That sinking feeling in my gut comes back, and I hate like hell I don’t have any other options.
The rest of my afternoon goes smoothly. I brought in a suit to wear to the meeting, knowing I need to look professional for this meeting, instead of in my standard black pants and polo. I go into my bathroom, change, grab my stuff, and then head for the front door when Kellie stops me.
“Mr. Chavez, I have a message for you,” she says.
“Kellie, you can call me Slade. What’s the message?”
“It’s from a Travis Daniels. He said wheels up and he’ll be hitting the ground soon,” she replies, blinking.
“Thank you.” I nod and leave. If Travis is coming home unannounced, shit is going down and fast.
Sixteen
Taylor
I’ve been spoiled with Slade taking me to and from work. For the most part, I live at his place. I mean, one weekend we packed everything I would need for the time being. After Slade found my toy drawer, he packed it and all of my undergarments, but any other clothes? It’s like he was struck stupid at the idea that I need actual clothes. I stomped my foot enough to get his attention, so when he picked me up from work one Friday, he came with boxes. We packed up everything I could possibly need or want for the time being, including my wax warmer that he hollered at me for leaving on all day. Guess where that is now? Yep, right by the front door at his house. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit.
He welcomed me into his home with open arms, said I probably shouldn’t give up my condo just yet. Travis only has a few more months left of his deployment, and Slade wasn’t having him stay with us. The number of places we have had sex alone, from the kitchen counter, the sofa, the dining room table, against the walls… Yeah, we’d have to disinfect the whole house. Not to mention, we haven’t told him we’re dating. That’s a conversation I am not looking forward to, but I know it’ll come sooner rather than later.
It’s almost time for us to shut down shop for the weekend. Slade has been doing Friday night date nights this past month; sometimes it’s dinner and a movie, but more times than not it’s been dinner and dancing. We stay out so late, the both of us come home tipsy, horny, and end the night completely sated from one another. It causes us to sleep half the day away on Saturday. The one new thing he has me doing, begrudgingly, is working out on Sunday mornings. I’m not sure why I ever thought it was a good idea, but seeing Slade smile and reaping the benefits of him cooking afterwards makes me think I reap the rewards.
“Hey, Mike. I’m leaving for the day. Have a great weekend!” I say to my boss through his open door before grabbing my huge purse and throwing my stuff in it.
“You too, Taylor. Great job on catching up on those transcriptions. I know with Chloe out on maternity leave, it left us in a lurch,” my boss says.
“No problem. I can’t wait to see her bundle of joy when she has her.” I peek my head into his office with a smile.
He laughs and returns my smile before I walk out the door. There’s a pep in my step, not because Slade won’t pick me up, but I’m hoping since Leo is picking me up, I can surprise him with the latest lingerie I just ordered. It took an act of God to hide it from him. I almost had it shipped to my office. He looked at me weird when I hopped out of the SUV one day when we came home to hurry up and grab the package. I had to hide it deep in the house so he wouldn’t snoop.
I walk out to the courthouse square and see Eric waving me down. I wave at him, but find it so odd that he’s trying to get my attention. Slade seemed pretty adamant that even if he wasn’t picking me up, not to stop, collect two hundred dollars, just to go, and that’s what I’m doing now. I’m sure some of my colleagues think I’m crazy for ignoring him, but my goal is to get to Leo.
When I walk out to the courthouse steps leading me to the loading station for cars, I don’t see his vehicle there. Slade mentioned one of his employees would always pick me up in one of their company vehicles, but I don’t see one now.
“I was trying to let you know, Leo texted me. He’s running a few minutes late. I told him I’d take you to Slade.” He holds on to my arm, not too tight but enough to let me know something isn’t right.
“Then you won’t have a problem with me calling Slade?” I question. I’m not an idiot. I’m the only person that can truly keep me safe when Slade isn’t around.
“Feel free.” I grab my phone out of my purse, bringing up Slade’s number all while keeping my eye out for one of his vehicles. The phone on the other end rings and rings before going to voicemail, so I leave him a quick message. “Hey, I’m at the courthouse. Call me when you get a chance.” I hang up, then text him.
Me: Eric offered to take me home, but I’m going back to my office. Love you.
“I think I’m going to go back to my office, no offense. I’d just feel more comfortable waiting for him there.”
“No problem. I’ll walk you up and let Slade know where you are if he gets here before Leo.” His hold on the back of my arm never waivers, and I don’t particularly like this feeling at all.
“Sure.” We walk back up the steps, him beside me. I swear the skin on the back of my neck is crawling.
“I’m going to head to the restroom really quickly, then head to my office. Thanks for helping me.” My heartbeat is racing, but I could totally be off the mark.
“Sorry, Taylor. I can’t let you do that.”
I go to yank my arm away, but he grips it tighter. I really want to kick myself in the ass right now. I knew there was something wrong with this bozo.
“Uh, yes, you can. You do realize if something happens to me, Slade is going to kill you!” I raise my voice, hoping someone can hear me in the corridors.
“I doubt that. You’re nothing but a pawn in this game anyway.” With that, he backhands me so hard that I see stars and feel myself falling. My last thought is, at least I got to hear Slade’s voice on his voicemail and tell him I love him through text.
Seventeen
Slade
My meeting ran late. I felt my phone vibrating when it rang, then it vibrated again, letting me know I received a text. I met Alexander Viktor a few doors down from my office. We shook hands after we signed the contract for his personal security while he’ll be in town again next month. He flew in for two days this time and brought his own, but said it was a nightmare and he’d rather deal with me than that process at the airport.
I’m walking back to my office when I open up my phone and listen to Taylor’s voicemail, that sinking feeling coming at me, then I see her text. I open the door and stop dead in my tracks. Travis, Bridger, and Drake are standing there, waiting for me. Kellie’s face is as bright as a tomato; it’s well past closing time so the guys probably asked her to stay put.
“We need to find Taylor, and we need to find her now. How much do you know about Eric from the courthouse?” I don’t bother with pleasantries.
“That’s why I’m here. I knew those letters were too close to home. That motherfucker has a screw loose. Someone dropped a line, letting me know he was pissed he was discharged from the Seals. I didn’t think anything of it until the person who dropped the line mentioned it was a dishonorable discharge. Hell, I have no idea how he was able to get a job at the courthouse with that on his record. Seems like Eric was a bit too heavy with some of the ladies we rescued.” Travis’ eyebrows quirk to let me know to read between the motherfucking lines. He’s standing with his feet spread apart and his arms placed on his chest, and he’s upset.