Chapter 29 #2
“We sure can. See anything you like?”
“What’s the budget? I mean, I have great credit, although my salary is lower than yours.” She chews her lip, her eyes flickering between mine and the book.
I scratch my neck, running my hand over my face.
She’s not gonna like this, not at all. Hell’s coming, and it’s coming for me.
“I put half down today.” I squeeze my eyes shut, hesitating.
“One’s company is gonna do it. If you’re good with them handling it?
They are the best around and for this size project, we kinda need them. ”
“If he’s the best and you think it’s the way we should go, I’m good with it.” She nods, skimming the pages. “What are we thinking of financing?”
“Excuse me?”
“You said you gave them a down payment. How much more will we need to finance?” She stares at me in earnest questioning.
“Umm, no, baby. There’s no financing.” I lick my lips, trying to calm myself. I’m scared. “I’m paying cash.”
“Huh?” She glares at me. “You just made that money. Don’t spend it all on this house. How much is it going to cost?”
“Reese, we’re good. I’ve got it covered.” I sigh when she raises her brow. “I put a couple down. It should run between three to four.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little ostentatious? Seriously, three to four hundred thousand?” She spins in her seat, waiting for me.
“It’s not considering the lot needs developed and then landscaping after. And it’s million, not hundred thousand.” I stand, trudging to the kitchen with her following me.
“Million? That’s a big house.” She chews on her lip. “Just tell me. I’m tired of everyone knowing but me.”
“Net? Estimate?” I wink at her.
“Estimate, Walker,” she huffs.
I turn, facing her. She has her hands on her hips, leering at me. “Somewhere in the vicinity of several million,” I lie.
I can’t tell her. She’ll freak out, thinking I’m out of her league or some crazy shit.
“The hell you say? Why are you spending half on a house?” She folds her arms. “You’ll need to retire one day. What if something happens? Your nest egg is gone.”
“Reese, I’ve worked on six deals with Lachlan. We have eight more on the burners. The deal the other night, it’s an everyday thing.” I shrug.
Realization dawns in her eyes. She glares at me. “How much?”
My stomach flips, but I stare back. “A lot.”
“More than ten?” Her brows raise. I nod. “Twenty?” I hold my thumb up. “How much further?” She gapes.
“Do you honestly want to know?” I wait with a knotted stomach as she scrutinizes me before shaking her head.
“I will never make the money you do.” She sits down at the table. “It’s gonna be like, here’s my money, a hundred dollars. I contributed! What will I have to offer our marriage?”
“Hold up. It’s not like that, Reese. We’re a team. We’ll work together. There will be no ‘my money, your money’. It’s our money.”
“That’s not happening. No way am I entitled to something like that. I’m no freeloader.” She folds her arms, her eyes downcast.
“Reese.” I kneel before her, lifting her chin. “I love you. We’re in this together. There will be times you’ll lean on me and moments I’ll lean on you. Neither is more valuable. We’re in this together. That’s what’s important.”
“Well, you better lean extra hard some days. Make me earn my keep.” She giggles.
“Deal.” I lean in, kissing her softly.
I park beside Reese at the Crisis Center, walking in the back door to one hell of a ruckus.
“No, we do not give out information on our clients,” Reese answers sternly.
“I don’t give a damn, you fucking bitch,” a deep, rough voice yells, raising the hair on the back of my neck. “You fuckin’ took my family from me. I want them back.”
I round the corner, hands fisted, ready to draw blood. A tall, menacing man stands over Reese. She’s against a wall with her face tilted away from him.
“Hey! Back the fuck up!” The thunderous boom of my voice makes everyone jump. “You do not talk to her that way. Do you understand me?” I shove myself between her and the threatening man.
“Who the fuck do you think you are, pretty boy?” he spits, every word dripping with venom. I realize at this point it’s Heath, Marie’s husband.
“I’m the man who’s gonna fuck you the hell up if you don’t step back now.” I grind my teeth with each word, pounding my fists against my thighs. I loom over him with malicious intent racing through my mind.
“She filled my wife’s head full of bullshit and she left me. I want my family back!” He leers at Reese and I want nothing more than to break his damn face.
“She did nothing of the kind. You fucking beat your wife to a pulp, asshole. That’s why she left you. Now, I’m going to ask once, you son of a bitch. Get the fuck out before I show you how.” I hold back my fury and vitriol as best as I can as my blood boils, coursing through my veins.
“It’s a public place. I have every right to be here, motherfucker.” He angles his body toward me.
