CHAPTER FIVE
-:- PENNY -:-
Walking into Delta’s office, I place a tumbler of juice on the side of her desk. She’ll be at work anytime, and I like to be sure they all have something to drink as they work. I carry the tray to the main office and smile as Bones is working at his PC.
“Morning, Bones. Did you have an easy night?”
Bones spins his chair and holds his hand out for one of the tumblers I have on the tray. “I did, but I’m ready for some rest. I’m damn happy that we got that bunk room finished. I’m going to get some shut-eye as soon as Arrow and Lincoln arrive.”
I place a tumbler on the coasters I placed on Lincoln and Arrow's work areas, then ask. “The client I’m meeting today, Mr. Rathcall. Do you have any thoughts about him?”
Studying me for a moment, Bones shakes his head. “Not really, but then I wasn’t the one that agreed to an out of office meeting. I think you should insist on taking either Lincoln, Arrow, or one of the security team. We made Colton the boss of the team downstairs, so ask him for an escort.”
“I can do that. For some reason, this client gives the back of my neck an itchy feeling.” It must show on my face that I’m not happy, as Bones leans forward and gives me a serious look. “I’ll be okay, but I’ll speak with Colton about taking an escort, as you suggest.”
“I’ll speak to Colton about this. How long before your meeting?”
“I have an hour before I leave.”
Nodding, Bones stands from his desk, takes the tray from my hand and links arms with me. “Come on, let’s go give Colton some shit. It’ll be fun.”
Smiling while shaking my head at him, I allow him to lead me downstairs to Colton’s security office. Walking inside, Colton looks up, but frowns when he sees Bones with me.
“What’s up?” Colton asks and pushes his laptop to one side of the desk.
Looking at Colton, I have to admit he has transitioned from an enforcer of the club, from which he had to remove the patch I might add.
Then to become the organizer of the team that patrol, or does anything under the security umbrella.
He has done that with such ease I am more than a little impressed.
“Penny has to go speak with a client. One that reckons he can’t come to the office.
I’m not happy about that and going to speak to the others about never having outside meetings again.
If they can’t come here, then we don’t work with them.
But I need you to give Penny an escort. One who stays with her the entire time.
If Penny is spooked, then we run with that feeling.
Who do you have spare to provide escort?
” Bones takes his arm out of mine and gives me a smile, which I know is to reassure me.
“I’ll send Garth, as he’s not on duty at the bar or club today. He’s here doing two interviews, but this won’t interfere with that.” Picking up his cell phone, Colton sends a message then sits back and folds his arms over his chest. Well, it seems we are waiting!
Not even five minutes later, Garth walks into the office, giving me a smile and an eyebrow lift to Colton and Bones. “What’s up?”
Colton quickly fills Garth in on the situation.
“Penny has an interview with a client that feels off. I need you to go with her, and don’t leave her.
If this asshole tries anything funny deal with him.
If he says anything untoward get her out of there and he’s done as far as being a client. We may even pay him a nighttime visit.”
“I can do that. When do you need to go, Penny?” Garth asks.
“I have fifteen minutes now before I have to leave. I just need to pick up the information folder I have on my desk.”
Garth nods, “Okay, no problem. I’ll go shut down my laptop and meet you out front. We’ll take the truck. That way, it’s plastered with the company name and is telling everyone why we are there, including the prick we have to see.”
Turning to leave we are all surprised when Delta walks into the office.
She is 5’7” of beautiful woman. She doesn’t even realize it I’m sure.
Sunshine brown hair I call it, as it has natural gold highlights in it.
Shoulder length that she puts into a ponytail often.
She’s fit, as in toned and not muscular.
I know she trains at the range with Winter twice a week.
“Sorry to barge in, but I saw on the cameras Penny came in here with Bones. I put out a check on my system last night before I left regarding this client you are seeing this morning.” Delta opens her mouth to say more, but Bones interrupts.
“You had a feeling about him too, did you?” Bones frowns.
“I have been running checks on all the clients we have so far, and none have flagged up an issue. But Mr. Rathcall it seems has lost four assistants, and all but one of those put in a complaint to the Sheriff about sexual harassment. This was before Sheriff Forest mind you,” Delta states clearly.
Bones snarls. “You’re not going. I’ll fucking go see this prick. You and me, Garth, let’s go have a little talk with Mr. Rathcall. Penny, you stay here, and never arrange another out of office meeting. They come here or they can fuck off.”
“Who can fuck off?” Arrow asks as he walks into the ever-growing crowd in the office.
Of course, I now stand here listening to all them shooting shit as they call it, right before I state clearly. “You know it’s time to go visit Mr. Rathcall. If you don’t leave now, you’ll be late.”
Bones and Garth give a nasty grin toward each other, then storm out of the office together.
Arrow chuckles, Colton outright laughs, and I shake my head and make my way to the kitchen.
I have to tell Magnus that his tray has gone with Bones.
I grin because he was still carrying it when he stormed out of Colton’s office.
I wonder if he’ll hang onto it even in the truck?
My phone vibrates, which alerts me to an incoming message.
Nyx: You are invited to Sunday morning breakfast at the clubhouse. The ladies are coming, too
Penny: OK. I hope they don’t do sex talk again!
