He eyed me for a second. “You’re decompressing. Come on, let’s go tell the Pop Tart.” He helped me to my feet and while doing so, my eyes accidentally landed on Greg’s. I didn’t intend for them to, it simply happened. And what a mistake that was. He didn’t shoot daggers at me, he annihilated me with laser beams of hatred. I literally shrank from the intensity of his glare.
Pearson felt it and asked, “What is it?”
“Just get me out of this room. Now.”
He turned to see what I had seen and saw Greg glaring at me. But now Pearson and Greg locked onto each other’s. Then Greg sneered. I’m not sure why, but chills ran up my spine and I shivered. “Please, Pearson, let’s go.” I tugged on his arm. He turned back to me and nodded.
Montana ran to us when we walked in, yelling, “Did you get me?”
“We got you!” Pearson told her.
She jumped into his arms and hugged him until he passed her off to me. Then she kissed me and asked, “I never have to go back there, right Mommy?”
“Right, Pop Tart.” Her arms went around my neck and squeezed me as hard as I’d ever felt.
“Can we go see the monkeys at the zoo?”
Before I could answer, Pearson said, “I don’t see why not. Let’s go home and change clothes.”
“Yay.” I put her down and she hippity-hopped around the room until she grabbed Petey’s hand. “Can you go too, Petey?”
“I sure can,” he said.
After thanking Miles profusely, and inviting him to join us for dinner on Friday, I grabbed Pearson’s hand and we followed Petey and Montana out to our cars. They made quite a pair, she the tiny thing next to the giant of a man.
“She really loves him. I wonder what she’ll do when we no longer have to use his services,” I said.
“That’s not going to happen until Greg is locked away for years. I don’t trust him,” Pearson said.
Those shivers returned and I couldn’t get rid of that awful feeling. “Did you see that look he gave me?”
“You weren’t the only one he gave it to. He’s definitely pissed, which is why you two will keep the bodyguards. I don’t trust him at all. Even with this win, he’s still unstable as hell. Until he receives treatment, which is highly unlikely, he’s a definite threat to you both.”
“I wish that weren’t true, but you’re right. As long as he controlled me through Montana, he was fine, but now, he’s a loose cannon for sure.”
“And I don’t want that thing firing off in either of your two’s direction. I have a mind to increase your protection.” We slid into his car and he didn’t say anything.
“How would you increase it? We already have coverage to and from work, and at home. Petey stays at school with Montana.”
“I’m wondering if you should be accompanied at all times. Montana is and I think you should be too.”
I didn’t say anything because it would make me feel a ton better to have someone like Petey or Axel around me all the time.
“How do you feel about that?” he asked.
“To be honest, it would make me feel better. At first, I didn’t think it was necessary, but after today, he totally unnerved me.”
Pearson picked up his phone and made a call. “This is Pearson West. I’d like to have the coverage increased on Rose Wilson. She needs to have someone with her at all times now.”
He paused, which I assumed the other person on the line was speaking.
“Yes, that’s correct. A driver and he’s to remain with her one hundred percent of the time, even at work. He can stand outside of her office when she’s in session.”
Pause.
“To begin immediately.”
Another pause.
“We’re headed to her home right now and then to the zoo, but Petey will drive us all.”
Pause.
“Excellent, we’ll be home by six thirty. And thank you.”
He turned to me and said, “A team will be at the house around six forty-five to meet you. After tonight, you’ll have someone twenty-four/seven.”
“Thanks. I do feel better about this.”
“So do I.” He pushed the ignition button and we drove home.
As soon as we got to the zoo, Montana grabbed Pearson’s and my hand and asked to go see the monkeys.
“I’m going to call you my monkey girl from now on,” Pearson said.
“But I thought I was Muffin.”
“I like monkey girl too,” he said.
“Then I’m gonna call you tiger-r-r-r,” she said with a growl.
“Good. I like tigers. Can we go see them after the monkeys?”
