Naomi (Dressed to Kill), page 2
My eyes slowly open, and I give myself a nod of approval before grabbing my keys and purse.
When I get to the office, I park near an exit. It’s something I tend to do, to always make sure I have a way to escape. You can never be too safe.
As I step up to the main doors, I read the sign- Parson’s Law Firm. The best place to take your case- and snort at the corny slogan.
Stepping inside, I take a glance around out of habit. I don’t necessarily need to, I’ve already looked over the blueprints of this place a million times, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a snake like Ivan has some secret exits that aren’t on the prints.
“Hello. Today is my first day. I’m here to check in as Mr. Parson’s new receptionist,” I tell the lady at the front desk. Her name is Gladys Miller. She’s sixty-three years old and has been working as the building receptionist as long as this place has been open.
“Hello, dear.” She gives me a friendly smile. “Rachel Green, is it?” she asks, and I have to hold back the giggle.
When I saw that was my alias’ name, I almost thought it was a joke. Rachel Green, like from the show Friends. The Man is the one who assigns these things, and I wonder if he’s even seen the show before or if it’s just a coincidence.
“Yes. That’s me,” I answer, pulling out my fake ID and handing it to her. She takes a look at it, then up at me before handing it back. After typing out a few things, she gives me a key card.
“Don’t lose this, dear. If it gets into the wrong hands, we will both be in big trouble,” she says playfully, giving me a wink.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I smile back, placing the key card into the retractable lanyard that’s clipped to the belt loop of my skirt.
“Here is your work ID as well. You’ll need to show it on occasion, but that key card should get you into any place you need to go in this building.”
“Perfect,” I tell her. “Thank you so much!”
“No problem, dear. Mr. Parson’s firm is on the top floor, number eight. Mr. Parson’s son, Ezra, should be there waiting for you when you arrive. He will be the one to show you around and explain what is expected of you.”
I say goodbye and head over to the elevator, scanning my key card. As soon as the doors close, I start to break out in a nervous sweat. “Not now,” I mumble to myself. “This isn’t us. We don’t get nervous. We are calm, cool, and collected.”
At floor four, the elevator stops and a man gets on. A very attractive man. A man who is very much off limits. But damn, why does he have to be so fine?
“Hello there.” He gives me a polite smile. “Never seen you around here before.”
“First day,” I say, giving him a smile back.
“Oh, really? What floor?”
“Eight.”
“Ahh.” He nods. “I was wondering who they were replacing Kathy with. I’m Reese,” he says, holding out his hand.
I know. Reese Parson, youngest son of Ivan Parson. Twin brother to Natalie Parson. He’s twenty-five and the owner of one of the top ranking restaurants in Malibu.
“Rachel,” I introduce myself, matching the playful smile he gives me as I shake his hand. I don’t like touching strangers, but when my hand slips into his, it feels way too good.
His large, soft hand engulfs mine. My pulse picks up speed as his green eyes bore into mine.
No. No, we are not doing this right now. No falling for the sexy stranger. Let alone the son of my mark and enemy.
Even though he might be the son of a monster, as I look into Reese’s eyes, I don’t think he’s anything like the man who helped create him.
I’ve dug deep into Ivan. Found every fucked up thing he’s involved with. It wasn’t easy information to find, but I got it.
When I looked into his children, the most shocking thing I could find was a collection of speeding tickets for one of them.
The elevator dings, snapping me out of the little trance I was in. He lets out a low chuckle, like he loved the reaction he got out of me. Damn it.
“Nice to meet you. Gotta go!” Snatching my hand back, I step outside onto the office floor, almost stumbling into someone.
“Woah there,” a deep voice says, making me shiver as two hands grip my upper arms to steady me. My eyes flick up, finding the face of another gorgeous man.
Ezra Parson, eldest son of Ivan. He’s also an attorney. He works with his father, but not for him. The kind of work Ezra does isn’t exactly what a vile man like Ivan dabbles in. Because it seems like Ezra actually has a soul.
