24. Walker
Chapter Twenty-Four
Walker
The buzzing from the office shredder resounds in my ears. Standing here, all I can think is, what the fuck did I just do? I’m an attorney. Sworn to uphold the truth. There are laws against what I just did. What the fuck? All over a woman.
Checking the door, the offices are still dark, so I grab the bag of trash, making a mad dash to my office.
Shoving the trash into my gym bag, I pick up my briefcase and get the hell out of there.
What am I thinking? Reaching my car, I throw my bag in the back.
Sliding into the seat, I draw a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
Once I’m calm enough to drive, I open the console and pull out the black box waiting inside. The ring: a four-carat French-Set Halo Diamond, has been sitting there for two weeks.
Making the final turn before her house, my mind races. What if she says no? I know she still loves him. I just need enough time to show her I can love her better. Hardy has nothing to offer her. He’s always been a prick. Nothing but trouble.
I’m a good man. My actions a few minutes ago were for her protection. That’s what you do when you love someone. You protect them. He’s no good for her, she’ll see. With time, she’ll understand true love and know she was always in better hands with me.
Parking my car, I can see her waiting at the door. Still, I glance around, looking for him. He’s here. I have proof. I have lots of information I shouldn’t have. Grabbing the box, I open my door with more determination than ever before. Hardy will never have her again.
Running to her as she waits by the front door for me, I get right to it. Asking her to marry me took her by surprise, I know. But the man standing in the dark was even more surprised. That makes me smile as she says yes and kisses me, accepting my ring and proposal.
The next day, we decide not to wait. Well, with a bit of prodding from my mother and me, Thayer finally agrees. We’ll be getting married on Thanksgiving, just two weeks from now. We both know we don’t need a big wedding, but I’m making it one for everyone to see. Especially Hardy.
He needs to understand there’s nothing left here for him.
It’s time to move along. Thayer’s mine, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.
Even lie. Long after he’s gone, I’ll explain to her.
She’ll be so in love with me it won’t even matter.
There’ll be no need to ask for forgiveness; she’s the best at looking past someone’s mistakes.
The weeks progress rapidly as the wedding draws closer.
We visit the church Thayer’s family attends.
I grew up in the next town over, Shallotte.
We have a church there, but I wanted Thayer to be happy with the choice.
We meet with the florists and the minister.
There’s no time to order tuxes, so we opt for suits.
Thayer asks her sister-in-law, Lea, to be her matron of honor. I’m shocked when she agrees. I thought One wouldn’t want her to. She also asks her friend, Christy, to be her bridesmaid. We plan to honor my late sister’s memory during the ceremony. I miss Sallie every day. I wish she could be here.
Sallie was four years older than me; we were inseparable when we were young. When she got accepted into the University of North Carolina, we were all so proud. Her future was so bright, as she aspired to be an attorney. She’s the reason I decided to become one.
She’s also the reason we left Chapel Hill.
After her death, my parents just couldn’t stay there.
Everything reminded them of her. Her death was devastating to them.
I would never pretend to understand their grief.
It’s a personal journey for everyone. Nevertheless, moving to a new town as a teenager isn’t what we all dream of.
It was hard for my little brother and me.
We grieved for Sallie, but we also wanted our old friends and school.
Sallie’s death devastated my family in so many ways.
I sympathize with families who have lost someone; I know how hard it is when a loved one is murdered.
I do everything I can for domestic violence victims. It’s what Sallie would’ve wanted.
I’m sure it’s what drove my desire to protect Thayer from a less than savory life with someone like Hardy Turner. His past drug addiction would be enough for me to protect her. But given the information of his deceased wife, I know I need to do it for her own good.
Running into her at the grocery store that day was fate. We were meant to be together. I remember seeing Thayer cheer at a high school football game under those Friday night lights. She was every guy’s wet dream.
I never had the nerve to ask her out then, even though I was one of the best players at my high school.
We were worlds apart in so many ways. I would’ve never jeopardized our relationship if it wasn’t imperative.
I pray she sees it that way when the day comes to tell her.
Looking at her now, she’s even more beautiful today. I’m a lucky man.
We’ve decided to move into my home, well, I didn’t want her at her old one.
Too many old ghosts hanging around. I’m hoping she’ll start working for me also.
I’ll find somewhere for her to fit in. Thayer loves her company, but I’m sure once she gets a taste of the life I’m prepared to give her, she’ll change her mind.
I wanted to ask her to just run off with me to get married, but being the only daughter, I’m sure Elise, her mother, would’ve been upset. But the sooner I can get her tied to me, the better off we both will be. I can’t stand waiting. And of course, there’s the sex.
I just can’t take much more of the looking over our shoulder.
I hate knowing Hardy watches her every move.
He hides out in the thickets, stalking her like prey.
Why not man-up, do your thing? Then again, I’m glad he hasn’t.
Bullshit having to show my hand before the game’s over.
