Page 39 of Wild Cub

“Teresa. Please.” A simple demand.

“I’ll try,” is all I say.

“You will try…” he starts, waiting for me to finish.

I roll my eyes. “I will try, Alexander. Happy?”

“Very. Now, I gave you pleasure. Here’s business. I’ve had my men keeping tabs on the streets. I think your person is right. People are missing. We put tabs on one, call it an experiment. She was pitching a tent near the tracks on the outskirts. She’d been doing that for a couple days, then gone. They asked around, but it was like she didn’t exist. No one’s seen her. We have a picture if you want to pass it around.” He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a photo. Unfortunately, I don’t recognize her.

“Jeremiah and Aggie aren’t wrong, then. Which means I need to face reality.” I put the photo on my desk. “Thank you. Now, out of my office.” I start to push him off the chair and towards the door.

“Kiss me first and I’ll get out of your hair” I place both my hands on his face and bring him down to my level, kissing him gently and tenderly. He pulls away and swipes his tongue across his lip. “Much better. I’ll text you later.” I lean on the door frame and watch him walk away.

“Um.. I’m going to plan the funeral,” Sam yells from across the room.

“I’ll get the gravestone,” Reva remarks.

“Excuse me?” I gape.

“He’s going to be the death of you,” Reva says nonchalantly.

“I call dibs on him next!” Sam yells, raising her hand.

I said I wasn’t going to give in, but I won’t completely forgive and forget. I will not be made a fool in the end. Still, maybe I need to let go of the mistakes. I realize now that I started to free fall too fast and suffered the consequences. This time, I’ll try to relinquish this chokehold I have on my fear of the unknown.

Chapter 13

Thursdayisuneventful.Iguess Alexander learned his lesson quickly because periodically, he messages me to check in. Typically, I don’t give second chances, but here I am. I’m in the middle of a call when I hear a knock at my door.

Carla peeks through. The red hair pokes through my door, instantly ruining my day. I jokingly send Reva and Sam a message to have bail money ready. I gesture to her to hang on as I finish with my phone call. It also gives me a moment to gather my strength for whatever bullshit is about to spew out of her mouth.

“Carla. To what do I owe this pleasure of a visit?” It hurts to say the words.

“I just came to check up on you and see how you’re faring. You know, I was talking with Mr. Connors, giving him updates, and he’s just so excited to have the new building soon.”

I swear, I could kill her in seven different ways and make it look like Winnie the Pooh was the mastermind. If she’s here to chit chat, I don’t have time.

“I am doing just fine. The new building is being drywalled and wired. Reva and I plan to visit with some donors next week. The hotline is still buzzing and from what I hear, we have lease signings in the services department, although I know Lillian can tell you more. The shelter is running smoothly; Angela and Mason have it covered.” I stand up and stretch my legs, hoping she takes the hint.

“I know you can handle things, but I don’t want you to get burned out. We women have to stick together.” I swear her southern accent is about as fake as her boobs.

“Yes, we women have to stick together. Anything else I do for you?”

She apparently didn’t get the hint. “Well, I wanted to talk with you about something for the auction. I was wondering if you would like to be one of the hosts? Before you say anything, I think you would be great.”

No, absolutely not. “Carla, I already have my marching orders. Development runs the auction; talk to them.”

She waves her hand, dismissing my argument. “I’ve already checked with them and they love the idea. Oh, please do it for me. Better yet, do it for Mr. Connors,” she pleads. Before I can say a word, my intercom interrupts me.

“Tessa, you have mail here that needs your signature,” our receptionist says.

“Alright, one second. Carla, excuse me.” I walk past her. The nerve of this woman.

I get to the lobby and see a delivery person patiently waiting for me. I know I’m not expecting anything, and it looks like priority mail. Something in me stirs. You would think after so many crime shows and Alexander telling me my life is in danger that I would be worried or cautious. Instead, there’s a sense of calmness..

I sign for it and give a small nod to the delivery person. I dial Alexander, and after the first ring, he picks up.

“Little Cub.” Shivers run down my spine at his voice. I don’t think he understands how much he affects me.

---