Phase One

I sucked in a harsh breath as she trailed kisses from my jaw down to my neck.

"I should kick your ass out of my penthouse", she murmured against my skin.

"I already apologized for abandoning you at the exhibition", I whined.

She pulled away from me to look me in the eyes, "Really?".

Smirking, I grabbed her hips smashing her lips against mine in a hard, passionate kiss before I pulled away. "You don't really seem that upset about it", I teased.

She shook her head, slowly sliding her hands around my neck, "Why don't you tell me what was so important that you ran out on me?".

The conversation I had over dinner with my mother was still too fresh in my mind but I shook away the memories as I tightened my grip around her waist and met her stare.

"Nothing could be more important than you Natasha", she smiled obviously pleased at my words.

Let's just say that we didn't do much talking that night.

**********

(1 year ago)

I stood completely still in the hallways staring at my mother. I haven't seen her in months. Why was she even here? And why now?

I wasn't sure what to do in the situation. I didn't know what she wanted and honestly, I wasn't sure I even wanted to find out.

What I didn't expect however was for her to smile. If I hadn't known her all my life I would have thought it was a genuine smile and not the same fake smile I've seen her use in all her meetings at the office. Nevertheless I was still taken aback.

"Hello Blake, it's been a while", I didn't think it was possible for her smile to widen anymore but it did and she began walking towards where I stood frozen, still not daring to utter a single word.

It was the second before she almost engulfed me in a hug that I snapped out if it.

Taking a few steps back I stared at her, my brow furrowed, "What are you doing?".

She placed a hand over her heart as if I had physically hurt her, "Can't a mother check up on her son these days?".

I flashed her an incredulous look before answering truthfully; "Yes, but not you".

She laughed and my brows furrowed further in confusion.

"Blake you are so funny".

WHAT?!

"What are you doing here mom?", I folded my arms over my chest and levelled our gaze, "we both know it's not to check up on your son!".

That was enough to wipe the smile right off her face. She reverted to her previous disposition of a professional business woman in her well-tailored navy pant suit.

"You're right", her voice was laced with resignation "I'm here because I need your help Blake. Or else I'll lose everything".

***********

On Tuesday I met up with Alana outside the gym that Conner had told us Calder McKnight works out at.

She observes my attire from head to toe, from my brown wig to the green eye contacts and her nose wrinkling​ in distaste, "I must say that you really do look like a stuck-up prick dressed like that".

I chose to ignore her comment about my disguise.

We were still sitting in my Camaro awaiting further instructions from Conner.

Our eyes went back to the laptop screen where Conner was glaring at us both, "Are you two done?", He didn't wait for us to answer, "good, now let's get on with it. The operation is officially underway... And Blake?"

"What?"

"Don't mess this up".

I threw my hands up in protest, "Why do you always say that, Alana's the one you should be worried about".

"We'll talk about this later", I rolled my eyes at Conner's dismissal of what I was saying. "Anyways it's time".

Stepping out of the car I slung my gym bag over my shoulder and entered into the huge building in front of me.

There he was. He looked exactly like the photos.

Calder McKnight CEO of McKnight & co.

I placed my gym bag on one of the chairs before stretching a bit my eyes focused on the man in question the entire time.

So this was Calder McKnight, he was tall that was for sure. Maybe even as tall as me. He has dark blonde hair a well-built figure and a look of superiority that seemed to be permanently engraved in his disposition.

The goal right now was to develop a friendly relationship with the guy and get him to trust me.

Phase one: infiltrate and observe the target

He was lifting some weights obviously showing off and flexing his muscles, moving around effortlessly like he owned the placed.

He probably did.

I inwardly scoffed as I pretended to stretch some more.

My eyes glanced at my watch in anticipation.

Any minute now.

Like clockwork and just like Conner had predicted. By obviously finding out Calder's exercise routine. He made his way to the treadmill. This time I stopped pretending to stretch just so I could watch the next few minutes play out.

Calder began his session on the treadmill. For the first two minutes he was fine. Until the machine started malfunctioning and flung him backwards nearly three meters.

Just as planned. Or rather... just as Conner planned. Though I was the one who messed with the machine.

Just saying.

I nearly laughed out loud at the sight of the big muscled man sprawled out on the floor groaning in pain.

Just to be clear though. I only laughed in my mind.

That was my cue. "Dude are you alright?", I asked feigning concern as I approached him rather quickly before anyone else could.

I held out a hand to help him up and he gladly accepted the help. As soon he stood up he began to limp a bit, so I helped him over to the chairs.

"Ah thanks, I think that machine was trying to kill me".

I laughed. Not at his pathetic attempt of humor but rather at the pained look on his face. The fact that he laughed long with me though told me that he thought his joke was funny.

It wasn't.

"Aren't they all?". I laughed again. "Though it happens to the best of us".

He nodded at me and I wanted to roll my eyes. Instead I opted to shake his hand that he'd outstretched towards me.

"I'm Calder thanks for the assist".

"I'm Raymond St. Patrick". That was my current alias for this particular case. Using my real name was not an option this time.

His eyes widened a bit at possible familiarity.

"I've heard that name before", he mutter mainly to himself before turning to look at me, "You aren't by any chance related to Richard St. Patrick the CEO of Compact Steel?".

Yes. He was taking the bait.

I nodded nonchalantly. "That'd be my father".

His eyes lit up as if I'd just told him I'd write him a million-dollar check with no strings attached. I could already imagine the gears turning in his head. This is what I wanted though.

"I've been trying to get a meeting with your father for months". He stood up so fast I had to take a step away from him so we weren't in each other's faces.

He'd obviously forgotten about any pain he was in a minute ago. He was probably already drawing up a business plan to present to my supposed father in his head and probably already figured out how he was going to manipulate me to get to my father, that really does exist. But just wasn't my actual father.

I eyed him skeptically as if I had the least idea what he was talking about.

"I didn't introduce myself properly earlier. My name is Calder McKnight the CEO of McKnight and Co.".

Like I said earlier I had him right where I wanted him.

And that's how we completed the first phase of talking down Calder McKnight.

Next was phase two.