The Boss Lady

by Lolah Lace

  CHAPTER FOUR

  In a thunderous flash Nicole rushed in. She was panicked and I melted with empathy because I knew precisely what that feeling was like. Thinking something terrible has happened to your kid is painful. Kelly is alive. Hailey is dead. I pray Nicole never feels the loss of a child.

  I was sitting on the couch and there was a bloody towel pressed into my shoulder. I was holding one of her expensive bath towels on my oozing stab wound. Kelly was burrowed so close to me I could only hold the towel partially over my bloody wound.

  Nicole looked at me and then down at her daughter. Kelly’s little face was pressed into my tattooed bicep. She had her little painted fingers curled around my arm muscles. I could see that Nicole was seriously confused. I couldn’t really blame her. The scene looked weird. There were police everywhere and her daughter was leaning on me. She hadn’t seen me in four weeks and here I was sitting on her couch, injured, next to her frightened daughter.

  As soon as Kelly saw her mother she jumped to her feet. Nicole was standing over me and hugging her daughter. Nicole lifted Kelly off her feet and held her in a tight embrace.

  I stood but I wasn’t sure why. Nicole was tearing up. I looked away. I felt like I was intruding. The moment seemed to be private.

  “Excuse me sir,” I turned to the sound of the female patrol officer. “You really need to go to the hospital.”

  “Okay yeah.” I wasn’t really in much pain. The adrenaline rush from fighting off the attacker had numbed me. Sure he stabbed me in my shoulder but the pain wasn’t that bad. Even though I was gushing blood I didn’t feel like the stab was that deep.

  “There’s an ambulance out here Mr. Hamilton.”

  “Okay, I can drive myself to emergency.” I declared.

  “Sir you have lost a lot of blood. You could pass out at the wheel. You driving yourself is not an option.”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  “The detectives will question you again at the hospital once we get you patched up.” I went to follow the officer out of the den.

  “No, no, no!” Little Kelly yelled out and drew all of our attention to her. Nicole sat her daughter down on her feet. “Mr. Lukas, I’m coming to the hospital with you.”

  I was speechless or maybe just a little too light headed to respond. Kelly ran up to me and grabbed my hand. That’s when teary-eyed Nicole disappeared and Miss Nevels the devil reappeared. Her eyes were burning me like hot coals.

  “I remember you Lukas. What were you doing here?”

  Shit! I can’t really explain. “I was ah--” Her strict authoritarian tone had me flustered.

  “The police said you fought off some guy that was trying to break in. Why were you here?”

  “Mom, I called him when I saw the man trying to get inside the house.”

  “You called him?”

  “Yeah he works close by. I knew he would come if I called. He got here before the police.”

  I hadn’t figured out what I was going to say so I was listening. Then finally some words came to me.

  “I called the police on three way as soon as Kelly called me. I jumped in my truck and rushed over here. The back door was open. I came in and saw the guy. I fought with him and he pulled a knife out and stabbed me in the shoulder.” I looked down at my bloody shoulder. It was like I needed proof to show Miss Nevels that I was telling the truth. Her glare was intimidating.

  “Sir, we really need to get you to the hospital.” The officer said. “Mam, a detective will talk to you and fill you in on all the details. We have officers out canvassing the neighborhood looking for this guy. We have a pretty good description.

  “Mom, I want to go the hospital with Mr. Lukas.”

  “Mam, you can meet Mr. Hamilton at Good Samaritan. That’s where the ambulance is taking him.”

  Nicole didn’t say a word to me or the officer. She just looked a little relieved, pissed and shocked.

  “Mom, let’s go.” Kelly released my hand to grab her mother’s.

  Shit. I winced. That’s when I felt the sharp pain. If the intruder hit an artery I could just bleed to death. That wouldn’t be so bad would it? Shit! Kelly may be hurt if I die. I’m her friend. I think she’s a little attached to me in some weird way.

  “Mam, it’s not a problem. The detectives can fill you in at the hospital. They still want to question Mr. Hamilton and your daughter.”

