She could envision the news headline now—Daryl Livingston, Junior, daughter of the great Daryl Livingston, Senior was apprehended for entering a private Georgia residence. The owners pressed charges and are seeking prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. She took in a deep gulp of the clean Georgia Mountain air.
“Nah, I can’t break into these people’s home. Jail ain’t the answer.”
Snapping wet branches snatched her heart into her throat as movement registered in the corner of her eye. Something on four legs moved through the trees. Squinting to see, she scooted closer to the base of the closest tree. Not a tree climber, Daryl didn’t know how sitting at the base of a tree would help her if this was an animal looking for a meal.
More sounds of movement were followed by deep breathing that didn’t sound human. From the sound, whatever it was, came closer. It was large enough to coax a little bit of pee from her full bladder to seep out. That was it. Daryl’s bladder had joined the party as it was want to do whenever she woke. Standing, she saw the flash of the glint of large dark eyes staring back at her. This was enough to ignite a powerful sprint to the front of the house.
Nearing the front lawn of the mansion that sat at the end of the long driveway, Daryl quickly scoped the place for surveillance cameras, motion sensors, or any other type of monitoring equipment. Who built a huge house like this and left it unprotected?
Perfect, remote and gorgeous, the huge house stood resolute but welcoming. Making it to the front door, she was out of breath and drenched. With no visible neighbors and no alarm system of note to catch her movements, Daryl peered into the shuttered windows of the first floor. Banging on the door for help, she turned back around in time to see what had to be a hunter’s dream. Standing at the edge of the clearing was a young deer that was on the edge of maturity. She could make out what could easily be a seven-point antler. The animal looked her dead on, bringing up a little more fear. She rang the doorbell this time to accompany her pounding on the door.
No one answered. The house was still and looming. The deer continued to stare her way. From where she stood at the front door, Daryl could see the deer’s flattening ears. Not good, that was a sign of aggression. This was getting real. She needed to get somewhere safe. Taking off in the opposite direction toward the back of the house, Daryl didn’t stop or turn around to see if the young buck advanced. Instead, she concentrated on not slipping on the slippery fresh-cut grass.
It was time to survey the grounds to see what else might be lurking out back waiting to give her an unfortunate surprise. It took longer than she’d anticipated to make it around the house, but the sight that greeted her was worth the effort. Across from the pool was a little house that must have been a pool house. That wasn’t the Hallelujah sight though.
A larger, single-story guest house sat back twenty feet or so away from the main house and pool, as quaint, and pretty as you please. It was the size of a normal single story house found in middle to upper-class neighborhoods. Like the main house, it appeared to be quiet and uninhabited.
She sprinted more than ran to cross the lush lawn. The main entrance to the smaller house that looked like the child of the mansion in front of it was comprised of two wide French doors with encased shutters within its double full-length glass panes.
“Please, be a good girl and open for me?” she asked, allowing the whispered plea to float on the chilly, early spring air.
With her eyes shut to fend off the inevitable disappointment of a locked door, Daryl pushed back fear as she turned the lever and pushed. Toppling in as the door gave way in a smooth grace, it was a miracle she didn’t face plant on the rich wood flooring in the entryway of the home.
Righting herself in time, Daryl looked around the dark space to see large forms that appeared shrouded. Fumbling in the dark to find a light switch, she hugged the wall until a panel with a cool, slick surface appeared under her searching touch. Pressing on the wall panel, the room was flooded with professional lighting that gave it the look of a showcase gallery or expensive hotel suite.
“Thank you sweet, baby Jesus!”
Closing the double doors and moving into the open living concept area, Daryl took in the plastic tarp-like coverings that had been the shrouds moments ago. The living space was furnished but covered like the owner didn’t expect to use it much. Daring to move through the house, Daryl took in the rooms, each expertly furnished. When she made it to each of the master suites on opposite sides of the house, tears of overwhelm flooded her eyes.
How could someone with so much leave it abandoned like this? In her best dreams, Daryl couldn’t conjure the lavish expense to afford any of these furnishings. And this was only the guest house! The rain picked up, pelting the stonework path and front that made up the entrance to the guest house. Making it back to the entrance of the house, she lowered the lighting to a soft ambient hue and peered back out. The main house and pool house were as dark and quiet as before. She watched the large, hard raindrops dance on the pool covering as her mind whirled with what to do.
She needed a place to sleep, at least for tonight. Tomorrow, she’d figure out what to do about her next move and pray no one came and found her here.
“Let’s see if the gods of shelter have blessed me with the ability to take a hot bath.”
Moving to the master bath in the bedroom she’d decided to sleep in, Daryl held her breath as she turned on the hot water faucet for the huge claw foot soaking bathtub. The groan and pop of pressure that escaped were enough to make her shriek with fear. But, it wasn’t long before dull water with hints of brown turned into crystal clear, hot water.
Again, Daryl imagined her dad smiling down on her and blessing her with accommodations way better than any hotel she could have found in these parts.
