Dumb Luck

by J G Jerome

  Megan blushes as the rest of us laugh. She looks up at me and nods.

  “I’m off to make another call, Gretchen. Okay if I use that same office?”

  “Sure, Jack.”

  I close the door and get L’liana on the phone. We catch up for a minute, and then I explain the situation to her. I ask if they can arrange to have three or four trained close protection specialists assist on Friday morning. She indicates that she doesn’t think it will be a problem, but will check and email me confirmation. We confirm start time and location. She says there may be a charge, and I agree in principle. She commits to sending details for cost and will include transportation in the estimate. She asks when I can come to visit in Cherry, and I propose the following Saturday for an overnight if that is acceptable. She sounds giddy in response, and says they will have something special planned for me.

  I detour for fluid management, and then head back to the conference room to inhale a sandwich, bag of chips, cole slaw, and a chocolate chip cookie as I lay out what I agreed with L’liana. Gretchen is back at her post up front.

  Tom joins us towards the end of our discussion on security arrangements. He nods and opines that Megan’s or his safe should be sufficient to safeguard the tickets until Friday.

  Tom gives me his contracts to review while he eats his lunch. I review them, and ask a couple of questions. We agree to change a couple of words, which he does right after finishing lunch. This is why I swear by Tom - he uses simple clean language with a minimal amount of legalese. Anyone with a high school education can read his contracts and understand them.

  Megan then walks around and sits next to me and walks me through the incorporation packages. There is less wiggle room on these, but I can see Megan has this stuff down cold. The terms that she uses seem to be more clear than I remember when I made Databridge, LLC, and these are corporations. She explains that ideally we would incorporate in another state, Ireland, or Bermuda, but that for speed Arizona is best. We agree to that. Tom and Megan agree that the law office can be the official residence for the corporations. Then Megan wraps it all up.

  I pull out my checkbook. I write out the checks to seed the bank accounts. Trina fills out the applications online based upon the agreed fields from Megan. Tom returns with the final changes on the contracts. I review them and sign them. Tom calls Gretchen in.

  I ask for everyone’s attention.

  “Thank you all for busting hump to pull this all together so quickly and effectively. You are all precious to me simply because you are all genuinely good people and you’ve been genuinely good to me. We’re about to pull the trigger on something that is bigger than is apparent from the $1.2 Billion payday.” I pause to capture my thoughts. “I have learned a lot about myself and the world around me over the last four days. Things are changing. The work we did here today is the foundation which is going to enable bigger things for us, for our companies, and our greater families. We have an opportunity to grow and lift humanity. That sounds dramatic, but I feel it in my soul...that is really what we are doing. You all are going to be sick of me before we’re done. Please accept this first show of my gratitude.” I sign their contracts as officers, and then write out a check on my business account for $200,000 to Tom, Gretchen, Megan, and Trina.

  Trina starts to demur, but I insist. “My darling Pet. You will earn every penny of this. I expect you will insist that I have underpaid you before long. I expect you will find other ways to get your additional compensation.”

  She grins at me. “Yes, Master!”

  I then sign all of the paperwork for Megan. We scan the Greenleaf Farms and Vineyards document and email it to Kristina to digitally sign. I call her and tell her what is going on. She too starts to demur. I tell her the same thing I told Trina.

  “Promise?” she asks.

  “I do, Krissie.” I tell her. “You are mine. I am yours. I’m going to be in Cherry Saturday. Can I see you Sunday?”

  “Yes, Jack. Wherever I am. Whenever you can be there!”

  “I like the sound of that, Krissie.”

  “I heard a wise man once said it to his wife,” she laughs.

  “Oh, Trina telling stories about me?” I ask.

  “Yep. Now leave me alone, my love. I need to work. I love you, Jack! Tell Trina I love her too!”

  “I love you too, Kristina. I’ll tell her.”

  Trina leans into the phone, “I love you too, Krissie!”

  Trina crawls into my lap, “I’m the luckiest woman in the entire world! You chase away my fears and fill my life with love, Jack. Thank you!” The other three look at us with confusion.

