Lawfully Indulged

by Ginny Sterling

  “Of course. Can I get you some water or anything?”

  “No, I’m going to ring for my car to be brought around so I can head home. What is your cell number?” Sienna quickly dialed it and hung up with a tired smile. “Now, tomorrow let me know where you’d like to go for lunch. Let’s go somewhere quirky and quiet so I can hide from the crowds for a bit.”

  “Sunglasses and a big hat?”

  “That just makes the tabloid media think that I’m hungover after the show.”

  “Are you a drinker?” Melinda asked in surprise.

  “No, but they don’t ever say anything good like ‘Oh, she attends church every Sunday like clockwork,’ now do they?”

  “You have a point.” Hearing a knock at the door, Melinda nodded. “I will see you tomorrow then and I’ll call with directions.”

  “Sounds good, and Melinda?”

  “Yes?”

  “I value my privacy and my business greatly. I hope you can understand that so if you find anything on that video playback, text me a snippet of it. I will not have a saboteur working for me.”

  “Yes boss,” Melinda said with a smile. “See you tomorrow.”

  Opening the door, the brunette walked out and in strode Joel like he owned the room. Immediately Sienna felt almost stifled, like his presence alone was sucking the life from her. He was taking the joy from her, from her moment, dampening it and ruining her evening.

  “What do you want Joel?”

  “Wow, that is some hello from a friend that is here to say that he misses you.”

  “Hello. Now, what do you want?”

  “I miss us, Sienna. Did you like my flowers?”

  “Those were from you?”

  “Yes, I told them to do away with the red roses you usually carry and that to put white roses in your room instead. I like the purity of the flower much better and it suits you.”

  “You told them to…” Sienna’s voice trailed off in disbelief. He’d reappeared and was already exerting himself into her life after thirty minutes. Unbelievable! “Did you have anything to do with what happened?”

  “What did happen?”

  “Just never mind,” Sienna said feeling foolish and surrounded. She didn’t want to talk to him and he was smothering her as he stepped closer.

  “Tell me what’s wrong and I will fix it. You know I’m here for you, for us,” Joel oozed and lay a hand on her shoulder. “I miss us and want things to work out between us. I need you and you need me.”

  “I don’t need you,” she quickly said and shrugged off his hand, watching his features darken perceptibly. “I like being on my own and not worrying about disappointing you.”

  “So, don’t disappoint me,” he shrugged casually. “It’s that simple.”

  “I’m not going to either because we are finished.”

  “We aren’t finished, we’ll never be finished,” he spat out at her as he got enraged. “Finished, as you say, implies that there is an end to our relationship and there won’t be. I won’t have it. I will have you, your heart, your fashion line and everything. I’m good for you and you darn well know it.”

  “You are horrible for me and this conversation is over.”

  “It’s over when I say it is.”

  “Get out…again. Just go and take your flowers with you,” she snarled, handing him the crystal vase and roses, pushing them forcefully into his arms. “Give them to some poor unsuspecting woman who takes orders – but know this: that woman is not me. Now, I am leaving- alone!”

  Pushing past him, Sienna stormed past Joel and heard his harsh words towards her. It just cemented in her mind that he was no good for her. She was better off alone than with a man that mentally abused her and she realized it now. Joel would never be capable of being in a healthy relationship as he was too controlling, needing to keep everything his way and under his thumb.

  Walking out the door, she heard him continuing to shout obscenities and disparaging remarks about her as she left. Mortified, Sienna found herself very nearly running to get away from him before his words could sneak past the wall of ice wrapped around her heart. It hurt to let someone go over and over again but she would never fall back into his clutches.

  3

  October 2017

  Joel was wearing thin on her nerves. He was like the ocean pounding against the sand, trying to tear her down mentally. Every time Sienna turned around, he was either there or had left signs he had been there. She had no idea how he knew so much about her schedule and she had done everything she could to make sure they didn’t run in the same circles, yet he was there.

  If she had dry-cleaning to pick up, she would find that garments appeared missing or ruined. It took her some time to put it together that they were the outfits he’d hated until she had an epiphany one day when the owner wouldn’t look her in the eyes. Her gardener had suddenly been deported after being in the States for well over twenty years. She went to her hair dressers and was informed that “she should put the highlights back in her hair so she would be more appealing, say if Joel came back…” that was how she knew for certain it wasn’t coincidence.

  It was all Joel.

  Today was the final straw. Sienna had ordered her groceries online and drove out to the store to pick them up. When she’d returned home, she found that someone had destroyed her immaculate side garden that she loved. Her butterfly bushes, peonies, and hydrangeas had been ravaged. The thick stalks had been either ripped from the ground or trampled horrifically and lay broken in the grass. Her lawn had been dug up in several spots, leaving muddy tracks that went to the front door. A large muddy handprint was smack in the middle of her teal painted wooden front door.

  Horrified, she sat in her car in shock and locked her car doors again for good measure. She didn’t know what to do. Had they gone inside? No, her alarm hadn’t gone off and the company hadn’t called her. Were they waiting for her to get home? Had it been Joel or simply chance? He’d never been so destructive before.

