by Aliyah Burke
“Are you okay?” Connie whispered.
“Peachy.”
“You know that was your response after you got shot and I asked you how you were.”
She lifted her shoulders languidly. “Feel like I just took another bullet, in a way.”
Talk resumed after Tuck made introductions. He got Daisy some wine and carried his own glass to a chair near Ariel. So much wanted to stream from her mouth but she locked it behind her teeth. It was a day for giving thanks. She wasn’t going to ruin it or make it uncomfortable for the others merely because she was pissed. And boy was she pissed.
Tuck got her alone in her room while people were eating—she stepped out from her bathroom to find him there. The door behind him was closed. She took a moment and made sure her skirt was still fine. Sure, she knew it was, but it gave her something to do for a minute.
“Thank you,” he said.
She watched him. “For?”
“Not making a scene when Daisy showed up.”
Her head buzzed and she ignored it. “She didn’t show up, you brought her.”
“She said she didn’t have anywhere to go today.”
Her eye twitched. “So you thought you’d just bring her along with you. How sweet.”
“It’s Thanksgiving.”
“Didn’t see you bringing any homeless folks back with you. They don’t have people to be with either.” She glanced around. “Where are they?”
Tuck reached for her and she glared at him. “Don’t be like this.”
“Like what? Pissed you bring a woman who’s shared your bed to my apartment? Pissed you didn’t tell me she was working for you, driving your vehicles, what?” She blew out a breath. “You know what? I don’t care. I have guests out there and I’m not about to get into this with you. Not now.”
She walked out on his shocked expression and rejoined the group eating. Connie shot her a look and she gave her a nod, letting her know she was fine. Her friend didn’t appear all that convinced.
Ariel picked up a conversation with Steve and did her best to ignore the issue before her with Tuck. She’d made sure to sit away from him and kept people between them. To be near him and his woman wasn’t at all something she wished to do. Thankfully everyone ignored the slight tension between her and Tuck, continuing to keep the mood light.
It was late when people began to file out. Slater went to the door. “Wait, Slater,” Connie said.
Their boss turned and frowned but didn’t leave. Connie looked at her. “You sure you don’t need my help in cleaning all this up?”
“No, go. Take care of him, I got this.”
“I’m sorry she showed up.”
“He’s the one who brought her,” she said, anger flashing anew.
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Take care.”
Connie gave her a smile then went to the door where she and Slater exchanged words on their way out. Ariel rubbed her temples. Even now, on Thanksgiving, she knew Connie wouldn’t let down her guard. She was still livid over Slater having gone in by himself and she’d not been shy about letting him know.
Tuck waited until they were alone then shut the door to her place and approached her. She watched him move across her room in the reflection of the window she stood before as she got ready to load the dishwasher.
“Can we talk now?”
That’s not the question you should be asking, Tuck. You should be wondering if I can talk without losing my shit and kicking your ass. She skimmed her teeth with her tongue and shrugged. “So talk. I’m busy.”
“What are you pissed about?”
The dish clattered to the countertop. “Really? That’s what you’re starting with?” She gripped the edges and took several deep breaths.
“Yeah. You haven’t been happy since I brought her here.”
“How rude of me,” she sneered. “To not be doing cartwheels when a man I’m dating brings a woman he’s fucked in the past to my place for Thanksgiving dinner.” She whirled around. “Did you plan on telling me she worked with you and you’d given her carte blanche to drive your truck around San Antonio? Or was that something you hoped I’d never find out? At least this explains what you had to do at work this morning.”
“How did you find out she was working with me?”
“Answering all that with a question. Wow. I saw her getting out of your truck. And I’ve seen her getting out of a company vehicle. Typically, she drives your truck, though. Plan on answering my questions?”
“She was sent by the temp agency.” He shrugged. “She’s good.”
“I bet she is.” Her words were icy.
“Is that what you think? I’m fucking her?” He glowered.
“I think you didn’t think enough of our relationship to tell me you had hired a woman you’d fucked right before we got into bed together. And…nope. I’m not doing this again. I won’t. I won’t. I won’t.” She wiped her hands off and walked across the floor, heels clicking, then opened the door. “There’s nothing else to talk about. We’re done.”
“You’re breaking up with me? Over that?”
She crossed her arms and glared back at him. “You came bursting in here the other day pissed because I did my job and there were men around me.”
“I still am pissed. You were shot and acted like it was nothing. Then yes, you had your men around you. Yes, I was pissed. And as stated, I still am.”
“So it’s okay for you to be pissed I was doing my job but I can’t be pissed you’re working with a woman who’s spent time nude in your bed, who we’ve also run into at a park where her blatant advances would have been visible to a blind man, and now I know she’s allowed to drive your truck and who knows do what else with”—she gestured at him—“all that. Good luck with that.”
“I didn’t think it was—”
“I get it. You didn’t think it was anything I needed to know. Which is not a good thing.”
“So what, you’re supposed to tell me who I can and can’t hire?”
“So you’ve hired her now? I thought the temp agency sent her over.”
He swallowed. “That’s how it started.”
