“Fuck, I need to call Easton. That call needs to be traced. We thought it was a part of Kellie’s situation with her ex when we got the last call at the office.”
“What do you mean? You guys just randomly get pornographic phone calls day and night?” I’m trying to make light of the situation even though I can see Drake is fuming mad.
“No, but the call doesn’t have a caller ID on it, which means it’s going to be a bitch to trace. Why don’t you take a shower. I’ll call the guys. Anyway, do you think your parents would mind bringing you over a change of clothes? I wanted to go with you and meet them, but with this call, I’d like to keep you here. If they can’t do that, I’ll text Slade. Taylor can stop at the store and pick you up something.” Drake’s voice is exasperated.
“Okay, promise to tell me what all this is about though?”
“Of course.” He kisses the side of my head, still naked as the day he was born, and already on his phone. I take it as my cue to make my own phone call, hoping like hell my dad doesn’t go bananas, get pissed himself, and hate Drake in the meantime.
Eleven
Drake
Six Weeks Later
Every few days, like clockwork, I either get a call on my cell phone or my office line. We’ve blocked them, tried to trace them. Shit, Easton and Cam moved back home, which has been a long time coming, but all of us were happy as a pig in shit when they told us their plans earlier this year. Though, we still have not one fucking lead. He’s slowly coming back into the fold even though he owns his own company now. It’s stumped us all, and it’s churning at my gut night and day. The only good thing that came from today is that I made great progress, so I’m officially cleared from the doctor to do light work and only going to physical therapy twice a week.
That day six weeks ago, shit came to a head. As if the phone call didn’t fuck everything up already, that was the day Giana’s college called to inform her that her tuition was paid up. Add to that her parents showing up with her clothes while everyone was there. It was a shitshow. Giana curbed her attitude somehow, but I got a ration of shit later on that night.
Jim and Marge weren’t impressed. They didn’t understand why my house was full of Nighthawk men and their women. It took me a good hour to calm them both down, but to also insist Giana stay with me until I figured out who the hell the caller was. Jim and Marge were upset at first but understood. They left shortly after and went back home to grab even more of Giana’s things to bring to my place.
The girls pulled out the rest of our leftovers for us to eat while we worked on our laptops the entire time, then got into the margaritas. I was for once grateful Giana was too tipsy to bitch me out that night, especially because we didn’t get shit accomplished.
My girl though, she saved that attitude for the next day and ripped me a new one. Refused to take any money while she was working before and after while I was recuperating and went so far as to offer to clean the house to finish paying back the rest. That was our first and only fight, thank God. It tore at my soul to see Giana upset, not just flaming mad upset but almost in tears. Even if I was trying to do something nice for her.
“Did you hear from Easton?” Slade and Bridger walk into my office. Leo is still out on an assignment with some princess. Her father is a stickler to say the least. She’s being watched night and day. The girl is somewhat of a diva, making demands that only Leo watch her, giving him no downtime whatsoever.
“Nope, he’s still trying to trace it. I’m thinking it must be a burner though. You guys have any cases going on?”
“We all do, which is why we’re in your office. There are six new cases coming in. I know you’re not fully back yet. That being said, I’m thinking we need to hire a few guys. Do you have any candidates?” Slade asks.
“Your mom,” Bridger jokes, causing us all to laugh and break up the seriousness.
“There are a couple of guys that are ready to come home who we served with overseas. They need to be vetted thoroughly. Fuck, that’s one thing I can actually do,” I offer.
“Good, that’s your job,” Slade states. I nod in agreement.
“Not that we don’t like you hitting the pavement with us, but this is a job I don’t mind handing over,” Bridger interjects.
“It’s a good thing no one was asking for your opinion, asshole,” I grumble. Another few months, and I’ll be back to normal. My first order of business is to kick that jack wagon’s ass.
“You love me. You just don’t want to admit it.”
“Nah, you remind me of a hemorrhoid. Always fucking there, being a pain in the ass,” Slade retorts.
“Well, since we’re getting nowhere, I’ll work on those few guys. Do a couple of things around the office, but I have a date with my woman tonight.”
“You can thank me for that.” Bridger is full of himself today, that’s for sure.
“Whatever. You two scoundrels get to work or bother Kellie and Taylor. If Giana weren’t working, I wouldn’t be here right now. Thank God she works four days on and three days off.”
“Is that your new schedule?” Slade asks.
“I probably won’t take three days off, but I’d like to work around her schedule. Otherwise, we’d never see one another,” I tell him.
“Not a problem. I figure she’s pretty much moved in with you by now.” Slade isn’t wrong. Her clothes are hanging beside mine in the closet, her girly products are slowly over taking the shower, and I love every moment of it. Hell, even her parents come over for dinner once a week or we go over there.
“Basically. Settles something deep in my soul.”
“Happy for you, the both of you.” Slade slaps me on the shoulder as he stands up.
“I’d say the same thing, but I’m not growing a vagina anytime soon.” Bridger laughs at his own joke. I shake my head. These are the days I feel for Kellie the most.
“Alright, let me get shit taken care of, then I’m out of here too.” I watch as both leave before returning to my work. I pull up the three candidates I’m thinking of approaching. First and foremost, though, I’ll be doing a full background search on Maddox, Chase, and Jaxson. I’ll be damned if we have another situation like we did with Taylor. Eric going after her in plain sight. It still pisses us off to this day. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I sent a text to Giana as soon as the doctor gave me the all clear. I knew she was on the floor and wouldn’t be able to answer right away. A permanent smile is glued to my face anytime Giana comes into play.
Angel: OH MY GOSH! I’m so happy for you. I knew nursing you back to health would make it happen. Along with something else tonight too ;)
Me: That fire inside you, I’m going to watch it light up.
Angel: It’s a good thing I’m clocking out and heading home then.
Me: I’m leaving in the next thirty minutes. See you there.
Angel: I’ll be waiting.