Page 2 of Burning for You

“I know you and Dad go way back, and I’m not always on good terms with him. But if he has to pick a side, he’ll choose me. You’re not exactly flawless in his eyes, anyway. After all, I can be a daddy’s girl if I want to. You wanna go all out on me? He and I will bring you down.”

Rupert’s lips straighten. “I’ll resign. Quietly. But hear this—I’ll be your shadow, Caro. The brighter the day, the darker your life will be,” he says in my ear, and then turns his back on me.

The door slams shut. Outside I can hear Rhea Chan trying to catch the man, asking about a report. I step out, letting Rupert know I’m watching. He grabs the stack of paper off her, then silently disappears. I motion for Rhea to join me.

“Did you tell him?” she says nervously as I close my office door. “I’m not proud of it, you know, being a whistleblower. I might as well be a troublemaker.”

“Truth leads to trouble. You have to get used to it,” I say. “For now, the trouble’s behind you. He’s resigned.”

Rhea’s face freezes at the revelation.

I continue, “I know it’s been hard for you. Whatever you need, please tell me. If you still want to work at Sass, I’d be grateful. If you feel you need to move on, I’ll support your decision.”

Without hesitation she says, “I want to keep working here.”

“Alright. I heard you have talent in cyber security and, may I say, sleuth work?”

She smiles. “I’ve never had formal qualifications for it. Business administration was the cheapest study option for me.”

“May I suggest you join Ameer Gupta’s team?” Ameer is my head of security, known for fostering his staff—some of them have become managers, and even moved on to be entrepreneurs. “And depending on how you go, there’s a scholarship up for grabs.”

“Miss Meyer! That’s… that’ll be brilliant!” Rhea says.

“On one condition.”

That seems to make the girl feel silly about her excitement.

“Stop calling me Miss Meyer. Call me Caro, please.”

She chuckles. “Thank you for believing in me. And believing me.”

“I know a liar when I see one. Go home, have a nice bath or something.”

“I have a Diablo challenge tonight.” Seeing my querying eyes, she clarifies, “Online gaming.”

“Whatever works,” I say.

“Good night, Miss—I mean, Caro. Don’t stay too late.”

I look at the blank new email window on my screen. “In fact, I’m coming with you.” I switch off my laptop and pack my bag.

I usually take the subway home, but tonight I decide to treat myself to a taxi ride.

“Probably wise,” Rhea says as I hop in. “Did he threaten you?”

Her remark makes me look around. “No. We reached an agreement. Don’t worry.”

As soon as I arrive at my Manhattan townhouse, I suit up and put my helmet on. There’s never been a better time to take my Kawasaki Green Machine for a spin. Tonight, I’m heading to the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway.

I’ll be your shadow.

The brighter the day, the darker your life will be.

So Rupert warned. Is that why I’m riding in darkness now? So I don’t cast a shadow? Maybe. Darkness is protection—like a thick blanket that you can crawl under. Darkness makes me see, and the surrounding quietness makes me hear.

With a gentle, refreshing breeze following me, the heaviness of Rupert Teller’s threats starts disintegrating. I glide, I float, and I cease to exist. Exactly what this ride is for.

Halfway down the byway, a tailgater decides to spoil my peace. Once, twice, three times, I give the driver a chance to overtake me, but the car maintains its position behind me—at times very close to my bike’s rear.

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