“I get it, Frannie. Listen. I am not telling you that you do not need to protect yourself. I would be the biggest hypocrite if I said that. What I am telling you, is to give it a chance. Give HIM a chance. He doesn’t strike me as the type of guy to play games.” I know she is right. I just...I can’t wrap my head around what I have to give him. I don’t say anything else for a while. My mind is spinning over and over. It’s not until we get a block away from the shop that it hits me. The guy walking behind us has been following our progress, since we left the building. I grab Es’s hand and pull her closer to me.
“He has been behind us the whole time,” I whisper in her ear.
“I thought it was only me. Yes, he has. Shit! I forgot my spray. Do you have yours?” I check my pockets.
“Fuck!!! No. Damn it. Ok. We are going to turn and confront him together. Count of three.” We count to three and turn around, each of us yelling at him. He holds his hands up and steps back.
“Whoa. Calm down. I am not going to hurt you.” he says suddenly seeming a bit nervous.
“Who the hell are you and why are you following us?” I yell at him, stepping a bit closer trying my best to intimidate him.
“Look, I am sorry to have startled you. I was hired by Mister Roades to guard you.” he says with his hands up in the air. I find myself stunned for a moment, not sure I heard him right.
“What did you say?” I need him to repeat that. Either I heard him wrong or shit just got real.
“My name is Trenton Davis and I am your new security.” He holds his hand out to shake and as much as I want to tell him to shove it up his ass, I decide it isn’t his fault. He is simply doing what he was paid to do.
“Nice to meet you, Trenton. Sorry for the screaming.”
“Oh my. He hired security for you, Frannie. I don’t think this is something he is playing with.” I frown at Esther, not liking the fact that she is smiling about this. I don’t find this funny. This is too much. I walk towards the taxi on the corner. “Frannie, where are you going?” she yells out as I walk away from her.
“To give him a piece of my mind,” I yell back before getting in the cab and giving him the address. I spend the ride practicing what I am going to say and how to say it. Warning myself not to get suckered in by his voice, or those arms that feel so good wrapped around me. Especially not those lips that I want to swallow and bite as he devours me. Fuck! This is not the way to be strong. I am so screwed.
It isn’t until I arrive at the reception desk, that it dawns on me what the chances of me getting upstairs are. Slim to none.
“Welcome to Roades Information Systems. How may I help you?” A pretty little blonde girl asks. I don't miss the way she looks me up and down, barely containing her frown. Crap. I forgot I was in my house clothes. I can only imagine what I look like walking into a fancy building like this, wearing black and white sweats that say ‘killin' it’ and a black t-shirt.
“Um, I need to see Baron Roades. Please.” I say trying not to let on I am self-conscious right now.
“I’m sorry. Mister Roades doesn't have time for….” she begins to say before she is interrupted.
“Let her up, Violet.” A man whose voice I don’t recognize walks up.
“I beg your pardon, Sir?” The girl says clearly shocked. I am still confused.
“I said let her up. She is always to have access to anything in this building. Add her to the VIP list. Miss Smythe. It is good to meet you. My name is Duke Roades. I am one of Baron’s older brothers. I would walk you up, but I am late for a meeting. If you would go the gold elevator to the left and press the button that says top floor it will take you right to Baron. Take it easy on him. He has never been in love, before you. Have a nice day.” With that stunning statement, he walks away. I don't know how long I stand there with my mouth hanging open and not sure what to say. Did he just say...?
“Ma’am?” I look up and note someone holding the elevator open for me. I get on and press the button. I couldn't tell you how long the ride was or anything else for that matter. My mind has shut down. There is too much happening at once. When the doors open, I am already in his office and I can tell he is expecting me. He is looking at me with his sleeves rolled up. He says nothing at first, simply walks over to the door and locks it.