“Mommy?”
“Of course.”
“Yay. Come on, Mister. Let’s run.” She ran holding Pearson’s hand, leaving Petey and me to follow. When we got there, Pearson was showing her how to make monkey faces. Montana was doing her best to imitate him, and she looked hilarious. Taking out my phone, I snapped a bunch of photos of the two of them.
When she saw me, she called out, “Mommy, come and make monkey faces. Mister can teach you. Petey, you do it too.” The four of us looked like goofballs making faces at the poor monkeys. Eventually, they wandered off and didn’t pay us any attention.
“Why did they go away?” Montana asked.
“I suppose they think we look goofy,” I said.
“But I like looking like a monkey.”
“Maybe we can practice more when we get home,” I suggested.
“Okay, let’s go see the tigers now so Mister can see how big they are.” She growled but sounded more like a hungry kitten.
We got to the tigers and Montana went up to the glass that separated us from them, and she growled. One tiger was there, and he walked closer and tilted his head. Montana did the same and growled again. The tiger flicked his tail and ears and crouched while we all watched in fascination. What happened next was unexpected. He leaped at the window in attack mode going after Montana. She was safe, of course, but screamed nevertheless, as did I. I picked her up and jumped back, almost falling, but was saved by Petey’s humongous arms.
Pearson was by my side instantly, as Montana shook in my arms. He took her from me, asking if she was okay.
“That tiger was gonna eat me, Mister. He was real mean.”
“I believe he saw you as prey.”
“I wasn’t praying I was growling.”
“No, he thought you were food.”
“But I don’t look like a pizza.”
“No, you don’t, but tigers don’t eat pizzas. They eat smaller animals and sometimes they even eat large animals,” Pearson said.
“I’m not an animal. I’m a girl.” She stuck her hip out and put her hand on it, exactly like I did sometimes. It was the first time I’d seen her do this and look like me.
Pearson explained, “To the tiger, you were an animal. And they eat animals to survive in the wild.”
“But, Mister, that’s silly. They’re in the zoo.”
“Yes, they are, but they don’t really know that.”
“How come? Didn’t the zoo people tell them?”
Petey and I were suppressing our laughter. Pearson, sighed. “Maybe they just didn’t listen when they arrived. I’m not sure, my little monkey.”
“Monkeys are nicer than tigers. I don’t like tigers. Can we go see the bunnies now? The ones with long ears?”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
Pearson still carried her while we walked and she peppered him with questions. “Mister, how come those tigers don’t eat pizza? Don’t they like it?”
“I’m sure they would, but it’s not good for them.”
“Why?”
“I don’t really know, but I think it has something to do with the cheese.”
“They don’t like cheese?”
“Nope.”
“Why?”
“It hurts their tummies.” He seemed satisfied with his answer.
Until she asked, “Why?”
; “Um, I’m not sure but do you know what bunny rabbits eat?”
“Yeah, everyone knows that.”
“Tell me,” he said.
“Carrots.”
“What else?”
“Easter eggs, purple, pink, blue, and yellow ones. And they like jelly beans too.”
“They do, huh?”
“Yep.”
“How did you get so smart?” he asked.
She did an exaggerated shrug. “I don’t know but I get all the answers right in school and Miss Cathie says very good to me a lot. Plus I get star stickers. Did you get star stickers in school?”
“Sometimes, but I bet you get wayyyyy more than I ever did.”
“Probly.”
We entered the barn where the rabbits lived, and Pearson set Montana down. She ran ahead of us directly to where her favorite rabbits were kept. Each time we visited here, she begged me to buy her one. The answer was always the same—no. Maybe one day we’d get a cat or a dog, but a rabbit was totally out of the question.
“Look, Mister, here’s my favorite bunny rabbit.” It wasn’t the same one, I was sure, but the same breed … a lop eared and she adored them.
The cages were low enough so someone her age could pet them and there were signs on the ones that could be held.
