Dark Demands - Taken for His Captive Read online

  Gina narrowed her eyes with growing rage and watched as he studied the printed list in front of him. She wanted to shout at him, to make him understand how wrong he was. But she knew she was wasting her time, he wasn’t the type to listen. It was obvious to her now that Dark lived and operated within his own set of rules and it was very unlikely she had the power to change that.

  However, what Gina didn’t know was that she’d actually made more of an impression on Dark than she realised. But it had nothing to do with the information on her job application. He’d felt the thrill of the chase the moment she’d walked into his office. She was blonde, big breasted and very pretty, just the type he liked to play around with.

  Watching her now, roused with temper, she excited him. He didn’t usually go for women who were wilful and argumentative. His natural choice was a much more submissive type who wouldn’t fight his demands. He smiled to himself as he wondered just how argumentative she’d get in the bedroom. He looked at her again, his eyes still and searching roving over her body, how would she react to his special requirements, he wondered.

  But there was no chance of him employing her not even to get her into his bed. Should he relent, perhaps take her on for a trial period? But almost immediately the thought entered his head he dismissed it. No matter what he might want he couldn’t do that. She’d parade her success in such a way that it just might open the floodgates for others and he couldn’t let that happen. In Matthew Dark’s world women had their place and it wasn’t in his boardroom.

  But he couldn’t just let her go either. He toyed with her a little and she’d parried very well, unusually he’d liked that. Getting to know Gina Haddon better, he’d already decided, would be very enjoyable. He needed a way to keep her in his sights. She was a rare breed of woman, the type that could arouse an urgent passion in him. A dark passion he knew well.

  “I will fight your decision, Mr Dark. You know very well that I am the best candidate and it’s just your own personal prejudice that’s keeping me out.”

  Gina watched his eyes cloud. Shrewd eyes that appeared to have the ability to see right through her, she hoped not. She’d been very careful to keep her true identity secret, even to the extent of using a false name, so he couldn’t possibly know who she really was.

  He didn’t reply but went back to studying the list in front of him carefully for a few moments. Then after crossing off one or two of the names he handed it over to her.

  “Give these people a ring, Gina,” he suggested using her Christian name for the first time. As I said I will speak to them and give you my support and I promise you, you will have the position you want very soon.”

  Dark decided he had to ensure they met again. He glimpsed her application one last time before filing it in his desk drawer. It had her telephone number and address on it. He’d give her a week then he’d contact her again.

  Gina took the paper he’d given her and stuffed it into her bag as if it had no importance at all. She’d failed. Given the type of man Dark was she’d simply wasted her time applying for the damn job and her plans to get even with the young entrepreneur were dead in the water.

  Chapter 2

  “At least you tried,” Grace Deverell consoled her step daughter. “But it’s no more or less than we expected, is it? We’re both aware of his reputation for not employing females and frankly I think it’s the best outcome you shouldn’t go anywhere near that man.”

  “He’s such a chauvinist and he doesn’t even care,” Gina told Grace exasperated by what had just happened. “And he made me feel like a silly schoolgirl for even trying. I feel such a fool, Grace, brow beaten, intimidated and thoroughly put down, the man’s a menace to womankind.”

  “There’s no excuse for his behaviour but if you want my opinion you’ve had a lucky escape. This is big business, Gina, and if crossed, men like Dark can play very dirty indeed. So imagine the repercussions if he had hired you and then found out what you were really up to?”

  Grace Deverell was a realist. Gina’s plan had been almost doomed to failure from the start because Matthew Dark was no fool. She shivered; the man might try to keep his private life a mystery but what was out there didn’t make good reading. And after her recent meetings with him she felt there was something about him, something she couldn’t quite fathom. But one thing all her instincts told her was that there was a side to Matthew Dark that he tried to keep well hidden and Gina was probably best out of it.

  As Grace started the car engine and began the short drive to their home Gina fastened her seat belt and gave her a thin smile. “I was prepared to take my chances,” she replied. “But now I’m never going to get to the bottom of what really happened, am I.”

  “Try not to get too upset about this,” she told her with concern. “Your father has accepted what’s happened, and he was the one most affected after all. And although we might not like it, perhaps we’ve just got to do the same.”

  “My father’s just tired, Grace. He has no fight left in him. But one day soon he realise how short sighted he’s been and realise that Dark cheated him,” she affirmed.

  Grace knew she was fighting a loosing battle. Gina wanted retribution, she wanted to try and put things back to how they’d been before. But that was unlikely to happen. She just hoped that chasing after Dark and trying find proof of his underhand methods wouldn’t get her into something she couldn’t handle.

  “Study that list he gave you,” Grace suggested helpfully. “You know what this business is like, people talk, and with Dark being new in town you won’t be the only one trying to find out what he’s up to,” she smiled and nodded at Gina’s bag. “That list you’ve got is more than just contacts, those are his rivals too, so study it and speak to a few of them like Dark suggested.”

