by Linzi Basset
Even though she was paddling in a smooth river, she always made sure to carry all the necessary equipment in case something went wrong. Once she was satisfied everything was loaded and her cell phone was safely protected inside a waterproof pouch on her arm, she pushed the kayak into the water and carefully settled inside.
“Here we go,” she sing-songed as she used the paddle to push away from the dock. Soon, her mind was clear as she gave herself over to the smooth motion of paddling.
She usually kayaked up to the conjunction of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers but a quick glance at the Polar GPS Smart wristwatch she always wore for canoeing, told her she’d made good time. She decided to push past and break for lunch at the Fort Washington Lighthouse before she headed back. If she paddled hard, she’d be home well before sunset.
The break for lunch was revitalizing and gave her the added energy boost she needed for the trek back home. She’d just settled on the water again when the vibration on her arm alarmed her to an incoming call. She took off her NeoSport 3/4 Finger Gloves and pulled the cell phone from the protective pouch.
“Pamela speaking.” She frowned as silence followed her crisp voice. “Hello?”
“Deary? Is it you who visited my son the other day?”
The hesitant voice loosened an instant flash of concern inside her. “Yes, Mrs. White, it’s me.”
“I’m so sorry to bother you on a Sunday. I know it must be an inconvenience.”
“Not at all.” Pamela clenched her teeth, hard-pressed not to push her to continue. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“I really am sorry I phoned you, but I don’t know any of the other women around here. I haven’t yet met the wives and girlfriends of Alex’s friends and I’m a little shy around people I don’t know.”
Pamela wasn't so sure about that claim. She’d gotten the impression that Stacy White wouldn’t let anyone stand in her way, no matter what. Her words penetrated and she relaxed. At least it didn’t sound like something had happened to Alex.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s a little embarrassing actually. I tried to reach for a bowl on the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet and I fell. Now I can’t get up, and Alex is at a special General Assembly Senate meeting. I can’t bother him there, and I … I didn’t know who else to call.”
Pamela’s lips pursed as she looked over her shoulder. Alex’s house was a couple of miles further but if she took the trip, she wouldn’t make it back home before dark. A thought came to mind and she frowned, wondering where Stacy had gotten her number to contact her. She decided not to increase the woman’s agitation by asking, seeing as she sounded a little frazzled.
“Why don’t you phone 911? A paramedic would be much better equipped to assist you than me. What if you broke a bone or hurt your hip?”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad, maybe a sprained ankle at best. It’s just … well, I’ve been sitting on the floor for over an hour and I don’t think Alex is going to be home anytime soon.”
“Okay, Mrs. White. I’m kayaking at the moment, but as it is, I’m not that far away from you. I should be there soon. Just relax and try to stay calm.”
“Oh, thank you, deary. I can’t tell you what a relief it is that you’re coming to help me.”
Pamela turned the kayak around and started paddling quickly, muttering to herself as she went. Why she should feel obligated to attend to Alex’s mother was beyond her. She should just phone 911 herself and let them take care of her.
She shunned the thought at its birth. Once she committed to something, she saw it through. Not to mention that she was a little curious as to what the older woman had up her sleeve. It all sounded a little too bizarre to be real.
Chapter Seven
Alex White had been elected Governor of Maryland with a 75% ballot count in his favor for the consecutive term running in January 2018 during the midterm elections. He had requested the special meeting to inform the Senate and House of Representatives of his intention of resigning his position. It hadn’t been accepted with much grace. He had been an invaluable asset in the political arena over the past five years with his commitment to make the U.S. a better and safer place to live in.
He was a couple of blocks from his house on his way home when his cell phone rang. His lips twisted in a grimace as he recognized the name on the little screen. He tapped the Bluetooth connection on the steering wheel to answer the call.
“Good afternoon, Mr. President.” He didn’t expect the news to have reached him this quickly but on the other hand, he shouldn’t be surprised. They had been working very closely together in a combined effort to eliminate crime in the country.
“What’s this I hear, Alex? Tell me you’re not serious?”
“I’m afraid I am, Mr. President. The past four weeks of recuperating have offered me a lot of time to contemplate my future and what I’d like to achieve.”
“You have done more for the country in the past five years than many have managed to do in double that period. I don’t want to lose you.”
“I’m quite willing to work with you, Mr. President, but not within the shackles of politics. I need freedom to push harder, to rid us of crime syndicates like the Sixth Order and I can’t do that as Governor of State.”
Silence met his response. Alex took the corner and pressed the remote to open the heavy iron gate into his property.
“I hear where you’re coming from and I can appreciate why. Have you given the Senate a definite date?”
“Not yet. They’ve pressured me to give it more consideration.”
“As they should have. No one wants to see you go, Alex.” A heavy sigh reached toward Alex. “I need time to think this over. I might have a solution that would suit both our goals. Can you give me a couple of weeks?”
“I can do that, Mr. President.”
After receiving assurance that Alex was on the mend, they ended the call just as he parked the car inside the garage. He leaned back and rested his head against the backrest. It had been a difficult decision to make. He had enjoyed the challenges being the Governor had offered, but the only step up for him from there was presidency and he had no desire to fulfill such a position. It was time to build a new future for himself. One that would include a wife and children.