“Sorry,” I mumble, stepping out of his hold and fixing my skirt. What is wrong with me? I’m never this frazzled. Why do these men have to be fathered by such an evil man? Too tempting for their own good.
“You must be Rachel,” he guesses, his eyes narrowing as he takes me in.
“I am!” I reply, overly bubbly, making him raise a brow. “Nice to meet you.”
“Right,” he says, blinking at me. “Too much cheer for eight in the morning,” he mumbles.
Maybe I was right about him having a soul, but his manners could use some work.
Keeping the smile on my face, I stand there and wait for him to show me where I’m supposed to be.
“Come along.” He steps past me, and motions for me to follow. I have to walk fast to keep up with him because he’s tall with really long legs. I’m only five-foot-five and this man is well over six feet tall. But damn, does his ass look nice in his suit pants.
When he clears his throat, my eyes snap up to find him watching me over his shoulder, a cocky smirk tilting his lips. For the first time, pretty much ever, I blush from being caught staring at his ass. But I’m not ashamed, the man has a nice ass, I was just admiring it.
“What?” I ask, raising a brow, the sass I’m trying to hide coming out.
“Nothing,” he dismisses, his voice laced with amusement, as we stop in front of a desk. “Here is where you will work. The job isn’t too hard. Answer phones, take messages, and make appointments. However, there is a lot of paperwork involved.”
“No problem,” I say, moving around the desk and taking a seat.
“Take the day to get familiar with everything. If you need anything, Robin–” he points to the desk across from me, “can help you as best as she can.”
“Why can’t I ask you if I need anything?” I ask him.
“I’m only here to welcome you. I have work today, and I don’t spend much time in the office.”
A part of me feels disappointed I won’t be able to look at his handsome face some more.
“Alright. That sounds good,” I say. “Thanks so much for the help.” Even though all you did was walk me to a desk.
He steps forward, placing his hands on the desk before leaning down. “Just a little warning. If you fuck the boss, you’re fired. Doesn’t matter what sweet words he says to you, the moment he sticks his dick in you, he will kick you to the curb. So if you want to keep this job, stay away.”
My eyes widen as he straightens up before turning around and taking off without another word.
What the fuck was that?
No worries there. I don’t want that man in any way other than with my blade slicing his neck open, so I can stand there and watch the light fade from his cold, evil eyes.
Chapter 3
Naomi
“Miss Green,” the snooty bitch, who also happens to be Ivan’s personal assistant, snips as she stands next to my desk. “Mr. Parson just got a very angry voicemail from one of his clients. He was informed that you refused to make an appointment for him to be seen by Mr. Parson,” she sneers at me. It’s taking everything in me not to punch her in her stupid face.
“If you’re referring to Mr. Lottie, I was ready to schedule him in for next Wednesday, but when that wasn’t soon enough for his liking, he went off demanding I get him in tomorrow. I told him Mr. Parson was not available since he already had a full day scheduled, and well, Mr. Lottie didn’t like that answer,” I tell her, raising a brow. “Was I supposed to cancel his current appointments so he could take their places?”
“Well... no,” she huffs.
“Okay. So am I in trouble?”
“Yes,” she says, giving me a firm nod.
“For not favoring one person over another. Is Mr. Lottie more of an important client than Mr. Bass?”
She blinks at me. “No.”
“What about Mr. Matthew, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Tanner, or Mr. Weston?”
Her jaw ticks, hatred flashing in her eyes. I try not to smirk, knowing how much I’m getting under her skin. “No,” she grinds out between clenched teeth.
“Okay, so would you care to explain to me why I’m in trouble for not canceling one client for another?” I lean forward, turning my head to the side, waiting to hear her answer.
