Chapter 1
Ivan exited the elevator to the sound of breaking glass. The tenth floor at VIC Enterprises had become Vitaly Chekov’s own personal war zone after his intern Sarah Jenkins quit. When he hired her to work for him over the summer, their working relationship rapidly developed into a sexual one, as he became obsessed with her.
Surprised at how quickly she understood his various projects, she became indispensable as she helped to secure contracts with two port authorities on the east coast. When she quit, she disappeared and if it wasn’t for the help of one of her friends, he would have no idea where she went.
It had been a month and Vitaly had been unable to tear himself away from work to drive down to her family’s cattle ranch. The longer he waited to do this, the more his temper flared. He had been impossible to deal with for the past week.
Smiling at Laurel and Susan as he walked past reception, Ivan sighed. Serving as Chief of Security should not mean having to talk his boss down off his angry ledge every day. He was just glad that he was significantly bigger than his boss was, although he hoped that he wouldn’t have to restrain him. Well known for his bad temper and controlling behavior, the boss wasn’t taking having his hands tied well.
Adjusting his gait and relaxing his shoulders, Ivan strolled into Vitaly’s office and shut the door, as he sent the contents of the top of his desk flying to the floor.
“Afternoon, boss. While it’s good to do some redecorating, your efforts have gotten a bit…how shall I put it…loud. We can hear you three floors down and you’re freaking people out.”
Sighing, Vitaly rubbed his face as he looked at him. Since Sarah left, he hadn’t slept. She was ignoring his calls and he was desperate to speak with her to explain. When she had called him, it was his ex-wife, or soon to be ex-wife who answered the phone. They had been celebrating their divorce. Never anticipating that he would ever fall for another woman, they had remained legally separated so that Nadia would still receive benefits, but since Sarah came to work for him as his personal assistant, he knew that he had to make things right. He just didn’t have the chance to tell her and now she was gone.
“You aren’t doing anyone any good as you are. Why don’t you drive out to her parents’ ranch, talk to her and tell her how you feel?”
“I can’t leave right now. There’s too much going on.”
“Of course you can. You have able employees in place who can handle everything that is going on. This isn’t a one-man team anymore. Delegate and get out before you start losing people!”
Nodding his head, “You’re right. As always.”
Standing up, he headed for the door with Ivan on his heel. As they walked past reception, he stopped to tell Laurel that he would be out of town for the next few days. Smiling tightly, he apologized for the mess in his office. As they reached the elevator, Ivan joined him in the car as they rode down.
“Following me?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Ivan leaned back. “Well, I could remind you that my office is on the main floor and I’m simply hitching a ride. Or…I could be honest and tell you that I’m escorting you to your car to keep you from causing any further damage. Pick one.”
Barking out a laugh, Vitaly stuffed his hands in his pockets as he waited for the elevator to stop. “Fair enough, my friend.”
* * * * *
As Vitaly drove out of the parking lot, he contemplated jumping immediately on the highway and driving south, as he had long ago memorized the directions to the Jenkins Cattle Ranch. But first, he knew that he would need clothes. A quick stop to his home to throw a bag
Ivan exited the elevator to the sound of breaking glass. The tenth floor at VIC Enterprises had become Vitaly Chekov’s own personal war zone after his intern Sarah Jenkins quit. When he hired her to work for him over the summer, their working relationship rapidly developed into a sexual one, as he became obsessed with her.
Surprised at how quickly she understood his various projects, she became indispensable as she helped to secure contracts with two port authorities on the east coast. When she quit, she disappeared and if it wasn’t for the help of one of her friends, he would have no idea where she went.
It had been a month and Vitaly had been unable to tear himself away from work to drive down to her family’s cattle ranch. The longer he waited to do this, the more his temper flared. He had been impossible to deal with for the past week.
Smiling at Laurel and Susan as he walked past reception, Ivan sighed. Serving as Chief of Security should not mean having to talk his boss down off his angry ledge every day. He was just glad that he was significantly bigger than his boss was, although he hoped that he wouldn’t have to restrain him. Well known for his bad temper and controlling behavior, the boss wasn’t taking having his hands tied well.
Adjusting his gait and relaxing his shoulders, Ivan strolled into Vitaly’s office and shut the door, as he sent the contents of the top of his desk flying to the floor.
“Afternoon, boss. While it’s good to do some redecorating, your efforts have gotten a bit…how shall I put it…loud. We can hear you three floors down and you’re freaking people out.”
Sighing, Vitaly rubbed his face as he looked at him. Since Sarah left, he hadn’t slept. She was ignoring his calls and he was desperate to speak with her to explain. When she had called him, it was his ex-wife, or soon to be ex-wife who answered the phone. They had been celebrating their divorce. Never anticipating that he would ever fall for another woman, they had remained legally separated so that Nadia would still receive benefits, but since Sarah came to work for him as his personal assistant, he knew that he had to make things right. He just didn’t have the chance to tell her and now she was gone.
“You aren’t doing anyone any good as you are. Why don’t you drive out to her parents’ ranch, talk to her and tell her how you feel?”
“I can’t leave right now. There’s too much going on.”
“Of course you can. You have able employees in place who can handle everything that is going on. This isn’t a one-man team anymore. Delegate and get out before you start losing people!”
Nodding his head, “You’re right. As always.”
Standing up, he headed for the door with Ivan on his heel. As they walked past reception, he stopped to tell Laurel that he would be out of town for the next few days. Smiling tightly, he apologized for the mess in his office. As they reached the elevator, Ivan joined him in the car as they rode down.
“Following me?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Ivan leaned back. “Well, I could remind you that my office is on the main floor and I’m simply hitching a ride. Or…I could be honest and tell you that I’m escorting you to your car to keep you from causing any further damage. Pick one.”
Barking out a laugh, Vitaly stuffed his hands in his pockets as he waited for the elevator to stop. “Fair enough, my friend.”
* * * * *
As Vitaly drove out of the parking lot, he contemplated jumping immediately on the highway and driving south, as he had long ago memorized the directions to the Jenkins Cattle Ranch. But first, he knew that he would need clothes. A quick stop to his home to throw a bag
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