Page 56 of Straight, No Chaser
"We were...new shoes...and some man...Molly...grabbed her arm...she told me...back to Build A Bear...where she is..."
I blow down the hallway. My director of finance almost dropping his tablet from side stepping out of my way so quickly. With my cell jammed against my ear, I try to comprehend his almost incoherent explanation. Barely catching any of it except that someone fucking touched my woman, and now he's alone.
Without bothering to knock, I shove open my brother's door. His secretary sits on the corner of his desk, a flirty giggle contrasting with her ringed fingers playfully pushing away his wandering fingers. So fucking obvious she doesn't want his hands anywhere but on her.
Autumn's head swivels toward me, eyes wide from me storming in. Yeah, she fucking knows who the real boss is and should be worried. I don't have time or patience for any bullshit. She hops off the black lacquered top and nods like a bobble toy from my thumb jerking over my shoulder. Should have fired her gold-digging ass a long time ago. Why is my brother so fucking blind?
Once she's gone, I snap my fingers at Ty and point to his lap top. "Find Eli and Molly."
The same rage pouring through me reddens his face, and he pounds on his keyboard, searching for their trackers. No need for further explanation. When it comes to their safety, Ty never hesitates to follow my orders.
Silence on the phone. Fuck! I'm so fucking distracted I never noticed he stopped talking. "Are you by yourself Eli?"
"N-no. The lady is with me."
Thank fucking God. If I can keep her from calling the cops. Don't need them on my ass. I keep my calm cadence. "Everything's going to be fine. Can I talk to her please?"
Ty taps his own cell. "Get the car ready. We're going to Water Tower Place, and I need Bennie to pull a team together. Ground and air. Molly's headed north on Kennedy. I don't have details yet, but be ready for a fight."
"Damn it Ty. They have to be careful with her—"
"Sir?"
An uncertain tone breathes into my ear, and I take my own deep breath as I jog out of here and through the lobby. Kurt better be fucking ready. "Thank you for taking care of my brother. Sounds like his babysitter flaked on him. I can't believe she let him down again."
Please God believe the lie. It's all I've got to keep her sympathy, and on the line with me, instead of protective services. I loosen my grip on the case when her tsk of shame comes through the line.
"He's just a little boy. How could she do such a thing?"
"I don't know." I sigh hard. Not that it's disingenuous but normally I wouldn't show my emotions to a stranger. Now I'll do whatever I have to do. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"It's Aimee. I work here...I waited on them earlier."
"Thank you Aimee. You are a godsend."
Which is the fucking truth. I punch the elevator buttons, grateful for the private elevator that goes directly to the parking garage.
"Well...I...I mean of course. I love kids, and he’s such a sweetie."
I swear to fucking god I can hear her blushing through the phone. Probably like Molly. Lava pumps through my veins again. Fucking a, my brother better hurry the fuck up. I glace over my shoulder and catch sight of him striding toward me. Still barking orders into his phone.
"I hate to ask Aimee, but could you please stay with him until I get there? I know you're busy, but he's scared, and I don't want him to get stuck with some jerky security guard."
"Um...I'm not really supposed to..."
I stay as mute with her as I am with Ty on the ride downward. The perfect technique to sway a person scared of uncertainty, afraid of silence. Please be that person, Aimee. Please be that fucking person.
"I guess so...I mean I think I can."
"Thank you." I emphasize each word with as much gratitude as I can muster with the anxiety squeezing my chest. Molly's right. I am a fucking bastard who manipulates people when I should just be honest. "I appreciate it. I'll be there in fifteen minutes max."
"O-okay." A rustling I can't identify comes through the phone. "Your brother wants to talk to you again, Mr..."
I guess we'll find out if Molly's really right. "Ellison. Luciano Ellison."
"Luc Ellison, the mob...Oh...um...yeah okay...Here's Eli."
Fucking shit. At least she didn't drop the phone. Or start screaming. Luckily she's probably too terrified to kick him out now.