“Yeah, Robin,” a smooth voice says from behind the assistant. My gaze finds the sexy man with sun-kissed blond hair from the elevator standing there with a cocky smirk. “Why is this lovely lady getting the stink eye from you when she’s clearly done nothing wrong? Just because dear old dad is annoyed because his small dick clients can’t handle being told no like an overgrown toddler doesn’t mean Miss Green should have to suffer at your hands.”
I choke on a laugh of amusement at the man who doesn’t seem to have a filter. I like it.
Alright, I’m getting a hell of a lot better vibes from him than I did from his older brother.
“I—well—” she splutters, trying to answer our unexpected guess. “Never mind,” she says, turning to me. “Next time, forward a call like that to me. I’ll handle it properly,” she snaps, lifting her chin at me before turning around and storming off toward Ivan’s office.
“Isn’t she a peach?” Reese jokes, watching her leave.
“The peachiest,” I agree.
“Hi, again.” He flashes me a smile that screams fuck boy, which he is. But despite knowing that he’s a playboy, I still find my heart fluttering. “I’m Reese.”
“I remember,” I reply, giving him a smile.
“Right.” He chuckles. “How’s the new job going?”
“It’s only been a few days, can’t really say much. So far, so good.” And with any luck, tomorrow will be my last day. Luck has been on my side so far, and I haven’t seen Ivan just yet. Not that I’m complaining.
“Well, I hope everything works out for you. I only came here to drop this off,” he says, handing me a box. “Not sure what it is, but it’s addressed to him.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll make sure he gets it,” I reply.
He gives me a once over, seeming to like what he sees. “See you later, Rachel,” he says before giving me a wave and turning to leave. “Maybe I should start coming by more often.”
Grinning, I shake my head. I can see why girls are so quick to want to get to know him. There’s a fun and playful energy about Reese, easygoing and a guaranteed good time.
But not for me. Because I’m not looking for a good time, I want a lifetime.
I look down at the box and sigh. “Well, what am I going to do with you?”
Robin comes storming out of Ivan’s office, her face all red and blotchy.
“Are you okay?” I ask her, my guard going up. Knowing the kind of monster Ivan is, seeing a woman coming from his office upset can’t be good.
“I’m fine,” she snaps.
“You are?” I ask.
“I’m taking the rest of the day off,” she hisses, ignoring me as she storms out of the office.
“Okay then.”
About thirty minutes later, the very man I was hoping I didn’t have to see until I was slicing his throat open steps out of his office.
“Robin?” he questions, sounding annoyed. “Where the hell are you?” he shouts, walking out of his office, looking around the room. His eyes lock on me, and my body breaks out in a sweat. Fuck. Yup, it’s the same eyes that haunt my dreams, that much I’m sure of. He stares at me condescendingly for a moment before his expression changes. It seems he’s waiting for me to say something.
But that’s hard to do when the man who sexually assaulted you when you were five is standing a few feet away from you, looking at you like he wants to have you as his next meal.
The idea has my stomach rolling. What did I expect? To work for him and never see him? If anything, I should have gotten closer to him as soon as I started here, but I couldn’t bring myself to go deeper into this mission.
I always try to take care of my marks as soon as I can. Why drag out their fate by letting them live another day?
“Hello there,” he greets, giving me a sleazy grin and not hiding the fact that he’s checking me out. “Why has no one told me our newest team member started? I’ll have to give Robin hell for not introducing us sooner.”
“No need to do that,” I say, finding my voice. “She’s a busy woman. It must have slipped her mind.”
Time has not been kind to this man. He’s balding with a belly that I’m sure hides his tiny dick, and his face reminds me of a shrivelled up old prune.
He nods. “That is true,” he concedes. “What’s your name, dear?”
Deep breath, Naomi. You got this. “Rachel,” I answer, giving him a smile that struggles to stay on my face.
“It’s nice to meet you, Rachel. Happy to have you on the team. I’d love to get lunch sometime. Get to know you better. A pretty little redhead like you,” he pauses, sucking on his teeth as his eyes go heavy-lidded, “should be welcomed into the company properly.”
