15. Productive Days
Chapter fifteen
Productive Days
Charlie
A few weeks later.
“Yes.” I’m on a roll, mentally ticking another item off my list for today. I’ve been productive and I freaking love productive days. And today has been one of those rare days when you feel on top of it all. Well, work things anyway. Personal life stuff… not so much.
Last week, I went down to the local small business hub with Millie because she would not stop going on about it. Jack only let her step foot out of their new cottage if she agreed to go in a wheelchair with him by her side. It’s sickeningly cute how much they love each other. She’s still recovering, but determined to live.
It’s an old office block that’s been converted into studios that you rent for next to nothing. It’s a genius idea. The percentage you pay is based on the amount you earn. Then there are extra benefits for the more you earn. Brilliant.
Millie and I had endless chats about the people, the crafts, the community, but most of all, the artists. All at their new cottage, while Jack stood guard, not letting her lift a finger. I finally gave in after she showed me some of the images from one artist in particular. Stunning. So many interesting creatives, from all walks of life, I could have stayed there for hours. I did, in fact, stay for hours. I want to work with them all. That’s my new aim anyway.
Right now, I’m setting up for three back-to-back meetings I have with a few of the most amazing small business owners I have ever met. Ivy is the first on my list for today, followed by Aggie, then Jenson. Ivy creates dried flower art and wants to put on workshops for anyone interested. We hit it off within seconds. That was even before we bonded about being divorced and telling her about the workshop space I have created in Magnolias. We have messaged every day since and she can’t wait to see the space and get advertising for her workshops. That meeting starts in twenty minutes, but I’ve been so rushed off my feet, I’ve barely had time to set up like I wanted, let alone think. That’s just how I like it.
Can you procrastinate from dealing with your thoughts?
Abso-freaking-lutely you can.
Walking into the back room with my hand full of flowers, notebooks, and pens, I set about getting the large workbench set up. Popping a variety of flowers in small random jars, mugs, and glasses to give a cute feel to the space. I’ve put together a small gift for everyone I’m meeting today. I want them to remember the meeting when they got home, so I’ve organised some speciality chocolate. These are hand wrapped with a personalised note from me on each of them. Plus, a small wild flower bouquet to take home.
It might seem like overkill, but I want us to set off on the right foot if we will be working together. I want it to go well. The more people that use the space, the more revenue I’ll be able to bring in, eventually giving me the freedom to do more. I even have a meeting with the bookshop down the road about doing a reading evening, where their clients can just come and read. We’ll bring in extra sofas, comfy chairs, and serve snacks and drinks from Bruno’s and The Brasserie. Who wouldn’t love that?
Doing these beautiful things in the day kind of levels out the harrowing images and unforgettable words I have to read in the documents and files Simon sent over.
I feel like I’m living a double life. The last few weeks have been crazy. Almost surreal. The case against Mr Summers seems to be going nowhere. This organisation he has are sick and twisted. The worst of the worst, in every single imaginable way possible. Anyone who comes into contact with them seems to be unalived once their purpose has been served. I’m one of the not so lucky ones who gets to see the images of those who have been even less lucky. Simon made a joke the other day about me being an amateur sleuth. Although there is nothing amateur or funny about any of this.
We both know that.
No one at Holland and Brooke knows I’m researching for Simon and digging into everything about Mr Summers and his life. It’s exhausting. There has to be something we are missing, which is why I’m now digging into the dark web.
Simon has been right in his assumptions about there being a leak in the company. Mr Summers, and whomever else is working for him, always seem to be one step ahead of us. It’s downright scary what their people are doing. Even worse, how they seem to be able to get away with it.
Rainbows, sunshine, and flowers by day, kidnapping, drugs, and murder by night.
Hearing the bell go on the front door, I make my way back to the shop, brushing my hands down my apron. I may need to think about hiring someone, just to help out when I have things like this going on. I can’t be in two places at once. Maybe someone part-time.
The bell was one of the many security systems that Owen put into place. The night he left, he added a video surveillance system for the front and back of the building, and all the rooms downstairs, as well as a coded entry system at the back. He also fitted sensors in every room, and a wireless monitor in my office, that all links up to my phone. Apparently, it’s all backed up to his system in the office that Cerberus uses as their base. It’s a massive overkill for my little flower shop, but I can see he wanted me to be safe. It’s his way of making it happen while he’s gone.
I spot Leon in the shop. He always looks out of place in here, towering above the displays of flowers that line the walls. Over the last few weeks, we’ve become sort of friends. I know he’s only doing it because Owen asked him to, but I think we really get along. Huh, I managed a whole two hours today before I thought of Owen. I supposed that’s progress.
“Can you be ready for eight tonight, Charlie?” he asks, picking up one of the bouquets, sniffing it, and putting it back down, before he scratches his nose and then sneezes.
