"I see," Piper said thoughtfully.
"Why would you ask me that?" Bailey asked nervously.
"I was just curious," Piper said. "You've lived through a great deal."
"Yes, I have."
"I'm very sorry you had to," Piper said emotionally.
Bailey walked over and sat down next to her on the bed. "Piper, I'll answer any question you ask of me, but there are things I wouldn't want you to understand," she said quietly. "Believe me when I say it's a knowledge that you can live without."
"I just wanted to know more about you."
"You know more about me than anyone in the world."
"That's not what I meant, I just wanted to know more about how things were like for you."
"No you don't," Bailey said. "To exist solely to murder is not anything you want to study."
"I just love you, Bailey," Piper said taking her hand. "It's difficult to imagine you as the person that file described."
"I am that person," Bailey said sadly. "When I have to be."
"You're my heart," Piper said bumping her with her shoulder, bringing a hand up to rub her back and running into the ever-present necklace. "Do you ever take this off," she asked pulling on the end of it.
"No. It's all I have left of my father."
"I'm sorry," Piper said and quickly changed the subject. "You ready for tomorrow?"
"Not really," Bailey said. "I'm glad you're coming with me."
"I wouldn't dream of not going with you," Piper said with a smile. "What are you fixing for dinner?"
"What do you want?"
"Hamburgers," Piper said with a determined nod and Bailey chuckled.
"Hamburgers it is then," Bailey said getting up and putting on sweats and a T-shirt. "Join me in the kitchen when you're ready," she added with a smile over her shoulder as she walked out of the room.
Piper watched her go with a smile that rapidly turned into a thoughtfully sad expression as she considered what Bailey could have been if her life had turned out differently.
"My heart," she said softly rising from the bed to finish unpacking her things.
IV
Hush, Hush, Keep it down now,
Voices carry.
- A. Mann
"Hello," Martin said tentatively when he spotted Piper sitting at the kitchen table.
"Hi," Piper said brightly.
He smiled as he entered the kitchen to find Bailey over the stove. "Want a burger?" she asked.
"Sure," he said pleasantly and he took a seat across the table from Piper.
"I've been told you've already met," Bailey said casually. "But Piper Tate, meet Martin Satterfield."
Piper beamed a smile at him and he returned it. "It's very nice to meet you," he said politely.
"What happened to your hand?" Piper asked pleasantly.
Martin threw a quick look at Bailey who shrugged indifferently. "I got shot," he said uncomfortably.
"Why?"
"A gentleman thought I wasn't talking fast enough so he decided to speed me along."
"Is that when you met Bailey?" Piper asked curiously.
"Yes," Martin said. "Very shortly thereafter."
"Here you go," Bailey said, depositing a plate in front of him and he quickly started to dress his burger with the fixings on the table.
"Why did you come to Bailey?"
Martin threw another look at Bailey who ignored him and he surmised that he was on his own. "Because I thought we could help each other," he answered hesitantly.
"How so?"
"I knew where her family was and I knew that I'd be safe with her."
"Ah," Piper said as Bailey sat down in the chair next to her.
"Martin, we'll be leaving in the morning but will return tomorrow night," Bailey said. "Is there anything you might need before we leave?"
"Not that I can think of," he said, glad for the subject change. "Where ya going?"
"British embassy."
"Great," he said happily.
"Do they know Martin's here?" Piper asked Bailey who nodded to the affirmative. "Is he safe alone?"
"Yes," Bailey said. "They can't afford attention and they wouldn't risk it anyway."
"You said there are people working for C-Corp that also work for this Organization," Piper said. "Couldn't they get in here?"
"No," Bailey said. "Only I can enter or exit this floor."
"Oh," Piper said considering. "Do you know who these people are downstairs?"
"I'm in the process of finding out."
"How are you doing that?"
"I've someone looking into it," Bailey said taking a bite of her burger.
Piper mulled that over for a moment. "Mr. Anderson?"