Do not climb over this desk and stab him. Do not cause a scene and blow this whole thing.
“Sounds nice.” I smile. Lie, lie, lie.
The universe throws me a bone when his phone goes off, distracting him. He grabs it,llooking at the screen and cursing. “I must be going. Busy man.” He chuckles before taking off toward the elevator.
Once he’s inside and the doors close, I breathe a little easier.
I take the box and place it on his desk, not wanting to have to bring it to him personally.
While I’m in there, I take a look around the room. There are tons of photos of famous people and awards he seems to have won. But there’s not one photo of his kids. Or anything that indicates that he has any.
Just as I’m about to leave, I notice something red and cringe. Is that underwear? Gross.
Luckily, I don’t see Ivan the rest of the day. The one thing I know for sure is that I need to get this mission rolling so I can end him once and for all. There’s no way in hell I’m going to subject myself to eating somewhere with that man. I wouldn’t be able to stomach anything.
All I want is to know that he’s dead and gone, never able to hurt another person again. Only then can I relax a little and put myself first for once. This job has taught me life is short and you only live once. I don’t want to waste mine, never getting to love, or to be loved by someone. So, once my monster is slayed, I can have my happy ending. That’s how it is in the books, right?
But this isn’t a fairytale, and reality is never that easy.
AS I ENTER THE ALMOST empty office, an excited, giddy feeling takes over me. Tonight is the night I take Ivan’s life. Tonight is the night that finally, after all of these years, I can go to sleep with the knowledge that there is no air filling his lungs; that his sick and twisted ways are a thing of the past.
As much as I’d love to make a big song and dance over it, to make him suffer as I slowly torture him, that’s not my thing. As much as I love taking a life, I try to make it quick. Why risk being caught, making things messier than they need to be?
I didn’t plan to follow through with my mission tonight. Honestly, I thought it would take me a little longer than a week to make it happen, but I overheard Ivan telling Robin that he would be here late doing work before he left for a trip to the Middle East.
That’s when I knew it had to be tonight. Waiting around for him to come back wasn’t an option, and chasing him around the world didn’t sound like something I wanted to do.
So here I am, dressed in black like a sneaky little ninja. It’s not my usual get up when taking care of a mark. Normally, I’m dressed in whatever best fits the role of the identity I was playing, but this is my last kill. I wanted to have a little fun with it.
How fucked up am I? Is it normal to be so casual about killing the person who did some unquestionably, fucked up things to you as a child?
When I see his face, I feel sick. Anger bubbles up inside me, but it never consumes me. Maybe that’s because I was too young to really remember what happened to me and my mind suppressed all the really messed up parts, only allowing me to remember just enough to know this man has done me wrong.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m broken, like if anything should send me into a fucked up spiral, it should be that.
I’ve never been an outgoing, bubbly person or a hardened shell with a dark cloud over their head, avoiding the world. I’ve always floated somewhere in the middle, keeping to myself, but enjoying my life every moment I could.
Right now, I’m filled with an overwhelming excitement mixed with a bunch of other emotions I can’t put into words.
As I make my way up the stairs, I have to take a few deep breaths, forcing myself to slip into my work mindset so that my emotions don’t get in the way of me doing my job.
Emotions lead to mistakes, and that’s not something we can afford in this line of work.
The building is dark, only a rogue dim light here and there meant to help the cameras see. Only it’s not going to help tonight because all the cameras are set on an endless loop of the same thirty-second clip. By the time someone knows what’s going on, Ivan will be dead and gone.
So many fucking stairs. I’m not out of shape by any means, but dear god, I never want to take this many stairs again in my life.
My thumb subconsciously grazes the knife gripped in my hand as I reach the top floor, eager to watch the shiny blade slice through his neck like butter.
Swinging the door open to the top floor, I step inside. A smile takes over my lips the closer I get.
The light from his office flows from under his door at the end of the hall. Chin held high, I stride toward the door with purposeful steps.