“Why do you do it if you know you’re going to sneeze?” I ask, shaking my head at him with a smile.
“No idea. I suppose it’s just a natural reaction to smell ’em.”
“Sure, where are we going? I need to know what to wear.” The whole team seems to have taken to watching out for me. It’s nice to have them around.
“The Brasserie. Mike’s putting on a band tonight and they’re meant to be good. Thought we could check ’em out.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you there. It’s at the bottom of the hill. No need to escort me.” I know it’s pointless. Leon or Ethan will arrive just before eight to walk me to wherever I need to be. It’s like I have my own security detail sometimes.
“When does Cole get back? He messaged me saying he was on babysitting duty again this week. He’s not happy,” I ask, smiling. It's funny how much he hates this assignment.
Leon rolls his eyes. He knows he hates watching the girl, or woman. I don’t know much about her other than she is the daughter of a high-profile judge. I’ve heard about him in my past work life, but our paths never crossed.
“He’ll get over it. He can take it up with Owen. He’s the one who assigned him before he left.” He pauses, realising what he’s said and tilts his head in apology. It fucking hurts just hearing his name. “He should be back in time to meet us later. One of us will be here to walk you down to Mike’s,” he promises before he leaves me to get on with work.
I can hardly move when I walk through the door of The Brasserie, especially with Cole, Ethan, and Leon surrounding me. The man I really want by my side is missing. Not missing, just gone.
Eyes follow us when we move through the pub, looking for a table. These men attract attention wherever they go. They command respect, which they receive in spades, but they are kind and thoughtful and that’s after only knowing them a few weeks. I get the feeling they would do anything for those they love.
They must love Owen.
“Guys, you really need to step this down a little. It’s getting overwhelming.” They all stare at me like I’ve said the craziest thing and laugh. “Fine, let’s find a table, so I don’t have to stand all night.” Glancing around, I spot a group ready to leave and we head towards their table at the back of the pub. “This round is on me. What are you all having?” I ask.
“Water.”
“Coke.”
“J20, please,” they all say at the same time as they take their seats.
“No one is drinking? Why?” They pass each other a look like they can read each other’s minds and don’t want to tell me anything. Then I get it. They’re on duty. They’re looking after me. Even with nothing threatening me, they are taking Owen's request seriously.
Shitting hell.
Standing up, I place my hand on the table, ready to give them shit. “Let’s get one thing straight right now,” I whisper shout, smacking the table with the palm of my hand, getting the attention of a few other tables around us. “I. Do. Not. Need. To. Be. Looked. After. Maybe if Owen took the time to get to know me better, he would have realised that for himself. This stops now.” I’m angry, honoured, and embarrassed all at the same time.
“Charlie, that’s not what this is. Yes, he asked us, but we want to make sure you are okay. We like you—” I cut Leon off before he can say anymore.
“Then be a friend, not my security team.” Shoving off the table, I move to the bar and ask Mike to take the non-alcoholic drinks I order over to our table. I need a few minutes to get myself together.
Mike comes back a few minutes later with my wine and a packet of crisps.
“Sit, eat, and have a drink,” he says from behind the bar. “How is the shop getting on? I’ve heard so many good things about what you are trying to do. I’m impressed. If you ever need to use The Brasserie for anything, let me know. I can supply the drinks for any event you have planned.”
“I’ll let you know. I could use you for the bookstore evening. That would be great.”
“Let me know when. I’ll book the wife a ticket. She loves anything book-related.” Mike looks over towards the guys sitting at the table, then back at me, curiosity etched on his deeply tanned face.
“What’s going on with them? They keep looking over at you? My wife reads those romance books, the why choose or reverse harem kind, is this one of those?” I almost spit my drink out, covering my mouth just in time to save the mess on the bar, but it dribbles down my chin. Mike hands me a napkin, smirking while I recover.
“No!” I can’t help but laugh. “Your wife has great taste in books, but this is not what that is.” I know my cheeks have turned a little pink. I don’t embarrass easily, but when a man asks if you are part of a foursome, in the middle of a bar, it’s going to happen.
“Lay it on me, kid, I’m all ears,” he says while wiping the bar down. There are other customers waiting, plus it’s not the time or the place to talk about this.
“Another time, Mike, but thank you. I needed a good laugh.”
“You are very welcome,” Mike says with a smirk before moving on to serve someone else.
“Charlie, can we start the night again?” Leon appears beside me, perching on the stool while two pints of ale and a whisky on the rocks are placed in front of him. Eyeing them, I realise Leon must have ordered a fresh round. They’re making an effort and I appreciate the gesture.
