* * *
Rowan
Pulling out of the parking garage at OAF my mind is going a million miles an hour. That was the best thirty minutes ofmy life. Watching Clara come to life as she talked about her son was inexplainable. Her smile grew to take over her whole face, her eyes lit up, and she became so much more animated. I wish more than anything she would have agreed on an actual date so I could have talked to Kel about letting her off early, and gotten more of her attention. However that wasn’t in the cards for me today.
My plan for right now is to lay low and give her a week or so then pop back up at work and see if she’ll agree to another lunch date. If I have to play this one secret lunch date at a time, then so be it. She’s so captivating, and she doesn’t even realize it. In our conversation I found myself wanting to be in the stories she told me about her and Rhett. I’m not sure what this pull is but I’m definitely not done exploring it.
I’m halfway to the house when my phone rings throughout the car. My heart rate spikes instantly thinking it’s her, but one look at the display in my car tells me that it’s Declan. Letting out a sigh of annoyance I answer.
“Yeah?”
“Oh, perfect, you’re in a great mood. I need you to go get Tweedledee and Tweedledum.”
My patience is so close to snapping, of course Flynn and Sully are at it again.
“Why, what have they done now?”
“Oh you know, just the usual, skipped school and are now in the wind with Elle. Theo tried to call you, but when you didn’t answer he called me. Why didn’t you answer, by the way?” Declan sounds intrigued which is honestly worse than a shark smelling blood in the water.
“I was at OAF, you know the reception there is spotty.” AND the receptionist there is a goddess, but of course I leave thatpart out.
“Oh, okay. Well, can you get them and bring Elle home? Also when you get here Mac has all the surveillance you requested and is ready to go over it.”
Irritated, I run my hand down my face, “Yes, Declan. Is there anything else you need from me?”
He makes a humming noise while he pretends to think, “Nope, that’ll do it. See you soon.”
He hangs up before I can respond, and honestly that’s probably for the best. All five of them make my eye twitch. If I didn’t love them so much I’d lock them in the warehouse for a few days to get some peace. Alas, that’s not possible, so instead I take a few deep breaths and call Flynn. Time to put on the “dad” hat that I despise wearing and go lecture teenagers. I don’t have time for this shit, I’ve got work to do.
Later that evening my cell phone buzzes on my desk as I comb through the security videos with Mac. It’s starting to get late. After hunting down my brothers and their sidekick on the other side of town, returning said sidekick to her father, and coming home to put out some fires with my legitimate businesses, it’s after midnight. We’re looking for anyone just hanging around the area of the warehouse. We think we took care of our rat problem, however one can never be too sure. Flicking my eyes to the phone I’m pleasantly surprised. Pausing the video, I tell Mac I need a minute. Standing up I head into the kitchen to grab a drink and check my phone.
Clara: Hey. So what are doing?
My eyebrows draw up in confusion as I send off a message and sit at the island in the center of the kitchen.
Rowan: Clara, is everything okay?
Clara: Oh, yeah. I jst was wonderfujg.
What is going on? Pulling up my call history I hit Nolan’s name. He answers on the first ring as usual, “Boss?”
Skipping formalities and jumping straight to the point I rush out, “Where is she?” My phone buzzes against my ear.
“In her apartment. She hasn’t left. It’s past midnight, I’d assume she’s probably asleep.”
Another buzz, “Okay, call me if that changes.” Killing the call I pull up our text thread.
Clara: Where did u go
Clara: Indream bout you. Bout us about youn hands all over my body.
Fuuuuucckkkkkkk me. She’s drunk, tipsy at the bare minimum.
Rowan: I’m here Pretty Girl. Have you been drinking?
Clara: Yea, my bestie called to watch shows together and have win
So she’s not alone? That’s weird Nolan didn’t say anything about anyone else being there.
