Chapter Nine: Bear Intentions
Bear
I was throwing back one of my morning concoctions of black seed oil, cucumber, pear, spirulina and apple when my phone buzzed and I picked it up.
“Bear, I missed the calls on the Store phone. Rocky threatened me in the first and second call. Then he kept calling and calling, and I don’t know if it’s the customer’s calling or whether it’s Rocky. I’m in so much trouble. I can’t do that. Customers were staring at me and if my boss finds out, I might lose my job.”
Delphia’s distress was hard to take. My blood reacted to her voice as soon as she spoke. I had real feelings for her and I was at the point where if anyone harmed her, I would have to harm them right back. Rocky had already been shot and beaten bloody enough times in my head. If we didn’t have this case to worry about, I would be hunting him down with my army buddies and plotting his descent to hell. “Hey, I know it’s a little rough right now, but record the calls and tell your boss. Don’t keep this a secret. The more people you tell, the better. You should have called when it happened.”
I didn’t want to sound so authoritative, but if Rocky had followed up the calls with his presence, she would be dead by now. Chills ran down my spine as I removed that train of thought quickly. “We need to spread the word about Rocky. If Angie gets the case reopened and you can deal with the calls, a stack of evidence can be compiled against him.”
“You’re right, but I hated hearing his voice! I can put my phone next to the main phone when he calls and record it maybe… I can put him on speaker.” Delphia sounded shattered.
I cringed, wanting to take the fear away. But I couldn’t. “Exactly. You can do it.” I wanted to ask how she was doing other than the calls from Rocky, but this harassment was the priority.
“Bear, I don’t know how to live my life anymore. It’s one step forward, two steps back.”
I wanted to hold her and let her know on my watch Rocky had zero chance. “Do you want to come to my house for a few days?” I offered what I could. I had to get it right this time. I couldn’t lose this girl.
“I would love that. I might be able to sleep better,” she agreed.
“You will be, in my arms,” I added in a low voice, giving her a hint.
“I’m sure I would,” she admitted.
Tingles ran down my spine as her floaty voice caressed my ears. Delphia reminded me of a sultry slow burning night in Holbeck, and she was only in early twenties. I wondered if she realized her innate sex appeal. “Pick a day. I can take you to work. That work for you?”
“It does, can you pick me up on Sunday? I have Monday off, but I have to work on Tuesday and Wednesday night.”
“Then you’ll see this big bear-like man at your doorstep on Sunday.” I flirted.
“I like your bear-ness.” She didn’t seem to mind too much.
If it helped take her mind off her troubles… “I have plenty of it for you.”
“You’re silly.”
“I can be, but I’m serious when I need to be. Like now. Call me straight away next time.”
“I will. I was too—I don’t even know. I was freaked. Thanks for looking out for me. Angie is coming around on the weekend, so I will call you after I speak to her.”
“Okay, don’t let her bombard you. She can sometimes, but she’s passionate about this case and she’s been running with it for a long time,” I reminded her.
“That’s what I’m worried about. The longer the case runs, the more chances I think that Rocky has to kill me.” She sounded anxious again.
“I’m not going to let Rocky come near you. If I see him, I’m coming for his head. The police can work on a case for that, and it’s going to be self-defense.” My savage words flew quickly, and I meant every single one of them.
“I don’t want you going to jail for me. I want you to stay alive.”
“Your heart is too pure, Delphia. It’s a trait I admire about you, especially after all you’ve been through.”
“It’s not pure anymore. It’s damaged. I don’t know how I can be anything to you, Bear. I’m just a mess right now.” The sadness that I’d tried so hard to lift was back after a few stalker calls from Rocky, that demon.
If she only knew how I looked at her, she wouldn’t be letting these insecurities flourish inside of her head. Not about us anyway. Easier said than done, when a guy who murdered your brother calls your workplace.
“You’re not damaged goods to me. I can’t wait to see you and hear about the interview with Angie. See you on Sunday okay?”
“Bye Bear.”