After the bath and removing plastic covers from the bed, the long chest at the end of it, and a chair, she unpacked enough to locate her pajamas and toiletries. When Daryl lie down in the bed fit for a princess, she sent a silent prayer up to the owner asking forgiveness and offering thanks. Everything was going to work out. The universe and her dad had already led her to a warm bed in a great house. Tomorrow would be a day full of possibilities.
2
Asher Princeton—late May
“Thanks, Monique. Don’t send any more calls through. I’m packing up now.”
A sultry, deep voice full of wisdom and protection floated back through the intercom. “Already done. Go on and get out of here before anyone else tries my patience to see you.” The mature woman had been his personal assistant from the beginning of his business rise to success almost fourteen years ago.
She’d helped him navigate the world of business, a short, ill-fated marriage, and even nastier divorce, greedy ex-business partners, and everything else, that had comprised his adult life. Monique was the godmother of his son, Brock, but was more like the child’s surrogate mother. She kept excellent watch over them both.
“I’m going to ask one more time. Please consider coming with us to the mountains. Brock and I won’t know what to do without you for the summer.”
“Nope. I told you, I have some cruises I’m taking with my new Boo. You cute and all, but this is my new man we’re talking about here. I’ll come up and check on y’all when I get back in July. For now, you need to spend some time with Brock and help him through his growth spurt.”
“He’s five. You’re the cool one he fawns over. I’m just the dude that looks like him and supports his lifestyle.”
Her laugh worked its normal magic. Asher had come to lean on her a lot. She was his big sister in all sense of the meaning. Monique had his back without question. Spending three months alone with his small son without her was going to be a challenge.
Monique’s voice pulled him back to the conversation. “Plus, getting away from here will throw off that pack of hyenas you use for female companionship. Nah, you two need some quiet guy time.”
“Pack of hyenas, huh? That’s cold.”
“I told you, I’ve been doing the single dad alone thing since the beginning of the year.”
“I know love, just giving you a hard time. After that fiasco with that one who tried to trap you with blackmail, I knew you’d see the light. Promise me, the next one; you’ll be careful with until you’re certain she can handle the truth. I’m getting too old to be your Girl Friday—Enforcer version.”
“Haha, yeah, she was the crazy last straw. Again, on my honor, I’m on the straight and narrow. Haven’t you notice I’ve been getting sleep and going home? Brock is the top priority, and he’s excited about going to the mountains.”
“I don’t know why you don’t get a real mountain home somewhere like Colorado. The North Georgia Mountains are… cute. I worry you’re going to be spotted up there; too much tourist attention from Ruby Falls and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mark my words, someone is going to catch you on their cell with a video or picture and then what?”
“Stop worrying. I take extra precautions. You taught me that, remember?”
“Humph! I taught you a lot, but sometimes you do what you want. I know you, Ash. The one good thing about those mountains is the lack of feminine distractions up there. When your penchant for a great chase isn’t an option, you’re the strong, focused Ash I admire.”
“What? You make me sound like a whore.”
“Not at all. You’re a healthy man with needs. I get that. And since Brock’s mother’s unfortunate death, you’ve really stepped up to the plate with him. My words are meant to help you stay focused on the task at hand—raising your son, taking care of yourself, and keeping this company great.”
“Whew, thanks. For a minute there, I thought you were going to recount my ten most recent screw-ups.”
“Nah, no reason to do that. You do it to yourself enough. Get out of your head and live your life more. It’s past time you took care of your personal needs.” He knew what she meant without either of them having to say more. Monique added, “It’ll be good for you being up there alone and able to focus. This company could stand a new, exciting win. I want Brock to embrace his heritage, and not dodge it because his dad was a little too zealous with his coming of age training.”
“I promise to take it slow, but that’s another reason why you need to come with us. I can’t do this without you.”
Monique was the only other person in his life who knew what Asher Princeton really was. He had been twenty-two, alone and tried hard to find his way in the world, when he’d been reckless. It must have been fate that made him crash land in her backyard all those years ago. Drunk and unable to take flight again after getting clipped by a rather large night drone, he’d ended up tangled in one of her humongous rose bushes. In her backyard that stretched on forever, he'd been unable to free himself.
She’d found him after the crash, still in a semi-shifted state. Never saying a word or freaking out about finding a dragon shifter on her property, Monique had given him time to shift back and then helped him into her home. She’d patched him up and vowed to keep his secret. It would be another seven years before he learned her secret—she too was a shifter—a crow. Like the mighty crows from Norse mythology only in black woman version, Monique was a fierce warrior with compassion for the meek and vengeance against the cruel. She trusted few and relied on no one.
“Thanks. Are you sure you’re ready for this new guy to spend that much time with him.” Pausing to choose his next words with care, less he got one of her legendary verbal takedowns, Asher said, “You normally can’t take being around one of your Boos past three days. Isn’t that first cruise a seven-day?”
“It is.”
“That’s seven days, Monique.”
