Sammie was a keeper, that much was certain.
They entered the store and Sammie retrieved a cart, both of them going around the aisles, picking out the relative items. The conversation was mundane and almost nonsensical but May didn’t care. It was fun to laugh about things that she found silly. Now she was cancer-free, life seemed a lot more brighter.
“So,” Sammie asked as she put a loaf of bread into the cart, “What’s on the cards for you now?”
“Chris said I could take the rest of the day off.” May found the crumpets and tossed them on top of the bread. “I’m going to go home and get my apartment in order before I have a marathon of TV shows.”
“You mean the Investigation Discovery channel.”
May didn’t even try to deny it. The Investigation Discovery channel was her guilty pleasure for her and she would put it on for practically every second she was at home. It was strangely relaxing watching crime shows for her.
“Whatever floats my boat.” She grinned, leading the way into the next aisle.
Sammie rolled her eyes.
“You need to get out more.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you’ve spent the past couple of years either working, going to chemo or cooped up in your apartment.” Sammie leant on the handles of the cart. “You need to go out and enjoy yourself.”
“Sammie, I’ve been too exhausted to go out. The chemo took a lot of energy out of me.”
“I know that. But, come on, May. You used to be the life of the party.”
May sighed. She had loved a good party when she was younger. In college, May was the one who hosted parties at her student house. She had been the social secretary for three clubs and she had thrived on it. Now she didn’t look like a party girl anymore; she looked like an invalid.
“I know I did.” May frowned as she prodded at her stomach. “Maybe I’m getting too old.”
Sammie snorted and slapped her friend’s arm.
“I’d hardly say that. You’re looking great. Absolutely yummy, I’d say.”
“You can say but no touching, girl.”
Sammie laughed, causing a woman going the other way with her cart to look at them strangely. They carried on shopping, picking out the things May needed before heading to the checkout. Then they started towards the exit, May leaning a bit more on the cart as they went. She was getting tired. Even though the chemo wasn’t sucking out her energy, it would take time to build herself up again to her usual amount of bouncy energy. May was looking forward to not being constantly exhausted.
“So, when are you going to do it?”
May almost missed Sammie’s question and looked up to see Sammie giving her a knowing look. What had she missed?
“I beg your pardon?”
“When are you going to make a move on your boss?”
“Sammie!”
“What?”
May could feel herself blushing fiercely. Any mention of Chris when it wasn’t business and she would end up acting like a giggly schoolgirl. It was embarrassing and Sammie knew about it. She turned away and focused on her feet going one in front of the other.
“Why would I do that? He’s my boss. Can you imagine the complications of that?”
“Why not? I did it.”
“But that’s because he was a co-worker before he became your boss. You were lucky. If I even thought about putting the moves on Chris, I could be out of a job.”
Sammie sighed and leant on the cart, fanning herself.
“That’s a shame. He is gorgeous.”
May had to bite her tongue there. There was no denying it to herself. Chris Campbell was gorgeous. Six feet of solid muscle, dark hair streaked with silver even at the age of thirty-five, ice-blue eyes that sparkled with warmth whenever he looked at her and a smile that made May’s insides melt. Having eye-candy while she worked was part of the reason May accepted the job and didn’t turn away when she realized how Chris really made his billions.
It wasn’t orthodox but May wasn’t about to give him up. Not when he was just as loyal to her in return. His support during her cancer had been startling and welcome. May was very appreciative of it but she made sure she didn’t take advantage of it.
By the time her final treatment had been completed, May knew it wouldn’t take much to nudge her into falling completely in love with Chris. But Sammie could not know that; she wouldn’t let it go until May fully admitted it.
She did not need Sammie being a matchmaker.
“You know,” Sammie said, nudging her friend with a sly grin as they stepped out into the warm sunshine, “If you were honest with yourself, so do you.”
Chapter 2
May knew Sammie could see the red flushes. She coughed and lifted her chin, looking Sammie in the eye.
“That is something I refuse to have an opinion on.”
“So, you do think so!”
May groaned.
“Oh, stop it, Sammie. We both know we’re not going to happen. I’m his PA, not his live-in whatever. I’m there to help him out and make sure he keeps to his diary, not to…” May stopped herself when she saw a young family go past them, lowering her voice. “Sleep with him.”
“Well, from the way he’s looked at you in the past, I’d say he wouldn’t say no.”
The thought of being in bed with Chris, his naked body pressed against hers, had May’s nipples tightening and a shiver go through her body, settling between her legs. May shuddered and wrapped her arms across her chest.
“Don’t get my hopes up, Sammie. I’ve just got the news I’m in remission. I don’t want to think about going out on the pull right now.”
Normally, Sammie would tease her and urge her towards going out with her, just like they used to in college. But today she shrugged and backed off.
“Okay, suit yourself. But you let me know and I’ll have you out there faster than you can blink.”
“Just don’t set me up with any of your mates.” May made a face. “The last one was awful.”
