“Oh, I didn’t recognize your voice at first,” Sherry laughed nervously on her end of the line. “Um, the boss wants to see you before your shift tomorrow. Can you come in, say thirty minutes early?”
Lisa sat up little bit straighter. What the hell could this be about? Had she done something wrong? She didn’t think so.
Maybe it was a raise or a promotion, she pondered briefly before brushing aside that thought. That never came from the top. They usually just got a notice saying they had performed well and would receive their regularly scheduled raise. Plus, Sherry sounded nervous. “Is everything okay?” Heidi asked, totally confused. She was losing her grip. The drinking wasn’t helping.
Sherry spoke clearly this time and sounded more like her usual self. “I don’t know, honestly, Heidi. I just got an email from Joseph Sassacus. He wants you to go to his office at 9:30 tomorrow. That’s all I know.”
Heidi wondered what the hotel attorney would want with her. She felt her skin crawl and a cold sweat break out on her forehead. She needed to sober up and figure out what to do. She cast her eyes towards the nearly empty bottle of whiskey. She would drink some coffee, have a shower, and then sleep. Real sleep. She needed to be focused and fresh tomorrow, and the only way to get like that was to sleep off the remnants of the drugs and the alcohol she had consumed. She would set her alarm for early and plan what to do tomorrow morning. Her brain was fried right now by the chaos that had been the last two days, and doing her thinking in this state would only make matters worse.
She sighed and hoisted herself from the sofa and walked down the narrow hallway to her bathroom flicking the lights on as she went. The day had been a total disaster and she hoped she could salvage a bit of her life. Slipping back into her old habits of booze and drugs wasn’t going to work for her; she vowed to straighten her life out once more. She couldn’t fuck up this life and this identity. Her old one just was not available anymore. Lisa was dead, and her obsession with revenge on Benny and Jessyka had nearly cost her the future. She still wanted it, the revenge, but it would have to wait. For now. She had some clean up to do and some damage control with Chuck as well. She was leaving too many ends unraveled. Being too careless would be costly. She learned that the hard way once before, and she didn’t want to go down that road again.
Jail. Never again. She’d rather die than go back there.
CHAPTER 21
Heidi sat perched on the beautiful chair across from the large oak desk. When Joseph Sassacus arrived a few minutes after she had been shown in by his secretary, she was struck by the size of the man. He was just as large as any of those Navy SEALs she had come across in California, if not larger. She heard the rumors and that the man apparently worked out in the casino’s luxurious gym for two hours every morning. He was also apparently covered in tattoos, though you couldn’t tell dressed as he was in a suit and tie. But she could imagine it, and resisted licking her lips. Both of the Sassacus men were incredibly handsome, and stunning. With their Native American heritage, they had those sharp angles she liked. Super alpha, super-hot. But men like them didn’t go for scarred and washed out ex-addicts.
“Sit, sit,” he commanded gently as he faced her smiling. He leaned against his desk and did not sit behind it. His smile put her nerves at ease. Somewhat. She still had no idea what this was about. The secretary hadn’t said a word. She had just escorted her in and told her Joseph was on his way and would be a few minutes.
“Is everything all right, Mr. Sassacus?” she asked. Her voice was much clearer than last night.
“I was hoping you would answer that same question for me.” His eyes narrowed and he looked at her more closely. He was scrutinizing her. But she also saw worry.
She just shook her head. The wispy blond hair flew in all directions. “I’m not sure what you mean.” Her words were slow and careful. Why would this man concern himself with her?
She watched as he gave her a sad expression and then turned to his desk and picked up a folder. “Your employee file.” He opened it and perused the brunette in the photo. It was her state identification card. She had colored her hair since the photo had been taken three years earlier. She was blonde now. But the photo from security showed her as a red head when she was gambling. Her masking her appearance was what had set up alarms for him.
“Mr. Sassacus,” Heidi swallowed wondering what this was all about. “I’m not sure why you called me in here today.”
