office.

“I’ve got to get out of here, but I need your help,” she said to her assistant once the door was shut.

“Darci, are you sure that’s a wise idea?”

“Please, Kimberly. I won’t be gone long, I promise. I just want to be with Jim at the luncheon, and my security is being overprotective.”

“That’s kind of their job, isn’t it?” Darci rolled her eyes and could practically feel Bradley glaring at her for it even though he wasn’t in the room. Jim’s office had an outside exit. If she could slip out without attracting the attention of the security goons, she could grab a cab and be on her way before they knew she left.

“Hang out in here for like ten minutes. If they ask, just tell them I’m working on something for Jim, and come back in every few minutes and act like you’re talking to me. I swear I won’t be gone long.”

Kimberly rolled her eyes. “They’re going to know something is up.”

“It’s fine. I just need time to get a cab and be on my way. I promise I won’t do anything dangerous.”

“Fine, but only because you’re technically my boss.”

Darci hugged Kimberly and slipped outside. She looked around and sprinted to the street opposite of where the security team usually sat and hailed a cab. Luckily it only took a minute to flag one down. She rode downtown to the Hilton and got there just as someone introduced Jim. He looked surprised to see her but introduced her and continued the presentation they had prepared.

Halfway through his talk, her cell phone rang. It was Kimberly. Slipping out, she answered. “What’s up, Kimberly?”

A masculine voice responded. “Kitten, what the fuck are you doing? And where are you?”

She closed her eyes. She’d been caught and if Peter was at her office that meant Bradley probably knew already.”

“I’m at the Washington Hilton. I can’t let your team interfere with my job.”

“Your detail will be there soon. If you don’t get in the car and come back with them, I’ll call Bradley.” Darci was caught by surprise. She figured that was the first thing he would have done.

“And if you’re wondering why I didn’t call him, it’s because you’re going to tell him the truth yourself.”

The tone in his voice told her he wasn’t messing around, but she had no intention of telling Bradley anything. At least not yet.

“This is almost over anyway. I’ll get in the car.”

“I’m disappointed in you, Kitten.”

She winced. That was the harshest thing Peter could say to her and he knew it.

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