“He was sweet.”
“He dealt drugs out of his home! I nearly got knifed by one of his clients.”
“I didn’t know that!”
That was a fair point. Sammie would never have willingly associated herself with drug dealers. There was a line and Sammie would never cross it.
May grunted and felt herself swaying a little. Sammie took her arm.
“You tired?”
“Yeah.” May was feeling weak, her body more exhausted. “I think I did a bit too much.”
Sammie said nothing. She led May and the cart over to a nearby bench, situated near the bay where a car could pull in and do a pick-up. Sammie urged May to sit.
“You stay here and rest. I’ll get the car.”
May wasn’t about to argue with that. She would happily put her feet up and get out of putting the shopping away. Being ill did have its advantages.
As she sat there, letting the sun rays kiss her face, a group of three came out of the store. One was a woman in her late twenties with dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, dressed in sweats, pushing the cart full of groceries. In the cart seat was a cute little boy about two years old, dark hair curling around his hair and similar colorings and complexion as her mother. The third was a woman in her late fifties with graying blonde hair and wearing a smart white blouse with a black skirt, matched with black pumps. She looked like she was dolled up to go out to a bar than into a supermarket.
The boy was getting a little fussy. Not overly so but enough that the tired mother was starting to fray a little.
“Nearly back to the car, sweetie.” She puffed, ruffling his hair as she pushed the cart towards the bench.
“I’m getting tired.” Moaned the other woman, suddenly shuffling along. “I need to sit down.”
May wasn’t sure but she thought she saw the younger woman’s eyes rolling.
“We’re nearly at the car, Sara.”
“But I have to sit down now.
” The woman whined. “My old legs won’t work anymore.”
May wanted to point out that she looked fitter than May did right now but bit her tongue. She caught the young mother’s eye and rolled her eyes. The mother made a face and they shared a look of understanding. The young woman sighed and indicated the bench.
“Fine. Why don’t you sit here and keep an eye on William? I’ll get the car and we can load up.”
Sara turned to the bench, her face blanching when she saw May.
“I…I can’t sit there with her!” She hissed. “She could stab me while you’re at the car!”
This May did burst out laughing at.
“Ma’am, I wouldn’t waste my energy on you.”
The mother smirked.
“Sit, Sara, or you can walk to the car. Your choice.”
Sara looked like she wanted to argue but the mother had placed the cart beside the bench, kissed her son on the head, and headed across the parking lot. Giving May a scowl, Sara sat on the edge of the bench, as far away as possible from May as she could without falling off the seat. May rolled her eyes and looked away, ignoring her. She had no time for the stupid racist woman.
Then she heard Sara talking in babying tones to the boy.
“Look at that, William. Mommy’s leaving you. You’ve been naughty in the store so she’s leaving you behind.”
May snapped her head around. What had she just heard? Sara was talking to her grandson, who was starting to get upset and cry, wailing for his mother. Sara looked like she was enjoying his distress.
“I know, it’s mean, honey.” She patted the boy’s hand. “But Mommy doesn’t like you being naughty. She’s left you and now she’s going to drive away without you.”
William was full on wailing now. May couldn’t believe what she had heard. And she couldn’t sit by and ignore this. Not when a boy was in distress.
“Should you be saying that to him?” She demanded. “That’s awful.”
Sara glared at her, sniffing her distaste at May.
“Nobody asked your opinion, little ni…”
“Stop.” May held up a hand before the word she hated came out. “Say that word again and I won’t be responsible for my actions. You do not say words like that in front of children.”
Sara’s eyes widened.
“You’d fight a little old lady?”
“You can’t be any older than sixty. In my book, that’s not old.” May nodded at William, who was trying to climb out the cart. “Leave the boy alone.”
Sara sniffed and turned away, effectively ignoring May and focusing on William, who was trying to undo the strap around his belly.
“I know, honey, I know. Give me a moment.” She undid the strap and lifted William out. “There you go. That’s better, isn’t it?”
May watched as William wriggled out of his grandmother’s grip and charged across the road in the direction his mother had gone. With another car coming. And Sara simply sat back and watched it happen.
“No!”
*****
May shot off the bench with a burst of energy she didn’t know she had and ran after William. She grabbed him and scooped him up into her arms moments before he would have been hit full-on by the car, which stopped inches away from May’s thigh. She flinched and braced herself as tires screeched.
Then Sammie was climbing out of the car and hurrying around to her friend, her white face a look of confusion.
“What the hell? What happened?”
William was crying badly. May knelt and put him on his feet, rubbing his back as he leant into her, looking up at her friend.
“The old bat on the bench took this boy out of the cart and didn’t supervise him.” She said grimly.
Sammie gasped and knelt on William’s other side.
“Are you okay, honey? I’m so sorry, I nearly didn’t see you.”
“What’s going on?”