“Well, a friend mentioned she saw one of our employees in the casino two days ago and from the description of the scar, I knew it was you. I hired you.” He paused and let that part sink in before continuing. “Your parole officer assured me you were a good worker, had done well in the halfway house, and I took a chance on you. He gave me the whole story. The fire, the tragedy, and I wanted to give you another shot.” Again, he paused. He wanted her to know that the casino cared about its people. “I was pleased you had been doing so well. Three years with us, Heidi.”
Heidi nodded as her stomach filled with a swarm of angry bees. A friend had noticed her. What friend? She remembered that moment in the casino when Jessyka had caught her staring. It had been brief, and Heidi felt that small flicker of fear then. But she hadn’t thought she had been recognized. She hardly resembled Lisa at all anymore.
“A friend recalled seeing a blonde with a scar working in the lobby, and then she mentioned you had a red wig on in the casino.”
Heidi’s face twisted into a sour knot. Jessyka was that friend. Destroying her life once more and not even knowing she was doing it. “Mr. Sassacus. It was the only time, I swear.”
He was watching her, looking closely. Judging her. “I believe you, Heidi, but you know our policy. You don’t gamble where you work.” His almond colored eyes showed sympathy. “With your history of addiction, you know this can lead to other addictions. I really don’t want to see you go down that road.”
Heidi nodded and looked down at her hands twisting around each other in her lap. She knew the policy and cursed herself for being so stupid. So careless. “Are you firing me?” She had to know. She looked up at the man whose expression now gave away nothing.
He sighed deeply before speaking. “Heidi. I hate to do that. But I am suspending you. Two weeks, and before you can come back, I need to see this card stamped ten times.”
He held out the card. It was for the local Gambler’s Anonymous group that met nightly on the reservation nearby. She had heard of employees being sent there. The casino gave their workers a chance to clean up their acts. They had to go to meetings, get a sponsor, and do the ten steps. Live them.
“It will be a paid suspension, Heidi. This time. But it is the only shot you’ve got. You understand?”
Heidi nodded slowly and got up. She took the card from Joseph’s hand. “Good luck, Heidi. You kicked your habits before. I know it’s hard, but you can do this again.”
She silently nodded, while inside she cursed the day her brother had ever met Jessyka. The cunt was ruining her life again. Her new goddammned life, and she didn’t even know it.
“Two weeks, then meet me here in my office, Heidi.”
No words could form through her anger. Her throat was tightly constricted as she choked back her anger and her despair. She tried to look contrite as he walked her to his office door to escort her out. She didn’t even turn to say goodbye. She simply walked down the corridor as quickly as her shaky legs could carry her and said nothing, even though he had called her to wish well. She needed to be outside, alone, somewhere where she could scream. It was building. It was coming, and all she could think of was escape. She felt the walls closing in and she knew that feeling all too well. The noose was getting tighter and she was losing her control. Again.
When the elevator opened she wasn’t alone, and she kept her body rigid and in check. Joseph was still watching her and she gave a quick wave of her hand as the doors slid shut. She counted down from ten in the elevator, slowly in her mind. When the doors finally s
lid open, she practically ran through the lobby to escape. Sherry saw her and didn’t say anything. She must have heard by now about her suspension. And then from the corner of her eye, she saw Betty Sims and Nancy smirking behind their hands while she passed. The twats! She kept walking, no, almost running, out of the casino in her sprint to get away, to get in her car and cry out her anguish and pain with the windows rolled up so no one could hear her. She ran right into a solid wall of muscle and almost tumbled onto the pavement. Two large hands stopped her decent.
“Woah, gal! Careful!” Her eyes snapped up at those words, and she almost threw up on the spot when she stared into the deep brown eyes of none other than Benny Sawyer. “Are you okay?” he asked, looking her all over to check for injuries.
“Fine. Just needed air.” She pulled out of his grasp when she heard Jessyka behind her.
“Is she okay?” The sickly sweet voice of her nemesis asked.
“I think so,” he looked over the frightened looking woman who had just fled out of the casino in a mad dash, and now appeared rooted to the spot. Something about her looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place it. He felt a prickle of sensation in his scalp. A tingling.