Ariel prayed for patience. “Great. No, I’m not saying I can say who you hire for your business. I have nothing to do with it, but out of respect you could have mentioned that to me. It’s obvious there is none.”
“I can’t believe you’re making such a big deal out of this.”
Her smile was feral. “Chalk it up to me being a woman and hormonal. Now get the fuck out.”
He frowned but she merely lifted one eyebrow and pointed. With a curse, he shook his head and went by her. Ariel took immense pleasure in kicking the door shut behind him.
* * * *
“She has a point, you know.”
Tuck glared at Steve, not wanting to hear whatever he was saying.
“So you’ve said,” he growled. “Why are you on her side?”
“I’m not. Just pointing out she had a point.”
“It’s my business. I can hire whomever I want. And, even better, I can do it without getting her permission.”
“No argument.”
“I don’t need her permission!” he reiterated.
“Sure don’t.”
He crushed his beer can in one fist. “But…she’s acted like I had to. Or should have.”
Steve ate his final taco. “Really? When?”
Tuck scowled at his friend and roommate. “What do you mean when?”
“From what you’ve said went down, she said that wasn’t it.”
“Support?” He lifted a brow and stared at the man.
“I’m your friend, Tuck, but I won’t side with you over something you told me yourself she didn’t say.” He wiped his mouth. “I’m her friend as well.”
Words he knew were true but right now didn’t want to hear. He scratched his arm. “Have you seen her?” God, he sounded pathetic.
“A few times right after Thanksgiving. Nothing for
a while now.”
He hated his friend. Was that lame? Probably, and no, he didn’t give a damn. They were three days from Christmas. He’d not seen her at all since she’d kicked him out and he could no longer get in her apartment. Whatever it was she’d put him on—in her system—she’d since removed him.
Tuck bit back his question, although from the smirk on Steve’s face, he’d anticipated it already.
“Yes, I could still get in the last time I went there.” Something flashed across Steve’s face and he wanted to ask him what it was about.
He muttered very unkind words.
“Did you think she was going to continue allowing you unlimited access to her place?” His silence was damning. “You also think she didn’t mean it about the break-up.”
“Fuck you, Steve.”
“Not my type, man.” He threw away his plate. “I hope you figure it out before you lose her forever.”
Forever. That was a word he didn’t want to think about in terms of not having Ariel in his life. “I ain’t chasing her. There are plenty more fish in the sea.” His remark was stubborn and defiant.
Steve snorted and raised his eyebrow. “Right. Don’t think you’ll find any more like her. Think about that. Kind of hard to get the woman you’re building a house for to live in it if you’re not with her anymore.” He left.
More curses streamed from his mouth. Steve was one hundred per cent right. About her and the house. Thump! He started and stared at the door from which the noise had come through.
What the frack? He went to the door. Opening it, he frowned at what he saw. Movers. Four men and the noise had been them setting down her couch—one must have dropped his end. There was no mistaking it was hers, he’d fucked her enough on it.
“What’s going on here?” he demanded.
“Moving.” The men laughed.
Tuck was far from amused. He went to her door. “Ariel?”
“Ms Greene’s not here, man.”
Facing the one who had spoken, he said, “Where is she?”
“Not a clue. We were hired to move her. Excuse me.” He went by Tuck and shut the door behind him.
Tuck couldn’t believe it. Back at his apartment, he grabbed his cell and called her. Nothing. Went to her voicemail.
“Ariel, it’s me, Tuck. Call me. I see you’re moving.” He ended the call.
The next time he left, her place was empty and the guys were leaving, being replaced by a two-woman cleaning crew who entered as the movers vacated. The door clicked behind them, sounding so final.
He rubbed his chest, unpleased with the empty feeling seated there. Okay, so I thought she was having a tantrum. Pissed over Daisy. He rolled his eyes. What kind of guy pines over a woman who has made it clear she doesn’t want him? Him for one. Tuck thought about how Steve was fighting to save his marriage and keep the woman he loved. And Drake—he wanted to let the world know he was Lisa’s man. They were okay with admitting how they felt.
He palmed his keys then went to his truck. Behind the wheel, he frowned at the lingering scent of Daisy’s perfume. Doing his best to ignore it, he drove all the way out to the site of his new house and walked through the three thousand plus feet of space. A lot of time and vision had gone into the drawing of these plans. And every second of it had been after he’d met Ariel.
Despite the chill, he sat on his tailgate and overlooked the property. This would be his. A truck rumbled up the dirt drive and parked next to him. Drake got out and zipped up his coat before joining him on the tailgate.
“It’s three days before Christmas, man. What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be at some swanky holiday party? Kissing your woman.” A grin. “Or women under the mistletoe?”
Tuck stared at the tips of his boots. “Have no parties to go to. Got no woman. She dumped me on Thanksgiving.”
“Shit, that’s cold. You still pining after her? Gonna get her back?”
“Nope. She moved. Not a fucking clue where.” He stared at his home and accepted he had seen Ariel as the one sharing it with him, as he’d drawn it on paper. Imagined her subtle touches once it was finished to take it that final step from house to home.
Now what do I have? A house, no woman and only memories.
