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“He’s indisposed at the moment. Can I take a message?” She giggles in the background. “Stop that,” comes through the line weakly like she’s covering the receiver.
“Give me his cell number, or send my call to him, now,” I sneer all pretense of politeness gone.
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that. It’s company policy. If it’s of a personal nature, Mr. Black gives his number to the people he wants to have it.” The last part comes out sugary sweet.
“I know you know who I am. Give me his fucking number, NOW!” I’m so frustrated why the hell is the devil woman his assistant?
“Do you have a message I can leave for Mr. Black?” She sounds so very professional I know Masen is in the room with her. He better not be playing games again, I will skin him. Before I can answer, “Sorry I couldn’t be more help. Thanks for calling Black Industries. Have a wonderful day,” comes through the line. Then, it goes dead. I’m tempted to slam the receiver on the desk repeatedly.
Instead, I steady my breathing and redial the directory. “City and state.”
“I need a cell number for Casper Black in Point Pleasant, Michigan,” I grate.
“I’ll connect you. Have a wonderful day.” After hearing the same words, the devil woman used I want to beat my head against the desk this time.
Sniffer answers on the second ring. “Who’s this?” he asks suspiciously.
“Sniffer, it’s me, Sophie. God, I’m so glad you answered,” I sigh, “I could really use some help.” I explain what happened. He’s driving before I can even finish telling him.
“Stay right where you are. I’ll be there in ten minutes. I had Sam call Mase. I don’t want you to hang up until I get there, okay?” I finally relax.
There’s a short tap on the door. The woman from earlier, Tami, pokes her head in. “You okay in here, honey?” she asks kindly.
“Just a second, Sniffer. I’m fine. Thank you. My Mat... my...”
Sniffer provides me with the right words. “Your brother-in-law, Sophie.”
“My brother-in-law is on the way. He’ll help me handle everything. Is it okay if I stay on the phone with him until he gets here?”
Her face is kind and a little sad. “Sure honey. I’ll be right out here.”
He arrives in seven minutes. He must have broken every traffic law there is. I’m so relieved when I hear him say he’s here. I hang up and rush from the back of the store. “Sophie?” I hear his raised voice ask.
“I’m right here.” I wave my arm so he can spot me.
He speeds over and picks me up in a bear hug. “Ugh, I can’t breathe.”
He sets me down but doesn’t release me fully. “Sorry,” he says sheepishly. “He just found you. I think he’d lose it if something happened. Masen knew something was wrong, and when he couldn’t get a hold of you, he kinda freaked. He was almost here when Sam got ahold of him so it won’t be long.” He smiles down at me.
“That’s such a relief. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to get a hold of anyone. Did you see anyone outside or my purse and bags?”
He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t look too hard though. I was more concerned about getting in here to you.”
Tami and two other female employees stare at Sniffer. “I think you have a fan club,” I say, tipping my head in their direction.
She notices me look over and comes closer. Her hips have a little extra sway that I can’t help but smile at. “You must be the brother-in-law. How kind of you to come rescue her,” she bats her eyelashes, “I’m so nervous about the whole thing. She must have been terrified. Lucky for her, she has you to make sure she’s safe,” she pouts. “I’m Tami, by the way.”
What the hell is wrong with this woman. Five minutes ago, she was normal and sweet. Now, she’s like a flirting machine with hair tosses, biting her lips, touching his arm more times than I can count in the thirty second, one-sided conversation. I can’t help the bubble of laughter that escapes. They both turn to me like I’m the crazy one. I cover my mouth and start to cough. I clear my throat. “Sorry, nerves.” I shrug.
Masen chooses that second to storm through the door. He looks like he’s ready to kill someone. “Hot damn!” I hear one of the women utter.
His eyes find mine. I’m away from Sniffer and in his arms in seconds. He lifts me gently, and I wrap around him on instinct. “What happened?” he barks.
I sigh. He’s going to scare the pants off of these women, probably literally. “Mase, let’s go outside. These beautiful women have helped enough today. No need to bother them any further.”
Sniffer delivers a sweet as honey smile to the trio. I think they all sigh in unison. They’ve all moved closer, openly ogling Masen even with me in his arms. Tami, my helper, says, “Oh, it’s no bother. If either of you need anything, anything at all, I can be very helpful.” She’s definitely not talking to me. She looks right up at Masen through her lashes.
Now, she is starting to piss me off. “Hey, knock that off. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it, I do. You can even throw yourself at my brother-in-law, but do not look at him like that. He’s mine!” I threaten.