“I’m fine. Thank-you. I just needed some fresh air. I was feeling ill, but I am fine now. Thank-you both,” the woman said coolly without even turning around to look at his wife who was now coming around his aunt’s SUV to join him.
She began to walk away, but Benny snagged her arm protectively. “Can I walk to your car at least?” he asked, wanting to make sure the woman made it there in one piece. She looked so pale, and drawn. Her pupils were slightly dilated. She had said she wasn’t feeling well.
“No, you have done plenty. Now, let me go.” Benny dropped the woman’s arm and stepped back out of her way. He wouldn’t push his support on her. He watched her as she walked away until he felt Jessyka standing beside him.
“Oh, you know who that was?” she remarked nonchalantly. He heard the recognition in her voice.
“No who?” he asked, remembering he felt briefly that she looked vaguely familiar as well.
“The lady who worked in the lobby. I remembered the scar. She was also in the casino that day. The one I mentioned to Joseph who had won.”
Dawning came upon him. He remembered Joseph explaining their policy. The woman had probably just been reprimanded by her boss. That would explain her rush outside. Her feeling unwell.
“You ready to go?” Cookie remarked from the casino doors. They both turned in his direction and did not see the woman get into her old beat up blue hatchback. Cookie was pulling both his and Fiona’s suitcase and she was carrying one small case as well as her purse.
“All set. We just need to get your bags in the back.” Benny replied.
“I’m so glad you are spending the holidays with us on Benny’s aunt’s farm. The kids love you guys, and it will be so much fun.” Jessyka put in.
“I wouldn’t miss this super star cooking us a Thanksgiving dinner for the world,” Cookie teased while Fiona elbowed her man in the rib cage. He didn’t even grunt at her slam. His abs were like steel. Her elbow like a fly landing.
“Well, then let’s go,” Jessyka spoke up. She couldn’t wait to have her kids in her arms. Plus, on the news this morning, she had heard it was going to snow by evening. She wanted to see their little faces light up when they saw snow for the first time.
“My cousins arrive tomorrow and I am so psyched to see them. It’s gonna be the best Thanksgiving in a long time,” Benny claimed as he popped open the hatch on the back of the SUV so Cookie and he could put the remaining baggage inside.
Just as the door closed in the last of the luggage, Benny turned and helped Jessyka into her seat while Cookie did the same with Fiona. Yes, the casino had been fun. Seeing Jewel again, fantastic. They’d had breakfast with her and Joseph and said their goodbyes then. Winning the grand prize had been the icing on the cake. But the real prize was waiting in Massachusetts with his aunts, kids, and cousins. It was going home and spending these next few days with them. That was where his heart was and he wanted to get there, like Jessyka, in time to see his kids’ faces when they saw the first snowflake fall.
Smiling he nodded at Cookie over the top of the midsize SUV. “Let’s roll, Cookie.”
“Let’s, Benny,” Cookie repeated. Both men climbed in checking their seatbelts and then checking to be sure their wives were belted in behind them. They were off, out of Connecticut, and onto their next journey in Massachusetts.
* * *
Heidi sank down into her seat as she watched the tan SUV pull out. How interesting she thought. She put her car into drive and followed them out of the lot. Having left her window open a crack as she pulled up to the casino exit, she caught just enough of the conversation to know that Benny and Jessyka were heading not to the airport like she thought when she made her mad dash to her car. They were going to his aunts’ house. His aunts, who had been watching his kids while they had been at the show. Funny, that they had been close by all this time, she mused. Right under her nose.
But what was even funnier still, was that she had another chance. A chance to get her revenge, for her and Tabitha and Brian. And this time, she wasn’t going to blow it, she vowed. She followed the car out of the parking lot and onto the highway. She kept three cars between them on the interstate. She needed to keep her distance.
Following them to wherever there were going, and not getting spotted was imperative. She knew this shot was her last. There was no way she was going to fuck it up this time.
No fucking way.