  Trina explains, “Jack is dating Megan’s sister, who is my lover. I’ve fallen for Jack, too. Additionally, Kristina knew Jack before we met him, and they had chemistry. When I met her, I fell for her hard. I told her that I was recruiting for Jack’s harem, and she ensured that Jack and I both knew she wanted into Jack’s bed, and mine. I’ve claimed her. Jack hasn’t yet, but Krissie and I are both hopeful for her to close the deal soon.”

  Again, I find myself with my face in my hand with Trina on my lap.

  Gretchen and Tom are gobsmacked. Megan just shrugs and smiles, “I knew my sister was a slut. I’m glad she found like-minded playmates. I was always afraid she would break your heart, Trina. I’m happy for you. For both of you.” Then she looks sideways to see Tom’s and Gretchen’s reaction...and squeals with laughter. She gets up and circles them both into a hug. “You two are priceless! Thank you for taking me in and giving me such a wonderful place to grow!”

  I look at Tom and Gretchen. “Welcome to my life!” They laugh nervously.

  Megan picks up her phone and hits a speed dial. “Hello Sowie. I need transport. We’re going downtown to Maricopa County Clerk and the Secretary of State office. We need to get to both and have paperwork signed before close of business today…yes, ten minutes will be fine. See you soon.” Then she signed off.

  “Anything else I need to sign?” Tom and Megan both shake their heads. “Okay then, let’s get these locked up.”

  Megan says, “Count them and inventory them, Jack.” She looks at Trina, “Chain of evidence isn’t significantly different than lab protocol, Trina. Until these are claimed, we treat them like evidence in a criminal trial. Okay?”

  “You bet, Meg.” Megan smiles at her. We confirm they are all there and in the same order. Then Megan asks us to accompany her to her office. We walk in, she closes the door, and walks to the three-foot tall door of a wall safe and opens it with a combination I can’t see. She sets the tickets on a shelf in the safe, and then reaches into her pocket as she stands. Just as the door is about to close I hear a click and then see dappled light spin around the room, like you would see off a lake in the summer sun. She raises a finger to her lips as she looks at us. She looks at the floor and the door before nodding to herself and opening the door and removing the package of tickets. She beckons with her finger to follow her behind her desk, again reminding us to make no noise. She opens the lower right drawer of her desk to reveal a small combination safe. She opens it quickly, and then puts the package inside, locks it, and then indicates again to be quiet and for us to resume our seats. Megan returns to the wall safe. Checks her feet position, sets the door position, and then returns her hand to the pocket. I hear a ‘click whir’ as the dappled light disappears. Finally she removes her hand from her pocket and places it deliberately on the door, pushing it closed and turning the handle.

  She gives the dial a spin and turns to look us. “They’ll stay here until we pull them out on Friday to turn in your claim. Shall we go back to get your stuff from the conference room?”

  I look at Trina, “I think we have everything, but I do want to wish Tom and Gretchen goodnight before I leave.”

  Trina stops in the hallway, and pulls out her phone and reads a text. “Oh. Hold on a second.” She types a response, and then shows Megan. “From Myra.”

  Megan reads it and responds, “I can’t
Thursday. I could Wednesday. Would you mind telling her? I’ll ping her when I get home tonight.”

  Trina nods and keys a response into her phone and then puts it away. She hugs Megan and then holds her shoulders, telling her “Megan, this has been a wonderful surprise. I’ve never seen you so assured. You’re everything I always dreamed you could be, and you’re just getting started. It’s my honor to know you and call you my friend.”

  Megan laughs and pulls Trina in for a hug. “Trina, in some ways you’re like another good sister, which is nice knowing how the eldest turned out. In other ways, you’re this guilty secret.” Then she kisses Trina full on the mouth, and Trina falls into it. When they part, Megan says, “I’ve wanted to do that and more since I stumbled onto you and Myra making love when I was fourteen.” She holds Trina’s shoulders. “I walked into her room, and the two of you were kissing. You both were home for Spring Break your junior year of college. I pulled the shadows around me and sat just inside the door watching the two of you caressing, undressing, and pleasuring each other. I was so jealous of Myra. You’ve always had eyes only for her, and I never thought she fully appreciated you. I’m so glad you have Jack and Kristina now. I’m so glad I finally kissed you.”

