14. Chapter 14
Melanie was debating on texting her sister back when there was a knock on her door. She put the phone down and laid her hand on the gun in her desk drawer. Today was not a good day. All this new information was making her jumpy. “Come in,” she called. When she saw it was Levi, she put her hand back up on her desk.
“Do you want me to install a monitor so you can see who’s there?” he asked with a raised brow. Apparently he knew she had been ready to shoot if she needed to.
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “Or you could catch this guy so I don’t have to worry about it.”
“I’m trying, Melanie.” He came around the side of the desk and perched beside her. It annoyed her that he felt comfortable enough to do that, but also, she liked it too. Even she didn’t understand her annoyance. “Did Kenneth Grand ever ask you on a date?”
She frowned and wondered where this was going. “Yes. Multiple times.”
“And you always said no?”
“Yeah. Is it him?” It would make sense if it was. Even if she hadn’t thought about him being a suspect, now that she heard his name it seemed like he was the only choice.
“I think so.” He reached out and grabbed her hand. It felt weird to allow him to do that at work, but it helped somehow. She took a deep breath and looked up into his eyes. “I want to set a trap. Are you willing to play along?”
“What kind of trap?” The devilish smirk on his lips said that she wouldn’t like whatever he was going to say. “I’m not fucking you in my office if that’s what you think.”
“Not today,” he whispered and pulled her up out of her chair to lean against him and the desk. “Someday I’m going to make you scream for all of DeLaney to hear, cupcake.” Before she could even think, he kissed her, pushing his fingers into her hair. Fuck. Why did he have to be such a good kisser? “Don’t yell at me,” he said when he broke the kiss.
“I’m not yelling…yet.”
Levi laughed and scratched at her scalp gently. “I like you a lot.”
“I like you too.” It felt like they were back in high school. Both of them with silly looks and whispering how much they liked each other. It was pathetic and cute and never how her love life had ever been before. “So what’s the plan I’m not going to like?”
“The camera by the elevator on this floor has audio. I want to use that to tell this Kenneth guy when and where you’ll be alone. Give him an opportunity to come for you.”
“So you want me to be the bait?” She didn’t like that at all. Even though she carried a gun, she wasn’t trained like everyone else was. If he got the jump on her, she probably wouldn’t have a chance.
“No, I just want you to set it up. I’ll use a decoy. You’ll be safe and sound somewhere else.”
She shook her head and pulled back out of his arms. “I’ve seen this movie before. The bad guy always figures it out and captures the one he’s after anyway.”
He grabbed her hand to stop her from moving away completely. “I won’t let that happen. I’ll put ten guys with you if that’s what you need to feel safe.”
Before she could answer her phone started ringing. He released her. It was a number she didn’t recognize. “Hello?” she said, putting it on speaker for Levi to hear just in case. It wasn’t the first time a weird number had called. Usually no one was there.
This time all she could hear was someone breathing.
“Hello,” she said again.
Levi held up a finger and started typing something on his phone.
“Ken is that you?”
“Finally!” The guy’s voice said. “I knew you would figure out it was me.”
Levi was still busy on his phone but waved for her to keep talking.
“Why didn’t you just call and tell me it was you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
“I don’t want to talk about that!” He yelled. It made her jump. Ken had always been gentle and quiet around her. “You lied to me!”
She frowned and looked at Levi. All he did was shrug though. “What did I lie about?”
“You said you weren’t ready to date! You lied! LIAR LIAR! Liars get what’s coming to them! All of them!” Then he hung up on her.
It wasn’t until Levi put a hand on her arm that she realized she was swaying on her feet. No one had ever spoken to her like that. And with such malice in their voice. He helped her sit and then dialed someone on his phone.
“Hey Scarlett, Kenneth just called Melanie. I think we should double her security.”
“Yeah. I agree. Maybe we should give him a few days to cool off before we do anything else though.”
“Levi,” she said, grabbing his arm to make him look at her.
“I’ll call you back.” He put the phone down and focused on her. “What?”
“Don’t make decisions for me. I want to be included.” It was her life after all.
He sighed and knelt down where he wasn’t towering over her anymore. She appreciated that.
He held her hands in his and squeezed. “I think at least for tonight, you should stay here. The seventeenth floor has larger apartments that management sometimes stays in. You’ll be safe there.”
She had thought he would want her to stay with him again. His wording also made it sound like she should stay alone. It hurt for reasons she couldn’t explain, even to herself. “Ok.” She didn’t need a knight in shining armor, that’s what she told herself. They’d slept together once, there was no reason to push right now. Her life was in fucking danger.