May looked up. The mother had come hurrying over, her car parked in the adjacent aisle. She looked between Sammie and May, her face a look of confusion.
“What are you doing with William?”
“She was kidnapping William!”
May jumped. Sara had stood up and was striding towards them, pointing a finger at May.
“She just came right over to us and took William! Then she kicked me. Ow!” She clutched at her stomach. “My stomach hurts.”
May stood and turned away, lifting William up and passing him over to his mother. William clung onto his mother’s neck and buried his face against her shoulder as he sobbed.
“This woman was getting your son worked up by saying you were leaving him behind.” She said matter-of-factly. “Then she let him out of the cart and he ran after you. She didn’t bother to try and stop him.”
“I was lucky May caught him when she did.” Sammie said grimly, glancing at her car. “I couldn’t see him over the bumper.”
The woman’s face had gone white. She looked like someone had walked over her grave. She turned to Sara, who was still clutching at her stomach.
“You almost killed my son?”
Sara gasped.
“How could you think that of me? My grandson?” She pointed at May and Sammie again. “They were the ones! They were going to kidnap William and sell him for drugs!”
Sammie snorted.
“Do we look like we’re on drugs, sweetheart?” She sneered.
“Besides,” May added, pointing towards a security camera pointed direction at them, “I don’t think you can argue with recorded footage.”
But Sara was still shaking her head, her arms around her stomach.
“I didn’t do anything, Melissa! It was them!”
Melissa was shaking. Her face went from white to red and she snarled at the woman in a way that made May take a step back.
“How could you?” She hissed. “Your only grandson? And you would do that to him?”
“I didn’t do anything!” Sara wailed.
May could see people gathering to watch them. This didn’t need to be a spectacle. She caught Sammie’s eye. Her friend nodded and hurried into the store. Then May turned to Melissa.
“My friend is getting security right now. Would you like some help getting your son and groceries into the car?”
“Please.”
May went over to the cart, which had moved to bump against the bench. Sara tried to stand in her way.
“You are not touching my baby’s things!”
May rolled her eyes and stepped around her.
“Grow up.” She snapped, grabbing the cart and taking it to Melissa, heading towards the other woman’s car. Melissa was still glaring at Sara.
“You will never see William again.” She vowed. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Why are you blaming me?” Sara wailed. May glanced back and saw that she had fallen to her knees. “It’s not my fault you raised such an ungrateful brat and believed liars like their kind.”
May ignored her. She had never seen crocodile tears and a pity party being thrown in public and it was an embarrassing sight. She opened the trunk and put the groceries away. Melissa hurried over, William still clinging to her, and opened the back door. It took her a few goes to get William to let go of her neck and into the car seat. As she focused on her son, May got out her notepad and pen from her bag and scribbled down her details.
“I’m going to call the police on her.” Melissa said, straightening up with her face still pale. “Would you be willing to give a statement if needed?”
“Of course.” May tore off the page and handed it to her. “This is my number and my address. I’ve put Sammie’s number on the bottom.”
“Thank you.” Melissa threw a scowl over her shoulder at Sara, who is arguing with one of the security guards, pointing at May but the guard wasn’t moving. “I could kill her.”
“I’ll join the queue.” May looked into the car and saw William still crying and reaching out for his mother. “I’m glad he wasn’t hurt.”
&nb
sp; “So was I.” Melissa squeezed May’s hand and gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
She went around to the driver’s door and climbed in, pulling away and turning towards the exit. As she left, Sara suddenly realized that her family were leaving her behind.
“What?” She started after them but the security guard pulled her back. “Where’s she going? Melissa!”
May saw Sammie moving back to her car and went to join her. Now the adrenaline was coming down from its peak, she was feeling even more drained than before.
“Security are calling the police.” Sammie said, taking May’s arm and leading her towards the passenger door. “They said they’ve got the footage so we’re to just leave our numbers and go.”
“Are they sure?”
That didn’t sound right to May. But she was too tired to challenge it.
“Yes. And you need it. You’re as white as a sheet.” Sammie opened the door and pointed. “In.”
May wasn’t about to argue with that.
*****
Chris opened the container and stepped back as the door swung open.
“What do you think? That’s some spread, isn’t it?”
A six-five hulking man appeared beside him and looked into the container. Anton Romanov nodded in approval.
“It certainly is. May I have a look?”
“Of course. Take your time.”
Chris watched as the head of the Romanov family entered the container with one of his men and looked through the various guns and weapons he had acquired for them. Keeping it in the hold of the docks with police constantly sniffing around hadn’t been easy but Chris thrived on the challenge. It made his blood rush.
Anything dangerous had always been like an addiction to Chris. He loved it. While he did have momentary fears about being found out, it hadn’t happened for now. As far as people knew, he was a billionaire who dabbled on the stock exchange and gave generously to charities but he barely showed his face. Chris didn’t like being in a black tie and looking like he was enjoying himself.
Love In Arms_BWWM Romance Page 2