"Yes."
"Where do you know him from?"
"You could say I saved his life," Bailey said. "Speaking of Mr. Anderson, he informed me yesterday morning that he had overheard some rumors."
"I heard them too," Piper said reluctantly. "Are you okay with it?"
Martin looked on confusedly as they chatted with each other trying to grasp what they were talking about.
"I could care less what they think or might even know," Bailey said dismissively. "My only concern is how it affects you."
Piper chuckled. "I was worried about how you would take it."
"I told you before it's what you think that matters to me," Bailey said. "Did anyone give you any grief?"
"Not really," Piper said uncertainly.
"What does not really mean?" Bailey asked suspiciously.
"Well…" Piper said hesitantly and Bailey raised both eyebrows for her to continue. "…Julio Martinez. He has a problem with me anyway and I think the rumors have added a little fuel to his fire. He was in Knoxville the other day as part of the sales team and he needled me a little over dinner."
"I see," Bailey said. "And?"
"Bailey, it's not important," Piper said dismissively.
"Tell me."
"It's no big deal," Piper said unenthusiastically. "I ran into him yesterday when I was leaving and he made a comment and a vulgar gesture. I can deal with it."
"What did he say?" Bailey asked her eyes narrowing.
Piper sighed. "Nice catch, Piper."
"What kind of gesture?" Bailey asked and Piper hesitated with a quick glance at Martin.
"Uhm… Martin, could I get you to look away for a moment?" she asked with a slight blush.
"Sure," Martin said with a grin and turned in his chair.
Piper sighed and looked at Bailey who was watching closely and with a roll of her eyes she let her tongue hang out and lapped it at her.
Bailey looked at her in befuddlement. "What does that mean?"
Martin had to clamp down on the chuckle that bubbled up with the question and he was glad he wasn't facing them. He could hear Piper whispering but wasn't able to make anything out.
"Who's his supervisor?" Bailey asked peevishly.
"Kurt is I believe," Piper said. "He said he would speak to him about it, but that was before I heard all the talk yesterday."
"I see," Bailey said tonelessly with a look at the clock on the microwave. "I'll be right back," she said abruptly rising from the table
"Wait," Piper said before she walked away. "I can handle it."
"I'm sure you could, but you don't have to," Bailey said in parting as she walked down the hall.
Piper sighed when she disappeared. "Thanks, Martin."
"Sounds like someone's about to be in trouble," Martin observed as he turned back to the table.
"Yeah," Piper said regretfully. "I shouldn't have said anything."
"What's going on?" he asked curiously.
"It seems the company has found out that Bailey and I are seeing each other and it's the current hot topic."
"Ouch," Martin said sympathetically. "I'd hate to be Mr. Martinez."
"Me too," Piper said as a reluctant grin stole over her features and Martin chuckled.
"Hush," Piper admonished starti
ng to chuckle herself.
----------
Bailey sat down at her computer and browsed through the company phonebook until she had what she needed. She dialed a number into the phone and waited patiently until it was answered.
"Kurt Norvath."
"Mr. Norvath, how are you tonight?" she asked and could tell from the background noise she had caught him the car.
"I'm fine, Miss Cameron," Kurt said slowly. "What can I do for you?"
"I understand you're Julio Martinez's supervisor," Bailey said. "Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Very good. I'd like you to inform him to be in my office at 8:00 tomorrow morning."
"Alright," Kurt agreed. "Although he had to stay overnight in Augusta."
"Then you'd better call him and tell him that if he isn't in my office tomorrow morning, he won't have a job to come back to."
"He opened his mouth didn't he?" Kurt asked regretfully. "I'm sorry you had to be troubled with this."
"No trouble at all," Bailey said politely.
"He'll be there."
"Thank you, Mr. Norvath," Bailey said. "Sorry to bother you after five."
"No bother," Kurt said pleasantly. "Goodnight, Miss Cameron."
"Goodnight."
