Chapter 21 Sheldon
SHELDON
Jordan was seconds from handcuffing me to the handrail in the elevator.
“I knew you were leaving,” he said, getting in my face.
I had hit the button for the elevator so I could ride downstairs to my bike, and didn’t notice he was already in it.
Alone. That was a rare occurrence. Usually, he had a guard with him.
Anyone who thought Jordan wasn’t dangerous and he needed guards to fight his battles for him clearly had no clue who he was.
“Why can’t you stay put? Don’t answer that,” he rushed to say.
“I know you, Sheldon. I’ve been where you are.
There are two guards on Forest. He’s covered.
You don’t need to follow him to work every day to make sure he’s safe.
Why the fuck would I pay Micah and Winnie to do it if you were going to take over? ”
“I don’t take over. I supervise from afar.”
“You’re needed here,” he growled. “You’re one of my best guards. I can’t have you sitting outside my son’s shop because you don’t trust the people I have on your boyfriend.” He was right. That didn’t make me feel any better.
“But I’m more skilled than them.”
“Of course you are. That’s why you work for me.” He backed up and leaned against the wall. “I can’t chase you. This is the extent of what I’ll do. I also can’t force you to work for me. If you want to protect Forest full time—”
“I don’t. Working for you is my job. I just…
” I put my hand to my chest and clawed at the shirt beneath my leather jacket.
“It fucking tears me up knowing he’s in danger, and it’s my fault.
If something happens to him, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
Everyone better fucking hide.” That was just the beginning.
I’d lay waste to whatever was in my path.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. We were on the garage level. Neither of us moved. Jordan held my gaze, waiting for what I chose to do.
They closed, keeping us inside. The elevator began to ascend.
Jordan nodded. “Okay then. Trust the people I have on him. They’re not my best. Those are on my family. Micah is damn good and Winnie won’t fuck around. She’s one of the toughest we have. Kayli personally trained her.”
“That’s a little comforting.”
“Can we get back to work now? I need to head out in an hour for negotiations. A longtime buyer wants to cancel his contract. I have to know why. Someone isn’t with me for more than a decade, then suddenly leaves without a reason.”
The hair stood up on the back of my neck. A second later, my phone vibrated with a text.
Colleen: Keep the knife I gave you on you today.
Me: Will do.
“What was that?”
“Ollie’s mom is telling me what weapon to bring.”
Jordan rubbed his hand over his face. “Fuck, I don’t want to know.” He was aware of her “abilities.” And yes, I put them in quotes because he didn’t buy into it. That didn’t mean he wasn’t extra cautious when she let me know to be careful. “One question. Gun?”
“A knife she gave me.”
“Jesus. I’ll make sure everyone is well equipped.”
“And you say you don’t believe her.”
The elevator stopped at Jordan’s home, the doors opening again. “Making sure my people are prepared doesn’t equal buying into what she’s saying.”
“Uh huh.”
He growled as he stepped off the elevator.
I didn’t smile until the doors were closed and I was on the way to my apartment.
They could believe whatever they wanted.
I’d rather be covered as much as I could be.
It only took one time for me to realize she knew what she was talking about, at least in these instances.
Two feet into my apartment, and I stopped. Forest’s aftershave hit me. The scent was subtle, but it was enough to make my feet cement to the floor as I inhaled his scent. He’d only been here two days, and he’d already left his mark. Although he’d done that a while ago on my heart.
Inside the closet with the hidden door and the secret wall, I found my vials and figured out what I wanted to bring with me—two syringes full, just in case. I strapped on a holster and put guns in them on either side of my abdomen.
Then I located the knife Colleen had gifted me.
Tucked away in a drawer was a wooden box with my name carved on top.
The knife wasn’t big. It was light, and Colleen had worked her magic on it.
Not only did she find me a weapon I could easily handle and throw, but she put a spell on it.
I was still skeptical, but I didn’t fuck around when my life and those of others were on the line.
I’d carried it with me numerous times but had never used it. The situations hadn’t called for it. Having it on me today made me wonder what was going to happen.
Fuck it. I didn’t want to know. Whatever took place, I’d handle it. The knife in my hand felt like any other. There was no sensation, no vibration like it was a badass object waiting to cut someone’s throat out. It was just a knife. I still wasn’t leaving without it.
Grabbing my phone, I sent a quick text to Forest.
Me: Everything good?
Forest: Yes, you don’t have to worry. No one is allowed to enter the office without a valid reason. I thought Micah would be the one I’d have to persuade into letting me do things. It’s Winnie. I’m a little scared of her if I’m telling the truth.
Me: Perfect. I want others to feel the same about her too.
Forest: I think you’re glossing over my fear.
Me: I’m not but you’ll do just fine. She wouldn’t harm you. Anyone who tries to hurt you, she’ll rip their arms off.
I wanted to say more, but I had to remember Forest didn’t have a burner phone like the rest of us did.
