by Drake, J. L.
“That’s un-fucking-believable!”
“Yeah well, it was pretty intense.” Frank clears his throat. “I got to go I’ll be in touch.”
“All right.” He rubs his face feeling exhausted when Abigail’s text comes up alerting him dinner is ready. He lets her know that he won’t be joining them as he needs to make some calls—the first one being to his father.
Cole doesn’t come out of his office till close to ten. Faint music finds him as he walks down the hallway. He comes to an abrupt stop when he steps into the living room. Holy shit…
“Pretty amazing, hey?” June asks, handing him a rum and eggnog. “She’s been working on this all evening.”
Savannah is up on a ladder putting a star on top of the Christmas tree that is decorated in silver and gold with thick red ribbon wrapped all around it. A red velvet tree skirt lies underneath. The fireplace has garland outlining it, with lights strung through with more red ribbon. A huge, matching wreath hangs above it again lit up tastefully. Silver and gold sparkly snowflakes are hung in each window in different lengths. Candles are placed throughout tying the whole room together. June points to the banister going up the stairs which is covered in garland to match the fireplace. A big vase sits on the entryway table containing a huge poinsettia…she even gave it a light dusting of glitter to make it sparkle like the rest of the place.
“Wow,” is all he can get out.
“Is everything all right dear? You look stressed.”
He shakes his head. Now isn’t the time to get into things.
Savannah looks over at him, giving him a smile that nearly has him running to her. “What do you think?” she calls out.
“It’s amazing.” He winks, watching her grin widen.
Mark walks by holding a bag of trash and stops next to him. “What’s going on?” he asks quietly.
Cole shakes his head watching Savannah climb back down the ladder. Derek is of course ready for her in case she falls.
“Don’t fuck with me. Your face is telling me something big is up.”
“Later.” He glances at him then his eyes narrow in on his chin. “Nice glitter.”
“Oh, come on!” he hisses, rubbing his chin. “This shit doesn’t come off.” Cole tries to hide his smirk. “Oh, fuck off!” Mark storms off toward the bathroom.
After everything is put away everyone comes together for drinks and sweets. Mark is hovering by the table. Every once in a while Cole will look at him funny just to screw with him. He loves messing with him. He looks for Savannah but she’s disappeared…he finds himself drifting back to his conversation with Frank and his stomach twists, making his thoughts go dark.
“You care to tell me what’s going on now? Or do I need to call Dad?” Mark asks from beside him.
“Downstairs.” He motions with his head.
He starts to tell his story but hears Savannah whispering with someone around the corner. He holds up his hand to Mark.
“That’s the thing I don’t know,” her voice trails off.
“Well, that’s the deal,” Derek says.
What the hell? Cole steps around into view, making Savannah jump.
“Cole,” she starts to say, but he cuts her off.
“What the hell is going on?” He shakes his head, making eye contact with Derek. “Go upstairs, Rent,” he orders. Derek looks at Savi.
“Will you be okay?” he asks her. Really? She nods, running her hand through her hair.
“Why are you here with him?” Cole nearly shouts at her. “Do you know how this looks?”
“What are—?”
“First you run off at Zack’s, leaving Paul to hunt you down, leaving Abigail unprotected just because what, you wanted a fucking pastry? Then I find you down here with Derek whispering in the dark. What the fuck is going on!”
“No! It’s not—”
“You know what, never mind, I don’t want to fucking hear it, Savi! Start using your fucking head, and think about someone else for a change.”
Her face flinches as her gaze drop to the floor. “Can I speak now?”
“No.” His jaw twitches as he tries to hold back his anger. “You should probably go upstairs now.” He watches her turn on her heel and head up the stairs.
Mark comes around the corner. “Wow,” he whispers.
“Shut up.”
“That was harsh, Cole, she’s one of the most selfless people I know.”
“Fuck!” Cole rubs his face. Today’s events have his emotions all over the place.
***
I head up to through the dining room and out to the patio. I need some fresh air badly. Pacing the snowy deck trying to catch my breath and soothe my hurt feelings, the last ten minutes loop over and over again in my head making me breathe harder and I soon start to see spots. My hands clutch at my stomach as I try to calm myself—shit, shit, shit!
“Savi?” Derek calls out slipping out the door. “You okay? What’s happening?”
“I just need a minute.” I hold my hand up. Between Cole’s words and possibly seeing Jose today I am about to toss up my dinner. I squat down into a ball covering my head with my arms as a vivid memory hits me.
“Eat, perra!” the fat man shouts at me, jamming a roll at my mouth. “Eat or you’ll get my fist again.”
I shudder…was that really him in town or am I losing my mind?
Derek’s footsteps echo as he comes closer. He doesn’t speak but simply puts a hand on my shoulder, a friendly gesture letting me know I’m not alone.
I take the comfort and let my stomach settle. After a few moments he goes back inside and I stand breathing through my nerves and head for the door.
I find Keith talking to John.
“Keith,” I say, “can I speak with you?”
“Sure thing,” he replies, and we walk off to the side.
“Since Cole is too busy yelling at me to listen, will you let him know the reason I walked off today is because I thought I saw Jose Jorge?” Keith’s face falls.
