Revenge is always sweet, it’s the aftertaste that’s bitter – JOSHUA CALEB

Alex felt as if he was underwater, being pulled unwillingly into the churning current whirling at the center. No matter how hard he tried to swim against it, all it did was pull him in closer. Everything was spinning out of control. Knight Inc. was under attack; Rick was issuing manna like he owned the company heaven and now this… Jesus.

Claire. What the hell had happened? To top off this clusterfuck there was Catrina Banning. As if all the other complications in his life weren't enough. It had been a shock to him as Cat's dead body had flashed right before his eyes when he had entered the suite where Claire's body lay. Logically, he knew that Cat was standing right in front of him unharmed. But a feeling of such burning pain and overwhelming grief had engulfed him that he'd staggered under the weight of loss. It was like he was drowning and burning alive at the same time. He never wanted to go through that again, ever. Even, if it had been only for a moment. So, he'd decided to take some necessary steps.

His emotions and feelings were all over the place as he thought about what they'd done in her office. He hadn't expected Cat to do that. To… pleasure him like that after he'd gotten her off. Just the thought of her sucking and licking his-

Fuck, he grew hard just thinking about it. How was he supposed to control himself and act around her? He'd thought being with Cat once would be enough to exorcise the past and the feelings she'd invoked in him eight years ago. But it had been even more intense and mind-blowing this time around. How in hell did she do that?

Cat was a heartless, selfish user, Alex reminded himself. It wasn't like he had been pining away for her these past few years. He had been with his fair share of women, some would say even more than his fair share.

But he hadn't had a serious relationship with anyone. His dating pattern read more like a book on how to date and dump sexy blondes. They were usually beautiful, boring and had nothing in common with him. So, as soon as they turned demanding or interfering, they were shown out the door.

He had been happy with such arrangements until now. He was happy with it, dammit.

He didn't care how this would make Cat feel. She had nothing to do with how he led his life. She was the one who had disappeared from his life without any explanation.

But after the blissful night and all the tender moments they'd shared during that semester, it had been devastatingly amazing how she'd just fallen off the face of the Earth. There hadn't even been a fucking note. Nia and he had tried to trace Cat's records and even gone to her registered address in San Francisco, where he'd learnt about her Godfather being murdered. But no one had heard about what happened to Cat after she left for school. No one had seen her or been in contact with her. Alex deserved an explanation for that,at the very least and then maybe demand everything else she had to give.

Shit.

This was ridiculous. Alex had a devil's worth of trouble at his door and he was still thinking about Beelzebub. Well, it was just too bad. Since he hadn't gotten any explanation about the past from Cat, Alex figured he didn't owe anything to her now.

The next day as the car pulled inside his office building, Alex noticed the swarm of photographers and reporters clicking their shutters. They congregated around the now crawling limo tapping his windows shouting questions.

"Was Claire Gibbons a conscientious employee?"

"Was she seeing anyone from the office?"

"How was she murdered inside your offices, Mr. Knight?"

"What's being done about Claire's last rites?"

The barrage of questions continued till Jason turned off the main driveway into a hidden entrance that led the way to his office floor.

"It's going to be one of those days, sir."

"It sure is, Jase. But, what's with the sir?"

"Oh, you know, just keeping it real. Since you are my employer and its an employee's job to accord some respect and loyalty to his paycheck giver."

"Keeping it real, huh? You can't distract me today."

"C'mon Alex, I know there's a fifty-car pileup waiting for you to sort through, in there. I just thought-"

"I know and I appreciate it. Just not now."

"Point made. Go get 'em."

Yeah, right. Go get 'em. Time to face the music.

As soon as Alex entered his office, he called in the replacement secretary he'd been assigned. A knock sounded on the door and a slim, young blonde with a black pencil skirt and a peach shell accessorized with an elegant pearl necklace strode in.

"Good morning Mr. Knight. I'm Susan Billings, your new secretary. I have messages from the Board and a call from-"

"All that can wait. Have Ms. Gibbons' parents arrived yet?"

"No, sir. Their flight was delayed, but I've sent one of the company cars to fetch them and booked them a suite in The Waldorf as you requested."

"Good. I want to be notified of their arrival as soon as they check-in. You can leave the messages and mails. I'll look them over later. Thanks."

"No problem. I'm sorry for your loss, sir. Her poor parents are going to be devastated. No one should have to suffer the loss of their child."

"No, they shouldn't. Thank you Ms. Billings, did you know Claire?"

"It's Mrs. Billings, sir and no I didn't know her. I can't imagine the pain her parents must be going through right now. My little Rebecca is only a little over a year, but if anything ever happened to her…" She shuddered.

"I hope you never have to face that Mrs. Billings. But, rest assured, whoever is behind this will be found and brought to justice."

"I really hope so, sir. The animal who could stab such a sweet and innocent girl should be found and caged immediately."

"I agree. Now, let's hope everyone is doing their job to track this beast."

"Yes, sir. Is there anything else that you need?"

"That's all Mrs. Billings."

As she turned to go he remembered to ask,"Wait. Has Ms. Banning arrived yet?"

"Ms. Banning? She never left, sir. She's been here all night working and helping Mr. Talwell."

"She's been what?"

He didn't wait to hear anymore as he strode out and called the elevator to get down to the security office. She'd been here all night? What was she playing at now? Did she want to discredit the company and in return him? Did she intend to report this and prove how dangerous it was for the Government to award confidential contracts to Knight Inc.? Or was she just an opportunist looking to capitalize and sell her story to the highest bidder? How dare she? He wouldn't let her do this. Claire's parents would be even more devastated if any leaks were made outside his office.