  Trina pulls her close. She whispers, but I hear her. “I’m so glad you told me how you feel and that you took the first step. I love Myra deeply and would never have strayed elsewhere if she had not pushed me to Jack, but I have always adored you. I suspect there will be other kisses. Maybe you and I will have our own private moments. The future is not written darling. I have to go.” They kiss again quickly. Then Megan hugs and kisses me quickly, and then turns back into her office to grab her bag.

  I walk by Tom’s office and wish him a good night. Then I lean across Gretchen’s desk and give her a peck on the cheek and wish her goodnight. Trina pulls a mirror out of her bag and does a walk-around. She pops the hood and inspects it quickly and checks the oil - wiping the dipstick with a tissue from her clutch. She does a check under the seats with the mirror, and then we mount up. Trina hands me her phone and shows me the text as she starts the SUV. It reads.

  We need to talk. Tonite @ Jack’s house? Wednesday=yes. Thursday=tomorrow night.

  I confirm, “So she’ll be by tonight?”

  Trina says, “Yes. That elf tech she used. That looked like one of the abilities of the summer court. It’s not winter. I don’t think the elves do anything like it, but maybe they did something together? I’m guessing it defeats visual surveillance.”

  She pulls out and we hit the road. I ask her to stop by the grocery store. I hit the produce aisle, and then pick up some chicken breasts. I manage to get in and out of the store and back into the truck in just over ten minutes. Fifteen minutes later, I walk through the door and place the groceries on the island and my attaché on the floor.

  I turn and fill both hands with Trina’s hair and pull her to my mouth, so I can devour her.

  I look into her eyes as she opens and drops her dress. “My beloved Trina. You were magnificent today. Strong. Calm. Helpful. Upbeat. You were everything I needed today. Thank you, my Pet.”

  She closes her eyes and groans, “Oh Master. Reward me in our bed. Now. Please!”

  I shake my head. “Nope. Takes too long.” I kick off my boots, put my holster next to the groceries and drop my jeans. I pick her up, set her ass on the island, and pull her onto Little Jack. She wraps her arms and legs around me. I hold a handful of ass cheek and check our balance on the island with the other as we slam into each other.

  She pants into my ear as her short nails claw into my back. “Jack, what are you doing to me?”

  “Loving you, Katrina. I’m just loving you.” Then we both hit our climax with groans and screams. I attempt to slow our collapse to the floor, but we end there regardless.

  “That’s your magic, Jack. You just love people. Eventually it’s going to be different. There are limits to how many people you can love with just your body. I’m seeing it already, that you’re starting to evolve, to love people far and wide with your words and your actions. As a Sidhe, I tend to think of love as touch and sex. To me, you are magical in those aspects. But I saw it with KC, Tom, Gretchen, Don, Greg, and Silk’s family. Even Megan, Kristina, and Supreet despite the fact you will end up loving and breeding all three of them. Your magic, my dear Jack, is love.”

  “I should make you my wife too, my darling Trina. What do you think about that?” I tell her seriously.

  She looks down at me adoringly as I lay on the cold floor. “Not right now, my Master. Maybe later. There are so many of us that need you to love us and too little of you to go around. Myra is enough wife for now. Krissie is going to want a ring, too.” She leans over and hugs me. “But know this, Jack. You are the husband of my heart. For now, that is all I need.” She sits back up with her hands on my chest. “You and I are on the right track, Jack. I’ll let you know if my opinion changes. Trust me on that.”

  I look at her. “Implicitly.”

  We eventually get up off the floor. Knowing Megan is coming over, we make order and I start pulling together a simple meal of marinated chicken breasts, roast broccoli and cauliflower, and tomato-cucumber-avocado salad. Trina put her clothes in the bedroom and comes out wearing her ‘home uniform,’ formerly my blue flannel shirt, hanging loose and open from her lovely body.

  While I’m cooking, I get a call from Don. Trina pulls his slides up on my iPad while I chop, and I introduce her over the phone.