  The pain was taking a toll on me. I walked from the room. I changed my mind about bleeding to death. The female officer followed me to the foyer and out the door.

  There was an ambulance waiting outside and there was a paramedic posted by the front door. He started touching me as soon as I stepped outside the front door. He helped me to the ambulance and there was another paramedic there waiting at the back of the ambulance with the door open. I stepped in and I was feeling at little dizzy. I closed my eyes and let the experts do their job.

  Things were a little fuzzy after that. I woke up in a hospital bed. I opened my eyes to Kelly asleep in a lounge chair at the far side of the private room.

  Nicole walked into my view. Her lips were curled up. “Finally you decided to wake up. The doctor said you lost a lot of blood.”

  My mouth was dry. “I was stabbed.” I remembered that much.

  “Yeah, you were stabbed in my house. I don’t even know you. Was I supposed to call someone for you?”

  “No.”

  “I would have called your job but you own the company so I wasn’t sure.”

  “Calling no one was good.” My shoulder was numb.

  “They drugged you for the pain.”

  “I remember that. I pulled my hospital gown down at the shoulder. I glanced at my bandaged shoulder. I have twenty-five stitches.”

  “Yes Mr. Lukas, the blade nicked a vein and that’s why you loss so much blood.” She rolled her eyes. She called me Mr. Lukas.

  Now I remember. Things were clearing up in my mind. I glanced over at Kelly asleep in the chair.

  “How long have you been here?” I asked.

  “Forever, she didn’t want to leave you.” Nicole twisted her lips.

  “Did I bleed on your couch?” Stupid thing to ask but I remember the fit she through over a little scratch on her hardwood floor.

  “I’m sure you did. There was blood on the couch and my floor and the walls.”

  “Maybe next time I could just bleed out and die somewhere on your front lawn.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “I wasn’t trying to be funny. I’m not sure why you’re so mean to me. Are you just a mean person in general?”

  “No, I’m not mean in general. I’m just a suspicious person.”

  “Suspicious of me?”

  “And your motives.”

  “I don’t have any ulterior motives. What you see is what you get.”

  “I saw a tattoo that said you were crazy.”

  How did she see my mi vida loco tattoo? “I’m not crazy.”

  “I heard Kelly’s side of the story. Now I want to hear yours, explain yourself.”

  “Explain what?” I sat up in the bed with my back against the one shallow pillow. Shit, my shoulder is stiff.

  “Why the hell were you in my house?”

  “Kelly called me when she heard the burglar.”

  “Huh, you really are going to play dumb. I will punch you in your shoulder.”

  “Why?” I was confused or maybe still doped up.

  “I know you been inside my house multiple times when I wasn’t there.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You put my daughter’s TV up on the wall.”

  “Kelly’s grandmother said I could. She called me and--”

  “I know. I talked to my mother and she said you were hanging around the entire weekend she was there. She said you were fixing things. She also said you were in my kitchen cooking meals with her and Kelly the weekend I went to Japan.”

  “Your mother was there. She asked me to do some things around the house. I
only did a few things. I did what she asked me.”

  “Oh you’re such a gentleman.”

  “Not really, I cut the grass and stuff like that. It wasn’t a big deal.” Why was I on the defense? I hadn’t did anything wrong. I saved her daughter’s life and she was interrogating me like I was a criminal.

  “That’s my house.”

  Yeah I know. “Okay.”

  “My mother said you took her and Kelly to the movies.”

  “Yeah, it was rated PG.”

  “Why are you hanging out with my kid and my mother?”

  “I’m not.”

  “You’re lying. I know you’ve been to my house to see my kid. She told me she talks to you on the phone every day after school. I looked in her cell phone. She calls you and you call her. Don’t lie to me.”

  “I haven’t lied about anything.”

  “No, you’re up to something.”

  “Nicole Nevels, I have been stabbed. Is there any way you could cut me a break?”

  “Yeah uh-huh.” She crossed her arms under her breasts. I licked my lips. She didn’t see me.

