Chapter 2
Drake
She looked so small and frightened, with eyes wide and searching, her mouth set in a grim, determined line.
She struggled to keep her trembling hands steady as she climbed into the back of the black sedan Graham had sent. I hurried in behind her and wanted to hold her, tell her everything would be fine, but deep down, I couldn’t be sure.
She’d stabbed him with the meat thermometer, that we knew. But there were no bodies found, nor had he gone to the hospitals in the area. I had a sinking feeling that this was not over. Felicia was about to be let go, and Graham insisted on pressing charges for her attack on Bella.
I shifted to look over at her, her eyes now trained on her lap, her body tense. I reached out to touch her shaking hand but pulled back, unsure.
“It's going to be okay,” I found myself saying, but instantly regretted it. It was the same damn thing everyone said all weekend, and I wanted to reassure her she’d be safe, though I didn't know if that was true.
The car continued to drive, seemingly in circles, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were just pawns in a larger game being played by someone far more dangerous than any of us knew.
I wanted to talk to her, say something, anything. Do I call her Scarlett…? Bella…? At that moment, it hit me, and I realized I was unsure what to call her; I smiled and winked at her.“Feeling better… Cheri?”
“What did you just call me?”She laughed for the first time all weekend.
“Cheri,”I said, feeling a little awkward about it.“It means darling. My mother’s best friend used to call us that, and I think it fits. I think we all feel a little unsure about things, and I couldn’t decide if I should call you Scarlett or Bella. So, I decided on my own name for you. Cheri,”I said, nervously repeating myself and lifting her tiny hand and brushing my lips across it before kissing the back of it.
She smiled, her lips curving upward in a gentle, trusting expression. Her small frame seemed to melt into mine, fitting perfectly against me like a missing puzzle piece. Her head rested on my chest, her blonde hair cascading over one shoulder. As she leaned into me, I caught a whiff of her perfume, a delicate floral scent that blended with the smell of the leather seats in the car. With it, a faint hint of her shampoo, a sweet and fruity fragrance that lingered in her hair. Her blue eyes sparkled in the soft light of the car.
“Thank you, Drake. I appreciate that you came along so I wouldn’t be afraid.”
I kissed her forehead.“I think you know we’d do anything for you. Let us be part of your life beyond the gym. I need you to think about this. We are just trying to keep you safe… Cheri.”
“I know,”she said with a sigh.“I just feel so confused. Life as Scarlett, Brody asking me out, and his tough guy outward bravado hiding a boyish soft interior makes me feel so protected. But I also have undeniable feelings for Graham, who’s not only my boss but someone who believed in me even when I couldn’t. As Bella, when you and I had coffee that day, I loved how your happy-go-lucky personality made me smile, and I felt that connection. I feel confused because each of you connected with a different facet of me.I hadn't even realized I was so fragmented."
She sighed and nestled deeper into the crook of my arm. Her small body pressed against mine. She looked so vulnerable and trusting, gazing up at me with a mix of uncertainty and comfort. Seeing her this way gave me an even deeper desire to protect and care for her.
I was melting where I sat, my heart ready to burst. Mixtures of anger at what happened to her, anxiety for the future and longing to taste her full lips clouded my mind.
Her words were so soft they were almost a whisper.“It’s all so new after all this time of being not only alone but trying so hard to be multiple people, and I am worried.After what happened to me, I hid from everything, even my own identity. I don’t want to get hurt, but more than that, I don’t want to hurt any of you. I care for you all. Each of you is the reason I’ve been able to live again.”
“I know, Cheri, and we must all navigate it. For now, let’s just get through today, alright?”
She nuzzled closer and hummed in agreement. I couldn’t speak for the others, but I could see us in a similar relationship to what we’d seen with April. When they all visited this weekend, we got to see how they were with her. I was curious about how it worked and considered speaking to one of her guys about it.
I didn’t feel jealous when Brody kissed her. I knew deep down that he cared for her and Scarlett when he didn’t know they were the same person. Now that the two are one, I wondered if it doubled his feelings for her. It was obvious to anyone within fifty yards of them that Graham had a serious hard-on for her and would crush anyone who might try to stand in her way. I knew I didn’t want to let her go and even wondered if Sensei had the same feelings.
He was so much more reserved but as protective of her as any of us. He had this code of not dating his students, but for her, I’d almost bet he’d change that real fast.
The rest of the way was full of silence as I watched the city go by out the window. The air was heavy with the scent of car exhaust and the faint hint of freshly brewed coffee as we passed the bakery on the corner. We arrived in front of the skyscraper that loomed over us. The place was so huge I wondered if they’d truly be able to protect her. A shell that housed the offices where she worked, how could they watch every corner?
She stumbled getting out of the car. Her legs were weak and seemed to refuse to hold her weight. The driver and I both lunged forward to catch her before she could fall. The soft sound of her worried voice filled my ears, blending with the cacophony of city sounds around us - car horns, footsteps, and distant chatter. “Oh, sorry.”
