Chapter 3 The Blackmail Plot

• After lunch, Briar returned to the archive's front office, her mind still racing from the brief moment shared with Damien Thorne. That smile of his lingered in her thoughts as she sorted through a new batch of record request emails.
• "He's the CEO," she told herself, shrugging it off. "He can smile at me any way he likes."
• As she began printing a list of files to be scanned, the printer next to her jammed. Tucking her pen between her teeth for a moment, she opened the top to clear the paper. Just as she was about to pull out the jammed sheet, her phone rang. She reached for the receiver and tucked it between her cheek and shoulder.
• Before she could answer, a deep male voice echoed in her ear. "My source says the latest Black and White party will be at David and Nadia Zellwood's house in North Boulder tonight. Will Thorne be there?"
• Briar's heart dropped.
• "Yes," a woman replied. "I just heard him confirm. He's looking for a redhead. Have your camera ready. If he fucks her, I want you to film it."
• Briar froze, her mind racing.
• "I'll need to get inside first," the man replied.
• "They use playing cards as passes. Tonight it's the Queen of Hearts. Just show one to the security guard at the gate and he'll let you in. Wear all black so they think you're a dominant."
• The man chuckled. "What do the submissives wear?"
• "White, you simpleton," the woman snapped. "That's why they're called Black and White parties."
• Briar's breath quickened.
• "Oh, okay. Listen, you sure about this? I mean, taking some dirty photos of the guy is one thing, but going public with a sex tape from a BDSM party? That'll take down the company and ruin Damien Thorne's life."
• "If he does what I say, no one will ever see it," the woman purred. "Just don't screw this up."
• The line went dead, and Briar hung up the phone, her heart fluttering in her chest as she processed the gravity of the situation. She needed to warn Damien Thorne about the imminent threat he faced. But how?
• Instinctively, she reached for the phone to call his office, but she hesitated, the thought of being overheard creeping into her mind. With the phone line possibly compromised, she couldn't risk it. Briar glanced around at the pile of records she was supposed to deliver that afternoon and hurriedly grabbed them, deciding to take matters into her own hands. She rushed to the nearest elevator heading for the penthouse level.
• As she stepped into the penthouse, she spotted Nora Bonner seated at her desk, fingers flying across her laptop.
• "Yes?" Nora didn't even look up.
• "I'm delivering a file for Mr. Thorne," Briar replied, her voice steady despite the anxiety pulsing inside her.
• Nora pointed lazily to an empty inbox on her desk. "He's gone for the day. Leave it here."
• Briar dropped one of the files into the box and turned to leave, but Nora's voice stopped her. "Come back here."
• When Briar returned, Nora tossed the file back across the desk. "Mr. Thorne didn't request this, you simpleton, Mr. Wilkes in Accounting did."
• Briar's stomach tightened as realization sunk in. Nora was the woman from the phone call-she had the same voice and the same disdainful tone. Briar felt a rush of fear as she understood the danger Damien faced.
• "I'm so sorry," Briar managed to say, forcing herself to sound apologetic.
• "Yes, you are. Take that to Mr. Wilkes on the ninth floor. Then you can clock out. Don't bother reporting for work tomorrow. I'm terminating your assignment. Get out of my office."
• Briar's heart raced as she picked up the file and hurried into the elevator. She rode to the ninth floor, her mind racing with dread. Although being fired was a blow, her concern was solely for Damien Thorne's safety. He might already be heading to that party.
• I have to get to him. She played the ominous conversation over in her mind again. She recalled the details-dominants wore black, submissives wore white, and to get into the party, all he needed was a Queen of Hearts playing card. And he was looking for a redhead.
• "Briar." Sarah poked her head out of an office door. "What are you doing here?"
• "Just delivering a file," Briar said hurriedly. She caught a glimpse of Sarah's terminal and was hit by another idea. "Can I borrow your computer for a second? I need to find an address."
• "I'll do it for you," Sarah offered before sitting at her desk. "What's the address?"
• "David and Nadia Zellwood, North Boulder." Briar bit her lip as Sarah typed. "Thank you." She held out the file Nora had thrown at her. "Could you deliver this to Mr. Wilkes?"
• "Sure, but why the rush? You look like you've run a marathon."
• "I've been, sort of. Today's my last day."
• "What?" Sarah's eyebrows shot up. "Why? What happened?"
• Briar debated telling Sarah the truth but hesitated. Revealing Damien's private life could put him in further jeopardy. "I took the wrong file to Nora, and she fired me."
• "What? She can't fire you for that!" Sarah exclaimed, indignant.
• "It's fine." Briar glanced at her watch, the urgency settling in. "I really have to go. Maybe we could catch up later-"
• "Later isn't good enough!" Sarah interrupted, her concern evident. "What's going on? You need to tell me!"
• Briar took a deep breath, weighing her options. The sound of the phone ringing broke the moment. She had to think fast. If only she could warn Damien before it was too late.
• With a determined nod, Briar turned back to Sarah. "I really can't explain now, but I need your help. Please, don't tell anyone what I said."
• As the doors to the elevator closed, Briar's heart raced with anticipation. She had to get to Damien. She had to stop Nora and protect him before it was too late. Every second counted as she set her plan into motion.