CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
-:- PENNY -:-
Ruger and I arrive at Nell’s, and Ruger explains the business is a front as Nell rescues people from domestic abuse and trafficking. She then rehouses them far away and sets up a new life so they can move forward. That new life includes counseling and anything else needed.
“Who pays for all that?” I ask Ruger, but turn when a female voice replies.
“I do. I’m Nell, by the way.”
Turning around, I’m met with the woman who is Nell and who I’m here to meet.
Nell is around 5’7” tall, looks fit, with sandy colored hair in a braid, but what strikes is her stunning hazel eyes.
She is looking at me with an amused smile on her face.
“Oh.” That’s all I manage to say before Ruger throws his arm around my shoulder and guides me into the house following Nell.
In the kitchen, Ruger settles beside me at the long kitchen table. “I have explained nothing you do to Penny. With this psycho bitch after her, I think she needs reassurance that once the bitch is dealt with, she’s dealt with for good.”
Nell makes a chamomile tea, which Ruger tells me is a usual thing for here, and places a cup for us both on the table in front of us.
Taking a seat opposite, Nell sighs. “As you heard I run this place as a front while I rescue people who are in a domestically abusive relationship, and want out. I do not step into anything unless I’m approached or I ask them if they want help.
” Taking a sip of her tea before continuing.
“I take it we are safe to talk as you’ve brought Penny here, Ruger?
You know you’ll be responsible if anything happens down the line? ”
Ruger nods. “I know, and I have no worries on that score.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask as I have a feeling they are speaking about me.
“If you speak about anything you hear about me, mine or this place not only you will pay the price, but so will Ruger.” Nell gives me a look I’m not sure how to interpret, but it’s so cold that I shudder.
“I would never put Ruger or anyone that helps or helped me in danger. I would never be a rat, traitor, or whatever you want to call it either. So, know here and now that anything you say or I see will never be repeated, and I mean ever for any reason.” I give Nell solid eye contact, showing her how serious I am.
Before she can reply the back door opens, and three men walk inside. All three have blood on them. Well, it looks like blood and has that iron smell, so I’m guessing it is blood.
Nell turns and looks at the three before standing from her seat, placing her hands on her hips and pointing at the door.
“Get out of my kitchen, get cleaned up and then report back here.” When the three peer around her and give Ruger a smirk before looking at me Nell shouts, “MOVE!” I have to admit I’ve never seen three grown men move so fast.
Nell retakes her seat as though nothing happened, then looks at me.
“When we find this psycho bitch, we will eradicate her once and for all. I’m not saying how, but she will no longer exist in this world.
You and your daughter will be safe. I make that promise to you.
I have no children, but if and when I do, I would burn the world down to keep them safe.
I will keep your daughter safe, and that includes keeping her mother alive.
” The serious look on Nell’s face actually reassures me, and I give her a small smile and nod, with a whispered, Thank you.
We discuss how the three will keep me in their sights. But remain in the shadows. They have photographs of Rosemarie, so they know who they are looking for. I’m told the vehicles they will drive, including bikes, so I know it is them if I feel I’m being followed.
“Specs is going to fit you with an earpiece. Then you can hear who is on your tail if they need to give you instructions. It’s so you’ll know you are not alone.
” Nell steps out of the kitchen and returns with a small bottle in her hand.
“This is my special mace. I have it in this small perfume mister bottle so it fits in a pocket, a purse, or even tucks into the waistband of skirts or pants. I’ve even had it tucked in my bra. ”
Taking the small mister bottle, I give Nell a nod of thanks. I tuck it into my purse, which is one with a long strap, so I can loop it over my head when on the back of Ruger’s bike.
The three men appear from the hallway this time and are all dressed in jeans and tees. They all look relaxed and glance at Nell to see if they are passable I think?
Nell points at one. “This is Graham. He’s my brother. He’s a total idiot and a pain in my ass.”
I turn to look at Graham who is grinning, showing no shame as to his sister's words. He is around 6’, fit but not overly muscled, with short dark hair, and he has the same hazel eyes as his sister.
“Hello, Graham.” I respond because if he is going to follow me around I will feel more comfortable if I’ve spoken with him.
“Hi, Penny. I’ll be watching your back.” Graham smiles.