  Unless it was the gray dress from the show? Her conscious nagged at her.

  The video footage of backstage had been missing. There was a four-hour block of recording that was simply gone. Vanished. While she’d been disgusted, part of her knew it would never show who had done the job. Whoever it had been knew the show, knew the routine, and how they operated.

  Putting her car in reverse, Sienna drove to the police station to immediately file a report and file a protective order against Joel. She would not feel threatened by him ever again-and if it wasn’t him? She’d be ready for whoever it was.

  Dismayed, Sienna sat stunned and in shock. The police said they would send someone out to patrol her area but without any leads there was nothing to go off of. They told her not to touch the yard or front door, and sent someone out to her home, but a call back in to the station revealed that there were no prints whatsoever. The policeman looked at her sympathetically and asked her if she had her conceal carry license.

  “You might have some sort of protection with you if you don’t feel safe.”

  “What are you saying, that I am simply on my own?”

  “No ma’am, but until we have more to go on or a lead – who do we go after?”

  “Joel Fischers.”

  “He did it? You saw him? Has he threatened you?”

  “No,” she said weakly. “Not per se, but I don’t feel safe and he’s very controlling.”

  “You can’t accuse someone of something with nothing to back it up.”

  “I know that, but…”

  “Look, if you don’t feel safe hire yourself a bodyguard or something. Get a gun, take some karate lessons, or have people around you all the time you do trust. It’s simple: don’t make yourself a victim.”

  “That’s it?”

  “For now, yes. If something happens, call me back.”

  “If something happens… like I end up dead or raped?”

  “Again, Miss Angelica, unless you’ve been threatened or we have ev
idence- our hands are tied. Let me give you someone’s card, he is a retired cop and can help you. He’s a really good guy and…”

  “Fine,” she snapped and snatched the card from his hand. “I will tell your ‘good guy’ that you recommended him over the police actually doing something.”

  “Miss Angelica, it’s not that we don’t want to help you. I genuinely believe something’s happened but we have to have a lead first. It’s like running a fever, a doctor wants to help you but until he runs some tests – you have to be patient until something shows up.”

  Nodding through hot angry tears, she got up and walked out of the station. Getting in her car, she locked the doors and sat there in shock. Part of her wanted to throw the card away and go confront Joel head on, but she knew that would be playing right into his hands. If he wasn’t doing this to her, he’d look at it as a chance to gain control over her yet again. If he was doing this, he would have gotten what he wanted.

  Backing out of the parking lot, she drove around town simply not knowing where to go. She knew she didn’t want to go home alone, nor did she want to stay at a hotel. She could call Melinda, but she would probably tell her to come stay with her. She didn’t want to cross the employee/boss imaginary line with someone she considered a friend. Walking into the sporting goods store, Sienna marched straight back to the gun counter.

  “I need a gun,” she blurted out firmly at a moment the store was incredibly quiet. Her voice carried easily across the room causing several men nearby to look at her inquisitively.

  “What kind?”

  “A big one.”

  “Miss, do you know anything about guns?”

  “No, but I need one.”

  “Are you in trouble? Should I call the police?”

  “No, they are no help and…and… I’m scared,” she whispered softly, looking down at the case confused, and pointed at the biggest gun in the glass case. “I will take that one.”

  “That’s a rifle.”

  “It goes bang-bang, right? Then that gun will do.”

  “Lady, I am going to insist that you shoot before you buy it.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that model will knock you flat on your butt and leave a bruise on your shoulder.”

  “May I interrupt?” A blond-haired man said gently from nearby. He seemed to approach her almost as if he knew she was in a fragile state of mind. He moved very slowly towards her, watching. She felt cornered, trapped and ready to lash out.

  “Guns are only protection if you have the correct one, miss. You have a very tiny hand and need a smaller gun than that rifle. It has to fit your hand for you to be able to use it or else you are just endangering yourself and potentially arming whoever you are afraid of. Would you like some help?”

  “Yes,” she breathed gratefully, feeling her eyes well up with unshed tears. She felt angry and embarrassed by not knowing anything about the items in the glass cases. “I need something easy to use and that I will feel safe with.”

  “Then you don’t want that rifle because Jones is right – that gauge will knock you down. You are too delicate to brace yourself against that without a lot of experience or strength. Sam, let us see a Walther PK .380, please?”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Sienna.”

  “Sienna, my name is Harper. It’s very nice to meet you. Now, first rule is to make sure it’s never loaded and pointed at someone unless you mean to shoot it. They are weapons, so keep it away from everyone in case something happens. Okay?” He pulled back the slide with ease and handed it to her. His hand folded over hers, causing a jolt of feeling that instantly made her jumpy.

