Page 20 of Medusa's Revenge

“They’ve been trying to buy me out for two years now. I’m not selling. The guy in the corvette is new though. I don’t know him. It makes me nervous not to know who I’m dealing with.”

“Know your friends and enemies.” I blurt out. TJ watches me. “It was my Dad’s motto. He has a private investigator on retainer. He would get a dossier of everyone in his life. He likes to blackmail people to do his dirty work or use the knowledge to his advantage. I hated treating people I thought of as friends and family like that. We should get to know the dickhead in the corvette.”

“I agree.” TJ locks up. “Now. How about that beer?” I smile and we head to our prospective vehicles. I follow him through town. I wonder if he’s going to take me to where Amelia’s working, but we end up at a sports bar. This is great after working all night. “They have the best wings and Thursday night football should be on.”

“Dinner is on me tonight.” I informed him. He agrees and we walk in. We spend the rest of the night talking, eating, and drinking. He tells me he called Ruby on the way over here and she’s going to have someone patrolling the area to make sure nothing happens. Also, the tech person pulled up the guy’s picture to start digging into him. It must come in handy to have people like that to help you out.

The next two days fly by with work, Amelia stopping by my apartment when she can. Some nights we just watch a movie or fall asleep quickly. I love being able to hold Amelia in my arms at night and cook breakfast for her. It’s these small moments I enjoy. I can see who the real Amelia is when she’s not around her brother or the other women. I know I only saw her once around her clubhouse when someone broke into her place and attacked her and she was in clean up mode. Today is Saturday morning and she’s very fidgety.

“What is going on with you?” I hold her shaking hand onto the table.

“Michelle’s moving out today.” Amelia sighs. “I need to go to my place and box everything up. TJ is meeting me there at noon. I’ve been staying here to avoid it.”

“Merida.” Amelia laughs at my scolding using my nickname for her. “I would’ve gone there to help you. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Thank you. Usually Bubbles and Derby would be there with me, but we have some problems within the club and I need their attention on it.”

“Anything I can help with?” She shakes her head. “All right let me get dressed and I’ll pack a bag. I’ll spend the weekend at your place so you’re not alone there.”

“I don’t remember inviting you to stay.” Amelia teases and then squeals as I fireman carry her to my bedroom. I toss her onto the bed.

“Get dressed. We have plans.” I walk away to pack some things and I notice she’s still laying on the bed watching me. “What?”

“I can’t thank you enough for doing this with me. TJ’s helping, but I don’t want to be alone in the house.”

“Use your words, Merida. If you want help, ask. I will say yes or no. If I say no it’s not because I don’t want to help, but it’s because I have something going on.” I walk over to the bed andkiss her. “I don’t think your brother wants to see you in your underwear and my t-shirt. He’s cool with us right now, but this might be pushing it.” She pushes on my chest, laughing as she stands to get dressed.

Chapter Seventeen

Medusa

This man is something else. He’s in my sister’s bedroom laughing with TJ and some of the prospects. Smitty came over when he heard from Noah about what was going on. He was a little annoyed at me for not confiding in him but glad that Noah and TJ are here for me.

“Smitty, I haven’t heard from her since Thursday. She sent the message to TJ. She took herself out of the sibling text message chat. I don’t know what I did wrong.”

“Merida, you did nothing wrong. This is her. I don’t know if it’s the new boyfriend’s influence or if she's testing her boundarieswith you. She needs to flop on her ass to know how much you’ve done for her.”

“I’m no longer putting the profits in her account. I’m making a new one for me.” There’s a buzzer on the gate and I walk over to the security room to check the cameras. My phone is charging in the living room. I was in the kitchen with Smitty drinking some water. “It’s Michelle.” The buzz goes three more times. TJ’s voice comes over the intercom.

“I thought I was bringing this shit to you.”

“I want to make sure I’m getting everything that is mine.” I see her roll her eyes. “My code isn’t working.”

“We changed the codes. I’ll buzz you in.” I tell her. I do just that and before she can get into the house, I turn to Smitty. “She’s not getting my codes. It was her handwriting. I don’t know if she wrote it down somewhere and someone stole it or she gave it someone, but I don’t trust this Michelle 1.0 version.” He nods as we walk to the main door and open it. “Most of your stuff is in boxes in the truck.” I point to the rental truck. “If you want to start looking there. Noah and TJ are taking your bed down now.”

“Why are you treating me like a bitch for going against your plan for me?” Michelle snaps.

“I’m just giving you the same energy you’re giving me. You want me to fund your life and I’m not going to do that anymore. I’m paying for school and that’s it. You will have your books, tuition, and meal plan paid for me by me like I did for TJ. I paid for your college dorm, but I spoke with the college and took it off since you found other arrangements. I paid school off for the next year. They will let me know of any other fees for your classes and graduation.” Michelle sniffles. It’s her fake sympathy cry.

“Why do you hate me?”

“She doesn’t hate you. Like you, she’s setting boundaries.” TJ stands beside me.

“It’s always the same, two against one.” She turns tossing her brown hair over her shoulder, stomping to the rental truck. Michelle brought a couple of girls with her. I don’t think I remember them.

“Go inside. Noah needs some more boxes.” I nod as TJ pushes me inside. He points to Smitty to watch the new company. He stands next to the truck. I hear him tell Michelle, he’s here to help. She rattles off her displeasure about me to anyone who will listen. I grab some boxes and totes to walk upstairs to Michelle’s room. I come to stand in the doorway as I watch Noah lift his shirt to swipe some sweat off his face.

“Enjoying the view Merida?” Noah raises his eyebrow at me making me laugh.

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