Axel slowly rose from his position to let Donald take a look."It's a bomb alright.""Is it timed?" Axel asked tersely.Donald nodded. "We have less than twenty minutes. Check the doors."Axel walked to the door and tried opening it. "It's locked from outside.""Let me call Jubril. Check the windows."Axel climbed the bed and opened the window. "It's been sealed off. Why didn't we notice that the house was a trap?""We were too tired."Donald lifted a finger when Jubril picked up and informed him of their situation."Half an hour? That's too long. We have to find another way." Jubril said something and he crouched by the trapdoor. "Yes, I think we can lift it out in time… What? No… It looks like it was designed to take out just the house… You think that would work? Yes, yes... Alright. Get the men ready for us."Donald hung up and sighed. "Let's hope any movement at all doesn't detonate it."Axel went down on his knees. "On three?"Donald took a deep breath and nodded. "If it goes off
Axel's heart began hammering in his chest. "What about Claire?"Jubril frowned. "According to Paul, he thinks she might not live for long time. She don't want to eat or take any medication. Her friend is coming to New York to see if anybody can help. She don't want to live anymore."Axel narrowed his eyes. "Why did he call you?""He said he sure you were alive and I should find you. He need you to heal Claire."Axel turned away and walked to the window. He looked down at the streets of China, the traffic rushing by and the pedestrians crowding on the sidewalk. His heart leaped at every blonde haired woman he sighted, until he remembered he was not in New York. And there was no Claire.He needed to find a way to go home, but he was not sure of how much danger he was in. Doubtless, he trusted Paul. But he didn't want to put him in any danger, especially if his enemies found out they had been in touch. That would put Claire in danger too, and he certainly didn't want that either.Jubril
Axel had stayed upstairs when the men had brought in the Manager. He dreaded what Donald had to do, but he realized it was necessary. Donald had prepared well. The instruments he saw inside the closed chamber gave Axel shivers. Just seeing everything so carefully laid out should have made the Manager start talking immediately he was dragged into the room. Axel heard his screams from inside because the walls were not soundproof. Donald was really not pulling his punches. Axel knew the moment the Manager cracked. He clucked his tongue and looked at his watch. The Manager had not even lasted an hour. The house went quiet again, and a few minutes later, the men dragged the manager with them.Jubril asked the men to lock him up until everything blew over. Then, the others would have no clue what was about to happen. Axel stood by the door, trying to listen to everything that was going on in the house. He heard the footsteps of someone approaching and he slinked away to the table.When Dona
"Slow down." Donald admonished as soon as they stepped out of the car into the darkness of the area surrounding the penthouse building. "We still have about five minutes before the lights are restored." Axel ignored Donald and kept up his brisk pace. He was not worried that Jubril's men could keep the light off for the amount of time it took to get up to the penthouse, neither was he worried that any camera would pick up their trail in the dark. The only thing that made him hurry up was Claire.She was the only thing on his mind throughout the flight, and the drive from the hanger to his lodge. He missed everything about her. Her touch, the feel of her hair and skin on his, and the way her mouth drove him crazy. He needed to see her.Axel entered the elevator and Donald caught up with him right before the door closed."You know," Donald huffed, "this obsession you have is very unhealthy. Granted, I like Claire. She's perfect for you. But loving her is turning you into someone I canno
Claire woke up the next morning. She felt very cold, and empty. When she turned, she discovered why. Axel had left the bed sometime during the night. Someone had put a wet towel on her head. Her fever had reduced considerably, and she felt stronger. She sat up and stretched just as someone opened the room door.It was Axel, and he was fully dressed in work clothes. He wore a very big frown. "What is my Personal Assistant and Secretary doing in bed at this time of the day?" He bellowed.She squinted at him, uncertain if he was joking or not. His face did not relax a muscle."The car leaves by 8. Be sure you're in it, or you'll have your salary deducted. Bring your language books too, let's see how far you have gone."He turned to leave before she finally found her voice."I'm still your Assistant?" She whispered hoarsely."Of course." He turned back to face her, ignoring her expression. "Have you forgotten the contract of employment you signed?"Claire felt the energy seep from her bo
Shock had rendered her speechless, but she was even more shocked when his hand went up and landed on her backside. "Ow!" She jerked on him, more out of surprise than pain.He was spanking her, and what was more, it didn't hurt. She felt more pleasure than she had earlier. His hand came down on her again, and she giggled."What's funny?" He asked coldly.She wiggled her backside. "Do it again."He did, severally. And each time, her response was a surprised giggle."You seem to be enjoying this too much, Tigress." Axel observed."Yes sir," she responded, "very much so." Claire felt Axel freeze. He was thinking, and she wiggled her toes impatiently. She didn't know just why she had decided to stir the waters that morning. Maybe it was just her childish way of paying him back for that morning. He let her up slowly and tugged her skirt back down."I ordered you never to call me sir. Yet, you disobeyed me. That's fine. Today, I will make you call me nothing but sir, and I will have you be
Claire stood awkwardly beside Axel in the reception, facing the former board of directors. He had his arms in his pockets, and his teeth were clenched. The energy oozing from him reminded Claire once again why he was the most powerful man in New York. Donald stood behind them, arms folded."Do the honors, Miss McLennie." Axel gritted out.Claire looked up at him. "Huh?" She asked in surprise.She looked at the directors, and each of them were staring back at her in confusion. Axel gave her a censored look."You seem to have not yet learned my ways, assistant. Donald!" Claire colored in embarrassment and shifted to give way to Donald.Axel motioned to her. "Show Miss McLennie how it's done." "Yes sir." He stepped forward and faced the erring director. "You have been dismissed by the CEO. Please clear out immediately. Security will escort you out. Please do not return to the premises without a signed invitation from the CEO or Chairman himself."The directors murmured among themselves
Claire thought her heart would fail when Axel mentioned the cost for breach of contract. She vaguely remembered seeing that in her contract, but at the time she had been convinced that nothing will move her to resign within her first year of stay. Now, she wished she had thought matters through.On her way back to the office, she bumped into Myla. The woman hugged her kindly and gently held her face in her hands."What's wrong, Claire?" She asked. "You look so pale."Claire sniffed. "I just received the shock of my life. Now, I don't know anymore."Myla's eyes softened. "Oh, poor baby. It's going to be alright. Just take things easy, and don't give up."Claire scoffed. "Yeah, right. As if I could give up if I wanted to." Myla let her go. "I've got a meeting to attend right now. I'll see you around, girlie.""Bye!" Claire waved.She turned back towards the direction of the office. She began simmering again, so that by the time she reached the office, her anger was bursting. The poor do