Page 8 of Protecting His Woman
Chapter Three
“Annette is still inThames’s territory.No sign of her leaving anytime soon.They had a shipment of new product and I’m guessing they are using it on her,” Delphine said.
Damion sat back in his office chair, and he held a stress ball within his grip.Last night had been incredible.Vicki had been amazing company, but he knew she was stressed about her mother and also about Frank.There was nothing he could do with either, as both were playing dangerous games on their own terms.All he could do was offer to clean up the mess when it was over.If he interfered, he broke his own rules, and he wasn’t doing that shit.
“I fucking hate Annette,” Delphine said.
“You said the house was well kept and the kids fed.”
“Yeah, because it is Vicki’s responsibility.She is the one that stays home, she has the room in the attic.Even the attic was fucking clean.I checked the whole place out.Vicki has everything mailed to her.All the bills, the rent, you name it, she pays for it.The girl keeps nothing for herself.Every cent she has goes to that house and those kids.She does the yard work, takes them to school.She even attempts to do repairs on her own car.”Delphine took a seat.“The girl is a saint, and I know she got some grief for being Annette’s daughter.Even I thought she would end up like her mother.Fucking slut that she is.”
“You’re not holding back.”
“Betsy is a cutie-pie.Frank’s an asshole.We already know what path he is taking.Then you have Dhalia, Smithy, and Pete,” Delphine said, counting them off on her fingers.“With Betsy, Frank, and Vicki, that is Annette’s six kids.I mean, fuck me, there is probably even going to be a seventh one after her latest bender.”Delphine shook her head.“Betsy is the youngest.”She shrugged.“What did she have to say to you?”
“It was a date, Delphine.I’m not going to start spilling dating secrets.”
“I tell you, that woman needs a break.”Delphine smiled.“You know, I don’t recall you ever being into a woman.”
Damion just looked at her, not interested in making small talk.
“I should warn you, if you’re going to dive into her, I’d wear a rubber.Something tells me Vicki would be just as fertile as her mother.”
“You can leave.”
Delphine laughed and got to her feet.“If you ever need me to babysit again, or slap the mother around, or ...I don’t know, to encourage Vicki to marry you, just let me know.”
“I doubt you would help my cause.”
She pressed a hand against her chest.“You hurt me.”
This made him raise his eyebrow, and she laughed.
“Anyway, Vicki needs a break, poor girl.I think she felt like she had kids from a young age.”Delphine whistled.“You know where I’ll be if you need me.”
She always went back to the florist to help her parents.Even after all this time, the florist was a lucrative business and one of the best in Old County.
Damion had been the perfect gentleman last night.They enjoyed a nice meal.Vicki hadn’t known what to order for herself, so he had ordered her the spaghetti carbonara.Betsy had told him many months ago it was her sister’s favorite.That girl didn’t miss a thing.He thought she was so adorable, and his feelings hadn’t changed.
Working his way through his emails, he checked the latest facts and figures to see everything was up-to-date.All rents were paid, the local taxes were paid.No one was behind.This was part of the work.Next, he checked through the petitions that were sent his way, along with a few requests for business expansions.He would have to deal with them separately, and as he was working through stuff, Tank came into his office.
“Shouldn’t you be working?”Damion asked.
Tank was a large man, heavily inked, and at one time had been into the family life.He’d gotten out, become a chef, and didn’t step foot into that world anymore.He was a civilian, and any secrets he knew would die with him.