“Mommy, can we pick this one up?”
“I think we can.”
Her arms extended as her hands opened and closed in excitement. Pearson bent over and picked the thing up. “Boy is he ever soft. I’ve never held one of these.”
“Feel his ears, Mister.”
I watched Pearson pet him and it was a joy to see. Obviously, the man enjoyed animals. He’d grown up with them and his brother was a veterinarian. He was gentle with the thing as he passed it to Montana. “Now careful with him. Don’t drop him.”
“I know how. I love these bunnies,” she said. Then she plopped down on the straw covered floor with the rabbit in her arms and played with it. His nose twitched as she stroked its soft fur.
“Mommy, you have to hold him. He’s so soft. Can we take him home? Pleeeaaase?”
“Not today, honey.”
“But Mommy, he’s the bestest bunny ever.”
“Maybe so, but we can’t have a bunny, Montana. Remember what I said? One day we’ll get a cat or a dog, but not a bunny.”
“But I don’t want a cat or dog. I want a bunny like him. We can call him Ears.”
Pearson started talking. “Monkey, maybe—”
I cut him off. He tended to spoil her and there was no way we were bringing a bunny into my home. Or our home or whatever. “Montana,” I used my warning tone. “I said no. You can play with the bunny here, but no means, no. Understand?”
“Yes, Mommy.”
Then I glanced at Pearson and his brows were raised. I mouthed—no bunny ever.
He mouthed back—why?
I pulled him aside and whispered, “They’re super messy and a pain. No arguing, please.”
“You got it.” He kissed my cheek. I would have to talk to him again about overindulging her. Montana was a great kid, but that didn’t mean she could get her way whenever she wanted.
When we were finished visiting all of Montana’s favorite animals, we left and went to get something to eat. Since it was late, we decided on carry-out at a Chinese restaurant.
Once home, we all took a seat at the table and Petey and Pearson tried to teach Montana how to eat with chopsticks. It was funny until she didn’t bother to eat. That’s when I had to put my foot down.
“Okay everyone, you two men included. Put down the chopsticks and pick up the forks. Eat your dinner or no dessert for the three of you. The food is getting cold.”
“But Mommy …”
“No, but Mommy. You’re having more fun with those toys and before I know it, you won’t want to eat. Now eat your lo mien and eggroll, which is what you begged me to order.”
“Yes, Mommy.”
I had cut the noodles up for her so it was easier to eat. She still made somewhat of a mess, but she ate it, along with half of her eggroll. The men wolfed down theirs and the boxes were soon emptied.
Pearson, in his sassy voice, asked, “Were we good, Mommy?” He smirked and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Nope. Not nearly good enough.”
“But our plates are clean.”
“You haven’t done the dishes yet.” He hopped up and proceeded to clean everything up. I offered him a fortune cookie when he was done.
“Is this my dessert?” he asked.
“No, but you have to read it first.”
He cracked the thing open and read, “You will experience difficulty, but your mate will come to your rescue.”
We laughed and I said, “We should’ve had that a few months back.”
“True. Read yours.”
“Be on the lookout for coming events… they cast shadows beforehand.”
I asked Petey, “What about yours?”
He read, “Fortune favors the brave.”
“Those were interesting,” Pearson said. “It was almost like the Chinese were trying to tell us something.
“Yeah, I like the funny ones better,” I said. Then I asked who wanted ice cream to which everyone responded yes. After I scooped out four bowls, we all ate it in silence. I’m not sure if it was because the ice cream was delicious or because we were thinking about those silly fortunes. I couldn’t get them out of my mind. Were they a prophecy of what was to come or just a coincidence? I hoped it was the latter. I wasn’t superstitious by nature but lately, everything freaked me out.
I was putting the bowls in the dishwasher when the doorbell rang, Montana yelled, “I’ll get it.”
“Stop!” I shouted. She did and I added, “You are never to answer the door, young lady.”