“Melanie?” She shook her head and looked into those piercing eyes. “I didn’t like the sound of that ‘ok.’”
Instead of explaining, she said, “My stuff is at your place.”
“I’ll bring it back with me.” He looked confused, but stood, helping her up again. “Pack up what you need from here for the night and I’ll call Victor to see what room is available.”
There was no point in arguing, so she just started packing up. The whole time, she could feel him watching her though. She was at war with herself. Say something or just stay quiet and let it all play out. In the end, she decided to just be the tough, independent woman she’d been raised to be and keep her thoughts to herself.
Victor met them upstairs with two of the Security guys. She couldn’t remember their names. One of them she wasn’t even sure she’d met. “They’ll be in the hall all night. No one else is staying in a room up here right now, so you’ve got the floor to yourself.” That didn’t make her feel any better.
“I’m going to run and pick up your clothes then I’ll be back,” Levi said as he pushed the door open for her. “Don’t leave until I get back. Text me what you want for dinner.”
“Ok,” she said and held the door.
They headed off toward the elevator and the Security guys leaned against the wall on opposite sides of the hall. Before they got on the elevator, Levi called back to her. “Shut the door.” Then he winked and disappeared.
With a huff she walked down the hall into the living space. She’d never been up here, never had a reason to. The apartment was nicely furnished. Soft leather couch and chairs. A TV. The rug under the ottoman looked plush. There was no stove or anything in the small kitchenette area. She assumed because guests could go eat down in the dining hall. There was a fridge with some bottled water in it, a small table with two chairs, a coffee pot, and a microwave. Kind of like a hotel would have she guessed.
In the bedroom was a standard king with two nightstands and a tall dresser. A wall of windows behind the bed with shades half pulled. The bathroom held a big walk-in shower with toiletries mounted on the wall. There was a sink and a toilet. It was a livable space but also had the feel of a mid grade hotel suite. She assumed the DeLaney people that needed to stay in one of these rooms didn’t mind. It was free after all. And secure.
Not wanting to work anymore today and with nothing else to do, she went back to the living room and flopped down on the couch. Surely there was something she could find on TV to pass the time until her food and clothes arrived.
Levi was on his way back to HQ when his phone rang. He took a deep breath and hit the button on his steering wheel. “Aren’t you supposed to be taking care of your wife and kids?”
“I am,” Andrea said softly. “In fact, Addy is in my arms and Avrie is asleep with her head in my lap.”
“Then why are you calling me?” Not that he didn’t want to talk to her, it was just that he didn’t want to explain everything that had been going on. There were more important things for her to focus on.
“Because I just got off the phone with Scarlett. It’s only your third day on the job and she thinks you’re trying to make her and Victor look bad.”
“I’m not—” A car pulled out in front of him and he honked, flipping the guy off. She took it as an opportunity.
“Please don’t have a wreck tonight.” She sighed and cleared her throat. “I know you aren’t trying to ruffle their feathers, you’re just trying to do your job. Which is what I told her. But Levi, listen to me when I say this.”
“I’m listening.” He pulled over on the side of the street to park.
“Don’t let your heart cloud your mind on this. That’s how people wind up hurt or dead. Do you understand?” The baby fussed a little. He heard Andrea shush her and kiss her. “It’s ok,” she whispered. He really needed to go see her soon. When they were tiny and couldn’t talk back was his favorite. “Levi?”
“I hear you, Mama A. Whether or not she was my girlfriend, I would push just as hard as I am now. That’s what we do. You’re just as guilty of it as I am.”
She let out a laugh. “We aren’t talking about me. I just don’t want you to put yourself in a position where it’s life or death. That’s all I’m saying. We’ll find Kenneth. All of DeLaney is looking for him. I want you to stay safe.”
Picking at a spot on his jeans, he shook his head. She was always trying to make him be safer or stay away from danger. He appreciated it, but at the same time it was a little hypocritical. “I’ll be fine,” he finally said.
In the background he heard Val say, “‘Drea.”
“Yes, love?”
“Your plate is still on the table. Help me put them in bed and then go eat, baby.”
He smiled because he could picture Val looking concerned but still being sweet about it. They really were good for each other.
“Give me a minute.” She sounded like that was the last thing she wanted to do.
He was going to use the distraction to his advantage though. Otherwise, she was going to keep lecturing him. “Go eat, Mama A. You take care of yourself and I’ll take care of myself.” Neither of which they ever seemed to be good at on their own.
