Electra Chapter 7
Driving into work, I replayed again for the hundredth time the debacle yesterday with the man wanting to know what we did at Wrath’s Recovery and his assumption that we were a brothel.
It had taken every ounce of control I had not to smear his ass all over the place rather than let Dozer and whoever came in response to the silent alarm handle it.
That wasn’t my style, but I was trying to keep a low profile.
Yeah, well, that didn’t happen. When the conversation turned to employees protecting themselves and others, and Swerve inquired if I was armed, I allowed some of my true self to shine through.
That had quickly morphed into the others getting involved, and the idea of approaching the club about testing our skills.
I wasn’t against the idea. It was smart not to have a bunch of trigger-happy, inexperienced people working in your businesses. I shuddered at the thought of Annette having access to a gun. She’d shoot herself and everyone but the one who needed it.
Thinking of her made me want to gnash my teeth. I’d been working at Recovery for five weeks. In that time, I’d come to know a few things. When it came to her, two things irritated me to no end.
One was her inability to take a stand and be responsible for her well-being.
I saw enough glimpses of her personality to know she wanted others to protect her.
And I could understand, in certain circumstances, it was necessary and wisest to allow that.
However, she would whimper about the slightest things and then sit back, allowing others to take the lead so she wouldn’t have to.
For example, one day she was having trouble explaining over the phone to a plumber what she wanted him to do at her place.
When the guy talked over her, she just shut up, and a dejected expression came over her face.
Micro had happened to be there and overheard the conversation.
He took the call over and handled it for her.
She smiled and simpered at him, thanking him for his help.
The second thing that made me want to punch her was how she saw Swerve and how she acted around him.
The woman had a serious crush on the guy.
And who blamed her? Swerve was dreamy. But she was constantly doing things to ingratiate herself with him.
She sure didn’t like it whenever I paid attention to Swerve or Dozer.
I wasn’t doing it to overshadow her. I genuinely adored the dog, and his master was right there with him, though I worked to keep that under tighter wraps.
I’d caught her more than a few times glaring at me when she thought no one was paying attention, including me. I had news for her. Her Ms. Helpless and Sweet act was losing its believability. I had the feeling Annette wasn’t the charming person everyone thought she was.
As I pulled into the parking lot of the office, I noted I’d gotten there early. I had a key to the office, so there was no need to wait for Annette to show up. My early arrival would work out in my favor. I had an eight-a.m. call. I had time to get coffee and such before it started.
Grabbing my things, I opened my car door and got out. I didn’t see any other cars in the lot, so I must be the first one here. I hadn’t asked Swerve when he escorted us out at the end of the day yesterday, whether he would be here today.
I was almost to the door when I noted it was ajar.
Immediately, my senses went on high alert.
Without sparing a thought, I had my gun out of my purse within mere seconds.
I dropped my bag next to the door and crouched down.
I slowly pushed the door open. I was ready to hear and feel the spray of bullets come at me.
The security alarm wasn’t sounding, the lights weren’t on, and no one was in the parking lot, which would rule out Annette or Swerve beating me to work.
When there was no yelling or shooting, I eased inside.
The front was dark and empty. However, further back, I could hear thumping sounds.
I slipped off my heels. No use making noise, and if I had to run, there was no way I’d do it in those things.
Only an idiot would do that, or a stupid heroine in the movies.
Easing forward as quietly as I could, I made my way toward the back of the building.
I cautiously cleared the offices between them and the farthest one.
I had the back storage room and our small employee break area left to check in record time.
The sounds were louder and seemed to be coming from the storage room.
I snuck a peek into the breakroom. Seeing no one, I turned to do the last room. I was almost at the open doorway when Micro emerged from it. We both froze when we saw each other. His eyes went from my face to my gun and then back. It was trained on him. His hands slowly lifted in the air.
“Whoa there, Electra. It’s just me. No need to shoot me.”
I lowered my gun and scowled at him.
