Jesus, fuck, I need to get my shit together.
Charlie rubs up against my leg, slobber dripping from his heavy jowls as he plops down on my foot. He’s seven this year, and I’ve definitely noticed the slowdown, but he’ll still come running when he sees someone who’ll give him some pets. Despite my introverted tendencies, this old dog loves people.
My buddy Reed picks up on the first call out. We own a small construction company together with our friend Clint. We started it up after we got back from the military. Nothing big, just small jobs here and there. Something to keep us busy and bring in a decent income. Right now, we’re renovating these lake houses Clint bought from an ex. If I ever get the paint done, I’ll be good to go on mine. I could’ve probably have done the painting myself, but I’m not sure anyone would’ve wanted the house afterward.
Give me a hammer and some nails, and I’ll build you the Taj Mahal. Give me paint and a brush, and I’m a blind raccoon let loose in art class.
“Dude, you’re fucked?” Reed drawls as a gull caws.
I click the PTT button and wait for the static to clear before I speak. I didn’t call for a lecture. I called for our daily check-in. It’s something the guys and I have done religiously since we got back from overseas, plus I need to cool myself down. I don’t need Pepper seeing me all angry and frustrated. She’s got enough going on, given the fact that she was taken against her will today. “You stalking me?”
“Good someone is,” he laughs. “You took her from the wedding, didn’t you? This isn’t the way to win, man.”
I glance out toward the floating cabin he lives in half the year. It’s a flat, rectangular hull with sliding glass doors that lead to an enormous wrap-around deck. He keeps it mobile so there’s no property tax, which I’m pretty sure gets him off.
“Win? There is no winning at this point. The man stole from us. Our business is half of what it used to be because of his bullshit. You know as well as anyone that money is hard to come by, and that asshole took our livelihood and made a fortune off it.”
Reed’s voice scratches in as he says, “And we hired quality lawyers who couldn’t beat him. It’s over, man. Give her back before this gets worse.”
“See, that’s the problem. We were fighting him fair.” I glance down at the radio to make sure we’re on the private channel. “I’m done with that shit.”
Static crackles for a long moment before he answers. “And what’s your plan exactly? I’m guessing it’s a ransom, right? You’re going to make him pay to get her back?”
His words land on my chest like a heavy lead weight. “I’m not giving her back.”
He laughs harder now. “Then what’s the fucking point, man?”
I pause, thinking over his question carefully. The point… was exactly as he described it. I thought I’d take her, and he’d offer up cash to have her back. Cash that asshole may as well have stolen from us. But now… I need to protect her. Now, I can’t give her back.
“Look, I’ve got it covered.”
“Fuck. You’re into her, aren’t you?” Reed’s tone is flat and reserved, though I hear the judgment as he continues, “You’ve lost it. I’m sure Nathan has guys packed and on their way to the lake house right now. There’s no way he doesn’t put two and two together after that post you made online, claiming to‘promote’her painting hustle.” There’s a shrug in his voice as he says, “Why’s the girl working anyway if she’s got a fiancé with that much cash?”
I scrub my hand down over my beard as I stare toward the houseboat parked on the other side of the aquamarine lake. “Don’t know, man, but I can’t let her go now.”
Laughter hits too close to the mic, sending a screeching sound echoing in the air. “Dude? Long term, this is going to fuck that girl up. If you care about her, stop hurting her.”
“Hurting her?”I growl. “I’m doing her a favor. The asshole’s been abusive for months. She didn’t know how to leave.” My fists tighten at the thought of Nathan’s bitch boy hands on my girl. She’s been hurt, used, and fucked in the head! She needs someone who’ll protect her from the world, guard her gentle spirit.
“Damn,” Reed groans, “you’re in deep. Way I see it, you’ve got two choices. Take her back or go through with the ransom.” He pauses. “Neither of those choices involve falling in love with her.Do you hear me?It’s a mistake. This guy has so much fucking money. Give him a reason, and we’ll be starting over again.”
There’s a mixture of frustration and anxiety in Reed’s voice, and it’s warranted. Money is power.
“This is on me, so I’ll take care of it,” I grunt, the signal wobbling for a moment before I hear faint chatter and wonder how private this channel really is.
“You’ll take care of it,” Reed repeats with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. “You better, ‘cause you fucking caused it. I don’t have the energy for this shit anymore.”
I’ve been to war and back with this man, and he hates doing things that require extra steps. Get in, do what you need, get out, and don’t make it complicated. Clint, though, he’s who I should have called. Clint would already be loading up the shotgun.
“Promise me you’re not going to fall for this girl,” Reed says as though it’s a command. “You took her and you ruined the asshole’s day. You proved your point. If he finds out you’re fucking her,” Reed laughs, “it was good fucking knowing ya. You know the magic his attorneys can do.”
A hiss of static rolls through the speaker as the sound of a woman crying echoes. I turn back and listen closer.
Pepper!
“Over and out,” I mutter, dropping the mic back into the cradle before stalking through the house toward my girl.
My girl.I really need to get my shit together. Reed is right about one thing. As much as I want her to be my girl, she’s not. She can’t be. She’s supposed to be a pawn. The only tool I have to take back what should’ve belonged to the guys and I.