  “Whoa, relax. I’m trying to help. That’s all.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Look, Miss Sienna. This is my livelihood and I don’t take it lightly. I’ve been around them all my life and I suggest whatever gun you get, you take lessons and spend some time at the range. You have to get past the being scared or someone innocent can get hurt. Got it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Now, curl your hand around the handle again – finger off the trigger. Feel that? It should fit your hand carefully. If it’s too big, it’s dangerous because you could drop it. If it’s too small, you could lose your grip. Think of it like the three bears from the fairy tale, the gun has to be just right for your hand. This looks a little big for you still, don’t you think? Let’s try a Sig Sauer.” The blond stranger pointed in the case again and handed back the gun before putting a smaller one in her hand. She understood what he meant now. This tan gun seemed to fit much better in her palm, giving her a false sense of bravado.

  “Pull the slide back,” he instructed. Sienna did so and pulled the trigger at the same time, hearing the blank click. At his deep frown, she looked away embarrassed. “Now I absolutely insist you learn how to use it. If that had been loaded, it would have ricocheted off the floor or hit someone. If you don’t learn how to use a weapon properly when you own one- then I’ll insist on mace or bear spray instead.”

  “I’m buying the gun,” she insisted firmly and placed it on the black mat atop the counter, feeling even more mortified and resentful of the men around her. The counterperson took the gun and pointed it away from him in an exaggerated move making her feel like she’d done something wrong again.

  “And getting lessons?” the man named Harper prompted softly, his golden eyebrow arching in a silent challenge yet his smile told her he was intrigued by her.

  “From you?” she quipped.

  “From anyone.”

  “Yes, I’ll sign up for lessons. I want the gun and bullets for it too.”

  “How about the gun now and you get bullets later?”

  Nodding, she realized the stranger, Harper, was right. Internally, she was frightened that she’d make a mistake and shoot herself but the idea of being home alone without protection simply didn’t sit well at all either. She was frightened out of her wits and lashing out, feeling almost abandoned right now by the world around her. As she looked around, she saw several worried faces watching her with a knowing look. They probably thought she was a loose cannon too since she barged in demanding a weapon.

  “I will take the mace too,” she muttered begrudgingly.

  “Good idea.”

  4

  Harper saw the woman enter the department store and understood exactly what a double-take was now. He felt that he very nearly injured his neck the second time he whipped his head around to see the stunning debutante march back to the gun department. She was so far out of his league and out of her element it was mind-blowing. He could practically feel his brain turn to mush and leak out of his ears staring at the woman.

  Four-inch heels made her shapely legs look even longer than they were and he had to fight back the urge to purr, pinching his eyes closed just before he noticed the way her taut skirt stretched across her legs. Her hair was silky brown and hung down her back like a curtain or waterfall. She was beautiful in an elemental way. The woman walked with purpose, practically strode like a man would if he was on a mission to do something. Confident, arrogant, and obviously indulged by someone. He was willing to bet money on first glance that her every whim was catered to, so what was she doing here?

  Listening in, he overheard the demand for the large rifle in the case and stepped in before Jones made the sale. The man got a bonus on commissions and that gun alone was well over two grand in cash. Obviously she had no concept about guns or money, nor cared.

  “…I’m scared,” he heard her say and found himself moving forward away from the new Kimber he’d been admiring to replace his own Bursa. The pin on it was acting up and it kept jamming, something that wasn’t reliable anymore if he needed it. Last thing he wanted was to be caught in the moment with a gun he couldn’t fire. The protective streak in him surged forward, bringing him to interrupt the conversation between Jones and the woman. He was relieved to hear Jones was trying to talk her out of the large rifle.

  As she turne
d and looked at him, Harper almost swallowed his tongue. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards her slowly. Her eyes were a pale, brilliant green, reminding him of his mother’s ring; peridot, she’d told him the stone was called. In her eyes, he saw that she was fiercely determined to purchase a gun. People that were driven to buy immediately at a store were typically easy to read: everyday shooter, competitive, or possibly sick. This woman didn’t fit any of those categories. Criminals got their guns by any means possible and shopping wasn’t at the top of their list. So, what was her story?

  As he spoke with the beautiful woman, Sienna, he realized she knew nothing – absolutely nothing- about having a weapon. He also learned she was extremely hard-headed and there would be no dissuading her. If she was frightened, part of him wanted to extend his services as a bodyguard; however, in his experience, that could lead to other issues that he would rather not deal with.

  The second he showed Sienna how to curl her hand around the handle of the gun, he felt the instant surge of heat between them at the simple, innocent touch. No, she was out of his league, plus it was a bad idea to mix business and pleasure. Harper kept silent regarding his occupation.

  “And getting lessons?” Harper prompted softly, arching his eyebrow pointedly. He couldn’t help the smile that touched his face. She was a fierce, feisty thing and he could see the saucy temper simmering just below the skin. He was willing to bet that she would be just as determined in anything she did, including relationships.

  “From you?” Sienna quipped. He liked that about her. She was feeling more at ease and getting her bearings in the foreign store, causing the real side of her to show. He was willing to bet that if this pampered little rich woman was shopping on Rodeo Drive, she would command attention from any employee in any shop. Yep, force of nature – and they could be destructive. He’d already had enough destruction and resurrection in his past, no… he would let this fiercely beautiful woman go.

  “From anyone,” Harper responded firmly.