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Chapter Nineteen
Miami stared acrossthe desk at Kyle West in disbelief, the printed offer he slid across the polished wood desktop a few minutes earlier forgotten. It hadn’t taken long to hash out the details since the benefits were more than she could have hoped for, and the salary was staggering. Kent sat next to her. He appeared relaxed in the wingback chair, but she sensed it was an act. There was a hum of subtle energy vibrating just under the surface. Miami wasn’t sure how to describe it, but the feeling was impossible to ignore. Thinking wistfully about her mother, she smiled to herself. If her mom was here, she’d tell Miami to surround herself with people whose vibrations were energetic because they made the world interesting.
Both men smiled when she’d asked them to add the purchase and installation of a small elevator to the renovations they already planned to make to her dad’s beach house. They’d agreed, promising to make the necessary changes in the final contract. The last item on the sheet in her hand was what caused her breath to seize.
“We do a background check on everyone we’re interested in hiring, Miami.” Kyle’s tone reflected curiosity rather than accusation, and Miami tried to remember he was a friend rather than a foe.
“Take a deep breath, Miami. Damn, you look like you’re a heartbeat away from running from the room.”
She knew Kent was trying to lighten the mood, but it wasn’t working. Pulling in a deep breath, she moved her gaze slowly between the two men.
“I know I should get a driver’s license. My mom took me to a private driving school, but on the day I was supposed to take the test, we were followed by several paparazzi. Someone at the school must have tipped them off. I was so intimidated, we left before it was my turn.”
Kent gave her an understanding nod.
“We’ll be happy to help you wrap this up. We’ve been Doms and husbands long enough to know there is too much pressure involved when we try to teach Tobi a new skill, so I’d encourage you to ask someone other than your men.”
Miami had always known she’d have to finish the process, eventually. This is one of those ostrich moments that come back to bite you in the ass when you least expect it. She appreciated Kent’s effort to ease the tension.
“It seems so.” Sighing, she concentrated on staying in her seat. Before she lost her courage, Miami blurted out her question. “Do you think Tobi would help me?”
Kyle rolled his eyes, and Kent burst out laughing.
“Pay up, asshole.” Kent held out his hand, smiling when Kyle slapped a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill against his brother’s open palm. Tucking the bill into his shirt pocket, Kent grinned. “My brother didn’t think you’d ask for Tobi’s help, but I’m smarter than he is.”
“You probably set this up. That’s why she’s waiting outside the door, isn’t it?”
“She’s outside the door?” Miami wasn’t sure if she was relieved or spooked the Universe was operating a half-step ahead of her.
“I love her more than life itself, but I swear she is a snoop of the first order. She found out about the license issue and barely slept last night because her mind was spinning with ways to help.”
Miami smiled at the tenderness she heard in Kyle’s comments. His gruff exterior didn’t fool her. The man had a soft spot a mile wide when it came to his spitfire wife.
“I swear the woman has bugged the control room and this office, but no matter how many times we’ve searched, we haven’t found proof.” Kent grinned and shook his head. “Tobi is as loyal as they come and smart as a damned whip. She might make us crazy, but her heart is as big as all of Texas. While she helps you secure your license, we’ll get the final employment contract written up.”
“Giles will be sidelined for a while, but Essex will be leaving the country for a few days. We’ve already lined up contractors to start the renovations at the beach house. You’re welcome to stay here until they are completed or at least until the dust settles and the finish work begins.”
After several minutes spent working out the details of remodeling, Miami finally relaxed. Neither man questioned her ability to pass a driving test. Their confidence was reassurance she’d made the right choice in accepting their offer of employment.
*
Essex leaned backin the patio lounger and laughed to himself. For the past two hours, he’d watched Miami progress from a stripped-down golf cart to a four-seat side-by-side, then a small car. He had no idea where Tobi had found the car since he’d seen nothing like it during any of his visits to Prairie Winds. Giles, who’d joined him a few minutes earlier, sat at a nearby table shaking his head.
“This has to be one of the biggest ironies in history. I’ve heard tales about Tobi’s wild driving for years, and nobody seems alarmed she’s teaching Miami to drive. Fucking unbelievable.”
“It’s not like they’ve been unattended. Hell, they wouldn’t have this much supervision motoring around Fort Knox.” Essex had been watching the entire time, and he knew the staff in the control center was keeping a close watch as well. He wasn’t watching because he worried about the two of them having an accident—Essex’s motivation was purely selfish. Knowing he was going out of the country, he wanted to spend as much time as possible enjoying Miami’s company—even if it was from across the courtyard.
“Kyle stopped me inside to give me an update on your mission.”
Essex already knew what Giles was going to say. He hadn’t even packed-out yet, and the job’s timeline was already being extended. Uncle Sam might not be paying him directly, but the Pentagon was still finding ways to throw kinks in the plan.
“Look at the bright side. You’ll miss most of the renovation.”
The comment made Essex laugh.
“You’re the one who goes apeshit when things are disrupted.” Essex hoped Giles and Miami would stay at Prairie Winds until most of the work was completed. He knew Kent and Kyle were already working with contractors in Galveston. The Wests were known for getting things done quickly, so Essex expected the entire project to be completed in record time.
“Did you call the jeweler?” The two of them planned to ask Miami to marry them as soon as he returned. If he had his way, they’d collar her before the wedding. In D/s relationships, collaring was as important as a marriage ceremony. Many considered the commitment stronger than the legal contract of marriage.
