Read On the Brink (Vol. 1) (The On the Brink Series) for Free Online

But he’s filthy rich, and guys like him really do
live in a different world. They’re used to having it all their way, all the
time.”
    Moxie
rolled her eyes. “I’m just yanking your chain, girls. As it happens, I’ve got
my eye on one of the new security guards. Ex-marine. Obviously loves to work
out. Just my type.” Looking at her watch, she jumped up from her chair. “I’d
better get back to work. You too, if we’re going to finish this job on time.”

 
 
 
 
 
    Chapter
Seven

 
    Thursday
was a dreary, drizzly day, with the promise of winter in the chilly air. As I
emerged from the subway, the gray sky sat heavily over the office towers of
Kendall Square. I was ahead of schedule for once, a full half-hour early, so I
decided to treat myself to a latte at Starbucks.
    I
paid for my latte, and sat down. Sipping my hot drink, it occurred to me that I
might as well catch up on email. I pulled out my phone and opened my mailbox.
Tapping through its contents produced nothing of importance. The usual junk
mail. A couple emails from students offering excuses as to why they had missed
class.
    Realizing
that it was time to get going, I stowed the phone, picked up my briefcase and
umbrella, and headed for the door. Unfortunately, the drizzle had turned into a
downpour, and the wind had picked up. Although I didn’t have far to walk, it
would be difficult to get to work in even a semi-dry state.
    Positioning
my umbrella against the wind, I exited Starbucks. Rainwater pooled in potholes
and eddied around street corners. I picked my way around the worst of it,
attempting to keep my feet dry.
    For
the first couple of blocks, I managed to stay reasonably dry. Then, just two
blocks from the shelter of Manning Tower, a wayward gust of wind seized my
umbrella and blew it inside out. I gripped the handle desperately, trying to
save the umbrella, but the strong wind ripped the cloth away from several of
the metal ribs, and the cold rain drenched me to the bone in a matter of
seconds.
    Splashing
toward the next curb, I spotted a metal trashcan and hurled my traitorous
umbrella into its depths. Through the rain in my eyes, I glimpsed the twisted
ribs and torn cloth of two more dead umbrellas at the bottom of the trashcan,
keeping company with my recent addition to the collection. Despite my
predicament, I had to laugh. At least I wasn’t the only one suffering a
near-drowning experience.
    Trudging
the remaining block, rainwater cascading over my face, squelching inside my
shoes and dripping from my body, I finally reached Manning Tower. I shoved the
revolving door, prepared to sprint to work, where I could lock myself in the
bathroom and wring out my clothes in the sink. The door jerked forward
suddenly, and I lurched into the atrium, colliding forcefully with another
body. Thrown off balance, I staggered momentarily, but managed to stay upright.
    “Sorry,”
I muttered, wiping my eyes and looking up. With my usual disastrous luck and
timing, I’d run smack into Craig Manning. Even worse, the collision had left a
large wet spot on the front of his impeccably fitted coat. “I’m so sorry,” I
exclaimed. “I should really learn to look before racing through doors.
Especially when I’m soaking wet.”
    “Apology
accepted,” he said with a tinge of amusement. “You work for Berta Klein, don’t
you?”
    “Yes,
I’m probably late by now. I’d better get going.”
    “You
can’t go to work like this. You’ll only catch cold. My executive suite has
rooms that I use when I need to work long hours, and there’s a dryer. Come
along. Let’s get you dried off.”
    Before
I could object, he grasped my soggy arm firmly and led me to the elevators. As
we ascended, I avoided meeting his eyes. The whole situation was just too
embarrassing. Standing beside him in the close proximity of the elevator,
dripping and shivering, I struggled to regain a degree of composure.
    The
elevator doors opened on the fourteenth