I had two choices. Stand there in the middle of the open field and argue with her or take her to New York with me. I didn’t want Loretta anywhere in the same town or state as Pitero, but I’d handle the business with Roxie and then show Loretta a good time in the city for the rest of the week.
But no way could I give in that easily, so I stared right back into her eyes. “Woman.”
Then with a huff to let her know I didn’t like the plan, I turned on a heel and took off for the red barn, which held the chopper and the other vehicles people used when they were in town. It was their own hillbilly hanger. As expected, Loretta followed right behind me, more than likely smiling about her win.
11
The trip to New York seemed to happen in minutes, but in reality, it took the expected amount of time. Loretta and I made the expedition in mostly silence. Occasionally she asked what my plans were, but her questions were met with annoyed grunts. I hated to admit I didn’t have a plan. I tried Roxie’s number relentlessly, but no one answered.
A black town car met us at the helicopter’s landing pad and I held the door open, letting Loretta get in first before slipping in behind her. “Home,” I said to the driver.
He wasn’t the usual man I used, but on such short notice the company gave what they had available. Regardless I expected him to know the address.
Loretta buckled her seatbelt and started talking. The quiet portion of our time ending. “I thought we were going to your office.”
The car pulled away from the curb and it was my turn to flash a look at her that said so much more than my words. “You think I’m crazy if you believe I’d take you to my office.”
And did she forget a man from the mafia was there who may or may not have been harming my assistant? “I’m going to drop you off at my place and you’ll wait there until I get back.”
The car smelled of cheap stale cigarettes, and I made a mental note to put in a complaint after I handled this issue.
Loretta didn’t concern herself with the smell. At least it didn’t stop her disagreements with my ideas. She glared right back at me and then crossed her arms over her chest. “Hell no. I’m not leaving you.”
“Blue.”
Her eyes widened as if she dared me to make a scene. “Reg.”
I could see it in her eyes. Our entire future. The one I’d live if I tried to take her back to my place at that moment. She’d put up a tremendous struggle. I’d end up throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her into the building. But we were in New York, not Pelican Bay. It wasn’t okay for men to literally haul their women off and lock them up somewhere safe. One of my neighbors was bound to call the police.
And then I’d have two issues on my hands. No three—the police, Roxie, and a headstrong woman.
“Ugh,” there was absolutely no way for me to win. How did these things happen?
She leaned back against the leather seats of the car and smiled. The blue-haired demon considered herself the victor. Seriously, the woman was absolutely insane. Who asked to go into a dangerous situation? It was obvious she’d been raised in Pelican Bay. None of them had a sense of self-preservation.
“Reroute to my office, please,” I said to the driver. He met my eyes in the review mirror and nodded his head once in agreement.
I didn’t like the way the events led. Loretta needed to be locked away for safety, but I knew her head tilts, the hip posture, and that arms-crossed thing she was doing. “Fine, you and your hot ass will sit my office and wait.”
She flattened her lips as if she was thinking about continuing to argue with me, but that was absolutely my line in the sand. I didn’t want her in the same country as Pitero. No way was she getting any closer than the building. That alone had my stomach in knots. Next week I planned to call Ridge for bodyguards. She’d need more than one.
She pondered my stipulation for another second as she wrongly believed she got to have any say in the matter. “Maybe.”
I huffed loudly, meeting her gaze with my own so she would understand it wasn’t a negotiation any longer.
Still completely unconvinced with the severity of the situation, Loretta rolled her eyes and uncrossed her arms. “Fine, if I have to.”
“Yes,” I said emphasizing the word because she had me completely exacerbated. “You have to. Your safety is the only thing I’m concerned about.” That and making sure my assistant didn’t end up swimming with the fishes wearing a pair of concrete boots.
“Well, what’s your plan, Reg?” It had to be at least the tenth time she’d asked me. I didn’t tell her any of my plans because, one they were crap and two I didn’t want her interfering.
New York’s traffic was light that day, which was a blessing and a curse, but as we inched closer to the building, I realized I had to give her something or she’d never quit. “I’m gonna go in and talk to him as a civilized person. We’ll figure out our differences and it will be fine.”
I lived in New York City not Pelican Bay. People didn’t go around shooting each other or whipping out guns anytime we had a disagreement. We signed a contract and then brought our battles to the courtroom.
In reality I planned to walk into my office, figure out where Roxie and Pitero were held up, and then call security to escort them out. It would be rather boring, but if Loretta wasn’t there to see it herself, I could talk it up when I replayed what happened later. I’d make the story much more exciting.
After I had security haul his ass out to the street, I’d pick Loretta up and we’d go for a late lunch in the city. Because Pitero didn’t realize one important thing. Nobody demanded anything from me. No one.