Her round eyes told me I’d frightened her. “Petey, can you explain this to her?”
He took her into her room and Pearson went to the door. I joined him in the living room a few moments later. He’d let the team in. There were five men, all of them large and intimidating. I felt exactly the way I did when I’d met Axel and Petey. I was sure I’d warm up to them too. We all sat down and introduced ourselves.
Pearson started off by explaining what was going on in my life and why I needed protection. When he was finished, he told the men exactly what he wanted and asked them their thoughts.
The team leader whose name was Mack, said, “I agree with everything you’ve said. A driver for everything, even a quick trip to the store and you should be accompanied at all times. When you go to work, you should have protection inside too. Is there a window in your office?”
“No, it’s pretty small,” I answered.
“Good. Like Mr. West said, during your sessions, he can stand outside, but when you go to lunch, he’s to be with you, or at any other times. Is that reasonable?”
“Yes, I agree,” I said.
“It’ll work exactly like your daughter’s bodyguard,” Mack said. “Sometimes he will have to rotate due to scheduling changes, but for the most part, you’ll have the same person every day.”
“Won’t I have Axel anymore?”
“I’m afraid not. Axel will still be on your case, but he’ll be on watch. In other words, he’ll be on the outside. He’s familiar with your surroundings, so we’d like to keep him there. From now on you’ll have Rex here.”
Rex was very dangerous looking. Tall, maybe six and a half feet, looked like a boxer or fighter, he was that muscular, with dark skin and hair, he currently scared me. But when he smiled and held out his hand, I relaxed. “Ms. Wilson, I’ll do my very best to keep you safe.”
“Thank you, Rex. I appreciate that.”
Our discussion lasted about an hour and they left.
“So, what do you think?”
“If I was scared of Rex, I’m pretty damn sure any assailant would be too.”
Pearson laughed. “You have a solid point there.” Then he hugged me. I hoped this was an
overreaction and we wouldn’t need Rex or Petey, or Axel, or anybody else. Time would tell and it was nerve-racking thinking about the waiting.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Pearson
* * *
A month had passed since the trial and nothing. No threats from Greg, no calls, not a word. That was good in a sense, but it made me more concerned about when he would strike. That he would, I had no doubts. He wanted Montana to get to Rose. That was clear. I just wasn’t positive if he’d go directly for Rose or Montana. If he went for Rose, I wasn’t sure if he’d try to kill her or not. It put a knot in my gut the size of Texas to think about it.
I met with Reese before one of my meetings and explained what was going on.
“Shit, man, you’ve had a lot on your plate. I’m doubly proud of you for maintaining your sobriety. That’s so awesome,” he said.
“I’ve had urges, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I wanted to get that apartment, but with this going on, I need to be there with Rose for safety reasons.”
“Yeah, I don’t blame you. Can I ask, have you hired a PI to check up on him? Maybe that would clue you in to what he’s up to.”
“We had one, but he didn’t turn up anything, so we let him go. But now that you mention it, maybe he was just outsmarting him. He’s a wily SOB.”
“I know a guy who is excellent. Let me know if you change your mind.”
“Thanks, I will. Let me talk to Rose about it first.”
We went to the meeting and afterward, talked again. “I can’t tell you how amazed I am at your progress. Would you consider coming into Manhattan and speaking to my group?”
“Sure, if you think I could do some good.”
“I need people who are four to five months out to motivate my people. Some of them think they’ll never get there. You’re a fantastic example.”
“Then yeah, I’d love to. Just throw out a date when you want me to be there. I’ve been doing a lot of work with Miles, so I’d need advanced notice.”
“Not a problem. I’ll let you know and give me a call about the PI. I promise you won’t be sorry. If anyone can find something, he can.”
We shook hands and went our own ways. When I got home that evening, I told Rose about the private investigator.
From Smoke To Flames— Amazon: A West Brothers Novel Page 24