----------
Kurt shook his head sadly as he pulled into his driveway and parked. Having decided to call before he went in the house, he left the motor running and punched the number into his cell phone.
"Julio Martinez."
"Jules, its Kurt," he said with a sigh.
"What's up?" Julio said cheerily.
"Pack your things your coming home tonight," Kurt said bluntly.
"What?" Julio asked in surprise. "I just got settled."
"I just got off the phone with the Princess," Kurt said. "It seems you didn't take my advice. She wants you in her office at 8:00 tomorrow morning."
"No way," Julio said unbelievingly.
"I'm not yanking your chain, Jules," Kurt said gravely. "I pointed out that you were in Augusta and she made it very clear that if you don't show up, you won't have a job to come back to."
"Goddamn it," he cursed. "I told you there was something going on between her and Piper."
"Jules, you didn't take my advice before and this is where it got you," Kurt said tiredly. "Do you want my advice now?"
"Yeah," Julio said with a sigh.
"You be in her office on time tomorrow morning and you listen to whatever she has to say with a fucking smile on your face," Kurt said. "And let me tell you, if her and Piper are an item and you stick your nose in her personal life, I wouldn't be surprised if she personally kicks your ass out of the building."
Julio sighed again. "Is she gonna fire me?"
"I don't think so," Kurt said. "Unless you piss her off tomorrow, which is an easy thing to do. I told you before she doesn't fuck around. I think she'll probably just give you the lay of the land."
"This sucks."
"Should've left well enough alone, Jules," Kurt admonished. "Screw your ass on tight and be there on time tomorrow."
"I'll be there," Julio said regretfully.
"You'd better be," Kurt said and hung up.
----------
"God," Piper said hoarsely as she tried to catch her breath.
"Would you like me to do that again?" Bailey asked happily, petting the crimson pubic hair in front of her.
"Baby, I don't think I could survive another one," Piper said still panting, her face moist with sweat and her hair clinging damply to her scalp.
"I like the way you taste," Bailey said from her position between Piper's legs. "You're beautiful."
"Come lay beside me," Piper said patting the space next to her on the bed.
"Okay," Bailey said agreeably and resituated herself on her side next to Piper with an elbow cocked to support her head.
"What got into you anyway?"
"I wanted to please you," Bailey said shyly.
"Well, you sure did," Piper said seriously rolling over to face her. "You wore me out."
"I did?" Bailey beamed, obviously proud of herself.
Piper let amused eyes steal over the preening features of her partner. Bailey had tackled her when they returned to the bedroom and had proceeded to ravish her in a very determined and ruthless manner that she had given herself over to completely. She had thought she was going to die when she had positioned her mouth over her sex and very tentatively began to copy what had been performed on her earlier. It began as a curious and very hesitant exploration that had been interrupted by several questions, but she had rapidly grown in confidence and wasn't satisfied until she had succeeded in making her climax three times, erotically studying and inquisitively touching her between orgasms.
"I'll probably walk funny tomorrow," Piper teased.
"Huh?" Bailey said her brow wrinkling and Piper chuckled at her.
"I was just teasing," Piper said placing a kiss on her lips.
"Oh," Bailey said confusedly.
"Take off your clothes and come to bed," Piper said with a smile. "We have to get up early in the morning.
"Okay," Bailey said agreeably, rolling off the bed and starting to undress.
"If you had been wearing your shoes, would you have bothered to take them off?" Piper asked in amusement, looking at her companion who was still fully dressed.
"Probably not," Bailey said with a shy grin. "I was in a hurry."
Piper chuckled. "I'd say," she teased.
"Quiet," Bailey said stepping out of her sweats and joining her in bed.
Piper snuggled up to her and placed a kiss on her shoulder.
"Piper," Bailey said quietly. "I'm scared about tomorrow."
"I know."
"What if she doesn't want anything to do with me?" Bailey asked worriedly.
"Bailey, you're her child. She loves you no matter what," Piper comforted.
