“Good, c’mere.” He pulled me by the waist toward the embankment edge where a few large boulders sat. Perfect for sitting and the lunch that he’d packed for us.
We ate and talked about work. Though Josh kept up a good front, I knew the situation with Townsend Real Estate was getting to him. It was his baby, so to know someone was essentially running a smear campaign against it was hard to watch. It pissed me off just to see how much it weighed on him. Changing the conversation, Joshua asked me about work and I told him about why I loved working with families.
“I always imagined doing exactly what I’m doing right now. It’s a little different than what I’d originally thought it would be, but I love it just the same.” I turned to face Josh. We remained silent for a minute, staring at one another. He knew I was referring to not having Chelsea there to share the dream we’d dreamt together.
He took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles just as his phone rang.
“Yeah,” he answered gruffly.
I wrinkled my brows, watching as his eyes darkened while he silently listened to whoever was on the other end of the phone.
“I’ll be there in an hour and a half,” he stated before abruptly ending the call.
“What’s up?”
“Work,” he answered shortly.
“You have to go?” I didn’t even let him answer the question before I began packing up our half-eaten lunch.
“I wouldn’t end this if it wasn’t important.” I heard the apology in his tone.
“I know.”
“I’ll make it quick. We still have a date for tonight.”
The way Josh’s demeanor went from laid back and casual to rigid was almost scary. I watched his determined steps as we descended back down the trail we’d come. I knew something big was happening concerning his business.
****
Joshua
“It’s about fucking time,” I declared, pushing past Brutus and the police officer that was accompanying him, into the concrete basement at Townsend Industries. We were on the ground floor of the Townsend building and Brutus had finally secured a meet between me and James fucking Cunningham.
“What the hell is going on? I was supposed to be taken to a different facility. What is this?” James demanded as soon as he saw me push through the door. His eyes shifted nervously to the officer behind me.
As soon as my gaze landed on his fucking face, an anger like no other rose from the pit of my stomach. The expression on Kay’s face when I first saw her in the police station came to mind. She’d had a wide-eyed terror stricken look in her face, but was doing her best to keep her composure. I wouldn’t let that slide.
Without saying a word, I charged over to James who stood about two inches taller than I. I slammed my open palm into his neck, causing him to immediately go down, gasping for air.
“Hey! You said this was just going to be a talk!”
“Shut him the fuck up!” I growled to Brutus behind me, directing him to take care of the officer. “Get out!”
“I-I can’t leave you alone with—”
“Come with me, Officer Venetti. Don’t worry …” I heard Brutus tell the officer as he pushed him out of the door, closing it behind him.
I held my glare on James who was still trying desperately to breathe. Moving closer, I stooped low. “You’re not dying … yet.”
He struggled to speak, still barely able to suck in are as he clutched his hands to his neck. His eyes were wide and tear filled, a look of terror in them. The same one Kay had in her eyes that night. The look in James’ eyes, however, brought me a sense of satisfaction, instead of rage.
“That hit wasn’t for trying to rob my place or set my company up. That was for scaring the hell out of my lady. For holding a gun on her.” I clenched my fists at the thought of a gun being pointed at Kay. But I had to control my anger in order to get the information I needed. “You know I could make it so your body would never be found.”
His eyes, which were already wide, doubled in size.
“I’m a fighter, James. But not a killer. Not most of the time, anyway. Only a few things would make me end a man’s life. You fuck with my family, my business, or my woman. Even in business I can tolerate a lot more than if you were to fuck with my woman. You did that by holding a gun to her face. I just want you to understand it when I say, I have no problems taking your life here and now, before I ask you these next few questions. Are we clear?”
I paused, waiting for him to agree. Once he nodded, I continued.
