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“Yes, sir,” they both say before snatching up the dead men walking then taking them through the door to the back. The warehouse they’re taking the men to is in a remote area of the city where we house our weapons supply.
“Deanna, this is my brother Basil,” I introduce them.
Basil holds out his hand. “Hi, Deanna. It’s nice to formally meet you.”
Deanna takes his hand, then gives it a firm shake. “I remember seeing you at the Mythos. It’s nice to meet you as well and please, call me Dee. Everyone else does.”
Folding my arms across my chest, I ask her, “Why didn’t you make the offer for me to call you Dee?”
Deanna snickers as she swats my arm. “Really, Yiorgos? When was I going to do that? Was it before I went and got the rope or after your brother and men showed up? Speaking of men? What are they going to do with those guys?”
“They’re not going to do anything without my instruction. As for now, they are taking to a secure location. Basil and I will join them shortly to find out who is behind all of this,” I reply.
Deanna gives me a calculated look as if she’s trying to figure me out. I smirk because she would never be able to unless I tell her myself.
“So, what now?” Basil questions.
Deanna responds before I can. “As far as I’m concerned, this round with the hoodlums is over with until I have to deal with the next.”
Basils frowns as he looks at me. I shrug my shoulders.
“I was trying to tell your brother earlier,’ she cuts her eyes to me. “All of this was unnecessary.”
Having enough of her misguided thoughts. I let her have it, “Deanna, let me tell you how things are about to go...once this mysterious man finds out that two of his men have gone missing after coming to your bookstore, you’re going to be the first person on his radar and when he can’t get to you, he’ll come for your family.”
Deanna gasps. “And how do you know that?”
I didn’t want her to know that side of me yet but I’m not going to sugar coat anything. “Because I’ve seen it in happen in our country.”
Deanna studies me from head toe before responding, “Why do I feel like there’s more to what you just said?”
Not wanting to get into that subject, I tell her, “I’ve said enough. Right now, I’m going to need for you to close the store for the rest of the day and possibly tomorrow until I get this sorted out. I’ll take you home to make sure you get there safely. Where do you live?”
She holds up one finger, replying, “Number one, I’ll close the store for today, but Iwillreopen it tomorrow.” I try to interrupt but she silences me as she holds up another finger. “Number two, I don’t need to take me home. I’ll be perfectly fine. Thanks for showing up when you did, but trust and believe, I am not some kind of damsel in distress. I can take care of myself.”
Good God this woman is as stubborn as they come. “Oh, I know you can take care of yourself, I’ve clearly seen that, but you can’t take on these motherfuckers by yourself, Dee. No one is trying to treat you like a damsel in distress. We’re just trying to join your one-woman army. Now, please give me your address so I can take you home.” I cross my arms over my chest.
Deanna’s quiet for a moment before smiling wide. “You already have my address.” She points to the ceiling. “My apartment is upstairs.”
Basil and I look up towards the ceiling. Well, this just complicates things even more. There’s no way she can stay here while God knows who is trying to take over her business.
“Who else knows you have an apartment upstairs?” I question.
“Just my parents, sister, Sam, Kennedi, and my staff. Why?” She counters.
Basil scratches his head, asking, “What about any of your customers?”
Deanna shakes her head no. “No, just the people I mentioned. Even out of the guys I dated in the past, only a few knew I lived here.”
My blood runs cold at the thought of her entertaining men at her apartment. That shit won’t be happening again.
Uncrossing my arms, I tell Deanna, “You need to go pack a bag and I’ll take you to your parent’s or Zoe’s house.”
Basil steps forward, offering, “If you’re going to your sister’s house, I’ll be glad to ride along. You know, just to make sure she’s okay too.”
Deanna awkwardly eyes him. “Yeah, thanks but I won’t be going anywhere. I worked hard to get my bookstore to where it’s at and my apartment is my home. No one not even some unseen asshole is going to have me running scared. I’m staying right here.”
Her expression of ultimate finality almost makes me laugh. My little kitten isn’t afraid of shit. Deanna would rather take on that cocksucker head on rather than cowering away like a fucking mouse. I’ll let her think she’s won this time, but Deanna won’t be staying here unprotected.
