Page 37 of Degrees of Power
“I think the lady has earned a sound paddling with an implement of her choice, but right now I think you should go for your run. Jay has a team in place and they’ll be with you from the lobby,” he says, his eyes hooded and controlled.
“Any particular place I need to avoid?” I ask, trying to be amenable.
“Yes, go north as you exit and you’ll be fine for a half hour then turn back. Security will only be a few feet from you in any direction,” he says and it’s hard to discern the passing emotion I see play over his features.
“Chase, I will be fine. Please stop worrying,” I say, reaching up to kiss him before I head downstairs.
I recognize members of the security team as I walk through the reception area and can’t help but feel bad and chuckle at their hastily pulled together running apparel. I walk onto the sidewalk and look up into the clear blue skies, enjoying the warmth of the sun shining on my skin. The streets are lined with upscale little shops until I get a little farther from the hotel, where they become farther apart and the landscape becomes dotted with palm trees, cactus in a variety of colors, and bright yellow and red blooming bushes that smell wonderfully fragrant. I lose track of time as I take in the scenery until my halfway song comes on and I turn back towards the new Prestian Corp tower.
The beep in my ear alerts me to an incoming call and I hit accept when I see Chase’s number. “Listen carefully. A black car will pull up beside you in less than two minutes. Get into it. Alfreita’s men are watching you. Keep me on the line until you are safely in the car. Understand?”
“Yes,” I say, trying to maintain my composure and squelch the fear rapidly rising up in my throat.
“Katarina, I don’t hear you breathing. This will be over in less than a minute and a half. Let me hear your voice, dammit,” he demands.
“I can hardly breathe,” I say somehow managing to keep my pace.
“We’ve got you, Baby. Tell me when the car pulls up and breathe now,” he says.
I manage to pull in a supply of oxygen. “It’s here,” I say as a black Cadillac swerves up to the curb.
Sheldon emerges from behind me and pushes me into the back seat of the car, sliding in next to me. “Go, go, go,” he yells to the driver as the car peels away from the curb.
“Katarina, you’re safe Baby. You’re just a few minutes away from the sky-rise,” Chase says into my ear-buds.
I find it hard to take in air, trying to keep the panic at bay. “Katarina, take a deep breath now,” Chase says on the other end of the line. I gulp in a breath. “Steady, short breaths, breathe in and blow out. Let me hear you,” he commands.
I take a deep breath and then blow out audibly into the phone. “Good girl, Baby. Again,” he instructs and I inhale and then exhale, finally getting my breathing to sync and putting my anxiety at bay.
The driver pulls up in front of the Prestian Corp building and we are immediately encircled by a multitude of security guards, but Chase cuts a path through the throng that surrounds me as we make our way inside the lobby. He puts his arm protectively around my waist as we walk through the lobby and into the elevator. Jay and Sheldon are by our side and enter the elevator with us. “Jay?” Chase says.
“Alfreita’s men are all over the city. If we don’t move forward with our plan they will continue to come at us with everything they have,” he says.
“Get ahold of Carlos and his team. I want an agreed on proposal by the end of the day. This ends right now,” Chase says to Jay.
“I’m all over it,” he says.
“This is no ones fault but my own. I should have given everyone more notice. It was just so nice out and it sucks to have to be looking over our shoulders all the time, but I know how dangerous Alfreita is. I’ll try to follow the security protocals better in the future. I really am very sorry,” I say to Jay and Sheldon. I don’t need to look up to feel the intensity in Chase’s eyes.
“We’ll get it figured out, Kate. In the meantime we just need to take extra precautions,” Jay says.
CHAPTER TEN
“What’s the arrangement for today?”Chase says, cutting him off abruptly.
“The Augusta will be landing on the rooftop in approximately thirty minutes. It will take you to a private airstrip where the Gulf will be awaiting. You should be in the air and on the way to Chicago within the hour,” he says.
“Jenny was going to travel with us back to the city,” I say.
“Jay, get ahold of her and let her know our plans. Have Matt move her along a little bit and escort her up to our suites,” Chase says.
“Yes, sir,” he says, pushing the override button code that allows entrance to our floor. “I’ll message you when it’s time to move,” Jay says, pushing the keypad to return to the lower level.
I quickly set out to send Jenny a note to let her know what is going on and try to still the shaking of my hands.
Message:Hey, we have security issues. We need to return to Chicago right away.
I wait for a reply, and when one doesn’t come I hit her contact. “This is Jenny Torzial. I am currently away from my office and sorry I’ve missed your call. Please leave a brief message and I will return your call as soon as possible.”