"I hope so," Bailey said in a whisper.
"Go to sleep, love," Piper whispered. "It'll be okay."
V
And if you're up there you'd perceive,
That my heart's here upon my sleeve.
- A. Partridge, C. Moulding
Julio Martinez sat nervously wiping the sweat off his forehead in one of the chairs in front of the assistant's desk as he waited for the Princess to arrive. He had spent a great deal of time wondering if he could find another job as good as the one he currently held and had come to the unpleasant conclusion that if he was fired, he'd be lucky to make three-quarters of what he made now.
"Good morning, Mr. Martinez," Bailey said as she rounded the corner and walked passed him into her office. "Join me."
Julio got up apprehensively, more than a little surprised to see the Princess in faded blue jeans and a baggy black turtleneck sweater; she even had on a pair of black hiking boots. He marveled at this never before seen wardrobe and reluctantly walked into her office, taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of her desk.
"Mr. Norvath informed me you wanted to speak to me," he said as casually as he could.
"I did indeed," Bailey purred seating herself behind her desk. "Lose the tape recorder."
"Excuse me?" Julio asked, paling.
"Lose it," Bailey said indifferently and stared at him nonchalantly until he sheepishly pulled the micro recorder from inside his jacket and turned it off.
"How did you know?" he asked awkwardly.
"I didn't," she said dismissively. "It's come to my attention that you have a problem with Miss Tate. Would you care to share with me exactly what that problem is?"
"Nothing I can't get over," he said quickly.
"I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Martinez," Bailey said locking eyes with the man. "I suggest you do so immediately."
Julio noted uncomfortably that he couldn't look her in the eye for more than a second. "Is that all?" he asked weakly.
"Not quite," Bailey purred. "I don't like to see anyone leave the company, but if you persist in your disrespect for Miss Tat
e, you'll find yourself out of a job. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes," he said uncomfortably.
"Good, and on a personal note," Bailey said pleasantly with a smile that didn't even come close to reaching her eyes. "If you involve yourself further into my personal affairs, you'll not only be unemployed, but I'll break the fingers on both your hands."
Julio's eyes shot up at the threat but his outrage died with a pathetic whimper almost immediately. He looked at her carefully and with an effort he met her eyes briefly before dropping his own gaze back to the floor in front of him. The glance was all he needed to realize that her threat was not an idle one. He had no misconceptions; she could and would do exactly as she threatened.
"Do you have anything to add?" she asked pleasantly.
"No, I believe you've made yourself very clear," Julio said gravely.
"Good, carry on then, Mr. Martinez," she said in dismissal.
He got up and silently walked out the door, acutely aware of her eyes following him. He traveled stiffly to the far end of the floor and entered his office with a relieved sigh, circling his desk and falling ungracefully into his chair. Shaking his head as his arm snaked out to dial a number into the phone.
"Kurt Norvath."
"Hi, Kurt," Julio said tiredly.
"That was quick," Kurt said. "You still have a job?"
"Yes."
"I'm glad to hear that. How did it go?" Kurt asked curiously.
"She told me to get over any problem I had with Piper immediately or she'd fire me," Julio said resignedly.
"That it?"
"Oh no," Julio said. "She told me if I involved myself any further into her personal affairs, not only would she fire me, she'd break the fingers on both my hands."
Kurt laughed. "No shit?"
"I'm not kidding," Julio said gravely. "She was serious."
"I'll bet she was," Kurt said amused. "Just do your job Jules and don't rock the boat. If you ask me, she let you off easy. Keep your nose clean and she'll forget all about you, although I'd suggest you put on your best smile around Piper."
"I can't believe she threatened me."
"Get over it and be glad you still have a job," Kurt advised.
"I'm an employee. I can't believe she threatened me like that."
"You stop being just an employee when you butt into someone's personal life, Jules," Kurt said. "You can expect personal repercussions."
Stories by Kiera Dellacroix Page 40