“What the hell are you doing here, Micro? And where’s your bike? I thought you were a burglar for Christ’s sake,” I snapped. My heart was slightly elevated due to how close he came to being shot. If I hadn’t been well-trained, I would’ve reflexively pulled the trigger.
“I’m here adding to the security after yesterday’s trouble.
I couldn’t bring my stuff on my bike, so I had a prospect drop me off.
What the hell do you mean you thought I was a burglar?
If you did, what’re you fucking doing in here?
” he snarled. Clearly, he wasn’t happy with the idea that I’d cleared the building.
“I came in to clear the place and to be sure no one got past this building into the inner part. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t have thought the same thing if you came upon an empty parking lot before work hours and found the door open.
And that you wouldn’t ensure those we protect aren’t being hurt,” I argued.
“You’re damn right I would, but it’s not your job to do that. If you find an open door, you stay out, get to safety, and call us,” Micro partially hollered.
He and I began to bicker. We were so into it and loud that we weren’t aware we were no longer alone until a sharp whistle caught our attention, and then Dozer came running up to us.
He placed himself between me and Micro. Knowing who I’d find behind me, I turned.
There was a frowning Swerve. He had my purse and shoes on his lap.
His hands were on the wheels of his chair.
“What the hell are you two fighting about? Electra, why is your purse outside and your shoes in the lobby? And why do you have a gun?” Swerve barked out.
It was wrong to admit, even to myself, that his commanding tone turned me on. I fought that back into its cage. Before I could answer, Micro did.
“I’ll tell you why, brother. I came to implement the changes we discussed last night.
I had Boden drop me off with my stuff. I left the door unlocked and slightly ajar.
Ms. Thing arrived, saw it, and, not seeing anyone’s bike or vehicle in our lot, decided to come in and investigate on her own with her gun.
She must’ve dropped her bag and taken her shoes off so she could sneak up on whoever was here,” Micro grumbled.
“Yes, I did. Why not wait until the office opens, or better yet, call me and let me know you planned to be here early? We had a weirdo in here yesterday. I dare say you would’ve thought the same thing,” I argued.
“Yes, most likely, but you shouldn’t be playing cop. What if it had been him or someone worse than that guy? He could’ve hurt or killed you,” Micro said.
“You came in to search!?” Swerve thundered. Dozer whined at the tone of his master’s voice. Swerve was not happy.
“I was armed and careful. I had to be sure that whoever was inside, if there was even someone still here, hadn’t found a way back to the residential area. I wasn’t running out to my car, locking myself in, and then waiting for the cavalry to arrive.” I snorted derisively.
“Why not?” Swerve growled.
“Did we not just have a discussion yesterday about employees demonstrating their proficiency?” I reminded Swerve.
“We did, but that doesn’t mean you actually should do it,” he replied.
“Okay, let’s all calm down. No one got hurt,” Micro suggested.
Swerve was on a roll. His face was dark with anger. “You don’t see Annette in here doing this,” he snapped.
Fury hit me. How dare he compare me to that twit? “Oh, well, then if Saint Annette wouldn’t do it, no one should. We must all try to emulate her. Fine, message received. I’ll keep my gun in my purse and huddle in the corner crying until someone rescues me, or not.”
I edged myself toward the hallway leading to the front of the building and away from the guys. I was done with this conversation, and my extra time was almost over.
“I have work to do.” I moved swiftly toward Swerve. His eyes were widening. I paused only long enough to snatch up my purse and shoes, then I kept going past him. I kept my mouth shut.
Swerve attempted to grab my arm to stop me, but I darted too far for him to do it.
“Electra, come back here. That’s not what I mean,” he said softly.
“I have an eight o’clock call,” I told them, and then I kept going.
Making it to my office, I shut and locked my door. I needed to calm down before I saw anyone, especially Swerve or Annette. Sitting down behind my desk, I inhaled deeply and worked to slow my breathing and to push away my anger. I wasn’t sure why I was reacting so hotly to the situation.
I heard murmuring but couldn’t understand what they were saying. At eight on the dot, I dialed the number and leaned back. This call was important. I wouldn’t allow a bad mood to ruin it.
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