  Don and I talk through the slides in detail, and Trina provides some great insights on a couple of them. After the second one Don finally asks “That’s great, Trina. Where’d you come up with that?” She explains that she has years pulling together academic grant request proposals. He asks what she’s doing now, and he explodes when he she responds that she’s a ‘glorified chauffeur.’ When I finally stop laughing enough to get up off the floor, I explain that she is a close protection specialist as well as a top-notch genetic researcher and Vice President of Verdant Security Services. I tell her I may have to hire her for Databridge as VP of Marketing. Of course she pipes in that she would like her pay in delivered in the bedroom, Don drops off for a minute laughing. By 6:30 I have the chicken marinating, fresh bread thawing on the counter, the roast veggies ready to go in oven, the salad prepared, and Don has final versions of the slides done and back in my in-box. As Don rings off he says, all the legal stuff is signed and also in my inbox and asks if he can use my lawyer in the future. I commit to hooking him up.

  Trina gets a text from Megan saying she is at Shea on the 51. I translate that into about 15-20 minutes, so I start heating the oven and a skillet. Trina asks about wine, and I direct her to the pantry. She puts a Kim Crawford in the freezer on a 10 minute timer, and opens a Casillero del Diablo Red Blend as I get the some onions and mushrooms browning in the skillet and pop the veggies in the oven. Wine comes out of the freezer a couple of minutes after I put the onions and mushrooms in a bowl off the heat, add a little more EVOO and the brown the chicken breasts. I get the mushrooms, onions and a little butter and red wine in the pan to sit on low heat under a lid as the doorbell rings. Trina reaches for her pistol and then catches herself, leaving her hand laying on the grip. I pull up the iPad as I point to the small device over the door’s peephole. I hit the ‘door’ app and see Megan and two guards in the hallway. Trina nods.

  I take a queue from Trina keeping her hand on her pistol, so I unholster, check there’s a round in the chamber, and then open the door with my pistol in my left hand at my leg.

  “Hello, Megan. Why don’t you ladies all come inside? I don’t want to give my neighbors anything to talk about.”

  Trina adds with a smirk, “Well other than my screams of passion.” Her pistol is held in both hands above her right shoulder with great trigger discipline.

  Megan smirks at Trina’s bared torso and pistol as she walks in like she owns the place. “Mixed message much, Trina?”

  Trina flas
hes her a brilliant smile, “Only for the Princesses of the Court, Megan darling.” She greets the other two ladies as I close the door. “Sowie, Solange, how are you doing? It’s great to see you outside of the office.” She puts her pistol back in the holster in the clutch. “Meet Jack.” She extends a hand in my direction. I surprise them both by embracing them and kissing their cheeks with my pistol safed and palmed in my hand. Sowie is first and she stiffens initially like she’s about to run, but then melts into the kiss. She is very lean, reminding me of a young Grace Jones but she has a little more flesh on her cheekbones and an inquisitive, intelligent look in her eyes rather than a feral one. Her hair is in a tight curl and her eyes are dark brown, she has no discernable breasts beneath her Raven uniform until I pull back from the kiss and see her nipples introducing themselves. She has a barely apparent waist and only slightly rounded hips. Solange is also brown-skinned, but more milk chocolate than cocoa, her dark tresses are in a tight braid down her back, her face is more oval-shaped than Sowie’s angular face. Solange’s eyes are liquid pools of amber and her figure is graced by flaring hips that curve into a very narrow waist before flaring back up to present firm breasts that remind me of large navel oranges. She doesn’t let me go when I kiss her cheek, just turns to look at me shyly without saying a word.

  I disengage to return to the kitchen, but Solange snags my hand and follows. Megan, Trina, and Sowie all let go an ‘ah’ at the cuteness factor of her actions. I set my pistol on the counter and turn back to my guests. “Ladies, please make yourselves at home.” as I indicate the table.

  “Oh good,” Megan says as she kicks off her shoes, sets her bag by a chair and starts to pull of her jacket. And then her skirt. And then her blouse. Trina is laughing as Megan stalks to her. Megan is similar to Myra in some ways. Megan has the same flawless moonkissed skin, but is built less like a fitness model than Myra. Her figure is firm, but somehow softer. Her breasts are more full and rounded versus conical. Her hips are round and soft-looking. She’s not big or voluptuous, just softer. Her face reminds me of one of the makeup models I’ve seen in airport TV commercials.