“Okay… let me help you with those.” Picking up one of their drinks in one hand and my own in the other, we move back to the table, where I’m sitting in the middle of them all. They nod in my direction one by one in a silent apology. I know they mean well, but I don’t need to be reminded of what Owen left them to do.
“How was babysitting duty?” I ask Cole to clear the awkwardness from the air.
“Of all the things you could ask Cole about, you know he’s just going to whinge about it,” Leon says, as Cole sets off on a rant about the girl he is watching, and just how much she pisses him off. Ethan gives me a look, not saying a word, while he drinks his whisky.
“She’s an entitled rich bitch, living on daddy’s money. Gets anything she wants, never worked a day in her life,” he huffs out, arms folded over his huge chest and crisp white shirt.
“She sounds lucky. Not everyone gets the chance to get everything they want in life,” Leon chimes in, causing Cole to frown.
“If you think she’s lucky and not an entitled bitch, you take the next babysitting duty. This is not what I signed up for when you and Owen started Cerberus.” All eyes land on me for the briefest of seconds, trying to gauge my reaction at the mention of his name.
I don’t react. On the outside anyway.
“My job is to hunt people down, find their ass and haul them back.” The aggression in his voice has me shifting slightly in my seat. He’s a little scary. If I had had a man like Cole after me, I get the feeling he would stop at nothing to get the job done.
“Do you know what she did this week?” He has the table's full attention. “She went clubbing. Not to one of the ones on her parents’ approved list.” Strikes me as a little controlling, I think to myself. “And not any of the ones we have vetted and know are secure. No, she went to Praise, fucking Praise. One of the worst clubs you could ever go to. It’s full of dickheads, scum, deadbeats, and every known criminal within a forty-mile radius.” He’s gripping his drink so hard I’m wondering how long it will take for the glass to break.
“That club is notorious for being a place you go to get fucked up. Or hire someone to fuck them up for you,” I add in and they look at me like I’ve let slip information I definitely shouldn’t know.
“How do you know about Praise?” Ethan asks, his tone cold and serious, looking at me like he wants to lecture me if I don’t give him the right answer.
“Please tell me, you have never been there, or plan on ever going there?” Cole adds in, Leon looks like he’s ready to lock me away to keep me safe. I can’t help but laugh. It’s a nervous laugh, but I don’t think they know that. Do they?
“Oh god, don’t be ridiculous…” I say, thinking on my feet. I can’t tell them how I know it. “It came up a few times while I was working at Holland and Brooke. A lot of shit went down in that club. I can’t believe it’s still open. I thought they shut it down a few years ago.” This seems to settle their curiosity. You hope my internal voice chimes in.
“Good,” Ethan almost shouts. “That place is more trouble than you need in your life. The further away you can get the better.” Ethan is deadly serious right now. Although I think he might always be serious. I’m not sure he has cracked a smile yet this evening. Or since I met him. This is probably the most words he has spoken to me.
“That’s almost exactly what I told Miss Byron. I had to drag her out. But not before she almost got pawed by some nasty-looking dude almost twice her age,” Cole adds.
The club is the one Mr Summers owns and where he runs all of his dealings from.
“Can we join in?” a familiar voice asks from behind me. Turning around, I see Millie, shadowed by Jack.
“Oh, my god. Yes, please do. There is way too much testosterone on this table,” I declare happily. Chairs are added and room is made for them both to join us. I watch as Jack helps Millie sit down, pulling his chair closer to hers.
“I didn’t think he was letting you out yet?” I nod towards Jack, who scowls at me, before turning to the others.
“He can’t keep me away from you, plus I’ve not left the cottage in weeks. As much as I love it, I needed a change of scenery. For my sanity,” Millie replies, side eyeing Jack.
“It’s been a week,” I laugh, “but I, for one, am so glad you are here.” She smiles. “So, no wheelchair today?” I add playfully. She whacks my leg.
“No,” she grumbles. “It may be outside. I refused to bring it here. I don’t really need it” We both chuckle, then she gets that look to say we need to talk.
“Good, now explain to me what this is?” She gestures towards everyone sitting at the table. I knew she would do this. Walking in and finding me with three huge men, ones I’ve only known for a few months, is not something I would normally do. I’ve not avoided her, but I have not been honest with her about me and Owen. Still stings.
“What do you mean?” I say before taking a large sip of my light and fruity red wine.
“Don’t play that with me, Charlotte Hudson.”
Huh, she full named me. Now I know she’s serious.
“Okay, but not here. Too many ears.”
She nods, then slowly stands. Jack immediately stands with her, helping her. “Thank you,” she whispers. Jack cups her face and places a kiss on her lips. “We will be back in a bit. Relax, I’ll be fine.”
“Charlie, follow me.” Millie moves across the room, Jack goes to follow, but Millie gives him a loving but aggravated look that tells him to sit back down. “If he had his way, he would carry me everywhere.”