  “Kelly calls me sometimes. It’s not a big deal. I know her father is not in her life.”

  “Yeah and that’s my business.”

  “I know it is but when she called I wasn’t going to just blow her off. I would never ignore a kid.”

  “I asked her if you ever touched her.”

  “Touched her like what does that mean?”

  “You know what I mean. She would tell me.”

  “There’s nothing to tell, Jesus.” I’m not like that.

  “No I know there is more to the story. There is something you’re not telling me.”

  “No, there isn’t.”

  “Has to be, my mother was singing your praises like you were a saint. She said you drove to her place and replaced her toilet.”

  “Your mother is a very nice lady. Obviously you were adopted.”

  “You think you’re funny?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “Hanging out with little girls isn’t funny. It’s criminal.”

  “I’m not a criminal.”

  “Whatever, they’re going to release you tomorrow.”

  “Good to know.” How did she know? Did she talk to my doctor?

  “I will pick you up in the morning because my daughter wants to make sure you get back to that raggedy ass thing you call a pick-up truck.”

  My truck was old but it wasn’t ragged. “I could find a way to pick up my truck.”

  “I’m sure you could. You keep finding a way to get back into my house.”

  “Thanks but no thanks. Keep your ride.”

  “Your keys are in my house. My daughter will flip the fuck out if you don’t get you to your truck.”

  “I’m not up to anything with your daughter I swear. I just listen to her when she talks. It’s lonely being an only child.”

  “Okay whatever Dr. Phil. My daughter wants to stay here with you tonight. She thinks you’re in danger or something I don’t know.”

  “She seems comfortable and it’s late. You should just let her stay asleep.”

  “I’ve got work to do.” Nicole walked over to the one desk in the room. She removed her MacBook from the leather-bound laptop bag. I got a look at her ass when she planted it in the chair and ignored me. She was deep into whatever she was doing and I turned on the TV and just relaxed.

  I had at least two nurses visit me throughout the night. I drifted off because of the meds but when I woke up I noticed Nicole and Kelly asleep in the lounge chair together. They were both under a blanket. It was cute.

  Nicole’s high heels were on the floor near the chair. Those black pumps were sexy as hell. I turned away and went back into another drug induced slumber.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I woke up the next morning in the hospital. Mother and daughter were gone. I realized I was without a cell phone but I had a wallet. I had to buy something to wear out of here.

  The phone rang in the hospital room and I answered not expecting a call. It was Kelly. She told me they went home to shower and change but they would be back to pick me up. She gave the phone over to her mother.

  Miss Nevels the devil told me she would pick me up at three. I didn’t object to anything she said in her painfully cordial brief speech. She said it in a way that made it clear that I shouldn’t object to anything. I had time to shower and change before my release. I got myself together and presentable. I signed my release papers and waited twenty minutes for my ride.

  I wished I had another option but my pickup was parked at Nicole’s house in her driveway. I guess I could have called a taxi-cab but my car keys and cell phone were inside her house so I was going to have to ring the doorbell to get them from her.

  So I had to take the ride that Nicole offered me. It was Kelly’s idea of course. She begged her mother to pick me up from the hospital. No one even knew I was in the hospital and I wanted it that way. I didn’t want the attention.

  I was picked up by Nicole. She pulled up to the curb in her shiny black Mercedes Benz S-Class 500. This car fit her personality. This car was a nice waste of money. But she had money to waste. The passenger window automatically rolled down.

  “Get in.” Her evil voice jumped at the car and accosted me. Shit! I opened the door and climbed in. I didn’t have any belongings. I purchased sweats from the hospital gift shop so I didn’t have to wear my bloody jeans. I threw them out along with my bloody cut up shirt. The paramedics cut the shirt off me in the ambulance. I had my sneakers. I purchased fresh boxer briefs and socks.

  “Hey Mr. Lukas.”

  “Hey Kelly.”

  “Seatbelt.” Kelly called from the backseat. Nicole pulled away from the curb and I buckled up.

