“I know, but the landlord wouldn’t cover those improvements, and I just can’t afford them right now,” she says, turning away.
I have a feeling she’s hiding something, but I don’t press. She’ll learn soon enough that I won’t put up with secrets between us. I wanted to stay away from her and Oly, but I couldn’t. In the last two weeks, I’ve struggled not to come here every day and check on them.
“I already got permission from the landlord for the upgrades,” I say.
“What part of ‘I can’t afford it right now’ did you not understand?” she snaps, her hip popping out.
I press into her, and she steps back against the counter. I don’t give her an inch. Again, I notice how perfectly she fits me. Because I’m so big, some women feel too small for me, but not Marnie. She has the height, and she has curves too.
“Did I ask you for money, sugar?”
She shakes her head.
“Just say thank you.”
Her eyes bounce all around the room, avoiding mine. She works those fucking red-ass lips between her teeth. I want to kiss her, but I don’t. She isn’t ready, and I know one taste wouldn’t be enough for me.
“It’s on Shock. He wants to make sure Harlowe is protected when she’s working here. Besides, think of Olympia. She’ll be safer now while you work. Just like in the Lower 48, we have crime here too.”
Her eyes drop, and so does her cute chin. I honestly regret using Oly against her because it’s the key.
“Okay. Thank you,” she says.
I step back and watch her shoulders drop as she turns away. I swear I hear a sniffle. But when she turns around, she’s got a fake smile on her face and turns to Oly.
“Douce fille, I’m going to pull some bread out of the oven. Be a good girl. I’ll be right back.”
She heads for the kitchen, and I call Vortex.
“Yeah, Prez?”
“Ready?”
“I am.”
I flip my camera around, and we discuss the system I want installed. I lied about Aftershock wanting it in. It’s all me.
Besides the issues Wing pointed out, Vortex finds a couple more problems. The camera facing the cash register has been hacked, and the feed is being sent to a remote setup. He’s going to try to track down who’s behind it. For now, Vortex shuts it off and secures the feed.
I don’t know if it’s the landlord or a former tenant, but I’m glad we caught it. I don’t tell Marnie. Vortex will figure out what’s going on, and if someone has ill intentions toward my woman, I’ll take care of the fucker.
She steps out of the back numerous times to check on Icarus and Oly, who are still playing together. Now they’ve moved onto moving around the dining room with the snowboarding doll, making it look like she’s riding down a mountain instead of just doing tricks.
At one point, Marnie walks over to talk to Icarus.
“You’re really good with little kids,” Marnie says.
“I have a little sister,” he responds, surprising me. “When I used to compete, she would come watch me.”
“Compete?”
“I was an X-Games snowboarder, competing with them before I went to the Olympics. Had to quit because I got hurt. I flew too close to the sun.” He jokes with her.
“Ah. Icarus. I get it now. What about Wing?” She points to where Wing and I are taking measurements while Vortex works on a plan.
“He’s a pilot.” He doesn’t explain further.
I wait for her to ask about my road name, but she doesn’t.
