My Way Out

Chapter 7- His death

Lucas's POV

It's been a week since the incident of the storage room and believe me I am not done teasing her about it.



I love her too much to be angry with her or even disappointed with her so I just tease her.



Everytime she walked past my office I smirked, sometimes I'd even mime unlocking a door, other times I'd whisper, “ Careful, might be another secret broom closet.” She'd immediately roll her eyes but the blush always gave her away.



Today was no different.



I leaned against the doorframe of her office with my arms crossed across my chest. My eyes were glinting with amusement. “Did you sleep well last night, Detective Closet inspector?”



Deborah didn't even look up. “I swear Lucas, one more comment and I'll staple your tie to your desk.”



I laughed. “I wasn't this feisty when you accused me of the storage room.”



“Go away,” she muttered but her smile betrayed her.



I pushed off the doorframe and walked inside. “Sorry, I can't. HR said it's a sackable offense to ignore beautiful employees.”



Deborah c****d an eyebrow. “Do i report that to HR too?”



I leaned close. “Baby, I am HR.”



Before she could retort, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out expecting another boring message from the board but instead it was a name I hadn't seen in years.



Theo.



My jaw tightened slightly, but I forced a smile. “I'll need some coffee for four people please, old ghost are walking in today.”



She looked up to me and gave me a look of are-you-serious-after-all-the-way-you-teases-me?

I walk towards her and lean close to peck her on the lips. “The teasing will stop,” I say softly. “Just as long as you promise to behave. Now if you can please…”



She lets out a reluctant sign. “Fine then.”



She stands up and makes her way to the coffee maker and I have just noticed that she is wearing the same skirt and blouse that she wore for the interview.



“Have I told you how sexy you look today?” I chuckle while looking at her ass.



I saw a quick rise on heat to her cheeks which made me laugh really loud.



“Stop that,” she blurted.





A few minutes later, I walked into my lounge and saw them. Theo, Richie and Ray. The trio looked all the same only older and sharper. Nice clean tailored suits with expensive watches slapped on the wrist.



“Gentlemen, let's welcome the latest millionaire, it's about time you joined us” Richie said with a grin.



I smirked, shaking each of their hands. “Gentlemen, look who still can't tie a proper Windsor knot.”



They all laughed and Deborah passed by the lounge glass and into the room with cups of coffees on a serving tray.



Theo noticed her first, looking at her lustfully which made my blood boil.



“Hello Miss America,” he said as he took the coffee from Deborah making way too much contact with her.



“Hello…”



“Theophilus, my friends call me Theo, but you can call me Daddy.”



My jaw clenched as he made that statement.



“That won't be necessary, Daddy,” she smirked as she took a quick glance at me.



I am firing her right from here.



“Gentlemen,” I say in a dominant tone, “she is my secretary.”



Ray Archer a brow, “Secretary, huh? That's a dangerous job title around you.”



My eye twitched and Deborah let out a smirk.



“Relax,” Richie chuckled nudging me. “We're just saying she's… something.”



I didn't say anything, I was astounded by the sheer confidence that they now possess. If you told me a few years ago that these people will be able to stand in the same room with a lady I would laugh until thy kingdom comes.



But now… I don't even know where they got the balls.



“Just an assistant,” she said with a small smile.



“This is Richie and Ray and we are all friends of Lucas.”



“Nice to meet you all.” She smiled politely.



“You sure he treats you well?” Richie asked with a wink.



I stepped between them. “She's fine.”



Ray smirked. “We have barely begun and your jealous.”



I have them a cold stare. “No, not at all.”



Deborah tilted her head. “You sure you look a little… twitchy.* 



They all laughed, including her.



The next hour, was an hour of torment, constant flirting with Deborah and teasing me when they sense and ounce of jealousy.



“Come on Lucas, let me take her home just for the night,” Theo suggested.



“If you value your life please don't say anything like that again,” I threaten politely. My phone buzzed and a message from the board of directors came stating that a board meeting will take place. “Ok gentlemen if you will please excuse us, me and my assistant have a board meeting.”



“Alright, alright it was nice meeting you Deborah.” Ray pulls out his hand for her to shake it and she did.



“Pleasure is all mine.”



“D, I'll miss you.” 



They both shake hands, and Richie pulls her closer to himself making me tense. He whispers something into her ears which makes her giggle and blush.