  “Yeah Mr. Lukas seatbelt.” Nicole gritted through her teeth. I looked over at her and she had fire in her eyes. Why is she always curt with me? She turned the car radio on.

  “Thanks for the ride.” I said to try to break the tension.

  “Huh, thank Kelly. I would have left you out on the curb.” She smirked.

  “Kelly can’t drive a car so I’m thanking you. Take my gratitude and…” I leaned in close to her and whispered. “Shut your trap.” I leaned back in the passenger seat.

  Nicole took her eyes off the road to regard me thoroughly. “Whatever.”

  We rode in silence until we got back to Nicole and Kelly’s house. Well Kelly sang along with the radio while her mom and I ignored each other.

  This was the longest, awkward, uncomfortable ride ever. I walked inside and went straight to the kitchen. I gathered that my car keys were in the kitchen along with my cell. Nicole followed me.

  “You seem to really know your way around my house.”

  “Is that a question?”

  “It’s an observation.”

  I spotted my belongings on the counter right next to the refrigerator. I scooped them up. I was trying to run out of that house. Nicole made me feel like I was under a microscope. She made me feel like I had done something wrong when I knew that I hadn’t.

  “Mr. Lukas, where are you going?” Kelly asked.

  “Home.”

  “You’re supposed to eat dinner with us. We have to watch you to make sure you’re okay. That’s what the doctor said to my mom.” When did this conversation happen? I was sleep a long time in the hospital.

  “I’m okay. I have my pain medicine. My arm barely hurts.” I could feel Nicole’s eyes observing me as I interacted with her daughter.

  “My mother said you were going to have pizza with us.” What’s up with this kid and pizza?

  My eyes went directly to Miss Nevels the devil. “Kelly I think your mom wants me to go.”

  “No she doesn’t. She promised me.”

  “Kelly if he wants to go home, let him go. He’s probably very tired.”

  “Yeah I’m real tired.”

  “Sleep on the couch.” Geez she’s just as bossy as her mother. “My m
om will order the pizza. We can watch one of your favorite movies.”

  “Kelly I really need to get home.”

  “You would rather be at home alone then with me.” What the fuck? This kid was pulling my strings. “Someone tried to kill me. I would feel safer with you here. My mom can’t fight a kid perv. You have muscles. I’m going to be afraid if you leave.”

  I wasn’t sure what part of this was true or just a ploy to get her way. Kelly was a smart kid and she was probably manipulating me. I knew it but I just couldn’t say no to her. She was just like Hailey. She would con me into doing whatever she wanted. I just couldn’t say no. I was pathetic.

  “Kelly I will stay until you go to bed.”

  “Until I fall asleep.”

  She was bargaining with me. “Fine.” I caved. I’m too soft when it comes to this kid.

  “I got to go to the bathroom. Don’t, go, anywhere.” Kelly warned me and I saw a bit more of her mother’s bossiness in her threat.

  Kelly ran up the back stairs leaving me alone with her mother. I went into the frig and grabbed a bottle of water.

  “Make yourself at home.” Nicole must have Energizer batteries in that smart mouth of hers.

  I grabbed the prescription pill bottle out of my pocket. I had been prescribed Vicodin for the pain. I took one pill as Nicole watched me.

  “Lukas, don’t piss me off.”

  “Yes boss.” I took my water bottle and left her alone in the kitchen. I went into the den area where the two thousand dollar flatscreen was housed. This is the TV that started this whole commotion. I turned the TV on and flopped down on the couch. I sat alone for a while until Kelly returned and took a seat beside me on the couch. She sat on my pain free side. She rested her head on my shoulder and we watched Madagascar on cable.

  Nicole came into the den once the pizza arrived. She dropped it on the coffee table along with two plates and a roll of paper towels. Kelly and I ate and Nicole disappeared. She probably retired to her evil lair. I wondered where she was but after I ate I fell asleep. I wasn’t sure how long I was out but the Vicodin might have put me to sleep.

  I woke up when I felt Kelly’s face leave my bicep. I stirred awake and Nicole was standing over me pulling her daughter off of me.