“This is Richie. He’s a sweetheart, but he is a lethal fighting machine, if and when needed.” Nell is pointing at the second one who is standing next to Graham.
Now, Richie is 6’3” I would guess, with collar-length black hair, blue eyes and is built heavier than Graham.
“Hello,” I manage while under his steady look.
“Hello to you too, Penny. I’ll be the one who finds this bitch.
I can make a bet on that,” Richie states, but he’s looking over at Graham as he says it.
“Not likely. I’ll find the Pyscho bitch first,” Graham all but splutters with indignation. I’m holding back a smile because I can imagine these two winding each other up all the time.
“Stop now, before I put you on Jaws duty,” Nell states, but in such a calm way it’s obvious even to me, it’s a threat. Funny that the two snap their mouths shut, but their eyes are waging a war. “The last one here is Tank. He’s my tech man also, fabulous with a computer.”
I can see why he’s called Tank. He has a chest so broad it’s a wonder he can get through the door.
Nell giggles, and I flick my eyes to her, and grunt.
Ruger laughs and gives me a nod that confirms I said that out loud.
But to be fair, Tank is a tank. He has no fat on his body.
He is all muscle and sinew, and I’d run a mile if I met him in a dark alley, so I hope Rosemarie meets him because she’ll shit her pants.
The laughter in the room tells me I’ve done it again…
but I continue my perusal of him. He’s 6’4” I would imagine, short brown hair, which has some gold highlights from the sun.
He has brown eyes, which I can see miss nothing, but at the moment are sparkling with humor.
Shit, I’ve been caught staring. “I’m sorry, but you are one hell of a man if I can say so.
” I hear Ruger growl, and I turn my head to give him a dirty look.
“I’m allowed to look,” I snap, which has Nell giggling, and the three men laughing at Ruger’s reaction.
Now that the introductions are over we all sit at the kitchen table and throw out scenarios that could occur, and how I should react if they happened. Listening to what could happen has me thinking I’m more than thrilled I have two tasers and a mister of mace.
My tail tomorrow will be Graham, and we’ve arranged that I’ll leave the compound in the SUV at eight sharp.
Graham will drop in behind me as I leave the compound, but far enough back that it’s not obvious he’s my tail.
From there, Tank and Richie will drop in and out as needed.
All three of them will stay in town but unobtrusively until lunch when I leave to go to the bakery.
I would usually eat in the canteen, but I need to go out as it would leave me exposed for this pyscho to find me.
****
The next morning I’m driving to work and I see Graham behind.
I’m happy that we are working to the plan and that, as yet no hiccups have occurred.
My eyes are everywhere, looking for any sign of a problem, or anything unusual.
Entering the business lot, I parked in the empty spot left for me near the door.
I lock up and quickly enter the building where I admit I take a deep breath of relief.
Walking toward my office, I bump into Lincoln. “Morning, Penny. Did everything go as planned?”
Of course, Lincoln and the team here know what is going on, and about my escorts. “Yes. Nothing out of the ordinary on my way here. It’s unsettling when you are waiting for something to happen,” I admit.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. But I don’t think it’ll take long to find her. She’s not that clever, and desperate people do stupid things.”
“Is everything okay with you and Jo?” I can’t help but ask.
Lincoln grins. “Yeah. Jo was jealous that she spent so little time with me compared to the time I’m with Arrow and Bones. But I’ve sorted it and we’re all good now.”
“Oh, I’m happy to hear that. She is such a lovely person, and you know everyone who speaks about her only has nice things to say about her.” Then I drop my voice. “Even though she’s earned the nickname Rabbit, along with Knuckles, of course.”
Lincoln throws his head back, laughing. “Honestly, I would never have imagined my sister as a sex fiend, but she and Knuckles are at it all the damn time. It’s a wonder I don’t have a horde of nieces and nephews.”
“They would make great parents don’t you think?”
Lincoln smiles. “Yeah, and when Jo has kids, she’ll be all-in and love them so much.
I’m more than happy she has Knuckles and they love each other so much.
Just wish they’d stop grinding it out at night while I’m staying there.
Or she gets her period, giving me at least a few days away from it.
” We both laugh, and I pat his shoulder as I pass to head to my office.