Oakley.
I ring Doris, my secretary, to check if she knows. She answers on the second dial tone, her voice sleepy. “Sir, what is it?”
“The building is on fire. Could anyone be in there?”
“How awful.” She rummages around, and there’s a click as she turns on a light. “They show up at about three o’clock.”
“Jane mentioned she’d be working late, but I’d guess she’d be home by now, right?” I ask, swallowing hard.
Doris sucks in a worried breath. “Oh no, Jane regularly stayed in the early hours of the morning. I hope she isn’t, but it’s not impossible, Mr. Archer.”
My hand tightens around my cell phone. “Thank you. Can you do me a favor?”
“Of course, anything, sir.”
I clench my jaw. “Can you call the cleaning agency and call them off tonight for me?”
“Yes, I’ll do it right now, sir.”
“Thanks, Doris. Nobody will need to come in tomorrow.
“Leave it to me. I’ll handle it, sir.”
I cancel the call, feeling panic take hold of me again that Jane might be in the building. I’ll never forgive those fucking Carmichaels if they took her from me.
The officer I spoke to earlier is lingering near the barrier they erected. “I have spoken to my secretary, and the cleaners come in at three o’clock. She’s calling them off now.”
He nods. “No one should be inside the building.”
“The only person was my recruitment officer. She said she was working late, but I’d assume not this late.” I swallow hard, glancing at the raging fire engulfing the building. “I haven’t been able to get hold of her.”
The officer nods. “Okay, I’ll warn the fire department that there’s a chance of one civilian.”
I step back, staring at the shell of a building as the fire rages. It’s at least half an hour until it appears like the firefighters are winning the fight.
The radio crackles on the officer’s belt. “Body found, but no pulse. Ensure the paramedics are ready.”
He takes it and replies. “Copy that.”
My world spirals as I move toward him. “Who is it?”
He holds a hand up. “Stay there.”
I glare at the man, scanning the office entrance, knowing deep down that it’s her. Jane.
Three firefighters come out, and one of them carries a slim, lithe body slumped over his shoulder.
I rush forward. “Jane!” I shout, breaking through the tape to get through to her. The glimpse of burned bright blonde hair is the biggest giveaway that it is her.
“Mr. Archer,” the police officer calls out to me, trying to stop me. There’s nobody that could stop me as I sprint toward them, making the firefighter’s eyes widen. “Stay back,” One of them orders.
“I need to know who it is. Is she dead?” I say.
He gestures to the paramedics’ ambulance. “Wait over there, please.”
I swallow hard and do as he says, approaching the ambulance. They have a body bag ready, making the dark dread root even deeper into my soul.
“I don’t think you should be here,” the paramedic says.
I shake my head. “I own the company. Who is dead?”
The paramedic nods. “Okay, wait here.”
The firefighter comes closer with the body and sets her down inside the open body bag. My stomach churns the moment I see her face. It feels like someone has punched me in the gut as I look at her serene, beautiful features burned and blackened by the fire.
“No,” I cry, rushing forward.
The paramedic allows me to move toward her.
“Jane, I’m so sorry,” I say, running my hand through her beautiful golden hair. A lump wedges in my throat so hard I can no longer speak. Tears flood down my cheeks as the impact of her loss hits me harder than the loss of my empire, which is proof I have been a fool staying away from her.
I never took her on a date, never kissed her beautiful lips, never had the warmth of her against me. I clench my fists by my side as grief twists into a fierce rage.
I bend down and whisper into her ear, even though she can’t hear me, “I’ll make them pay for this, Jane. I promise.” A complex web of emotions flow through me as anger, guilt, and grief threaten to shred me apart at the seams.
The Carmichael clan is the most influential criminal organization in the state, which means I need to flee Georgia tonight if I stand a chance of getting revenge. The insurance will cover the fire damage, but Archer Data Corp will be in ruins once news spreads about the destruction of the servers.
“Sir, I apologize, but we require you to step away.” A firm hand lands on my shoulder as I clutch onto Jane’s freezing hand. As I stare at her, I realize I won’t be able to attend her funeral. I have to leave now if I want to disappear.
I let go of her hand, tearing my eyes away from her beautiful face. Slowly, I step away, knowing this is the last time I’ll see her. The last time I’ll stand on Atlanta soil. I trust Eric, the company president, to handle the insurance company and fallout.
As of tonight, Brett Archer no longer exists. I will disappear off the face of this earth, untraceable. The Carmichaels won’t find me until it’s too late. I will tear their world down and hurt them ten times worse than they’ve hurt me.
Tonight, Brett Oakley Archer died. I have to become someone else for the second time in my twenty-eight years on this earth.