That was ridiculous. They were in the business section of town. There were taxis everywhere, but actually getting one to stop wasn’t easy, and it was going to be expensive if she wanted it to take her all the way home. She always watched her spending, and now would need to more than ever.
Totally frustrated, Gia grabbed her purse and did as she was asked. Her shoulders, normally held high, now slumped. Was this day ever going to end? Or if she was lucky, maybe it hadn’t started and all this was only a horrible dream.
The moment she stepped onto the sidewalk the sky opened and rain came down in buckets instead of droplets. She looked around for shelter. There were a few small trees planted curbside, but they were more for show than anything. If there had been a coffee shop or café, Gia would’ve scooted in and bought a coffee, which would also buy her time until the other bus arrived.
But there were only tall buildings, all offices, with no loitering signs posted all around. Her dream was to work in one of those someday. Standing in front, looking like a wet cat, wasn’t the first impression she’d want to make. So she did the only thing she could. She started walking toward the closest bus stop to hop on another bus.
As she passed one of the tallest buildings, she noticed a familiar vehicle illegally parked in front. It could be a coincidence or a different car all together. She hoped he wasn’t following her because that would be too creepy. As she made her way by, she crouched down and looked inside. It was empty. I should’ve known. Too rich to care about following the rules.
Gia wished she could take that no parking sign down and put it on his windshield. Maybe through it.
She realized once again her frustration from the scumbag at work was being taken out on this stranger. People illegally parked, double parked, and heck sometimes totally blocked the road. None of it was her concern. She was angry at the universe for not playing fair. Maybe when she got home, took off her wet clothes, and had a hot cup of tea, things might look better.
As another car, this time a limo, came by and once again splashed her, she thought, maybe a glass of wine instead.
“You really need to talk to Bennett,” Brice Henderson said.
There was no way in hell he was working for Bennett or any of the Hendersons. He never wanted to feel indebted to anyone, especially a family like theirs. The Hendersons may have come out clean this time, but they were far from without blemish. As far as Roger Patrick was concerned, there wasn’t anything to discuss. It was over, and it seemed as though the Hendersons were one big happy family. He shook his head and replied, “I’m not the work-for-someone-else type of guy.”
“We could use someone with your . . . talents on our team.”
Roger heard the difference. How it changed from Bennett to “we.” That’s how the Hendersons worked. They took care of each other above anyone else.
“From what I heard, you have plenty of people in your . . . pocket already.” He wasn’t sure if the Hendersons had any idea how much he knew about them. He’d done a lot of digging for his best friend, Caydan Pintino. Which of course abruptly ceased once Caydan found out he was a Henderson by blood. Roger still found all this fucked up and disturbing.
“I’d like to tell you you’re wrong. We’re not known for always . . . playing nice. Then again, you’re not either. We haven’t forgotten your part in trying to bring down the New Hope Resort,” Brice said.
Roger wasn’t going to deny it. Hell, he’d crossed the line several times helping Caydan. He was good at his job and actually a bit shocked the Hendersons knew it had been him. Most likely they’re just guessing. “Your point?” he asked, glaring at Brice. Their money and power didn’t impress or intimidate him. If anything, he knew it made them a better target. That’s all.
“I’d like to think we could be on the same side now.”
“I’m not for or against your family,” Roger responded. That was the truth. They weren’t his enemy. But for a long time, they were Caydan’s. He was happy his friend had found his family. That didn’t mean Roger trusted them, and his loyalty still was with Caydan. If things go wrong, Caydan isn’t the only person you’ll answer to.
“That’s good to hear, because I’d like to hire you.”
“I already told you, I’m not the team type,” Roger snarled.
“I know. And that’s what I’m looking for. This is personal, and I need someone I can trust.”
Roger laughed. “And you believe you can trust me? Why?”
“You’re not the only one who has done his research.”
There were things in Roger’s past he didn’t want to discuss. Things he wished he’d done differently. They haunted him to this day. But going back and second chances weren’t possible. At least not for him. Some things were unfixable.
“Brice, save us both time. Tell me what the hell you want. If I’m interested, I’ll let you know.”
Brice stared at Roger for a moment as though he wasn’t sure what to say. That piqued Roger’s interest. “I want a full genealogy done on my family.”
“You don’t need me for that,” Roger stated. “Hire a genealogist.”
“Can’t do that.”
“Why?” Roger asked.
“When you dig, sometimes you find shit you don’t want anyone to know.”
Roger had discovered enough of that when he did the research on them. Skeletons in a closet had an entirely different meaning with them. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know any more.