Brody and I had been here before, but it felt different now.
The marble floors were cool and smooth under my feet as I walked towards the elevators, my phone buzzed in my pocket with a new message from Sensei that I’d check after I got her to her office.
Last time, we came for a meeting as the client with Scarlett, a woman who worked here. This time, I am protecting our girl.
We arrived at the office with plenty of time to spare and moved toward the elevators. Graham had already left word with security for her elevator. It was not to have anyone else in it, and we rode up to twelve in silence.I’d told her I needed to chat with Graham about Brody’s account, but that was a lie so that she would think I needed to go. I figured we’d have much to chat about and considered the question of a conflict of interest where she was concerned.
The sound of the elevator doors sliding open echoed in the silent lobby, and the familiar ding signaled our floor. She stepped back, looking through the doors with hesitation. I gripped her hand, wrapping it through my arm to hold my elbow. She took a deep breath, stood taller, and took her first step out into the open area of the offices. We emerged from the elevator to see Graham standing on the balcony, smiling. Those in her department peered over the walls of their cubicles as she moved through the area. Voices from staff who were watching as we walked toward the stairs could be heard, muffled by the cubicle dividers, adding to the bustling atmosphere.
She kept her eyes on Graham, who’d moved to the top of the stairs as we ascended. First, he reached for her hand to guide her up the last step, then reached for mine to shake.
“Drake, I’m glad you’re here. I wonder if we might chat for a bit?”
“Sounds great. I also wanted to speak to you.”
April moved toward them with the grace and urgency of a dancer, her hand gripping Scarlett’s elbow with a fierce determination. They quickly disappeared into Scarlett’s office, leaving the men to go to the conference room and shutting out the busy discussions in the cubicles. Georgia entered the conference room, a tray of steaming coffee held with careful balance in her hands. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, adding to the sense of anticipation for the upcoming conversation I wanted to have with Graham.
I fixated on her, not sure where to begin and watched as her hands deftly moved with practiced precision. She produced and laid out three cups, waiting for Graham to sit. He sat at the head of the table, and she poured him a cup. He slid a mug over to me, and her head tilted in question. I lifted it, nodding a thanks as she poured another.
After making the third cup and stirring it, she slid the cream and sugar tray to the center of the table.“Mr. Clarke, I expect you two can fix your coffee. I will take this to Scarlett if you’re all set.”
“Yes, Georgia, thank you. I’m going to meet with Mr. Evans for a bit. Can you tell Scarlett we’d like to pow-wow when she’s ready?”
She nodded again as she slid through the doorway, closing the door behind her.
I found myself a little amazed as I looked at the cup. In this day and age, a secretarial staff member bringing coffee seemed strange.
The sound of the door clicking shut echoed in the room, followed by the soft clink of the mug being set down. Graham let out a deep sigh.His eyebrows furrowed, and eyes scanned the room before settling on the closed door. He held a mug of steaming coffee in one hand, his fingers wrapped around it tightly.
“I wanted to talk about Scarlett… er, Bella?”
“Either name is fine. We’ve all been chatting, and Brody insists her name is Bella to him, but I think she’s fine either way.”
“Amazing woman, huh?”He grinned nervously and sipped the hot liquid.
I nodded.“Indeed. So, what did you want to discuss?”
“The police came to me, and I have some information to share with you, but first I have to ask. Will she stay at Brody’s place for at least a time?”
“If he had his way, it would be for all time,”I replied with a small half-hearted laugh.
He nodded with a side-eyed glance of question, but his expression shifted to one that told me I would not like what was coming next.“They got DNA off of the bite marks, and the assailant is wanted for murder in at least three states.”
“What?”I stood up and walked to the glass wall, looking out across the cubicles.“Is she safe here?”
“Yes. We’ve added security and put in key card access to both stairwells and the elevator. All of the building occupants will have key cards by this afternoon. Security has been on us for over a year to upgrade, but you know the higher-ups. It’s always about the bottom line. In our meeting, I asked them what kind of costs might present if something bad happened, and we suffered the kind of publicity that is not so good for business? They begrudgingly agreed. Everyone must check in with security on their way into the building, but…”
He paused, and that made me nervous.
“But?” I asked.
“That wouldn’t stop someone from giving out their card or one from being stolen. There will be a police presence here. April has arranged for one of the detectives that came with her to the exhibition to accompany her to work each day.”
I laughed.
“What’s so funny?”he asked.
“The detectives are with her.”
“With her?”
“They’re with her,”I said, winking.
He smiled with a knowing smirk, dipped his head and leaned toward the top of his cup.“Anyway… one of them will be here each day as part of a rotation, but there is more. Since this is across state lines, the FBI has positioned an agent in the office. His name is Samuel. He’ll be coming to interview today,”he said, putting his fingers up to make air quotes.“In about an hour. They are also speaking to Sensei today at the gym about a female agent joining her MMA class. They want this guy bad, I guess.”
“Well, so do I; they better get in line.”
