CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE #2
Seeing Bones again standing peeking around a corner, I sneak up on him and tap his shoulder. This time he jumps and holds his hand on his chest. “What are you doing, Bones?” I ask as I peek around the corner. Low and behold, there is Scarlett. “Why are you stalking Scarlett?”
Bones blushes and takes a step back. “I’m not stalking. I’m making sure she’s not a security risk.”
“Oh, you're going with that line are you?” I place my hands on my hips, but before I can say anything else, he turns and dashes away. Shaking my head, I walk to my office.
Five minutes after I enter my office a soft knock brings my head up. “Oh hi, Everlee, come on in. I’ve made sure that desk is ready for you. We’ll share the office. But if I’m not here, of course, you can use this one.”
“Okay. I’ve brought references I thought you might like to check out, or just look at.
” Everlee holds out a folder, which I take and don’t even bother looking at.
I place it on the corner of my desk and tell her to take a seat.
The next three hours are filled with showing her what she has to do, how she does it.
Acquainting her with the security team that are in their office, as well, as Delta, Bones and Lincoln.
Lunchtime came around, and I walked to the bakery.
Purchased a few things for home that I know Ruger will enjoy, then sauntered back toward work.
My eyes are searching all the time. I’ve noticed Tank sitting on a bench outside one of the businesses across the street.
I don’t react, as I don’t want to compromise him.
I know what Rosemarie looks like, and I’ve not seen hide nor hair of her.
Specs had fitted an earpiece for me before I left this morning, and I hear Tank speak. “Good, Penny. Keep alert, but I’ve not seen the bitch.”
I give a tiny nod so he knows I heard, but I keep walking and make my way into the business. On arrival, I’m met by Ruger, who I didn’t know was coming today.
Ruger quickly scoops me into his arms, but I’m holding my bakery purchases out to the side so he doesn’t squash them. “Hey, I saw you this morning.”
“I know, but I missed you. I’m going back to work tonight. She may try to contact me if I’m out and working. It will make her think we don’t know she’s loose.”
“Well, you be careful Ruger, because psychos are just that, and unpredictable,” I feel my purchases being taken from me and give a smile when Everlee winks then takes the bags into the office leaving Ruger and I to ourselves for a moment.
“You two, separate and get working.” Looking up, I give Lincoln a nod, and disentangle myself from Ruger, who isn’t happy about it, but lets me move away. I kiss his lips quickly, then rush into the office to finish teaching Everlee our computer system for ordering stock.
The afternoon passes quickly, and I have to admit I’m ready to go home and see Arabella. The little I saw of her this morning when Star brought her to the kitchen for breakfast passed too quickly.
Driving home, I notice a beat-up blue truck behind me. I flick on my phone switch and select Specs number. I’m surprised how many numbers I seem to have collected this last week, and all without my knowledge.
“Penny, what’s up?” Specs asks right away.
“I have a blue truck following me. I’ve done as I was told and drove in a few directions to be sure it’s following, and it is. What do you want me to do, head for the compound or somewhere else?”
The line crackles a little, but I hear Specs respond. “Get to the compound, but if you need to do anything to avoid any kind of collision do it.”
Collision! Shit, I never thought about something like that.
My eyes flick to the truck, and it has gained on me, but you know I’m not going to sit and be a target for this bitch.
I slam my foot down, and the SUV answers the call beautifully.
I’m thankful, and it doesn’t take long for me to get ahead.
I stay ahead and reach the compound before the truck gets anywhere near enough to cause me a problem.
The blue vehicle flies past the compound as I stop in front of the clubhouse.
My heart racing but pleased I’m here safely.
Specs rushes out of the clubhouse and over to me. Opening the SUV door and checking me over. “Are you okay, Penny?”
“Yes, it just shook me up, but I’m fine. I’m going to see Arabella now.” I climb out of the SUV and open the door to the back seat where I placed my bakery purchases.
“Oh, Arabella is in the kitchen with Star and the women.” Specs has a weird look on his face, and I can’t decipher what it means, but I grunt, thinking it may be appropriate.
Walking into the kitchen, I come to a stop, and my eyes must be as large as dinner plates because in front of me are Star, Nyx, the Three Stooges and Nyx’s four ladies.
But, the shocking part of this is they are all dressed like a flower, right down to a flower head they are wearing on their heads with just their faces peeking through.
Now, I’m not sure how to react, so I do the only thing my mind can think of and that is give a high-pitched grunt.
Everyone in the room looks at me, and every face is beaming a smile towards me.
If it weren’t for Arabella, I’d make a run for it because I think this place is like the place Rosemarie was taken.
All psychos — and I’ve left Arabella with them!
A tap on the shoulder has me slowly turning my face to see Richard smiling at me. “It’s okay, just look how pretty Arabella is.”
That’s when I see she’s dressed like a fairy and she has an upside-down bud on her head.
“Oh, my, god…” That’s all I manage to say before rushing over, scooping Arabella into my arms, the bakery goods still held tightly, and disappear to our room.
Locking it to keep psychos out before kissing Arabella who is laughing as she thinks this is more antics we are playing.