Maybe I should just take it to the grave and forget the rest.
No one needs to know what I know. No one ever will unless I decide to tell it. The day Chet called, I never expected what he was about to say to me. Playing it cool was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I’m a very successful trial lawyer.
Nevertheless, I have all I need to keep this under wraps for a long time. If Hardy ever thinks about coming back, I’ll tell him I have concrete proof of who he is and the things he’s done. I’ll protect Thayer at all costs.
Little did I know, by the end of the conversation, I’d be protecting myself also. Talk about being blindsided; I had never seen this coming. Seems as though Hardy has more on his plate than I ever imagined.
Three weeks ago, I was in the office preparing for a trial for the next day.
It’s not unusual in my line of business to have contacts from all walks of life, even the occasional criminal.
But today, it was one of those guys you’re not quite sure about; my friend Chet from college.
He is now a private investigator in Charleston, South Carolina.
His call was out of the blue. The information he was looking for gobsmacked me. Stunned into silence as he explained his reason for calling, I rallied to gain the vantage point early, guaranteeing me the win.
“Walker Pennington,” I answered my cell phone.
“Walker. Chet Norwood.” A gruff voice comes across the line.
“Chet, it’s been ages. How are you?” He chuckles but answers like only he can.
“Good. Still getting pussy.” We laugh at his old joke, still new to him.
“Great. How can I help you?” I have no time to reminisce.
“Ellis Kipton from Atlanta called me in on a case he’s working.” Now he has my attention. A private investigator from Atlanta working all the way up the coast had to be significant. Someone has deep pockets.
“Of course, anything for you,” I say with bated breath.
“Hardison ‘Hardy’ Casey Turner. He’s been in your area for several years.” Chet waits, but I want more.
“I want it all before I say a word.” Trying to keep my voice calm, I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.
“Vested interest?” Chet was always more relaxed. That’s why I’m the shark, and he’s the snake.
“We’ll see,” I reply before holding my breath, however, baited it may be.
“Thayer Hamilton.” Mother fuck. I knew it.
“Go on.” He can tell I have more than just an interest.
“She and her sister-in-law, Hadlea Woods, hired Ellis Kipton to find him. They also need information on his life here in Charleston. I’ve found some intriguing details about his early years.
My investigation turned up a gentleman happy to pay me to keep these details to myself.
Eric Murphy then gave me a few details about Turner, some of which included Hamilton.
Ten thousand dollars isn’t a lot of money, but if it’s worth that to him, I couldn’t help but wonder what the next bidder would offer.
Apparently, Mrs. Woods is worth quite a bit of money.
Maybe a bidding war would be appropriate,” he says with a chuckle. Maybe so.
“What’s the intel? Furthermore, what’s your price?” I actually thought Chet was making it suitable down there, but then again, it could just be greed.
“Intel will rock the foundation of all involved, tipping the scale in favor of the one in possession of the papers I hold. Price, $100,000.” His words are cold and calculating. This is explosive.
“I want the details in my hand in ten. If it’s worth it, I’ll transfer $150,000 by two this afternoon. This goes no further.” I learned cold and calculating from the best, mother fucker.
“Just as I thought. Do you remember her?” Chet’s fishing.
“Who?” I pander.
“Oh, come on now, Walker. Do you take me for a fool?” Hedging his bets on my response, I give nothing away.
“Meaning?”
“Erica, Walker. The game versus Clemson, we went bar hopping and slumming.” Chet’s words grow cold as he lowers his voice.
“I remember being so drunk that I don’t remember much.”
“But you remember Erica, she had the good shit. And was absolutely fuck worthy,” Chet grinds out, making my fucking jaw tick.
“Yeah, well, that’s why they’re called one-night stands.” Goddamn it.
“But you saw her later.” Chet knows I’m fucked.
“Send the fax,” I demand with no hope of cooperation.
“I just pressed send. Happy reading, thank you for your business.” Chet ends the call.
Moments later, my fax machine begins spitting out paper after paper. All information about Hardy’s life in Charleston. All of it is earth-shattering. I gather the documents and start reading. By the time I get to the last page, I know what I need to do.
Hurrying to the copy room, I place article after article in the shredder. Destroying every word that stands to obliterate everything I’ve been working for. I’ll not lose Thayer this way; he can’t have her. I’ll do everything in my power to stop him.
As I work the shredder to eradicate this information, I check an incoming text, Chet.
He’s just informed me there’s only one other copy of this, and no one will ever find it.
I text a friend of mine who works in the field of hired protection.
I want Thayer to watch twenty-four-seven until I can get her to marry me or get him away from her.
Hardy’s been spotted stalking Thayer. I’m not so much concerned for her safety as I am her heart. If he’s here, it’s because he stills wants her. He can’t have her; I won’t allow it. He’s no good for her. Besides, I love her. I’ve been here for her. She’s mine now.