Rage pulsates through me. I shift my stance, getting nose to nose with him. A siren can be heard from far away. I see it in his eyes the minute it registers.
“You called the police, you pussy.” He backs away, his finger in my face. “I’ll be back. I’m coming for you and the cunt behind you.” He steps through the back door as the police pull up out front.
I turn to Reese, dragging her into my arms. “Are you all right, baby? Did he touch you? Did he do anything to you?” I step back, looking over her quickly, pulling her back into my arms. My heart thunders in my chest.
“I’m okay. I’m good. Thank fuck you showed up when you did. I don’t know what would’ve happened.” She shudders.
‘I’ve got you. Let’s get you some water.” I jerk my head toward the door, looking at Maisyn. She takes off. I pick Reese up and carry her to the empty room.
“Reese?” Maisyn reaches her the water. “I’ve called One and Lea. They’re on the way.” She sits beside her, wrapping her arms around her. “You kick ass, woman. That was so brave.”
“Too brave for my taste.” She leans into me, trembling. Bile rises in my throat at the thought of what could’ve happened. “I think we should close the office.”
“Lea already called it. They should be here shortly.” Maisyn stands, walking toward the door. “I’m gonna go wait by the door. We’ve got it locked. The police will be in here in a bit to talk to you.”
“What were you thinking, standing up to him like that? Heath could’ve hurt you. You’ve seen what he’s done to Marie.” I search her eyes for understanding, panicked at my own visions.
“I wasn’t. It never crossed my mind. I knew I needed to keep him focused on me, so he wouldn’t hurt anyone else.” She buries her face in my shirt, the impact of the events crashing over her. She begins to sob in my arms, and I hold her as tight as possible.
“Walker, how is she?” One enters the room with Lea behind him.
She steps by him, joining Reese and me on the couch. “Reese, I’m so sorry, sweetie.” Lea rubs her arm, comforting her, taking her opposite hand.
“She held her own. Reese stood her ground with him in her face. I lost my shit and put on a good show, but she handled things well.”
“I’m okay.” Reese sniffles, turning her head to speak to them. “My nerves are shot but I’m good. Walker came in the nick of time.” She clutches my hand. The weight on my chest at the thought of what could’ve happened suffocates me.
One walks over, kneeling in front of Reese. “The police are here. They’ll be back in a few minutes to speak to you both,” One says, laying his hand over Lea and Reese’s. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I will be, just crazy scary. Walker will take care of me.” She lays her head against my shoulder.
“All right. Can I borrow him for a few?” One asks.
“Yeah, just a few minutes,” Reese answers with a tight smile. I follow One into the office across the hall.
“I want you to give serious thought about what can be done differently here. We can’t allow this to happen again. Not for just the people volunteering but anyone that comes here. They need to know they’re safe.” He leans against the table, his forehead creased.
“This has never been an issue, you know that. The people coming here are happy to get the help they need, not to do things like this. Just off the top of my head, security guards. And I think we may need a screening area separate from the rest of the waiting room.”
“The guard was arranged on the way over. I agree with the screening area, a reception room for incoming and to check for weapons.” One shoves his hand into his pockets, cocking his brow. “A shit show, huh?”
“Yeah, another not one of my finer moments.” I shrug. “I came around the corner and he had her backed against the wall. I’m thankful I didn’t beat him to death.”
He smirks, and I think he’s going to give me a lesson in how to be a professional, but it never comes. “You handled it better than I would have. I would’ve kicked the fucker’s teeth in.”
“It took everything in me, man. I kept thinking you’re in a domestic violence center, not a good idea.”
One chuckles with me. “True. You’re a helluva man. Keep it up.” Wow. One’s words leave me speechless.
“Thank you.” I take his hand, shaking it proudly. “I’m gonna try to rush this along. I want to get Reese home.”
“Good deal.” One follows me to the hall where we talk with the authorities and hurry them to Reese, so I can get her out of here. I’m by her side as she files the report, holding her hand until it’s over.
“Come on. Let’s get you home.” I tug on her hand, leading her to the door.
“What about my Jeep? I’m afraid he’ll come back and do something to it if I leave it.” Her eyes are wide with fear.
“Can you drive?” She nods. “I’ll follow you.”
Helping her into her car, I lean in, kissing her before closing her door. I jump in my truck, making sure I stay as close to her as possible. I’m struggling with finding this man tomorrow and kicking his ass. I don’t know what I'd do without her.