Forest: Are you busy today?
Me: I will be soon, but I’ll be here by the time you get home.
Yes, I said home. That was what my place was. A home for me and now one for Forest too. Whether he called it that was up to him.
Forest: I’ll see you then. Be safe.
Me: Always.
I meant, I was safe for me. I wasn’t safe for others. They should be very afraid when they saw me. I realized right away who the cockiest of them was. Confidence in this case would imply who was about to hurt me and the people I protected.
When I exited my apartment, I found Oleander waiting in the hallway.
“No Vail today?”
“He’s staying in, so I’m coming with you.
Mom’s worried. She told me to put the talisman she gave me on.
” He patted just below his throat. The leather cord with the paw print in metal sat beneath his shirt.
Oleander had it most of his life. Others teased him for it when he was younger.
I made sure they left him alone about it once I’d heard they were picking on him.
“I have my knife,” I said.
“Maybe I need another gun. Jordan said to make sure we were covered. You told him, didn’t you?”
“I couldn’t help it that he was in the elevator with me when she texted.”
“So you told him.” It wasn’t a question. Oleander knew me well.
“It will benefit all of us to be properly armed.”
“We usually are.”
“More can’t hurt.”
I arrived in the garage for the third time that day.
The first was to see Forest off to work.
The second was about an hour ago when Jordan and I rode down.
Here I was again, waiting for our boss to arrive while his Maserati was already idling, and a Navigator pulled up a minute later.
Oleander didn’t bother getting out. He’d drive behind Jordan.
Another Navigator pulled in front of Jordan’s car. Raiden exited and stood by it, eyes sharp.
The elevator opened to reveal Jordan, Lane, Reghan, and Vincent. Today should be fun.
We got into the vehicles, me with Oleander, and were on the road.
The drive was short. This particular buyer was just outside East Dremest. They lived in a big home on a smaller plot of land.
Given how close the houses were, they really put each square foot of the home to good use.
I’d been here before, thankfully. That was an edge I’d use to my advantage.
With us out of the vehicles, Vincent knocked on the door, which quickly opened. A man on the other side invited us in and then showed us to a room down a long hall. I didn’t like any of this. The deeper we went, the more we’d have to fight through to find an easy exit.
The buyer stood near a window, sweat beading on his forehead. It was my time to shine.
Without looking at Jordan—I knew my role and didn’t need to check in with him—I walked to the man and said, “Levi, good to see you again.” I made sure to keep my body language relaxed and my tone of voice on the softer side.
This was what he was used to from me. If I gave an inkling that I thought he’d be trouble, he’d run.
Levi tried for casual, but his voice shook ever so slightly. “You too.”
“Are you feeling okay? You seem to be sweating more than normal.” He was a bit of a sweaty guy to begin with. Jordan made him very nervous.
“Fine. I went for a run before you got here. I’m still hot from that.”
I hummed and walked behind him, taking my time at his back. He was vulnerable with it to me. I could hurt him in a flash. He’d be down within seconds. “You wanted to speak to Jordan about cancelling your deal with him. Why?”
“I’ve decided to retire.”
“You’re what, forty? That doesn’t sound right. Try again and this time give me the truth.”
“You know what? It’s fine. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll keep the contract.” He suddenly stepped forward, two long strides until he wasn’t in front of any of the windows in the room.
My eyes met Oleander’s. A second later, I dropped to the ground as he threw Jordan down.
A bullet shattered the window, hitting the wall across from where I just stood.
Reaching for my leg, I pulled out the knife and stabbed Levi in the fleshy part of his calf.
That was the best I could do, given where I was.
Levi buckled to the floor, trying to reach for me like I’d help him. I was the one who stabbed him!
“Who do you work for?” I asked as another bullet came through the window then another. I pulled the knife out and stabbed him in the shoulder.
Raiden had Lane pinned to the floor, his body covering him. Oleander was over Jordan while Reghan was nowhere to be found. My guess was he was sweeping the house.
I pulled the knife out and held it to Levi’s throat, blood running down the hilt to my hand. “Who told you to bring me here?” When he didn’t answer, I dug the blade into his flesh, a line of crimson dripping from where it was. There was no doubt this was all meant for me.
“I can’t. I won’t.” He hardened his resolve.
Reaching up my sleeve, I was about to withdraw a syringe when Levi jerked back, away from my knife. He stood quickly and moved to the window. That was the end of him. Multiple bullets hit him in rapid succession.
They’d planned this to get me here, to draw me out so I could be removed. But I wasn’t. I was still alive. Levi was down for good.
It was another day where I was no closer to figuring out who was after me, yet I had blood on my hands.
Too bad I wasn’t the one to kill Levi. He was just a puppet, a body to bring me here.
It didn’t work this time and wouldn’t any other.
I was staying alive, and I was going to find whoever the fuck tried to kill us.