Sal updated Seth with everything he had been told from Charlene. So he’s the guy she was talking about. Seth wanted to be relieved, but he’d rather Charlene detest him, if it meant she was safe. “Damn it Sal. You don’t need to question whether Sheen’s threat is valid. I’m telling you, he’s an asshole. He meant it. And I’m counting on you to keep her safe until I return.”
“And when will that be?” Sal asked.
“I’ll be back in New York by tonight. And Sal, I want her to be at my place. It’s got top of the line security.”
“I suggested that to her. She refused.”
“I’ll call her. She’ll go. And Sal, nothing better happen to her, do you understand?” Seth warned.
“Seth, I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for Charlene. She’s like family to me, to my sister,” Sal replied firmly. “I have no idea what made you take off like you had, but don’t think for a minute that I didn’t notice how it affected Charlene.”
“What are you talking about?” Seth asked. He’d spoken to her earlier, and she didn’t sound bothered by it at all.
“She became quiet when I mentioned your name. And last night, when I told her you had business to attend to I saw it in her eyes. Charlene expected you to be there. And Seth, you should’ve been. And I’m not saying that because she works for you either.”
Seth wanted to be wrong and there be something more there. He had felt it that night at her house for dinner. She made him feel…relaxed. It’s not something he normally felt. Usually his mind was running constantly on business. If not what he was working on, then what was coming next. When he was with Charlene, he actually got lost in the moment and had to force himself to think about tomorrow.
“I fucked up. When I return, I’ll explain to Charlene. But I don’t owe you an explanation,” Seth stated firmly.
“I’m on my way to pick her up now. If you’re going to talk her into staying at your place, I suggest you do so now.” Sal said before ending the call.
Sal overstepped his position too many times, but right now, Seth needed him. Charlene trusted Sal and that might be more than what Seth could say for himself. He was so fucking foolish thinking Charlene had been talking about him. It was his own guilt for they way he’d talked to her that had made him jump to that conclusion. Either way, he owed her an apology. Sorry definitely wasn’t going to cut it either. But whether or not she forgave him wasn’t important, at least not at the moment.
Seth notified the pilot to turn the jet around. He was going back. There was no doubt this situation had made him want to know more about Tabiq, but that would need to wait. Dialing Charlene’s number, he hoped she’d answer.
Thankfully she did pick up his call. “Hello again Seth. Let me guess. You just spoke to Sal.”
“I did.” He wanted to ask her why she hadn’t told him. But right now he was just grateful she’d told someone. Sheen was a piece of crap and if he was willing to threaten Charlene in public, he could only imagine what he’d do to her if he got her alone. It sickened and angered him beyond words. “Sal should be there shortly. He’s bringing you to my home. You’ll be safe there.”
“Seth, I told him I didn’t want to go there,” she sighed. “I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
“I’m sure you are. But Sheen is someone we’re not sure what he’s capable of. I’m not going to risk finding out what the men on his payroll are willing to do for him, and you shouldn’t either.” That was as clear as he could make it. Sheen wasn’t about to show up at her apartment, at least not alone.
“Are you trying to scare me?” Charlene asked, her voice high pitched.
Yes.“I’m being honest Charlene. If you don’t believe me, then ask Sal. Ask Sofia. Ask anyone who you do trust.” He waited for her to say something. She didn’t. “Charlene, please,” he begged.
“Seth, why didn’t you wait for me at the hospital?”
“That’s not important right now Charlene.” It also wasn’t something he wanted to talk about.
“It is to me,” she said softly.
Fuck!Sal was going to be there anytime, and Charlene wasn’t going to be ready or willing to abide by his suggestion. How was it that someone like her could put his back up against the wall? “If I tell you will you go?”
“Depends on what you say,” she replied.
He wanted her to trust someone, but most of all, he wanted her to trust him. Honesty might be the best thing here. Of course no matter what, he was going to look like a piece of crap. Fitting, since he felt like one too.
“I went to check on you, you know while you were in the room. I heard you talking to someone and I thought at first it was the doctor, so I waited outside.”
“Okay. So why did you leave?”
“It wasn’t the doctor you were talking to. It was Sofia. You were discussing someone who had treated you…badly and what an asshole he was. Then you mentioned going to Charles or Sal and I…”
“Thought I was talking about you?” she asked.
“I may have spoken a bit harshly to you when we arrived and I found you injured,” he stated. “Which by the way, I’m sorry about. I shouldn’t have…” So many adjectives came to mind, most shouldn’t be spoken to a lady.