Perhaps an assassination is due after this.



“Miss America, goodbye for now.” Theo pulls out his hand and once she puts her hand in with his, he pulls it up and kisses her at the back of the hand.



“Goodbye Daddy,” Deborah smirks with a wink.



I stand there unable to process what I have just witnessed, my blood boiling from all of these. If it wasn't for the fact that they were just doing it to tease me they would all be in the hospital by now.



I pull her closer to myself and put my hand on her waist to show them she is…



“Mine.”



“Possessive, now aren't we?” Theo smiles with a wink.



“Leave,” I said with a death glare. 



“Until next time Sir Blackridge.”



They all laugh on their way out.



Later that day, as I prepared for the meeting, I passed by her office again.



“You're coming to the meeting right?” I asked in a casual tone.



Her eyes widened with shock as she glanced up. “Wait what? I thought you said that just to make them go away.”



“Well yes, also someone's gotta take minutes.”



“I'm not exactly… boardroom material,” she hesitated.



“Deborah, it's just notes no one's going to bite you,” I reassured her with a soft note.



She looked a bit unsure but then nodded. “If anyone asks why I'm there-”



“I'll handle it.”



When the boardroom doors opened, murmurs filled the air.



Executives looked up from their screens and spreadsheets, their eyes shifting towards Deborah like she was a total stranger.



I walked in with her behind me like a scared little toddler and said, “she is here on my command to take minutes.”



That shut them up, almost…

Deborah sat down beside me pulling out her notepad. Her posture was stiff and I gave her a little nudge under the table to loosen up. “Relax,” i whispered.



She shot back with a warning look. “I will staple your tie to the table.”



I grinned.



The meeting kicked off with graphs, profit charts and logistics updates.



“We are going to expand distribution across six regions,” the transport officer said.



“Also, expenses are through the roof because of inflation in fuel.” The CFO added. “We could mitigate with strategic investments like trucking fleets or even ports.”



I tapped my fingers against the polished table. “Or,” i said, “we invest in real estate which will bring a greater yield.



There was a mumur of interest across the board members. Meanwhile, Deborah scribbled fast, occasionally glancingbatcme and me returning a smile at her. She was so focused, poised.



She was good at this, really good.



After the meeting as people filtered out, I leaned close and murmured, “Told you, you'd be fine.”



“I still hate boardrooms,” she whispered.



“I don't blame you, I was only looking forward to this one because you were here with me.”



She gave me a light shove, “smooth.”



“Alright, let's get you home.”



“Are you taking me home?” her eyes widened at my… well, command.



“Yes, you seem surprised.”



”No please, you don't have to.”



“Don't worry no s*x tonight,” I say putting my hands up with pure intentions “besides I don't want you trying to inspect any more closets now.”



The blush that rose had suddenly fallen. A serious look of enough swiped across her face. 



“But I insist,” I sat more seriously as she clenches onto her pen even harder.



When we pulled up to her apartment, Deborah down and turned. “Hey, thanks for the ride.”



“There's no need to thank me, oh and today why were you trying to get on my nerves with my friends?”



“You look hot when you're jealous and protective.” She waved and walked back into her apartment. This woman… she will have to wait.



“Now we go and finish the job,” I told the driver who looks at me through the mirror.



I leaned back in the leather seat and exhaled as the car moved. The car turned right and I knew we were on the right way.



I sat up straight as we made that turn to the house.



The house wasn't far from work. 



A discreet soundproof place where I owned under another name.



It was cold, sterile and hidden.



Inside, Mike's brother was still alive, barely. He was tied to a chair with blood crusted to his temple.



He looked up as I entered.



“Finally here to end my life,” he rasped, “took you long enough.”



“What was that about? The other time?”



“Really and truly, I can't believe you were stupid enough to bring anyone here.”



A punch to the gut made him wheeze and cough.



“I must say trying to escape was a bold move.”



“Mike took the money because he wanted out.” 



“What? Why? I treated him good.” My first and jaw clenched hard.



“You know, I hear the gossips about your latest hire.”



I turned around and gave him a warning stare to choose his next words carefully, as I slowly remove my gun.



“What's her name? Erm… Daniella, Dora… ah yes Debo-”



A single shot echoed through the warehouse. 



Blood pooled at the man's feet.



I stood there, shallowed in breath my heart pounding, not from rage but something way worse.



From fear