  It was a good idea and Gina rescued the crumpled list from her bag and looked it up and down. Most of the firms were unfamiliar but one or two she did recognise.

  “Charlie’s company is on here,” she said suddenly with a smile. “It is one of those he’s crossed out though, but perhaps that means it’s worth a try, don’t you think?”

  Grace wasn’t sure. Charlie Spence was a self centred man who was only likely to help if there was something in it for him.

  But Gina was desperate and ready to clutch at anything that might give her a foothold. Charlie had dealt with Deverells for years and despite crossing him off the list if the Scotsman kept nothing else he was bound to keep her father’s old customers.

  “When we get home I’m going to ring him, see what he knows. He’s one of the few people on here,” she said waving the list triumphantly, “who might be able to help me.”

  Charlie Spence had heard about Deverells going bust and Dark’s buy out so when he heard Gina’s voice he wasn’t surprised. He could well imagine how angry she was about the whole affair. So angry, in fact, that she’d be another in the growing group of people Dark had crossed and like the others she’d have a burning itch to get even so perhaps that meant they could use each other.

  “I’ve been given a list of names by Matthew Dark and of course, being an old customer, you’re on it, Gina told him. “Primarily I’m looking for work and I know you have a lot of contacts, Charlie but apart from that I’m also looking for information, anything you know about the takeover and what he’s up to.”

  “I can probably help you find a job but as for Dark, well my advice is don’t get involved with him, Gina,” Charlie warned.

  “A little late I’m afraid. I actually had an interview for my old job today,” she told him. “I didn’t tell him who I was but he turned me down anyway, can you imagine how hard that was to swallow?”

  “Turn you down because you’re female, did he?”

  “Yes, and he had the cheek to admit it,” she confirmed. “Obviously he thinks he’s above all that employment law stuff the rest of us have to watch out for, Charlie?”

  “That’s typical Dark tactics. He’s ruthless Gina and particular about empl
oying staff, but you really should treat it as a lucky break. The man might have a lot going for him but he’s dangerous and particularly where women are concerned.”

  More echoes of the warning Grace had given her. What was it about this man that inspired such ideas?

  “What do you mean, dangerous?” Gina pried further, a frown on her pretty face. “You make him sound like some sort of sexual predator.”

  “Well he certainly has a problem with women, that’s for sure. So whether you care to believe me or not you’ve had a lucky escape.”

  “You’re as bad as Grace, she doesn’t trust him either,” she admitted. “And how do you know these things? I can’t find out anything about him, online or in the press. As far as I can tell he virtually wraps himself in secrecy.”

  “You’re not speaking to the right people Gina. Believe me the reputation he’s got is well deserved. I could tell you a tale or two, in fact when we get together I just might.”

  “That aside is he ruthless enough to have had a hand in Deverells crash,” she put to him. “You must have heard the rumours, I know I have.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him. I have no evidence that would hold up though and just now I don’t want to make an enemy of Dark, not openly anyway” he admitted. “But take my word for it the wolves are baying for that man’s blood and it won’t be long before he learns that continually crossing people the way he does has repercussions, and serious ones.”

  “So I’m not the only one who doesn’t like him then, who else is on your list Charlie?”

  “I can’t tell you anything yet, Gina but just keep your eyes and ears open over the coming weeks and don’t be surprised if the Scotsman takes a few serious knocks.”

  “But he’s just too big, surely. Dark Industries is global so I don’t see how anyone can hit him hard enough to leave marks.”

  “There are other global players in this game, Gina and they’re watching Dark carefully and he’s been careless. So careless in fact that when the strike is made against him Dark Industries share price will plummet,” he told her with some glee.

  “In the meantime will you keep your ears open about Deveralls and what he might have done to secure the takeover? Our entire workforce have lost their jobs, Charlie can you imagine how that makes me feel?”

  “I’ll see what gossip is doing the rounds but I’ll have to be careful I don’t want Dark spooked. His firm is working on something new; a gizmo that’s forecast to become an instant market leader,” he told her candidly. “Part of the sting against him involves a group of us getting there first and making sure it has serious competition. We intend that our product will beat Dark’s to shops and that will have major repercussions for him. But not a word, Gina, not to anyone.”

  “Seems you’ve been busy, Charlie, I’m impressed. But your plan really does rely on having the right information at the right time?”

  “Yes I agree, and that’s why I have someone on the inside. Soon I’ll have everything I need to set up the competition then all I have to do is give my new business partner the nod and he’ll start manufacture. He has his own reasons for wanting to ruin Dark plus his organisation has the capacity and the money to stop him in his tracks. So whatever it is Dark’s planning it won’t stay a secret for much longer,” he told her confidently.