Nyx: I wouldn’t bet on it. They seem to be fixated on sex just now
Penny: Oh, dear. Cover Arabella’s ears
Nyx: Will do, but you know they are sneaky so I can’t promise she won’t hear stuff
Penny: We will just have to do our best that she hears nothing she’ll repeat
I get ready for the interview I will have with Everlee Sorenson when my phone vibrates again. Thinking it’s Nyx sending another message I smile, but frown when I see Gordon Stollen Property Management. This is the realtor that I lease my house from.
GSPM: When you have a few minutes please contact the office regarding your lease. Thank you.
That is odd. You would think they would call, not send a message. Wanting to know what is going on, I quickly make the call.
“Gordon Stollen Property Management, how may I help you?”
“Good morning. My name is Penny Crosby and I have just this moment received a text message to contact the office.” I hear some rustling, then tapping as on a keyboard.
“I’m just checking the system, Miss Crosby…
” I hear more tapping, then she speaks again.
“The system is showing that the lease on your property is increasing by five percent commencing next month. The owner is looking to put the property on the market later in the year. Before that, he is interested in making a little more to do repairs before he sells. Hence, the increase.”
“I see. Okay, thank you. Does your system give any details regarding penalties if I leave my lease a little early?” I’m more than a little annoyed that the asshole is trying to rip me off.
More tapping. “You can give a month's notice, with no penalty being incurred. That is because he is not giving you more than a month's notice the lease is increasing, and that he would give you notice later due to the place going on the market.”
“Okay, so take this as the first day of my month’s notice. Thank you and please send me that in writing.” I sigh when she confirms, and I close out the call. Damn, now I have to find somewhere to live.
“You okay, Penny?”
Well, that has me screech like a young girl. The surprise of someone speaking has my heart pounding. “Shit, you scared me to death.”
Chuckling, Lincoln watches me get myself together from where he is leaning on the door frame.
“Sorry, Lincoln. What can I do for you?” I take a seat behind my desk and give him my attention.
“Seems I may be able to help you, Penny. First, I agree that you do no more interviews outside of work. If someone wants us to work for them, they come to us. We are not putting you out to be abused by anyone. Second, what’s this I heard about you giving notice on your lease?
” Lincoln remains relaxed in the doorway.
“They are increasing my lease and then putting the place on the market later in the year. I had already told the owner that I was interested in buying the place once I got my finances settled. But he can shove the place. This was his way of trying to push me into buying sooner rather than later. Now I have to find somewhere else before my month notice ends.” I rub my hands together as they feel clammy with nerves.
I hope I did the right thing and not just a knee jerk reaction that is going to have me in the shit, especially with having Arabella.
Lincoln steps into the office and stands in front of my desk.
“Penny, you can live at my place while you get something else sorted out. It’s ready to live in, and although not a lot of furniture yet there is enough once you bring yours too.
I’ll stay here or at Jo and Knuckles’ place.
That’ll cheer Jo up and fuck off Knuckles. ”
“What’ll fuck me off?” Looking at the door, Knuckles is standing with his arms folded over his massive chest. I hope this isn’t going to cause trouble.
“I’m coming to stay at your place. Penny is staying at mine while she gets herself somewhere permanent. I’m not staying at mine with Penny ‘cause that’ll cause shit with Ruger,” Lincoln smirks.
“What’ll cause shit with Ruger?” Ruger steps into the office around Knuckles, who is smirking for some unknown reason?
“Is it National Eavesdropping Day, or what?” I snap. I’m about fed up today and think I need to do a restart.
It’s typical that all three chuckle at my remark, but Lincoln explains my predicament. Knuckles is nodding his head that Lincoln can stay at his place, but Ruger looks pissed about the whole shambles.
“I’m going to speak to Hammer about getting my house built.
You’ll be living with me as my woman, so that’s the end of this mess.
” Ruger storms out of the office. I look at Lincoln, then Knuckles who are both smirking at me.
Me, I’m at a loss for words. His woman! Now I’m back to being pissed off with him.
****
During the interview with Everlee the phone rings, and I point to it and Everlee picks it up, smoothly taking the call as though she has been doing it for months. “Good morning, BaronsSecure Services. How may I help you?”
Listening for a moment, Everlee looks at the desk and picks up a pen while sliding a notepad toward her.
She makes a few notes while maintaining a one-sided conversation.
Yes, hm, okay, splendid. I can’t hold back the impressed smile.
“Thank you for your call. We will get back to you sometime today.”
We discuss the call, and I show Everlee the system where we book in appointments. It shows Lincoln, Bones, and Arrow’s work schedules, and I explain only the yellow highlighted areas are free time.
“I’ll make sure the client has a call back today, and I’ll book them a time to see one of the bosses.
If you give notice when can you start Everlee?
” I know she’s going to be right for the job.
She’s easy to get along with, she has the telephone technique, and she hasn’t been flustered by anything we’ve spoken about.
“I have to give two weeks’ notice. He’ll want a month, but the contract I signed stipulates two weeks, and that’s what he’ll get.
I’ll give notice today in writing so there is no issue for me to face in the future.
” Everlee leaves and is starting two weeks from today.
I’m looking forward to it. But when Everlee asked if she could come and work on Saturday, which is her day off, so she could shadow me, I was impressed.
I declined as it’s my day with Arabella and I’m looking forward to it.
Seems I have to pack ready to move, too.