“Yeah, okay,” he replies. As he shoots off toward his office I make my way up to my room.
***
My eyes pop open at five. It takes me a moment to realize I’m not back in my prison. I shower and get dressed and head downstairs, lighting the fireplace, and lying down on the floor near Scoot. He curls into my stomach as I lay on my side my head resting on my arm. He must have been up late because I’m not getting hounded to scratch his tummy. Closing my eyes and listening to his soft purr relaxes me.
“What do we know so far?” I hear someone talking as I drag myself from my sleepy state.
“Just that he was standing outside of Zack’s.” Cole is speaking from the kitchen.
“Okay, where is she now?”
“Her bedroom.”
I awkwardly move to my feet feeling a little sore from sleeping on the floor.
“Did she get a good look at his face?” I recognize Daniel’s voice as I round the corner.
“Somewhat,” I answer, making them both jump.
“Where were you?” Cole asks, eyeing my fur-covered shirt. I don’t answer him…I’m still pissed. Instead I reach for a mug and pour myself some coffee.
“You should have told someone,” Daniel says, giving me a small smile.
I stop at the island and turn toward him still ignoring Cole.
“I was going to,” I mutter. “I need to change.”
“When you’re done, please find us in Cole’s office.”
“Sure.” I nod walking upstairs.
***
As Daniel holds Cole’s office door open for me and I take in the room I note that Keith is sitting across from Cole and both look as tired as I feel.
“Come and sit down, Savannah,” Daniel says pointing to the open seat. Keith gives me a smile as I sink down next to him and everyone stares at me. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to talk or what?
Daniel is the first to speak. “So tell us about yesterday.”
I sigh, trying to
hold back the emotion that is twisting inside me again.
“I went to use the restroom,” I begin, “when I saw a newspaper on the bar and stopped to look at it. When I looked up, I glanced outside and saw a man looking my way. He looked so much like Jose Jorge, I was really shaken up I couldn’t believe it so I started to follow him I needed to be sure. Jose—” I stop myself.
“Jose what?” Cole asks leaning forward in his seat.
Oh God, I feel sick. “Jose was the one who used to whip me,” I wipe a pesky tear away. I could almost hear the tension thicken. “If it was him, I needed to know. I couldn’t lose sight of him. I wasn’t thinking—”
“Yeah, you sure weren’t,” Cole hisses, making me turn to him.
“You don’t need to remind me again, Cole! You got through to me last night,” I toss at him, making him flinch.
“Then what?” he asks tersely.
“So now you want the details?” I blurt. I can’t help myself; he hurt me.
“Yes.” His jaw flexes.
I look away. “I followed him to the cafe. I went inside but he wasn’t there. I lost him.” I leave out the part where I harassed a poor employee and a customer.
“What was the man who you thought was Jose wearing?” Daniel asks.
“Blue jacket with a red hat and jeans.”
“Why didn’t you tell someone right away?” Cole asks.
“Because I felt stupid! I thought I saw a man who I hate more than anything in the world and I went off chasing him…to what? Confront him? He overpowered me for seven months so I don’t know what I was thinking. I was going to tell you, Cole, I just hadn’t seen you all day other than when we were decorating, but you disappeared again.” I gulp and continue my tirade. “When I went downstairs to grab some ice for Abigail I ran into Derek. He saw I was upset and asked what was wrong but I told him I wanted to talk to you about it first. That’s when you came down and saw us. I wanted to tell you then but you never gave me a chance, you just tore a strip off me and accused me of frigging around with Derek. I’d never do that to—” I stop myself, remembering we aren’t alone.
Looking at Daniel, I feel the need to apologize. “Look, I’m sorry for running off. I realize how dangerous it was; not just for me, but for Abigail too.” I glance back to Cole. “It was selfish of me, it won’t happen again.”
Cole shakes his head, looking down at his desk. Everyone is silent.
“Are we done here?” I ask.
“Yeah, Savi, you can go. Thanks,” Daniel says, rising to his feet.
***
Cole leans back in his chair watching her leave as his father takes her seat rubbing his head.
“Am I missing something, or is Savi in a bad mood today?” John asks coming into the room and making himself a cup of coffee. Realizing the tension in the room he turns. “Ahh, did I just walk in on something?”
“Savannah thinks she saw Jose Jorge,” Cole says, rubbing his face.
“Do you think it was him?” John asks, looking around the room.
“I don’t know, but she thought it was him enough to risk her safety. She followed him two blocks before Paul found her.”
“Holy shit.”
“Keith, I need you on this. Get the security tapes and find out what you can.”
“Sure thing,” Keith says pulling out his phone.
Cole’s e-mail alerts him to an incoming message and he sees it’s from Frank. “Shit!” He quickly opens the attachment and hits print.
“Trouble son?” Daniel asks, seeing Cole’s face.
Cole hands the paper to John who takes one glance at it and lets his head drop. Keith snatches it out of his hand and reads it with Daniel over his shoulder.
“Shit, boys…this is huge.” His father’s words are haunting.
