Chapter 14 #2
There’s this growing warmth inside me that was ignited the moment I saw her, and it’s only continued to grow ever since.
And now, I have to deal with Serena. She’ll expect certain things that I no longer want to give her.
Will I, for the sake of the alliance, despite my feelings for Darcy?
Or won’t I, because of my feelings for Darcy?
Perhaps there is another option altogether that I’ve yet to think of.
Regardless, I don’t want to be in this position, so much so, I almost hope Serena is up to something shady so that we don’t have to play nice.
But that would just cause more problems for us all, the problems Damon is concerned about.
“But won’t she be mad about what happened to her guy? At a minimum, that seems like grounds for retaliation,” Damon says then.
I shake my head and sit up straight. “Serena is smart. She won’t go to war over one man, especially considering what he was about to do to Darcy.
And, for all we know, he was here of his own accord, not on a direct order.
” Damon nods and remains quiet. Though, as I look at him, I can see the wheels turning in his head.
There’s a small wrinkle in his forehead and a stiffness to his lip. “What is it?”
“I don’t know,” he says then, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s just…
you said this all took place near the women’s shelter.
It just strikes me as strange for a man like that to be out there, in an abandoned area of town yet near some of the most vulnerable people, without some ulterior motive.
Not to mention the proximity to our old warehouses.
I mean, if he’s—” Damon stops himself and looks to see if the shop owner is within earshot.
I do the same. Spotting her toward the back of the store, straightening up some of the areas Darcy and Ana were looking through, Damon leans closer to me and whispers, “If he’s cartel, he has money and means.
If he was here of his own accord, say a vacation, he could’ve afforded a hotel.
Why would he be out there? And, if it’s as simple as a vacation, he or Serena could’ve let us know, like they’re supposed to, so that misunderstandings like this don’t happen. ”
“Hmm, good question and good point.” Now, he’s got my wheels spinning.
It’s true that those we have alliances with are supposed to alert us before they cross into our territory.
Like Damon said, it cuts down on misunderstandings and allows us to monitor them while they’re in our city.
While there has been a shake-up in our organization, Serena could’ve texted me if she wanted to, if she knew what was going on.
It’s entirely possible she didn’t know. This guy could’ve been hiding from someone, hiding from her, or spying on us for someone else.
She always feared someone would try to overthrow her.
Maybe they see the demolition of her most powerful ally as a time to strike?
Who knows? Given the proximity to our warehouses, it’s entirely possible he and whoever he’s loyal to, or was, —whether or not it’s Serena—is trying to see what’s happening in New Orleans given the recent change in leadership, trying to weigh the pros and cons of a coo.
Regardless, there are too many possibilities to determine the truth today.
“This is certainly a puzzle,” I say then. “But one I’ll solve.” I give Damon a reassuring pat on the shoulder and stand, hoping to walk off some of this worry. As I do, moving toward the windows at the front of the store, Ru follows me.
Casting my gaze outside, I find a sense of calm watching others take their Sunday strolls beneath the setting sun.
First, is a group of women dressed in sundresses.
Next, a group of teenagers sneakily sharing a joint.
They’re followed by a couple who are too captivated by one another to mind the smoke.
Ru lets out a deep bark then, prompting Brinkley to jump off Damon’s lap and join her as they take notice of a stray cat roaming in front of the storefront.
Seems animals of all kinds enjoy a good walk or a healthy dose of people-watching.
Though it’s in the glass's reflection that something else draws my attention.
I give Ru a calming caress as I shift my gaze from outside to the display of toys in front of me.
Amongst them, I spot a Victorian-style dollhouse.
It’s the kind that looks like a real house on one side but has an open back so that you can decorate each room and move your dolls around as you wish.
This one is painted a light shade of gray with ornate, white-painted trim, a cute little porch, and copper-colored shingles for the roof.
It’s adorable. Perhaps, more so are the thoughts I have of Delilah playing with it.
I smile to myself then. Perhaps Darcy and Delilah are a distraction. But they are a welcome one.
Saving my thoughts of Serena, the cartel, and all the unknowns for later, I turn to the shop owner and say, “We’ll take this as well.”