“Call me tomorrow,” she said quietly. Before she hung up, he heard Val say, “You worry too much.” He couldn’t argue with that, and neither could Andrea.
Pulling back out onto the street, he noticed a car a few blocks back also pull out. Just to test the waters, he made a right turn. The car also turned, so he slowed down to let them catch up. It was dark out, but he could tell it was white or gray. Purposely, he slowed down and got caught at the next red light. There was a single person in the car. They were about two car lengths back from him. It was suspicious enough to warrant his next move. He undid his seatbelt and pulled out his gun.
A second later he shifted into park, jumping out to run back toward the car. The driver slammed on the gas pedal and swerved to just barely miss him. It was definitely Kenneth. If there weren’t people on the sidewalk, he would’ve shot at him. Instead, he was forced to watch him swerve through the red light and disappear into the distance. Levi walked back to the car.
“Seven to Control.”
Go ahead Seven.
“Target Kenneth Grand just spotted in white four-door Ford. License plate beginning with SKL. Speeding away from Oak down Vista, destination unknown.”
Roger Seven. Rovers one eight and one one you’re closest to respond.
He got back in his car and slammed his door in frustration. It had been an idiot move. He should’ve waited until he had more control of the situation, but he just wanted verification. If Kenneth wanted to play cat and mouse, then he could do that, he just needed to have more patience. Doing what he had just done was the opposite of what Andrea had told him to do. He shook his head hoping his phone wasn’t about to ring for another lecture.
Luckily, the rest of the trip back to HQ was quiet. He carried up Melanie’s stuff and their burgers. With a nod to the guys in the hall, he knocked on the door. It only took a few seconds before she pulled it open. “About time.”
“Sorry, I got held up,” he said and handed over the food. Locking the door behind him, he followed her into the kitchen area. “Can I ask you something?”
She stuck a fry in her mouth and nodded.
“Why haven’t you told your family what’s going on?” It had been bothering him since she said she couldn’t go stay with them. If anything, they should be the people she could rely on right? Until he lost his parents, they were always supportive of him and wanted to know what was going on in his life. And he’d always had Andrea who one way or another had always been there for him.
“Because my mom would freak out and never let me come back to work or leave the house ever again,” she said with a laugh and pulled everything out of the bag to put on the tiny table. He really needed to tell Andrea these tables needed an upgrade. “My dad is…well let’s just say he’s the kind of guy I could go to with my problems and he would listen and want to help, but he’s also good not knowing. If that makes any sense.”
Not really no. His face must have said that for him.
“He’s been a car salesman my whole life. They have a nice house and friends in their community. My parents are members of the Berkland Club. Mom hasn’t worked a day in her life other than to raise the kids and keep the house. They’re simple.” She shrugged and sat down, looking at him to see if anything was registering. It was starting to. “Me working for DeLaney is kind of a black spot on their resume. They can’t even fathom why I like it so much or how I can do what I do.”
DeLaney was a hundred times better now than it had been even ten years ago. If they didn’t like her working here, then what were they going to think of him? “I get it,” he said and sat down across from her. “What about your siblings? You can’t talk to them about this either?” He knew she at least had a sister, but he couldn’t remember if there were others.
“What’s this about, Levi?”
“It just seems like you haven’t had anyone to be on your side.” It was probably bold of him to make that assumption, but if they were going to be together, he wanted to understand her life.
She went to the fridge, staring into it for a minute before she said, “I do fine on my own.” When she sat back down, he took the water she offered him. “My sisters have kids and white picket fences that keep them busy. Earlier Jeanie sent me a message to invite me to my niece’s birthday party this weekend. That’s about all we ever talk about. And Stacie lives out of state with her husband, I talk to her about four times a year.”
“I wasn’t trying to upset you.”
“You didn’t.”
Obviously he did though. All of her body language had changed. Instead of causing an actual argument, he took a bite of his burger.
“Youre wrong though,” she said after a minute.
He raised a brow in question because his mouth was full.
“Friday when Andrea came to my apartment, she said I was family too. She has my back.” There was a strange look on her face before she smiled at him. “You have too, except for when you lied to me.”
He swallowed and then laughed while wiping off his mouth. “I wasn’t lying, but I’ll take your point. I’ll also always have your back, even when you kick my ass to the curb.”
Melanie threw a fry at him. “We’ll see about that,” she said. He didn’t know if she meant him backing her up or her kicking him out. Either way, he would prove to her there were people she could rely on.