“If those patches he was wearing symbolize some sort of affiliation, I can have my associates track him down. Let’s hope they weren’t just for show, and he actually rides with a crew. If so, then I think I can arrange a meeting with him easily enough. Let me go talk to Trenton and have him make some calls. Once that’s done, let’s plan to ride into town. We can get some lunch later and once we hear from Melissa, we’ll head over to the hospital and visit her.”
“I take it we’ll be staying together today?” Constance asks as she reaches over to take my hand.
“Oh, I’m afraid you’re going to get absolutely sick of me the next few days,” I tell her with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to lock you away in a gilded cage. Once we’ve dealt with this unpleasantness, you’ll be just as free as I am.” I don’t miss the slight shiver that passes through her at my words.
Not for the first time the thought occurs to me that I might be driving her away with the realities of this life I live. I can only hope that in the days to come, I can show her how much better things can be for the two of us. “I’m sorry for all of this,” I say as I lift her hand to my lips to kiss her fingers. “I promise you, it will get better. I adore you, firefly, and I will make this right.”
“I know you do, and you will.” She gives me another wan smile. “I’m going to go finish getting ready and fix my makeup, make sure we didn’t muss it up too much earlier. I love you, Max,” she adds as we both get to our feet and walk out of my office. I watch her until she’s on the stairs heading back to ourbedroom, then go to the kitchen where Leonard is still wiping down the counters.
“Do you know where Trenton is right now?” I ask Leonard.
“He’s out front. He sits out there most of the time with that strange robot joint of his when you don’t have him doing something.”
“Thanks, Leonard.” I rap my knuckles on the counter and then head out front where Trenton is sitting in a rocking chair and smoking, just as predicted.
“There you are,” I greet him. “No, don’t get up.” I wave him to stay in his seat as he leans forward, preparing to stand. I take the chair beside him. “I’ll join you. Your friend Ross you were telling me about the other day, is he still an active member of that biker gang? The Savage Kings?”
“Yeah, he’s in good standing as far as I know. He’s just on a little state-mandated vacation. How come, boss? What do you need?”
I pull up the video clip on my phone showing the biker that was following Constance and pass it to Trenton to watch. “The police just sent me that video. They say that the guy on the bike is named Jacob Sizemore. I need someone to pick him up and bring him to me for a conversation.”
“You think the Kings can help with that?” Trenton asks after scrolling through the video.
“He’s wearing some patches that I don’t recognize, but I think they might. If they know who he rides with, I’m hoping I can motivate them to do a job for us and retrieve Mr. Sizemore.”
“I’ll make some calls and gauge their interest, see what they might be willing to do. You want me to keep your name out of it?”
“They know who you work for, right?” I slap him on the arm as I get back to my feet. “You don’t have to remind them, unless they’re being difficult. Let me know what you find out, and ifthey need to talk to me directly just schedule a meeting in town. I’ll make myself available if they’re willing to lend a hand.”
Trenton is already making a call as I go back inside the estate. Trying to think about what needs to be done today, I pull my phone out and text Joey, Tony, and Trenton to get their armor on and arm themselves, and to be ready to go in half an hour. Then, I head upstairs to take my own advice and make sure Constance and I are wearing the right gear for what has lately become a dangerous undertaking…just taking a ride into the city.
8
“Respect is like good bread. It takes time to make and only a second to ruin.”
— ROBERT MONROE
Constance
I’ve finished fixingmy makeup and gotten the knots brushed out of my hair when Maximo comes back into the bedroom. “Still no word from Melissa?” I ask anxiously.
“Nothing yet, but I don’t know how long that procedure she was supposed to undergo takes. She might still be in recovery and just waking up,” Maximo tries to reassure me.
I was just beginning to dig through the long, narrow closet for something to wear when Maximo walks in with me and squeezes past me to head to the very back rack. There, he pulls down two of the stiff white vests I recognize as the thin body armor he’s had me wear before.
“We’re not going to take any chances today,” he says as he untucks and begins unbuttoning the shirt he’s wearing. “I told my boys to wear theirs too and carry their weapons in the truck. We’re going to make sure you stay safe today.”
“I don’t mind,” I tell him as I take the vest he offers me. I shimmy out of the new bathrobe I borrowed, then pull the body armor over my head and fix the Velcro cinches until it’s tight. It’s uncomfortable with nothing but my bra underneath it. The last time I wore this thing I had on a camisole. I think about changing but decide I can bear it for today and instead pull one of Maximo’s T-shirts and hoodies off a hangar, then find a pair of jeans that fit me.
“All those clothes I had brought in for you, and you steal my shirts,” he teases me as I pull the plain blue tee over my head.
“I like the way they smell and they’re comfortable,” I explain as I wave a hand at the variety of clothes on the rack he had assigned for my wardrobe. “It’s easy for you to hide body armor under a suit; it’s not so simple with the kind of clothes I wear day-to-day. I will look less awkward wearing something baggy. I appreciate everything you brought for me, though. Your stylist did an amazing job. I love these jeans,” I add as I pull them on, then find a new pair of boots in the shoe pile. I liked the ones I wore yesterday best, but like the rest of that outfit, they were ruined.
“Well, you should wear whatever makes you comfortable. You look beautiful in everything,” Maximo says as he cinches his own vest over his undershirt. My eyes linger on his shoulders and arms as he pulls his dress shirt back on and begins buttoning it.
“You do too,” I tell him, then laugh at the blush that rises in his cheeks. “You don’t get many compliments, do you?” I ask as I squeeze his arm in appreciation.
“From my mother, sure.” He smiles at me. “But that hardly counts. That reminds me, I haven’t spoken to her since everything happened yesterday. We’ll have to invite her over for dinner this weekend and tell her all about the excitement.”
