Page 17 of Loathe

“Sure thing, Cameron. Wait here, Phoebe, we’ll be back in a few minutes,” Tony said as we headed to the hall.

“What is it, Cameron? Don’t forget you’re still new and I am your PrezPrez, so if you get too out of line, I can kick your ass to the curb.” Tony pointed his finger in my face.

“Yes, I know that and I am well aware of the power you hold over me, but I can’t in good conscience sit back and let her throw herself to the wolves. Come on, Tony, you know how the man is. Don’t let her do this,” I pleaded with him.

Tony stood still for a moment as if he was deep in thought. I hoped I hadn’t crossed a line by saying what I said, but I knew I cared about her too damn much to let her go down like that. I wasn’t going to let her go without a fight.

“It’s the perfect plan, Cameron. She’ll be able to get us in. I’ll make sure she stays safe and comes back in one piece,” he promised.

I nodded in understanding, but gritted my teeth together to keep from saying something that might cost me my career and family. We headed back into his office and found Phoebe waiting on the couch, nervously tapping her hand on her knee.

“I’m going to call in a favor and enlist the Crypt Keepers to help us. We are going to end this once and for all,” Tony said.

Before she could say anything, I stepped forward and said the first thing that came to mind. “I’m going with you.”

Tony looked at me like I’d grown two more heads and Phoebe gasped. I knew that they would both try to talk me out of going, but I wasn’t going to let them stop me. I wasn’t going to let her go without me. I had to keep her safe, so we would be together forever. At least that’s how I saw it in my mind anyway.

“Don’t even think about trying to stop me or talk me out of it. My mind is made up and if Phoebe is going, I’m going with her,” I said as I looked Tony in the face daring him to challenge me with my eyes.

I knew it was a stupid move, but I was pissed. It didn’t much matter to me what happened to me, I just wanted her to stay safe. I was going to do whatever I had to so that she would come home in one piece. Now that I had gotten her to open up and let me in, I couldn’t fathom losing her for anything.

“Cameron, this is going to be a very dangerous job we’re doing. You’re still pretty new in the club, and I don’t want to risk losing you to this monster,” Tony said.

“I knew you were going to say something like that, but I have to go with her. I have to know she is safe at all times. I know how dangerous it’s going to be, probably more than she realizes. Please don’t stop me from doing this,” I replied.

“Okay, then. If you want to go and possibly fuck your life up or hers, then be my guest. I’ll get the arrangements made and let you know when everything is ready. That’s all for now, Phoebe. Cameron stick around I need to talk to you,” he said as Phoebe left his office.

Oh boy, what the hell did I do now? With Tony, it would be a wild guessing game.

Chapter Seventeen

Cameron

I sat in Tony’s office and waited for him to tell me why he’d kept me back once the meeting was over. By the look on his face as he turned from the door, I knew I was about to find out. I was sure it was about what I had just done, and he was going to tell me I was a dumbass for trying to be heroic, but I was only doing what I knew needed to be done.

“Cameron, I’m noticing that things are getting a little more serious with you two and I want you to be careful,” he said.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked in reply.

“I’m not sure if what you’ve got going on between you is for real, and I’d hate to see you get hurt or dead for a woman that isn’t being real with you,” he answered me.

“I appreciate the advice, but I know what I’m doing when it comes to her. I know you have history with her. I know it wasn’t pretty, but you two weren’t meant to be because Kara was in your future. Phoebe had way too much baggage that she could barely handle, let alone you could handle. I might be the one for Phoebe, but if I’m not, then at least I’ll have been able to show her that not all guys are assholes.” I took a deep breath.

I thought for sure Tony was going to punch me square in my nose for what I said. I braced myself for the impact, but instead he nodded his head and offered a slight grin. “I can get behind that statement. I support you in your endeavor, just please keep Kara out of things. She doesn’t need the stress now that she is seven months along.”

I was surprised at that answer and nodded my head in agreement. I had never agreed with the fact that Phoebe gave her so much hell to begin with. I’d been bullied as a kid and seeing her torment Kara brought back a lot of bad memories. I knew I was going to have to have a talk with her about that part and she might not like what I had to say, but it needed to be said.

“What are we going to do about laying out a plan for the trip to take down her father?” I asked Tony.

“I’ve got to take Kara to an appointment, but that shouldn’t take long so we’ll meet up when I get back and discuss the plan. In the meantime, I need you to talk to Phoebe about laying off Kara,” Tony said.

“Sure thing, PrezPrez,” I said as I stood to leave his office.

I knew I had my work cut out for me when it came to Phoebe, but I was going to have to make her listen to me. Everything that was about to happen was too important for her to be acting childish. I made my way to the main room where everyone was hanging out and found Phoebe in a corner talking to Kara. I knew that couldn’t be a good sign judging by the look on Kara’s face, so I made my way over to them.

“Phoebe, I need to talk to you now please,” I said in a tone that told her I meant business.

She followed me without a word, and I was actually surprised that she didn’t throw a fit about me being PrezPrezy to her. We made our way down the long hallway that led from the main living area to the bedrooms. We didn’t have to stay at the clubhouse if we didn’t want to, but it was nice to have the space in case we needed to. We stopped in front of my door, and I opened it, ushering her inside.

---