But first, he needed to create a safe haven for him and his friends. With their help, they’d be able to finally get rid of the Sixth Order.
“Without anyone else losing their lives.” He pushed the dark thought of grief at the loss to the back of his mind and got out of the car. His steps as he walked into the kitchen were slow but steady. He had a splitting headache, of his own making, but he was adamant to get his body back to a state of fitness quickly.
He’d been pushing himself over the past couple of weeks. He'd done exercises in the hospital room when he was alone and since he’d arrived home four days ago, he’d doubled his efforts. He sighed heavily. His body had a long way to go, but he refused to slow down in his quest to accelerate his recuperation.
The tingling laughter from the sitting area in the grand open room drew his attention to the two women who were chatting animatedly where they sat on the plush leather sofas. His footsteps were quiet as he approached them. They both jumped in fright when his dark voice drowned their mirth.
“This is becoming a bad habit of yours, Mrs. Seeger.”
The chill in his visage stole the gaiety from her face. Now he knew how the Grinch felt at Christmas. Maybe it pleased him to keep her unsettled. For the first time in four years, the shoe was on the other foot. It didn’t even bother him that he acted like an asshole around Pamela. It was his just deserts.
“When did you turn into such a grouch, Alexander?” Stacy wasn’t intimidated by her son’s dark look and glowered at him. His gaze fell on her elevated bandaged foot resting on top of a small ottoman. Concern immediately replaced his irritation.
“What happened?”
Stacy briefly explained the inci
dent.
“I told you to use the small kitchen step ladder, Mom,” he said in exasperation.
“I know, but I thought I could stretch … now, don’t you give me that look, young man. I’m the parent in this relationship.”
“Sometimes I wonder.” He pushed his hands into his pants’ pockets. His gaze moved to Pamela who sat listening silently. “And you just happened to pass by, I imagine?” His eyes strolled over the tight-fitting dry suit that seemed to be molded to her curves.
“As a matter of fact—”
“Stop interrogating the poor girl, Alexander. I phoned her and asked her to come and help me. Luckily, she wasn’t too far away.”
“Why in heaven’s name didn't you call 911? Or Lance, for that matter? He lives literally around the corner.”
“And be caught in an uncompromising and unladylike sprawl on my buttocks on the floor? No, thank you.”
Alex exhaled slowly and counted to ten. A habit he always had when his mother was around. Sparring with her served no purpose. She always found a way to twist everything in her favor. His gaze swung back to Pamela. He was slightly annoyed that, once again, Percy was perched on her lap and purred with delight as she stroked his fur. He was usually the one who met Alex at the door when he arrived and it irked him that his own pets seemed to have been taken in by her allure. To add to that thought, Pearl chose that moment to jump onto the sofa next to her and beg for attention.
“I assume you were on the river?” His voice was sharper than intended. She looked at him askance. He’d be damned if it wasn’t with a subtle reprimand in her eyes.
“Yes. I stopped at the Lighthouse for lunch and was about to head back home when Stacey phoned.”
Alex checked his watch. It was already after four in the afternoon.
“Well, it’s too late now. It’ll be dark before you’re halfway home.” He took his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. “I’ll call you a cab.”
“Over my dead body,” Stacy moaned as she straightened. Her face pinched in a painful grimace. “Pamela went out of her way to come here. The least you can do is take her home yourself.” She turned to Pamela. “Thank you again, deary.” She blinked and Alex watched a woebegone expression flash over her face. “I just don’t know how I’m going to cope with this injury.” She stared at her foot. “I won’t be able to take a shower or get in and out of the bath.” Her face brightened and she presented Pamela with an engaging smile. “I know! If you drop in every day while my foot heals, I’ll be—”
“No!” Alex snapped the word with a stern look at Stacy.
“But Alex, surely you can see I need assistance?”
“I’ll get you a private nurse.”
“I have a sprained ankle, I’m not an invalid. I only need a little help.”
“That’s why I’m here. I’ll assist you with—”
Pamela’s tingling laugh drowned his words. She bit it back at his sharp look.
“You find my mother’s ailing funny, Mrs. Seeger?”
“Of course not, but I couldn’t help but envision you helping her taking a shower.”
“Oh, my goodness, never!” Stacy gasped.
Alex’s eyes narrowed dangerously and his dark look pierced right through Pamela.
“You don’t have medical training. What makes you an expert to diagnose a sprained ankle? For all we know, she tore her ligaments.”
“I phoned Ethan. He came over and it’s his diagnosis. He left a script for anti-inflammatory and pain meds on the kitchen counter.”
“I see.” Alex ran his hand over the growing stubble of hair covering his head. The sigh that floated to the ceiling could sink an entire continent. “I’ll take you home,” he finally said. “Where is your kayak?”
“On your dock.”
“Good. I’ll lock it in the storeroom and bring it to your house later in the week.” He turned to Stacy. “I’ll fill the prescription on my way back. Do you need anything in the meantime?”
“I’ll be fine. Ethan bandaged my ankle and Pamela took good care of me.”