“I feel you there,”he said, leaning back again as I sat.
“Is that all you wanted to discuss?”
He looked down, pausing a moment.“No. I want to know if you’re seeing her,” he paused then continued, “in a romantic way. April said you went to coffee a while back, and I… Well, I just wanted to know.”
“You, too?” I asked.
“What?”
“Everyone loves Bella,”I said, laughing.“Brody is busy mooning away for both of them. Long story, but he was uncomfortable trying to date a student, and that first day he spotted Scarlett with that awful wig and glasses, he wanted to get to know her. I recall laughing and noting how she was a sight that day, the nerdy girl. And him, all elbows and awkward to talk to her. Of course, she turned him down when he asked her to attend the exhibition because it seemed she already had a date.”I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
He said nothing, so I continued,“Every time I mentioned how I wanted to spend more time with her, both Brody and Sensei got all weird and protective.”
“I see,”he said, dejected.
“But it isn’t up to any of us. She looked so beautiful and happy coming into the event with you. It was breathtaking.”
I recalled the conversation in the car with her and decided to bring it up. I asked him.“Do you know the nature of the relationship between April and the three detectives she brought to the exhibition?”
“No. I think one of them is her boyfriend or husband.”
“They all are.”
“What? What do you mean?”He glanced around the room for an unseen answer and asked again, almost whispering.“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure how it all works and would like to find out. After the conversation I had with Scarlett in the car on the way over here, I think she might… well, you know.”
“I’m not sure I understan…”
He quit speaking when Scarlett appeared at the doorway.“Good morning, Scarlett. How are you feeling?”he asked, standing up abruptly.
I turned around and smiled at her. April stood behind her with an unmistakable grin and one eyebrow raised. She could see that each of us felt something for her, and now I wanted, no needed , to know how the whole thing worked.
Scarlett entered the conference room and asked,“What were you two talking about?”
“You,”I blurted out.“It’s important to all of us that you are safe and happy, Cheri.”
I stepped toward her and extended a hand to draw her into the room.“Please,”I said, ushering her to the seat I’d been sitting in beside Graham, and then took a seat on the other side of her.
April and Georgia turned to leave, and Graham called out to them.“You two need to stay. Take a seat.”
They looked at each of us, confused, and sat down at the other end of the table.
Without skipping a beat, he got to the point.“We have a lot of things going on this morning. After this meeting,”he said, pausing and looking at Georgia,“I need you to call up Felicia. We will meet with her first and get that out of the way.”
“It will be a pleasure,”Georgia said with a smile.
“Scarlett, you will need to interview Samuel Gray at ten. He will replace Felicia. Samuel will fill you in on the details, but he is a federal agent sent here on this investigation. Work with him on getting things set up. I will meet with Walter beforehand and fill him in in private. As the immediate supervisor, he will need to be involved.”
“Ok,”she said, her eyes betraying some of the fear that had returned.
I squeezed her hand and offered a reassuring look. She smiled at me, but it was an uneasy one, a faint line of worry creasing her forehead.
Graham looked at April and asked,“One of the detectives will be here?”
“Yes, at all times as an escort or whatever we need. They’ve been assigned to the case to work with the feds on this. They’ve worked with Samuel before,”she replied.
“You’re her front line. Please be vigilant about what comes through to her. Phone calls are something they are concerned with since the rest of the building is secure. Samuel will explain, but they’ll be setting up whatever it is they do to listen and record all calls.”
“My guys,”she paused, clearing her throat and correcting herself.“The detectives filled me in already.”
Scarlett smiled at her, and I giggled a little under my breath. But in all honesty, I couldn’t wait for them to get here; I had some questions and hoped I might steal a moment to ask them.
Once the meeting was over, Georgia and April accompanied Scarlett back to her office. Her unsteady gait showed how much she was shaken, and it concerned both of us.
Graham’s eyebrows knitted together watching them head for her office, and he sighed as he leaned back in his chair with his fingers tented before him.“I’m worried about her,”he said.
“I know, me too, but no one will let anything happen to her, and they’ll catch this guy.”
“It’s more than that.”His face looked disappointed, and he stared at me with a dead serious expression and asked.“Do you love her?”
It took me by surprise; I hadn’t thought too much about it with everything going on. I raised my eyebrows as I thought about it, and I realized I did love her. I looked at Graham without a word, and I could see it written all over his face.
“Do you?” I asked.
He looked surprised that I’d asked and didn’t respond to the question either but instead glanced out the window.“I guess we have a dilemma.”
“My reason for being here today is more than just ensuring she is safe. I wanted to ask April’s guys, whichever one comes, how their relationship works.”
He looked at me with a hard stare, and his lips formed a thin line as he sighed.“Mind if we talk in my office after the meeting? I, too, would like to know.”
I grinned at him and dipped my head. I’d pegged each of them already. I wasn’t about to just give up in the battle for Bella’s heart, but I also didn’t want her hurt more than anything on earth. The choice was hers to make.