Following her, we make our way to an office through the side door at the back of the bar. I forgot she used to work here. Oh, and Jack owns the place. I guess that gives her free rein on where she can go. When I glance around, all eyes are on us. Shaking my head at them, they all look away. Sheepishly.
“Explain what this is, Charlie. I walk in to find my best friend sitting with my old security team. They look like they are on duty. What have you not told me? Are you in trouble?”
Sinking into the deep brown sofa that sits against the wall, Millie comes to sit next to me. I help her as she lowers herself slowly. “I’m not in trouble.” How can I explain this? Oh, the man I was falling for, up and left just when I was beginning to have hope I could actually be in a relationship again, then he asked his super-hot, ex-army buddies to keep me safe. Because he doesn’t think he can when I’m in no actual danger at all and can fucking look after myself. So, you know, this is now my normal, when I have no idea when, or if, he is ever coming back … Shit.
My eyes sting with unshed tears.
“Then why are they all here?” She looks really confused and I can’t blame her.
“Owen left.”
“I know. What does that have to do with you?”
Taking in a shaky breath, I start to explain everything. “Owen and I had a thing.”
“I guessed you were sleeping together, but I thought it was nothing serious.”
“It was nothing to start with. The night you got shot, he lied to me. Said he would take me to the ball, then cancelled on me, saying he wasn’t going to make it. Only for me to find him there when I arrived.”
Millie placed her hand over mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “That’s got to sting after what Andy did. Is that why you renounced men that night?”
I smile a little, remembering that moment. “Yep, that’s also why I got shitfaced and was not there when everything else happened. Because he took care of me. Carried me to his room and left me to sleep it off.”
“I’m happy you weren’t there, Charlie. I can’t even begin to imagine what would have happened if you were there too. You would have gotten yourself involved. I know you and your kick ass ways, you could have been hurt,” she takes a breath, “but that’s a different conversation. Carry on.” God, this woman is amazing. After everything, she still puts others first. She’s not wrong. I would have done anything I could.
“After you got shot, he called me, had me picked up, and brought me to the hospital. He wrapped me in his arms, held me, comforted me...” I swallow the lump that’s rising in my throat. “After that, well, he… he, we spent a lot of time together, talked, had the most amazing sex of my life.” God, I miss the sex. “I thought… I don’t know, but whatever it was, was not meant to be. After a while, he started to change, I only saw him at night. He would sneak in, he would ask me all the questions, avoided anything I asked him. Then he went, left. Gone, not to be seen or heard of since.”
“Oh, Charlie, why didn’t you say something to me sooner? He’s been gone for what? A week?”
“It will be three weeks tomorrow.” Her face says it all. “He gave me hope, Millie. After what Andy did, the shit he put me through, he gave me the hope that I could do it again.”
“Shit, Charlie.” Millie’s arms wrap around me, and I feel myself crack for the first time since he left. I can feel this pain, this anger. A deep disappointment in myself for ever believing I could find love.
“I know it sounds ridiculous. We only knew each other for six weeks.”
She elbows me in the ribs. “Not that ridiculous. Jack and I were a few weeks.” She smirks at me.
But Jack never left you, Millie, I think. He stayed and did everything within his power to help and protect you.
“Did he say why he was leaving?”
Shaking my head, I hold the necklace in my hand and show Millie. “He gave me this, made me promise never to take it off. No matter what.” My voice breaks at the last few words.
“No matter what? What does that mean?” That’s a question I have asked myself too many times over the past few weeks. I still don’t know. I just shrug, not knowing what to say.
“So why are his friends acting like they are your security team?”
Good question.
“Owen asked them to look after me while he was gone. Told them he needed to sort his head out. He blames himself for what happened to you, Millie. Something to do with his past. They won’t tell me the details. But I think it’s bad.”
I don’t tell her that he left to keep me safe. It makes no sense to me, so I doubt it will make sense to Millie.
“I knew I should have talked to him sooner. Jack set up meetings with him, but he kept rescheduling them. Except the one on the day he left. Jack and I don’t hold him responsible for what ass-face did.”
“I can think of worse words for that man.” We both chuckle. “Well, that’s the whole story.”
“How are you with all this?”
“I’m dealing with it. I’ve started training again, to get the aggression out.” Millie’s eyes light up, big, bright, and beautiful.
“I loved watching you train before. Can I again? Can you train me?” she asks with a devilish grin.
“Are you serious?” I think my mouth is actually hanging open.
“Deadly. I may have to wait a few months before I do anything physical though, but I can watch to start with. I’ll work on Jack. Don’t say anything to him yet.”
“Yes. I would love that so much. Can you do tomorrow? I’ll pick you up.”
“Deal.”