“Good. Let’s go, Mrs. Seeger.”
“Wait!” Stacy’s cry stopped him in his tracks. “What about my suggestion? I’m really going to need someone to help me, my boy.”
“I’m sure Lexi won’t mind popping in twice a day to assist you.”
Alex watched the wheels in Stacy’s mind turn behind her eyes. She was in cupid mode, but this time, she was saddling the wrong horse. He’d let her play her little game, but on this, he wouldn’t budge.
“Lance’s fiancé? With all respect, Alex, Lance is still recuperating. One patient is more than enough for her to cope with. Besides, she’s very busy and—”
“So is Pamela, Mother, and she lives across town. Besides, I’m sure she has more important things to—”
“Oh, I actually don’t mind at all.”
What the hell, woman? You don’t want to be around him more than necessary, especially not when he acts like such a bully.
Alex shot a debilitating glare at her.
“On the contrary, I think you do mind. We can’t expect you to drive out all the way over here twice a day.”
The subtle warning in his voice didn’t pass Pamela by. The little devil on her shoulder spurred her on to ignore it and defy him.
What’s he going to do? We’re not at the club and he wouldn’t dare topple me over his knee in front of his mother.
“Well, no. I was rather thinking of staying here while your mother recuperates. That way, I’ll be close by if she needs assistance during the night.”
“That’ll be even better,” Stacy cooed.
“Over my dead body,” Alex spat out gruffly.
Pamela was just as surprised. That hadn’t been what she’d intended to say at all. He had made his feelings toward her abundantly clear. He wanted nothing further to do with her, regardless of committing to be her training Dom at the Club.
Well, that doesn’t suit me. Not one bit!
Now that she’d finally unshackled herself of the guilt that had kept them apart all these years and admitted openly that she loved him, she wanted it all. It was time to make up for all the time they’d lost. She had to get through the wall of ice with which Alex had encased his heart and emotions. At the club he would be in control, and trying to achieve it through a trainee sub relationship, would be a lost battle. One she had no intention of losing.
No, I have to be up close and personal, in his face all the time. One way or the other I have to prove my love to him.
Her hands flailed elegantly through the air. “It’s the perfect solution. That way we can go to the Club together. Besides, the distance to my office from my home and yours are much the same. It really is no inconvenience.” She smiled sweetly at Stacy. “I think it’s about time your mother and I got to know each other.”
“Pamela,” Alex’s growl floated toward her like the low rumble of approaching thunder.
“I knew it!” Stacy clapped her hands, the smile on her lips almost splitting her face in two. “I was right, wasn’t I? The two of you … I noticed it right off the bat.” She pointed between them. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires. “There’s a spark between you two.”
“No, there isn’t.” The look on Alex’s face warned Stacy not to pursue the matter. He stomped toward the hallway. “You’re going to regret this, Mrs. Seeger. Sooner than you may think,” he intoned in a low whisper as he walked past Pamela. “Let’s go.”
Pamela knew better than to make small talk on the way to her house and sat silently listening to the selection of modern Jazz that filled the acoustic of the small, yet luxurious sports car. Alex wore his brooding look. One that warned her he was scheming up ways and means to get back at her for forcing her way into his house … and his life.
Well, excuse me for my tenacity, Governor White, but this is one fight I’m not backing away from.
Alex would just have to get used to her presence underfoot. She had no intention of leaving, no
matter what he tried to get rid of her.
The forty-five-minute trip felt a lot shorter than usual, maybe because she’d spent the entire way scheming herself. She bit into her lip to keep the smile at bay. She had a few surprises, shenanigans, if you wish, in store for high and mighty Governor White.
Alex followed her inside. He glanced around briefly. He’d never been inside her home and was pleasantly surprised to notice how similar the decor was to his own.
“I leave in five minutes. If you’re not ready, I’m go without you.”
She turned to smile at him. “There’s no need to wait. I’ll take my own car.”
“No, you’re not.”
Pamela’s hands landed on her hips. She tilted her head to the side and regarded him with a critical purse of her lips.
“You’re being ridiculous, Alex. I need my car to get to work and client meetings.”
“You can use one of mine. They’re all equipped with a tracking system, so I’ll know if anything happens to you.” His hand swept up to silence her. “I’m not listening to any of your wise retorts. Get packing. You now only have four minutes.”
Pamela only needed two. She always kept a week’s worth of business and casual outfits packed in a suitcase at the ready for times that she quickly needed to go out of town for a case. Packing toiletries and make-up took no time at all.
Alex hid his surprise as she walked down the stairs three minutes later, a suitcase and a duffel bag in her hands, dressed in a pair of black jeans, a dove gray sweater, and black ankle boots.
“I just need to grab my briefcase.”
Alex took the luggage from her. “I’ll wait in the car. Hurry up, please. I wish to get home.”
Pamela had noticed the strained expression on his face since he’d arrived home. At first, she’d believed it was her presence that caused it, but now she could see the fatigue filtering through in the paleness of his skin and the tired droop off his eyelids. He was still on the mend and already he was pushing his body beyond what he should be.
