Page 14 of Finding Solace
I shoot straight up in bed, the tail end of Noah's name leaving my lips as beads of sweat drip down my forehead.What the hell?I haven’t dreamt of that night in over a year. I scrub my hand down my face and glance at the alarm clock sitting on my nightstand. 5:00 am. Well, I'm wide awake now. Getting myself out of bed I take myself to the kitchen and start some coffee, careful to bequiet.
With my coffee in hand, I make my way into the elevator and head down to my office. I might as well get started on some paperwork. I need to sort through some new job applicants today. When Nikolai and the club went into a business partnership several months ago and started a construction company, we mostly wanted to specialize in industrial and architectural builds. So far, the demands have been steady, and bids have been in our favor. We even landed a pretty lucrative job while I was laid up in the hospital. Nikolai and Prez handled shit while I was out of commission, which was a shit ton of paperwork and red tape. A very prominent businessman by the name of Declan O'Connell wants to build a sizable mountain resort between here and Bozeman. This deal is huge and will provide people in the community withjobs.
An hour later I'm still sifting through the applicants when I get a call from Nikolai. Picking my phone up from the desktop I swipe the screen, "Hey, man. What'sup?"
"Reid, how are you today my friend? You sound a bit tired. You ready to go over the final contract that was faxed over to you from O'Connell's peopleyesterday?"
I reach over and pick up the file containing the contract mentioned. I haven’t had time to look it over, so getting Nikolai to swing by and us going over it together would kill two birds with one stone. "Yeah, listen, do you have time to swing by this morning? Let's both go over the fine details together and see if we can get all the final signatures on the dotted line by the end of theday."
"Okay, sounds good. I can be there in a couple of hours. Say, 8:00 am?" He says in his thick Russianaccent.
"Alright, I'll see you then," I reply. Before sitting the phone back down, I tap into the camera feed upstairs that allows me to see the kitchen and living room areas. The only places in my home that don't have surveillance are the bedrooms and of course the bathrooms. As soon as the app opens, I see Mila in the living room on the couch with a cup of coffee, sitting quietly by herself watching the morning news report on theTV.
I sit and watch her for several minutes as she enjoys a moment alone—almost alone before closing the app and sitting my phone down. I need to get her out of myhead.
Determined to do just that, I fire up the rest of my systems and start digging into the backgrounds of some of these applicants before Nikolai getshere.
CHAPTER EIGHT
MILA
When I woke up this morning, Reid was already up and in his office downstairs, and after last night's events I decided against going down to check on him. That and the fact I wasn't allowed in his office, I opted to send him a quick text asking if he needed anything before I took Ava to preschool. He replied the same way he usuallydid.
Me:Need anything before I take Ava topreschool
Reid:No
With a frustrated breath,I go to slip my phone in my purse only to stop when it pings with anothertext.
Reid:Thankyou
Thank you?I stare down at my phone and can't help but smile. The shift in his attitude is welcome. So, Ireply.
Me:You'rewelcome
* * *
Hearing the doorbell,I look up from the stove where I'm cooking Reid his breakfast. I don't bother answering. I know Reid saw whoever it is before they were at the door. Seconds later Nikolai walks through the door. Nikolai is Logan's brother. Their looks are very similar only he has black hair and not brown like his brother. The trait that stands out the most is his eyes. Nikolai and Logan both have one green eye and one blue, just like their father. I watch as he comes striding in. He's wearing old faded jeans and a black t-shirt paired with boots. Typical attire for someone who works in construction. I prefer a guy who works with his hands over a polished suit and tie kind of man. But looking at Nikolai, I realize even though I find him attractive, he does absolutely nothing for me. Not like the grumpy ass biker downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, he helps himself to some coffee before casually leaning against the counter. "How you doing today, Krasavitsabeautiful"?heasks.
"I'm doing okay, how about yourself?" I return and mentally remind myself to look up what Krasavitsa means. I haven't been around Nikolai much, only when Bella has invited me over to the clubhouse for family gatherings. He's always sweet and respectful. Just when he opens his mouth and is about to respond, a loud booming voice comes over the intercom. "Nikolai, get your ass downstairs." That voice is Reid's. I still haven't gotten used to all the cameras Reid has in and around his home. And I know he is watching us this verymoment.
With a warm smile, Nikolai places his coffee mug in the sink. "I better get my ass down there. It was good seeing you,Mila."
"You too." Ireturn.
Just as he goes to turn away, I call out to him, "Would you mind taking Reid's breakfast down to him since you're heading that way?" I asked, picking up a serving tray with a plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast, along with some orangejuice.
"No problem, Krasavitsabeautiful."
"Thanks."
After striping the sheets off Reid's bed and starting a load of laundry, I go about cleaning the bathroom, sweeping, and mopping the floors and washing the dirty dishes from breakfast. Before I know it two hours have passed, and I haven't seen Nikolai come back up from downstairs. When I look out the window, I see his car is gone. He must have left from the ground entrance. Since it seems like Reid is going to spend most of the day working, I decide to visit my Grams. Once I'm finished preparing lunch for Reid, I place it in the microwave that way all he has to do is warm it up. I pick my phone up off the counter to send a text to Reid, then quickly decide I'm tired of texting him when we need to communicate. We're in the same damn house for Christ sakes. I know his office is off limits, but the texting is ridiculous. Walking over to the front door, I pick up my keys and purse. Tossing my phone into my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I proceed to make my way down to Reid's office. When I make it to his office, the door is closed. The only sound I hear is the clicking coming from his typing away on his computer. Without a second thought, Iknock.
"Come in," Reid callsout.
Opening the door, I see him sitting behind a desk. Looking up from his work, Reid regards me. "I'm going to go see my grandmother. I won't be gone long. Your lunch is in the microwave. And I know you said your office is off limits, but it's ridiculous to have to text you when we are in the same house." I finish, sounding a little exasperated. When I'm done, I notice Reid looks a tad amused at myfrustration.
"You're welcome to come down here anytime, Kitten. The day I said that I was having a bad day." Not knowing what else to say, I nod my head and go to shut the door when he stopsme.