Chapter Seventeen
I need to burn off some serious tension. Prepping dinner just wasn’t cutting it. So I head downstairs in my workout gear. My neon yellow-sole sneakers squeak as I hit the polished hallway heading to the gym. Abigail had done well buying the newest gym clothes. My black spandex capris have a matching yellow stripe up the side that pairs nicely with the black top that hits right about my bellybutton. I open the door and find Paul and Derek working with some weights.
“Hey, Savi,” Paul calls out between a rep. “Come to sweat?”
“That’s the plan.” I look around trying to decide what I want to start on first and my eyes catch a door over on the back wall. Remembering that Keith mentioned there was a boxing ring here somewhere I make my way over and peek in the window. An instructor is showing John some moves so I slip inside, curious to know more.
I watch as John lays a series of punches into the man’s glove.
He turns and does a kick in the air.
“Okay, good, but take five and try to get your mind clear, you seem off today,” the instructor says, tossing him a towel.
John sees me and looks around the room. “Oh, hey, Savi.”
“Hey. You don’t sound happy to see me?”
“Sorry. Interesting day. Has Cole found you?”
“Not since this morning, why?”
“Just wondering,” John says as he downs some water. “What are you doing here?”
“Just thought I’d check out the ring.”
John’s phone rings and he steps out to grab it.
“I’m Mario,” the instructor says, leaning on the ropes.
“Savannah.”
His eyes narrow. “You’ve never boxed before?”
“Nope.”
“You want to be able to say you have?”
“Sure.” I smile, taking his hand as he pulls me up and holds the ropes apart for me.
“Put these on.” He hands me a pair of red gloves. “First, you need to know the proper stance.” He tells me to put my right heel and left toe on the centerline because I’m right handed. Weight should be even on both feet and my knees slightly bent. I’m told to keep my feet diagonal, more than a shoulder width apart and raise my back heel slightly. Hands up, elbows down, eyes just about the tops of my gloves keeping my chin tucked in.
“And, breathe.” He grins. “Okay, I won’t go over the basic step drag right now because John will be back soon, but for now, let’s see how you toss a punch. Have a little fun.”
I smile at that. I shove my fist forward, meeting his glove.
“Good, but this time breathe out as you toss the punch and don’t flex your fist and arm until you hit your target.”
“Okay.” I nod, trying to remember everything. I go back to my stance and try again, this time remembering to breathe.
“Nice!” He grins. “Again.” After a few rounds of this he starts doing it back, showing me a few blocking moves.
“Oh, what?” Derek says coming into the room. “Mario got Savi in the ring?”
“Yup.” I toss a punch at Mario’s shoulder but he blocks it at the last moment. “Better watch your back, Derek, I’m learning some mad skills over here.” I laugh, trying to avoid a punch but get hit in the arm instead.
“Oh, really?” he jokes, “Thanks for the warning.”
“Oh no!” Paul whines loudly moving Derek from the doorway. “Savi, really?”
“What?” I ask, seeing John coming back from his phone call.
Derek laughs on his way back out.
“You know what.” Paul gives me a look.
“Savi, you’re asking for trouble,” John mutters taking a seat as he pulls out a protein bar, he downs it in two bites.
“I’m a twenty-eight year old woman.” I throw another punch harder than I thought I could. “If I want to learn how to box, then it’s my right to do so.” I send two quick punches at Mario. “So if you all don’t mind.” I look at John, who holds up his hands letting me know he’ll shut up.
“Okay, so,” Mario says eyeing everyone, “what am I not getting here?”
“Nothing,” I mutter tossing another punch.
“You’re sparring with the boss’s girlf
riend,” Paul yells out.
“Paul!” I shout holding my hands up. “What the hell?”
“Seriously?” Mario’s face drops.
“Seriously!” Cole says standing inside the door. We all turn to look at him.
Shit.
“Oh sorry, Savi.” Mario shakes his head he starts removing his gloves.
“Savi, out of the ring.” Cole waves his hand at me.
“Why would I do that, exactly?” I ask feeling my temper rise yet again.
“Savi,” he warns me.
“It’s not against house rules for clients to use the gym,” I look around, “and I’m in the gym.”
“Oh boy,” John mutters grabbing his bag and moving toward Paul who quickly follows him out. Mario steps out of the ring and runs to catch up. Great, now I’m alone with Cole.
Cole runs a frustrated hand through his hair as he walks toward me. “You’re right Savannah, clients are welcome to use the gym.” He jumps up ducking under the ropes. In two strides he’s in front of me. “But as my girlfriend, I don’t want you sparring with anyone else in this house.”
“Cole,” I huff, removing my gloves tossing them aside.
He hooks an arm around my waist pulling me to him. I struggle with the fact that I long to be in his arms but am still hurt. “After last night—”
“I’m sorry, Savannah.” He cuts me off. “I didn’t give you a chance to explain yourself, I just jumped to conclusions and I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you did, but you also said some really hurtful things.” I step back out of his hold. “Honestly I think we need to step back and take a breather. My head—”
“I’m not letting you go, no matter how hard you push me away. We had a fight, couples do that—”
“Couples also trust one another,” I point out. “You obviously don’t trust me.”
