Page 1 of Sucker
Willa
My teeth press into the inside of my lip as I stand in front of the formidable building that housesJames Tech. People bustle past me and someone snaps for me to get out of the way. I jump forward, the scent of flowers filling my nose as a woman brushes past me carrying a bunch of roses that’s bigger than her head.Someone must really love her.Roses like that on Valentine’s Day would cost a pretty penny. Or, so I hear. I’ve never givenorreceivedflowers on this particular holiday. Nope. Not me. I’m one of those girls who has always beentoo much. Too loud, too opinionated, too bossy, too big…
If I’d grown up with a mother, maybe she would have bolstered my confidence, assured me that I was just right for theright one.But I didn’t have that, I only had a belligerent alcoholic father who belittled fairytales and raised me in thereal worldwhere no one gets rewarded for their hard work, let alone a happily ever after.
So, instead of spending V-day dreaming of my Prince Charming like most girls, I’m preparing to take those first crucial steps that will finally prove that the CEO ofJames Techis nothing but a dirty rotten thief. But I’m too nervous to move.
I’ve been planning this moment for most of my adult life. And I’m more than ready. I have my long blonde hair twisted into a tight bun on the top of my head, a blouse buttoned up to my throat, and a belted skirt that floats just past my knees. So, I look the part ofJames Tech’snewest intern. But that’s not why I’m sweating buckets. I’m about to go in there pretending to be another person.I don’t know if I can do it.
You see, the man who owns this building, Landon James, isn’t just some rich guy blessed with brainsandgood looks—seriously, the guy is touched by the gods or something; he’s over forty and looks better than most guys my age—he’s also a dirty rotten cheat. He cheated my father out of his fair share of a program they developed that would later become a multi-million-dollar social media platform. No, it’s not Facebook. But Facebook keeps trying to buy it, and from what I read in Business Insider, if James Tech sells, Landon James will become a billionaire overnight.
I won’t let that happen.
Somewhere in this high-rise building are the files with the program’s original coding. It’s the smoking gun that will prove Landon stole the code from my father and claimed it was all his brainchild.
He stole from my father.
Which means he stole from me too.
When Landon took the company, my dad lost everything, including his self worth. Black balled by the tech industry, he struggled to hold down a decent job. While Landon James sat in the top of this building on a throne of deceit, dad struggled to put food on the table. I suffered, regularly doing my homework by the light of a single candle. The only reason I got into college was because I was offered a scholarship, otherwise I’d be trapped in poverty too. But no more. My dad deserves his fair share of this empire Landon built off his back, and I’m going to get it for him.
“Move or get off the sidewalk!” A rude pedestrian snaps me back to reality as he jabs me with his elbow and offers a parting, “Lard-ass,” as he walks away. He’s carrying a teddy bear that’s holding a love heart claiming, ‘I love you beary much.’Guess he only extends kindness when there’s a chance he’ll get laid.
“Asshole!” I yell after him, scowling. I hate that people I’ve never met before feel entitled enough to insult my weight. They have no right at all. Today of all days, I’m not in the mood to cop it on the chin. I imagine myself chasing after him and body slamming him into the pavement. That’d teach him a lesson he’ll never forget. But in the end, my true vengeance is single-minded, so I take a deep breath and move toward the entrance.
“I’m coming for you, Mr. James,” I mutter under my breath after I get through the security check and head for the elevators.
“Hold it right there.” A guard grabs my arm, and I realize that maybe I didn’t say that as quietly as I thought.Crap.
“What?” My eyes go wide as I look from his hand on my arm to his frowning face.
“What did you say you were going to do to Mr. James?”
My cheeks flame. “I said I can’t wait to meet him,” I say quickly, my voice squeaking. “He’s a…ah…a big inspiration to me.” I almost choke on the words as they come out of my mouth. He’s the furthest thing from inspiration there is. He’s everything I strivenotto be.
The guard sighs. “You’re a fan?”
“What? No. I’m an intern.” I offer my work ID and notice the shaking in my hand.
He snatches it and scrutinizes the photo before pulling a scanner from his hip and running it across the barcode.
“Juliet McCarthy?”
“That’s me.” I offer a tight smile. Juliet is my college roommate. She knows all about my plan and even gave me her ID to use for the interview. We look enough alike that it wasn’t questioned, people often think we’re sisters.
He studies the readout on the scanner for what feels like an eternity before he hands me back my card. “Enjoy your first day, Miss. McCarthy.”
I pluck the card from between his fingers. “Thank you, ah, Karl,” I say, noting his name from his nametag before I turn around and make a beeline for the elevator, keeping my thoughts about revenge inside my head this time.
Landon
“She’s here, sir.” Security calls through with my update as requested.
“Where?” I lean forward and swipe my fingers across the TrackPad, changing my screen to the security monitors.
“Elevator four.”
“Thank you, Karl.” I disconnect the call and tap on my keyboard, bringing that specific security footage up in the center of my screen. And there she is. Little Willa Quinn, not so little anymore.
