Read Flashes of Me for Free Online

wattage on my smile, my cheeks aching with the effort. “You look like nice people also . . . and smart,” I add. “My father says a company is the reflection of its people. After meeting you, I know why Blaine Technologies is one of the best companies in North America.”
    “In the world, miss,” the taller man squeaks. “Now that we’ve bought our biggest rival.” The men nod vigorously. They resemble three office-themed bobblehead dolls.
    “Oh, yes, you bought your rival.” My smile is genuine. Blaine Technologies bought my family’s company. “Volkov Industries is another wonderful company, founded by two brilliant brothers. I understand the eldest brother gets most of the attention but the youngest brother develops the product.”
    The doors open. “Out.” Henley pushes me out of the elevator.
    “Oops. Gotta go.” I laugh as the doors close, the men’s expressions reflecting shock.
    Henley shakes his head. “Why do you play that role?”
    “I play that role because thinking I’m a dumb blonde makes them happy.” I glance around me. A huge bruiser of a man sits behind a desk, his chair positioned to the left of highly secured double doors. “They feel smart. My father says happy smart men work harder.” I stride toward this gatekeeper. “Hi. I’m Kat.” I hold out my hand.
    The big man hesitates, his gaze moving from me to Henley and back to me, and he grasps my fingers. “Grant.” His eyes glow. “And we all know who you are, miss.” He squeezes and releases my hand.
    “Grant,” Henley growls.
    I maintain my smile. “That’s okay, Henley.” I lean toward Grant and whisper, “I was testing the cameras in the stairwell.”
    The big man leans forward and whispers back, “They’re working.”
    “Grant,” Henley repeats, the command in his voice thrilling me. He’s dominant and mine.
    Grant’s spine straightens. “Your other guest has been isolated in the boardroom as you instructed, Mr. Henley, sir. She accessed level three before we detected her presence.”
    “That’s unacceptable.” Henley frowns, his expression growing even more fierce. “Call for a department meeting at two o’clock.”
    Camille must be his other guest. I chew on the inside of my cheek. What has she done now?
    “Yes, sir.” Grant nods curtly. “Lunch has already been delivered.”
    “Thank you.” Henley waves his passcard over the security box by the door, punches eight digits into the keypad, and presses his thumb against a small screen. Multiple locks click and he opens the door, holding it for me.
    “What was that about?” I hustle along the glass-lined hallway. Every room is locked, the doors closed. Grim-faced men and women in dark suits stare at screens.
    “We had a security breach.” Henley places his palm on my back, guiding me through the labyrinth of glass and electronics. “I have zero tolerance for security breaches. We’re responsible for the safety of the company.”
    “You protect everyone.” My chest fills with pride. “I’ll try not to access anything I shouldn’t.” I lower my voice suggestively.
    “You’re not the intern I’m concerned about.” Henley ignores my sexual innuendo. As we turn the corner, Camille ducks her head out of an open doorway. She sees us, her eyes widen, and she pulls her head back into the room.
    “Impossible,” Henley mutters as he steers me through the doorway, into a luxurious boardroom. The floor-to-ceiling windows are heavily tinted. The walls are painted gray, the carpet is a shade darker than the walls, and the modern artwork is equally monochrome.
    Camille is seated at a long black table, scowling down at her phone, acting as though she’s been sitting there for hours. Three takeout containers, white china plates and sets of silverware are placed in front of her. The scent of ginger fills my nostrils and my stomach rumbles.
    Camille looks up and feigns surprise, her acting abilities extremely poor. “Mr. Henley. Purple.” Her pale