I smirked, And I told you, I think it will work just fine. Her eyes snapped back up to meet mine, a slight blush coloring her cheeks a light pink hue. I raised an eyebrow, Yes, it’ll work just fine.
I left Lea laying in her bed, her pillow covering her face as she called me every colorful name she could think of and made my way to my office. Darrell, Darrien, and Tony were already there.
Boss, Darrell greeted tersely as he took a seat on the leather sofa.
Darrell. I hear you have had your hands full.
Next time you leave, you’re taking her with you. I can handle a lot of shit, but that girl is something else. The only time we have had any peace is if she is in the kitchen with Mahalia or sleeping.
I’ll talk to her.
Like that will do any good. Leon’s voice sounded from the doorway as he and Lewis walked in.
Boss, Lewis spoke up, No offense, but you really should reconsider having her here.
Why ? I tensed as I listened to the men.
She is almost as bad as having you mother in the house. Leon spoke frankly as he held my gaze. Ever since you cornered her the other day, she has been more annoying than before, has the entire house on edge.
It’s like she’s a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off, Boss, Darrell added. Hell, she almost convinced these two to take her shopping the day you left. If they hadn’t called me for clearance, she would have succeeded.
I turned toward Lewis and Leon and pinched the bridge of my nose. When she wakes, have her brought to me.
Yes, Boss.
I motioned for the two men to leave and waited until I knew they were out of range before looking to the three remaining me and asked the question I knew Darell would have the answer to, What the hell is really going on Darrell ?
She doesn’t know how to process what you feel for her, I took the seat at my desk and pressed the palms of my hands into my eyes as Darrel spoke frankly, or how to process what she feels for you. She talked to Mahalia. I raised my brow in question and waited for Darrell to continue. Asked how she was supposed to ever fall for someone like you.
I licked my now dry lips, What did Mahalia tell her ?
She told Lea to listen to her heart, that it wouldn’t lead her wrong.
I sighed and looked over the group of three men. You all have someone you care about ?
Tony and Darrien nodded as Darrell looked towards the window, a flash of hurt running through his eyes before they turned dark once more.
Are they worth the trouble ?
Tony grinned, Depends on the trouble they’re causing, Boss.
Darrien laughed, Yea, because the punishment can be very rewarding.
I clenched my jaw and held up my hand, You two are dismissed. I waited for them to leave before turning back to Darrell. Was Trish worth it ? I asked softly.
Darrell was at the window, his back toward me as he looked up toward the crimson colored morning sky.
She was. His voice was filled with pain. He turned and faced me, his eyes glistening as he continued to speak, She was worth everything ; all the laughs, the tears, the anger, the heartache, the mischief. I would trade a day of her being here, causing trouble, for any day of not ever having known her.
The grief in Darrell voice caused my chest to tighten. You look at Lea like I looked at Trisha, Carter. Darrell walked to the door and pulled it open, She’ll come around.
As the door closed silently behind Darrell, I picked up the stack of mail on my desk and thumbed through it. After making sure there was nothing there that needed my immediate attention, I reached for one of the locked drawers and pulled out the phone I used for my informants.
I turned the sleek device on and typed in the code ; one missed call and one voice mail.
I dialed in the code for the voice mail and listened to the gruff voice on the other end. Only a handful of trusted informants had the number and I wasn’t at all surprised to hear the voice on the other end of the line, in fact I was surprised that it had taken this long to hear from him.
The sheriff doesn’t believe that the accident here was just an accident. In fact, they found the two bullet holes in Marshall’s body. That, along with the fact that the body was missing from the second car, has caused them to call the Feds in.
The voice was shaky as it continued.
I saw the way you looked at her when you were here, Boss. You better make damn sure you take care of her, because if something happens to my Pumpkin, I swear to God, I will kill you myself.
I had known as soon as I walked into the diner and saw the way Jack tensed up at the way I looked over Lea that he had a soft spot for the girl. The look he shot me when she scolded me about the platters had confirmed the feelings he held for her. I didn’t understand them at first, but now, now I knew exactly why he threatened me. Under any other circumstance, I would have a bullet put through his head for that, but knowing that he only cares about Lea’s safety, I found myself appreciating his words.
I listened to Jack’s message once more before deleting it and running my phone through the program that would erase all ghost data.
Knowing I would have to send someone in to see how much the authorities actually knew, I dialed Tony.
Boss.
Find out how much the authorities in Jackson know about Marshall and Lea’s accident.
I’m on it. The line went dead and I leaned back in my chair.
Let me go you, Twat. I’m perfectly capable of walking into the office on my own. Damn, it’s not bad enough I have to be babysat,
Guarded, Ma’am, Paul and Samuel growled out.
But manhandled too. You freaking brutes are, I stood as the door opened and Lea was guided in, her eyes widening and mouth closing. Damn, I thought I only dreamed that you were back. She pulled out of Paul’s grasp and walked to the window.
You two wait outside.
Oh no they don’t. You are not going to get the chance to try that seduction shit on me again.
Out. Now. I walked and stood between Lea and the two men.
Yes, Boss.
Don’t you two dare leave me with, Lea stomped her foot as the doors closed. Arg.
Tusk, Tusk, Lea. I hear you’ve been creating quite a bit of trouble. I took a step forward and smirked as Lea took a step back. That you have the whole house on edge.
Yea, well, her voice was quivering as I took another two steps her way.
You know that I can’t have disorder and chaos in a place that I consider to be my sanctuary.
Lea stepped back. Just a couple more steps and she wouldn’t have any where to run.
I, I know what you’re trying to do Carter. It, it won’t work. Lea looked behind her and stepped to the side.
Really, because it seems to be working just fine, Lea. I smirked and stepped as well.
What do you want from me ? Lea’s voice was just above a whisper as I closed the distance between us and placed my hands on the wall to either side of her shoulders.