“Damn. You really fucked up.”
“Thanks,” he replied sarcastically.
“Sorry, man. Just calling it like I see it.”
“Great.” He gestured with his hand around the area. “What brings you out here? As you pointed out, it’s three days before Christmas.”
“Left some of Lisa’s containers out here and she needs them for leftovers. So here I am.”
“I saw them in there. Four I believe. In the front room.”
“Yes.” He made a fist pump. “Thank God they’re still there. I didn’t relish having to explain to her that I lost them. The woman can be downright vicious.”
Tuck laughed. He’d met Lisa—and enjoyed spending time with her very much—but it was highly entertaining for him to think of big Drake scared of her. She was barely a buck-five soaking wet. His little firecracker, Drake called her. Words usually accompanied by a wink and lustful grin.
“I’m sure you can find a way to appease her.”
Drake smirked. “Man, she’s appeased every night.”
Tuck smacked his leg. “Shit, you’re right. I gotta get going. If you’re here that means I need to swing by and make her smile. We always do the appeasing when you’re not there, but it’s good of you to acknowledge that she’s getting it every night.”
With a punch to his shoulder, Drake said, “You wish, man, you wish. All righty, I’m outta here, getting dishes and getting home.” Drake hopped off only to turn back. “You got plans for dinner or do you want to come over? Lisa would love to see you.”
He slapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks but there’s somewhere I have to be.”
“I’m out!”
“Bye, Drake.”
“Hey, bossman.”
He stared at his friend and employee who peered at him over the cab of his truck. “Yeah?”
“Merry Christmas.”
This time the smile came easier. “Same to you, man. Same to you. Give Lisa a kiss for me.”
Drake waved, then drove closer to the house, leaving his truck running while he jumped out and got what he came for then left, honking on his way out. Tuck hung out for a short time before sliding off and heading out.
As he realised how comfortable Drake was in his relationship with Lisa and could handle teasing like that, he was in the Starbucks drive-through. Tuck knew he wasn’t that good for he’d been pissed just by Ariel having men around her he didn’t know. He needed to change. Once he’d been served, he headed for his next destination.
Sipping his coffee, he stepped into the elevator car then pressed the button for his desired floor. In the corner he waited as the music—holiday, of course—played. He walked to the door after departing the car, pausing at the logo that he was used to seeing pinned to the lapel of Ariel’s suit coat or shirt before pushing through. Connie sat behind the desk and she blinked before watching him with no sign of recognition.
“Welcome to Prometheus Protections. May I help you?”
“Is Ariel here, Connie?” He approached her desk and placed his cup on it.
She barely blinked. “Ms Greene is not available.”
“I’ll wait.”
“We close in fifteen minutes.”
“Great.” He went to the leather couch and sat, ensuring he kept an eye on the door.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave now. We’re closing for the night.”
He peered up from the magazine that had snapped up his attention. Rotating his empty coffee cup, he stared up at her. “Where’s Ariel?” He wasn’t leaving until he got some answers.
The door behind Connie opened and Slater stepped through. “Let’s go, Connie. I’m done for the night. Oh… What are you doing here?”
“Looking for Ariel.” He
replaced the magazine.
Slater approached them. “Didn’t she tell you Ariel’s not here? Connie?”
“I told him she was not available. The standard answer when one asks about someone who isn’t here.” There was no remorse in her tone.
Tuck stood. “Could have told me she wasn’t in the building.”
“You didn’t ask.” Her voice was bland. “I will be by the door.”
Slater whistled low. “That there, my man, is one woman you don’t want to be pissed at you. And it seems you’ve managed to do that.”
“Why would she be mad at me?”
“She’s upset because you insulted Ariel by bringing that woman to Thanksgiving.”
Tuck exhaled and tossed the cup into the trash. “Where is she?”
“Ariel?”
He flexed his fists. “Slater, I’m not in the mood.”
Before he could blink, Connie had inserted herself between them. Had he not heard from Ariel about how she was, he would have considered laughing at her belief that she could stop him had he any wish to harm Slater. He sidestepped a bit but she moved fluidly with him.
“Tell me where she is.” He remained focused on Slater.
“Can’t.”
His growl rumbled up from his chest and he’d taken one step before pulling up.
Connie had drawn a firearm and it was aimed at his head. Shit! He dropped back, turning desperate eyes to Slater.
“Connie, I think I’m—”
“Back away, sir. It is my job to assess threats and protect you. That’s what you hired me for.”
“I’m not a threat.” Tuck stepped back a few more. “I just want to know where she is.”
“Connie, put your pistol away,” Slater said.
“He needs to leave.”
Tuck was of the same mind. Hell, he’d shared beer, wine and laughs with this woman and none of it mattered. Her job did. Similar to how Ariel was—the job came first, always. He headed for the door and asked again. “Can you tell me?”
“She was called up. Activated, so we haven’t any clue.”
Slater’s voice trailed him to the door. He opened the door and passed through before facing the duo. Connie still aimed her sidearm at him.
Damn woman is all about business.
“Thank you.” He left and, in the elevator, expelled his breath as he realised he’d been extremely close to getting shot.