However, with leaving for the wedding in three days and all the work I’ve been doing in the office, this is a nice break. I didn’t tell John where we were going because he would have found a way to come along. I need him focused on anything other than me today. My temper has been known to get me in trouble, but I’ve had it.
“It’s peaceful,” I say and lift my head to the sky.
Yeah, it’s peaceful, but there’s the problem. The system I set up two nights ago at this rental property should have gone off the moment someone other than the two of us stepped one foot on the soil. You see, I’ve been plotting since Missy showed up in that store.
I caught her slipping the other night, watching John and his brothers and not me. While she was watching them, I was watching her. She’s up to something. Her patterns are changing and she’s becoming erratic. She’s doing more than threatening and stalking.
I was sure she would follow me here, but there goes another pattern change. I blow out a breath. I want this handled before I board that plane.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” Torque says.
“Sure.”
He pauses for a moment, brushing his long hair out of his face. He’s been talking about cutting it. I’ll be sad to see it go. I think it’s going to take the baby out of his face. I’m not ready to admit he’s all grown up.
To be honest, I think he wants to cut it to be more like John. I’ve noticed that he’s been dressing more like John and wearing a similar cologne. I grin at the thought. He’s finding himself. There are worse paths he could take to do so.
He exhales. “Once we find Natasha, what do we do next? We both know I’m not as good at the field work as you are. Nellie, Wyatt, and Felix have been covering for both offices. I’m like the backup geek squad. They never let me handle any of the big stuff.” He shrugs. “I don’t know what I plan to do.”
I sit up and rise out of the hammock. Moving to his side by the tree he’s leaning against, I gather my thoughts. As I find my words, I sit shoulder to shoulder with him.
I snort. “I still don’t know who I am. So, for me, it’s one day at a time. It’s been so long… I think I’ve given up on trying to remember who I was, I’m learning to be who I am.
“I’m good with numbers and the field work. Those are the things I’m adapting to. We have money, kid. You don’t have to worry about that. If you want to do something else, you say the word. I’ll make it happen,” I say.
“You mean, you’ll get him to make it happen,” he murmurs.
I bump his arm with mine. “Torque, are you jealous?”
“Yeah, I am. He’s taking more of your attention again. I know it’s silly, but… we’re a family. What if you and John hook up and… you guys leave to live in his big house, and I’d be alone.”
I wrap an arm around his waist and lean my head on him. “There is nothing that can keep me away from you. You’re the first person that has given a shit about me and stuck with me. You and Natasha. I’ll never forget how you two helped me hold on down there as they tortured me,” I say.
“But you’re in love with him.”
I lift my head and look him in the eyes. He’s still a boy in so many ways. I can see the wariness etched in his gaze.
“I’ll kick your ass if you tell him.”
“I think he knows. Everyone does. You two are the only ones that won’t admit it.” He frowns at me.
“Stop rushing to grow up, Torque. The team respects you. They think you’re smart. You just have to learn to slow down.”
He laughs. “Nice.”
“What?” I feign innocence.
“Epic subject change. I want to see you happy. If that means you and John ride off into the sunset without me, I’ll get over it. I’ll get my shit figured out,” he says.
“Watch your mouth,” I say and pinch his side. He chuckles. “I’m serious, Tor. Whatever the future brings, they’ll have to pry my dead body away from you before you live a day without me.”
He tosses an arm around my head and tugs me into him, kissing the top. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. One of these days we’re going to have to live our own lives. I don’t think my future wife is going to want you around all the time.”
I laugh even as my heart aches. He’s right. Two or three years from now he’s not going to want me all in his shit. I don’t know how much I like that.
“Roni?”
“Yeah.”
“I know we’re going to find her. I dream about it all the time. She’s waiting.”
I let his words sink in. “Then John will have a full house,” I say, drawing his deep laugh.
My phone rings and I pull away to pull it from my pocket. I don’t recognize the number. I answer anyway, in case it’s a work emergency.
“Hello.”
“You and John think you’re so smart. Well, I have something to show you both. Since he chose you, Mrs. Black, I’ve made a choice too.”
“Oh God, you’re one rambling ass bitch.”
“John thinks I have you. He’s going to come for you. If you give a shit about him, you’ll come to the address I texted,” she seethes then hangs up.
She’s full of shit.
I’ve spoken to John a few times and he’s been texting me and Torque all damn day. We’ve been telling him we’re fine and blowing him off. My lips turn up when right at that moment a text from John comes in.
John: Where have you guys been all day? I miss you. We need to have the talk.
I chew on my lip. I don’t want to think about the talk he’s referring to. Especially not now.
Another text comes in from the number Missy called from. I hand Torque my phone. “Can you get one of your mirrors on her phone? I want to know her every move.”
“Got it.”
“Good, let’s go.”
We go to the back of the Chevelle and I unlock the trunk. I hand Torque a Glock and vest. I’ve been wearing my thigh hustler under my mini sundress in anticipation.
Closing the trunk, I nod to Torque to get in. Once I jump inside and turn the key, the car growls to life and I rev the engine. This nut ass woman has played with me for the last time. I shift the gears and gun for the city, heading for the problem I’m about to solve.
My gift to John.
John
“Roni, it’s me. You guys okay? Call me back,” I say into the phone and drag a hand down my face.
I fell asleep on the couch at the apartment, waiting for her and Torque to come home. I look at my watch. It’s pretty late. I have no idea where Roni and Torque have been all day. It’s their day off, but I had to head into the office. It’s been insane running my own thing and still covering a schedule at the main Black and Lock office.
My crew is solid now with all of my new additions, but I don’t know why I thought I was going to be in my own world. My brothers have bled over into my business. All I’ve done is brought on extra hands.
I’m not complaining. This happens to feel right. Dad and I weren’t expecting the unit to open up in the building. It’s a full floor of space and only two floors down from the main office. We’d been renting space to those tenants for years. I’d say it was meant to be.