* * *
Lisa knew she was lucky. Luckier than she had ever been. She managed to follow the SUV all the way to Bayview and when they had pulled over to gas up at a large truck stop, she too had been able to pull in without being seen.
There they ran into one of Benny’s aunts. And Lisa had been able to see the entire reunion from the crack in her window just outside the entrance to the chain gas station. The snow was now falling thickly and everyone was too excited about the prospect of a white Thanksgiving to pay her any mind. But overhearing that conversation had given her all the information she needed. The house was secured by some guy named Tex. There was even a sensor in the driveway that detected the comings and goings of the inhabitants. The entire family would be there in two days’ time.
Thanksgiving night would be perfect. She could get them all. The entire Sawyer clan and a few extra to boot. And because Aunt Sandra was such a chatty catty, she knew where the farm was. Just a quarter mile down the road. She would find a nice place to hole up nearby and do her research. Plan her attack. With precautions in place, she had to take some of her own as well. She sunk lower into her seat when Jessyka walked back to the SUV where the others waited. Lisa stayed put. She would follow the Aunt back to the turn off, but keep going. No sense going down the road to the farmhouse once she knew the way. Plus, she had to find another way in. And she would. She would get her shot, but this time they were all going down in a blaze of glory. She smiled as she shivered in the unheated car. She prayed Aunt Sandra hurried up. She was anxious to get the ball rolling on her new plan, and she had days now to plan it.
Perfectly.
CHAPTER 22
Benny walked Jessyka back upstairs to his room. All was quiet as they tiptoed their way up the stairs, past the four other bedrooms. His Aunts Sandra and Suzie were bunking together tonight. They decided to give up their room for Cord and Cam to share so as not to displace the children who were already so used to the room they had been using for the past week and a half. His Aunt Jenny had gone with John again, but would arrive the next morning as was her usual to make them breakfast and to see them all off. Fiona and Cookie were comfortably ensconced in Jenny’s room as they had been all week. They needed to be comfortable and she wouldn’t dream of putting them on the sofa while she was out with her beau. No, she wouldn’t hear of it.
Cookie felt bad about the matter until Suzie told
them not to worry; the woman hadn’t slept home in the last six months as far as she knew. Though she always snuck back like a teenage girl each morning and they just pretended not to notice. They all laughed over that one as Jenny, red-faced, glared angrily at her tattle-telling sister. Benny was thrilled for her though. She was finally getting the love she deserved from a man he had known his whole life and respected.
Cam and Cord had been happy too. They loved their aunt and she had helped Suzie raise them as well. And John was family too. They teased her about being embarrassed over the whole situation until she threatened them with no dessert. She had made her famous pumpkin pie and a couple of dutch apple pies as well. Benny and Suzie had taken care of the turkey and the cranberry stuffing. Cord and Cam were drawn into the kitchen with peeling the potatoes while the kids all helped Fiona and Jessyka outside to make snow angels. It had been like old times, Benny thought as he watched his wife outside with the kids while he continued to prep the meal. Cookie stood sentry over the five outside. He watched over little Suzie who toddled around and picked up clumps of the wet snow that continued to fall all day.
Dinner had been a hit, and Benny had loved every moment, vowing to come again. Massachusetts in the fall was gorgeous and this early snow made it perfect. Though he worried that it might not let up and that could delay their flight home. But it stopped just as they all sat around the large oak table for dinner. Everyone fit, including John and his son, Matt, and his pregnant wife, Ruth Elaine.
After dinner they talked for hours and enjoyed each other’s company. Everyone took turns entertaining the children with stories and games, but when the yawns started, he and Jessyka had gone to tuck them upstairs.
After another few hours, his Aunt Jenny left with John, his son, Matt, and his wife. When Fiona and Cookie excused themselves and then Cord and Cam thirty minutes later, he put out the fire in the fire place and he and Jessyka had gone for a quick brisk walk outside to enjoy the solitude. He would miss the place, but he was anxious to get home and start on their farm—the home he was making for his family back in California.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Betting on Benny (Kindle Worlds) (Mystic Nights Book 6) Page 14