I push open the door with a gentle nudge. An audible gasp escapes my lips at the scene before me. Vince Logan, the man responsible for my current misery is entangled with Bethany McGhee, my professional rival.
Her bare back is to me, but I’d recognize those silky curls anywhere. Her legs are wrapped around Vince’s waist and both his hands are cupping her ass, holding her up while he drives himself inside of her.
Bethany’s oblivious to my presence, lost as she is to her indiscretion. My jaw clenches so tightly I’m afraid I might break my teeth and my hands travel to my phone that is nestled snugly in my purse.
Somehow, I manage to ready the camera. I’ll have physical proof of what a piece of shit Vince is. Lifting the device to eye level, I see Vince jerk his head in my direction, the smirk on his face widening with each passing second.
I snap the picture just as two security guards grab my arms. Vince’s condescending chuckle reaches my ears as he lands a patronizing slap on Bethany’s ass.
The guards have my arms in a vice-like grip as they pull me out into the hallway. Vince’s door closes with a snap.
“Get the fuck off me!” I scream, trying like hell to free myself from their clutches.
Both of them are several inches over six feet. Their muscles bulge beneath their black security shirts.
I pull back, drawing my legs up but they hold me up with ease as we move toward the exit door. My screaming does nothing to deter them. No one comes to my aid. I glance behind me. There’s no one in the hallway now.
My phone is wrestled out of my hand and the picture of Vince and Bethany is deleted right before my eyes. Disappointment fills every fiber of my being.
“Please let go,” I say, jerking my arms, but they hold on.
I can’t believe I’m being forcibly removed from the building. This has never happened before. I feel like a criminal. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes but I absolutely refuse to let these men see me cry.
Instead, I kick and thrash. My heel connects with one of their shins and I hear a grunt of pain. It’s the most satisfying noise to reach my ears. That is until the door is pushed open and I’m flung out into the sunlight.
I land on all fours. The knees of my black dress pants rip as I go to stand on shaking legs. The door closes before I even have a chance to turn around and curse them out once more.
“Fucking bastards,” I snarl.
I stand there for far too long trying to collect myself. The alley to which I was thrown into is empty. There’s nothing here to share my misery besides a green dumpster and two black garbage cans with missing lids. It’s fitting.
I was thrown out like the trash.
That thought fuels my anger and my desire for revenge. I will not allow Vince to treat me this way. He’s out of his mind if he thinks I’m going to let this go.
I pick up my purse and dust my shirt off. All I smell is the dumpster that is overflowing with torn, white garbage bags.
I turn on my heel, fury mingling with every step. I don’t know how I’m going to get back at Vince but I will. That bastard has made a serious enemy.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
2
KELLEY
“What are you up to now, you piece of shit?”
I lean closer to my laptop, as if being an inch from the screen is going to provide me with more information on Vince Logan and his illegal activities.
Ever since his oversized goons chucked me out into the alley, I’ve been on a mission to find out everything about that prick that I can. With a punctiliousness I didn’t even know I possessed, I’ve been following a digital trail of whispers and rumors concerning Vince’s involvement in illicit underground racing.
From the moment I found out he might be doing something he shouldn’t be, I’ve been on his trail like white on rice. I’m not about to lose sight of the prize, which is to bring him down.
I reach for my cell phone and tentatively dial in Cody Jacobson’s number. Rumor has it he might know something, and if he does, I want to know what he knows. I’ve only met him a few times and each time was just in passing, but he should remember me.
I also know for a fact he hates Vince. He’d be willing to give me information. Of that, I’m certain.
It rings a few times before he answers.