“I know. What are you trying to say?” “I said it. You’re not the kind of person to be cooped up in a ship’s cabin with a man for that long.”
“This one is different.”
“Um-hmm,” he said, disbelief heavy in his tone. “Look you; I’m getting better, more mellow as time goes by.”
“Monique, tell that to someone who doesn’t know you. The first thing the poor fella does to piss you off, heaven help him.”
“Not true. I enjoy his company—a lot.”
“Really? Enough for seven days?”
“Yes, and the other one we’re taking is an eleven day. It’s a suite with two bedrooms, and you paid for it as this year’s bonus to me. So there.”
“Monique… you sure about this? I don’t want to have to come and bail you out of jail from one of these exotic countries when you kill him.”
“Look you little fast-ass; I like this one.” The line went silent.
Asher laughed to himself. Monique would be Monique.
He heard her cover the speaker as she cut down an excited young male voice in the outer office. He listened as she said to the other person, “I said he’s leaving for the day.”
“But it’ll only take a minute, I promise.”
“And I promise that you won’t make it past me to get that minute.” Another pause. Asher couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. He knew what this pause meant. Monique was about to do what she did best, cut the guy down and blow him back out the door. “Look, I’m sure for you, this is a huge emergency, but, for Mr. Princeton, it’s business; a business that has a protocol and someone who can take care of it. Did you go through the proper chain of command before coming up here? Just because Mr. Princeton has an open-door policy doesn’t mean you get to trounce over the procedures that make this company so great. Tell me… who is your immediate manager?”
“She’s gone for the day?”
Her voice dropped lower. Not a good sign for the poor kid, “That’s not what I asked. Who’s your manager?”
“Tammy Silky.”
“Did you try to contact her before coming up here? I know her. She’s good about staying in touch with her team even when she’s not in the office.”
“No. It just happened, and I need an answer right away.”
“Sit down, right there. We’re going to get in touch with Tammy.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. I—I can call her from my desk. It’s all good.”
“Is that right? I thought you needed an answer right now?” Again, the base in her voice rang through, sending vibrations even through the speaker. “Or, were you trying to go around her to shine in front of Mr. Princeton?”
Another silence.
The high-pitched squeak that accompanied the young man’s voice was comical. “I’ve got it. Thanks for your help. I’ll contact Tammy and get the answer.”
“I thought you would. Bye-bye.” Asher heard footsteps of a quick retreat. Monique lobbed a final warning as the man left. “The next time you want to showboat and come up here, you won’t be so lucky to make it back to your desk and still have a job. That’s not what this company or Mr. Princeton are about. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Now have a great holiday weekend.”
She returned to the line. “The little shit.”
“Reminds me why I’m thankful you’re on my side.”
“You better always remember that. You’re a little shit too, but not as often.” She paused, and Asher’s breath caught. Monique was like the guardian angel he’d always needed, and he’d come to rely on her to help run his business and his life. She spoke, this time warmth softened her tone. “Ash, I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. And that baby, you know he’s my heart as well. But, it’s time for you to step up and be the main parent in his life. I don’t want to pull back, but I know it’s time—in my gut. Y’all are a family. I’m happy being Auntie Nique, but it’s time for me to pull back and let you two grow your relationship.”
Asher took a moment. When Monique spoke like this, there was no comeback. He’d give her a little space and time away before launching his appeal. He needed her support. There was no way he would have made it this far w
ithout her help.
“I can hear the wheels spinning around in that stubborn head of yours. I’m not going to change my mind about this. It’s time, Ash. You’ve got to step up and be the primary focus of Brock’s life. He needs you to be his number one parent.”
“I understand. Believe me; I want to be that for him. I worry that he’ll miss having that feminine presence around like before.”
Her chuckle filled the room, even from the intercom. “Something tells me you’ll figure it out. Ash, I’m here if you need me. I’m not abandoning you or Brock. But, I must obey my instincts. I’m pulling back. It’s your time to shine. Trust me; you’ve got this.”
Not one to wallow in bad news, he brightened his tone. “Sure thing. I trust your instinct.”
“Good, because my instinct says you need to get out of here and head for the mountains. Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the summer. I don’t want you losing your cool when you’re in bumper to bumper traffic.” He could hear movement as she must have started to straighten up her desk. The telltale clicks of a keyboard came through. “I sent the landscaping crew out to make sure the grounds are ready. Don’t want Brock playing in weeds. Remember, you’ll need to air everything out since you didn’t want me sending that firm, you know the one where you slept with the owner and then dumped her, up there to air everything out before you get there. You’re on your own with that. Let the water from a few faucets run, remove the dust covers from the rooms you want to use and use that app I put on your phone for grocery delivery when you get there. The pool guy should be up there early next week to open the pool for the summer. Oh, and please try to stop by the Mayor’s office in Ellijay for a quick hello. I’ve sent the usual gift basket and made a ten-thousand-dollar contribution to their Apple Festival as a sponsor for this year coming up in October.”
Dragon's Curvy Dilemma Page 2