  Having met him Gina couldn’t imagine Matthew Dark being so careless. He would never launch something new without strict security. Charlie might have his talents but this sounded way out of his league. But what he’d told her about Dark’s new development was very interesting. If it was still in development and under wraps then it made the man vulnerable. And perhaps that vulnerability was something she could exploit herself.

  “I wish you well, Charlie. That really is excellent news and probably no more that that man deserves,” she complimented. “But given what you’ve told me perhaps you need to watch your step too don’t get into anything you’ll regret. I don’t imagine Dark’s a push over,” she warned.

  “I can handle Dark,” he answered her with contempt. “And it’s about time that big headed Scotsman was taught a lesson or two,” he added scathingly. “He won’t take this new product to market without real problems and he won’t have a clue how it happened. So don’t worry about me.”

  “That smacks of a man who knows what he’s doing and has thought things through, Charlie,” she replied with admiration in her voice. “If anyone can get him then you probably can, you’re no beginner in this business and people trust you.”

  Gina knew Charlie of old and she was aware how much he liked to be flattered. She could use this information and right now she could use Charlie so a few words of praise could pay dividends.

  “Look why wait until tomorrow we could do with meeting up and discussing the job idea,” he offered. “How about coming with me to a party tonight at a hotel in town? It’s a bit of a birthday bash for Ben, Benito Carlotti, the MD of ‘Planet Electronics’ and I still don’t have a ‘plus one’, what do you say?”

  Gina smiled to herself. She’d been right, those few kind words had paid off. She was well aware that Charlie had once carried a torch for her and so she expected him to use her curiosity about Dark and her need for a job to his advantage. But this event was an opportunity she couldn’t miss it would give her the chance to meet others in the business and possibly find out more about what Dark was up to.

  “Strictly business,” she insisted imagining Charlie’s self satisfied face at the other end of the line while she listened to him laugh down the receiver.

  “Why off course gorgeous, what do you take me for? And anyway I do have a lady in my life at the moment.”

  ”Shouldn’t you be taking her then, I don’t want to cause you any embarrassment?”

  “No it’s fine, this particular lady will be there anyway and she knows I’ve only got eyes for her. But I’d ask you to be discreet and keep news of my new romance to yourself for now.”

  “Of course, Charlie, but why the intrigue?”

  “I can’t really say but for now I don’t want our names linked, not yet. So sorry Gina, this isn’t a date it’s more of an opportunity for us to chat and for you to network with others in our business.”

  “I’m fine with that Charlie, its good of you to invite me. Is it posh? Do I dress up?”

  “Give it the works, gorgeous. I saw you once in a lovely flowing red number; wear that if you’ve still got it.”

  Gina knew the gown he meant and immediately understood why Charlie had remembered it. It was low cut, scarlet silk, split up one side and very sexy. Very well, if that’s what it took, she’d wear it.

  “I’ll pick you up at your house about eight,” he confirmed before they said their goodbyes.

  If Charlie was right and Dark had developed a new product then she needed to know what it was and how near it was to reaching the market. Charlie was her key. If he did know something and she handled him right, he was such a show off, he wouldn’t be able to keep what he knew to himself

  Chapter 3

  The party or ‘event’ as Charlie had described it was being held at one of the city’s premier hotels. He picked Gina up in a taxi as arranged and seemed delighted to have her as his escort for the evening. Charlie had an image to keep up and he would relish turning up to this prestigious affair with the lovely Gina on his arm. He’d no intention of spoiling any opportunities she might make for herself but he’d enjoy flaunting her in front of the host of influential business men who’d be there.

  As they arrived Gina’s nerves began to jangle as she watched the large, expensive cars pull up as they chauffeured other guests to the venue. What had happened to change Charlie’s fortunes so much? He was good at what he did and his business was successful but he wasn’t in this league. And another thing, how come he knew a man like Carlotti well enough to wangle his invite here tonight? Something had certainly changed in Charlie’s life, that was for sure.

  He presented their invitations to the doorman and
once inside they were met by a waiter proffering champagne. Gina took one of the crystal flutes politely but she’d no intentions of getting even slightly drunk. If ever she needed her wits about her it was tonight.

  The main event room of the hotel was decorated with balloons and banners to celebrate Carlotti’s birthday and the garish colours clashed with the expensive deep burgundy and burnt gold tones of the usually more sedate décor. A room here must cost a fortune, Gina reasoned looking round at the wealth of designer labels and jewellery dripping off the other guests.

  “Can I introduce you to anyone?” Charlie asked as he spotted a group he recognised and waved. “There’s Ben Carlotti, the Managing Director of ‘Planet’, standing over there. You should certainly meet him he could be useful he employs thousands of staff here and in the States. Come on, we’ll wish him ‘happy birthday”