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“What’s the matter, Ivy?”
Gone was the playfulness of the group. The Jacquard and Associates women all became more alert and intent on listening to Ivy. Mallory noted their ability to turn on the intensity from playfulness without a pause. She had seen the guys do it but was impressed their women could do it as well.
“Not sure, but there are some people who tried to get in behind me, and the guard stopped them. He closed the gate on them and—”
Jac rounded the corner and spoke with all the authority his military training and experience had taught him, now wielding his CEO status. There was never any doubt on his part that the women would comply with his commands when he interrupted Ivy.
“Charlotte, get me more eyes on the front gate. I’ve called in a few more security guards, and Finley is locking Storm down. The rest of you go into the den, and if you hear anything that might give you concern, you get into the safe room.”
Jac followed Sharlee, who had taken off at his first words. Mallory didn’t know what was happening, but she already wished Monroe hadn’t gone this weekend.
Ivy resumed her tale. “Like I said, there were two cars behind me, and when I got in, they were trying to ram the first gate. I did what I was told to do, and that was to cross over the entrance and then stop, so security could slide the gate closed before the group behind me could push their way in. Then I slipped in the second gate, and the others were outside the first.”
“Who could they be?” asked Jessie.
“Reporters,” answered Sharlee as she entered the room. “They’re gone now, but it seems whoever was watching outside the offices yesterday saw Mallory. Whether it was Mallory they had been looking for or any number of other reasons, they have come here with reinforcements.”
Jessie frowned. “They aren’t reputable papers, surely.”
Consternation crossed Becky’s face. “We aren’t doing any direct government jobs right now, not that they would know that, so not sure what they want.”
Ivy spoke up. “It is probably Mallory. Ever since the news broke identifying her, they have been hounding the complex where she lives and The Apothecary. The manager of your complex has said in several reports that you aren’t returning. Is that true?”
“No, but maybe that is what the district attorney wanted to talk about.” Mallory waved her hand, “All of this mess. It shouldn’t surprise me, but it does. I’m so sorry. I could go back to the safe—”
A booming male voice spoke into the room. “You are going nowhere, young lady. Is that understood? Don’t make me improvise on Monroe’s rubber paddle.”
Mallory came up short. Curbing the automatic urge to answer with the word “sir” and not trusting her voice, she nodded.
Jac seemed to realize how harsh he sounded and softened his tone. Squatting in front of Mallory as she sat on a sofa, Jac grimaced. Mallory stiffened. He placed his hands on her knees.
“Sorry, Mallory. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I can keep a better eye on you if you stay here until Monroe and Garrett return. Reporters aren’t harmful. They are just hugely annoying. I prefer to keep their antics on the other side of my privacy gate.”
“But if they’re not a danger…”
The tips of his fingers tapped her on the thigh. “They aren’t, but someone else might be. They will just bring the copycat or the accomplice to you. Reporters seem to forget that they act as a beacon when they are on the hunt for their story.”
“Okay,” she said as she exhaled a sigh. “I didn’t really want to go, anyway.” Her relieved smile caused Jac to bark a short laugh.
“I needed that bit of humor. So no going anywhere outside the house?”
“No, I won’t.”
He patted her thigh and stood. “Good. I have some work to do, so if you ladies will excuse me, I’ll get back to it.”
Murmurs of response rumbled quietly, and as soon as he left the room, they all started chattering at once. All but Mallory. Her face was feverish from the directed attention that Dom of Sharlee’s had given her. Whether they played or not wasn’t Mallory’s business, but Jac was wasting his talents if they didn't. She could think of nothing but “yes, sir”when he was talking to her.
Mallory thought about what he’d said. She didn’t want anyone to know where she was, but it seemed her story had been plastered everywhere. So much so that Monroe had finally forbidden her to watch another news show. She had protested but found she didn’t want to watch them any longer and skipping them lowered her anxiety… a lot. She got radio news reports, though, and that was enough.
“Brunch ladies,” called Sharlee as she ushered her companions into the dining room.
***
“When did you and Monroe finally do the deed?” asked Ivy, who had the least effective filter of them all.
“I don’t think you can ask that,” said Jessie in hushed tones.
“Yes, I can. I just did.” Ivy turned back to Mallory.
