Chapter Nineteen #2
I breathe a sigh of relief when the day finally comes to an end. It’s been stressful from the second I spotted Leoni arriving this morning, and Erik rushing over to her. It was lucky Nancy had just left with the promise I’d see her for dinner tonight.
Anthony looks up as I walk towards the car, and he opens the passenger door.
“Where was your guy?” I ask as he gets into the driver's seat.
“I told you, he thought she was having coffee and he took his eye off her for a second. When he looked up, she was gone.”
“Make it clear he’s to inform me whenever she just shows up where I’m going to be.”
He stares at my reflection in the mirror.
“In all fairness, Boss, she works here. He probably wouldn’t have called to tell me she was arriving at work.”
I sigh heavily. I’m irritated, and I feel like everything's getting out of hand. And I can’t stop the intrusive thoughts from swirling around my head, making me think that it would have been better to leave things as they were with Leoni, until I’d sorted out my father.
I shouldn’t have turned up at the funeral. She was doing fine without me.
I lean my head back as he pulls into traffic.
“Is she working her notice or just—”
“She’s stubborn,” I cut in. “She suddenly wants to work because I told her not to bother.”
He chuckles to himself. “And if Nancy spills the plans to get you up the aisle?”
I groan. “I’ll think of something. Leoni already agreed to keep us a secret for now. Maybe I can distract Nancy with wedding plans.”
“For a wedding that’ll never happen.”
“Exactly, but she doesn’t know that.”
Nancy is already seated when I arrive for dinner. She stands, and I kiss her cheek before we both sit.
“I have something to tell you, and I don’t think you’ll be happy,” she says on a wince. The waiter tops my glass up with red wine, but I keep my eyes trained on her, so she continues. “Daddy might have booked the golf club for an impromptu engagement announcement.”
I arch a brow, my heart stuttering in my chest. “This isn’t your fathers wedding,” I snap, downing my wine and topping the glass back up.
“I assumed it wouldn’t be an issue, especially with your father calling in favours.”
My eyes snap to hers. “What does that mean?”
“He wants a video showing to a prisoner, the same prisoner he wants moving out of segregation. Those things don’t come for free,” she mutters absent-mindedly.
I still, trying to keep my breathing calm. “What video?”
“I have no idea. All I know is we have to make this announcement first, or my father won’t do it. Your family can’t be calling all the shots.”
I sigh. “Did he have his lawyers look over the prenup?”
I’d made sure it was as unreasonable as possible to further delay this joke of a wedding.
“I don’t bore myself with details,” she says, arching a perfectly plucked brow.
I call my father the second I get back to the car. He answers on the second ring. “I assume dinner went well.”
“Calling in favours already?” I shoot back.
“You can see why I was keen for you to move things along with Nancy.”
“What video?”
He laughs. “One that will send him over the edge.”
“And when he’s pulled out of seg, then what?”
“It’s not your concern?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to stay calm. “Is Leoni safe?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“So I know which game I’m playing,” I snap impatiently. “Your twists and turns have me confused.”
“All you need to worry about is marrying Nancy.”
“And Leoni?” I repeat.
“I have everything I need from her.” And he disconnects.
I stare at the handset for a moment before letting out a string of curses. Anthony eyes me in the mirror. “Why isn’t he telling me what’s going on?” I yell.
“Because he wants to handle this in his own way.”
“He has a video. I need to know what’s on it.”
He gives a nod, “I’ll check his computer, emails, and any files he has saved on his drive.”
I groan. “I’ve got a feeling this won’t be as straight forward as I thought.”
“When it comes to your father, it never is. Isn’t that why you’ve decided to remove him.”
He pulls into the basement, and as I head to the elevator, I send a text to Leoni.
Me: I’m coming over.
Her reply is instant.
Leoni: I might be busy.
I already know she’s in her apartment and alone, because Anthony’s guy updated him on the way home. So, I smile to myself as I press the button for her floor.
The minute she opens the door, I slide a hand around the back of her head and kiss her. Her hands press gently to my chest, before curling her fingers into my shirt and twisting the material.
I guide her back inside, kicking the door closed behind me as I begin to strip out of my suit.
“I need food,” she murmurs, pushing me away.
I untangle us from her sheets, breathless as I fall onto my back and pull her against my chest. “You said that an hour ago.”
She laughs, “And you distracted me. Again.”
She gets to her feet, and I admire the red handprints on her backside as she heads for the bathroom. “I’m going to shower. Order some food.”
The shower turns on, and she closes the door. I roll to my side and reach for my phone, noticing that hers is flashing.
I glance back at the bathroom door, it’s still closed, so I pick it up.
I answer the call, pressing her handset to my ear. An automated message begins to play.
“I have a call from, there's a pause and then a man’s voice says, ‘Michael Rowe’ before the automation kicks in again. “Press one to accept the call, or two to decline.”
I press one.
“Leoni, thank fuck you picked up. I tried to call earlier. Listen, I don’t have long, but I’m putting you down to visit for tomorrow. I have to see you. That guy you said you were seeing, Warren Baxter, you have to stay away from him. He’s dangerous, baby. He’s going to get you hurt.”
I wait for him to take a breath before speaking. “This is Warren.” I hear his sharp intake of breath.
“Stay the hell away from her,” he yells.
“Calm down,” I hiss. “I’m trying to protect Leoni, not hurt her.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t care, because I’m out here with her, and you’re in there unable to protect shit. Send me the visiting slip. Let’s talk.”
“I can’t trust you,” he says.
“You have no choice.”
I disconnect then delete the call history, before replacing her phone, and ordering some food.