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Daisy came to work with me this morning and is helping out around the office. I really like having her here. It feels like we are getting back to how we were before my accident all those years ago. We laugh and pick at each other teasingly. I know this isn’t how she’s used to spending her time, but I’m so happy to be sharing this time with her while her man is out of pocket.
A few hours later, things are crazy around here at Invictus. We get a visit from the causality assistance team informing Daisy that Ace and his special ops team are MIA. The team has disappeared while on a mission overseas. Daisy breaks down like I haven’t seen since we were told I’d never walk again more than twenty years ago. How can I help my sister?
A week later…
Daisy has been frantic with worry, and I’m really concerned for her well-being. She’s been very quiet and refuses to talk about Ace being missing. I’ve been on her side of this many times, but she’s never had to experience it. I want to help her, but she refuses to talk to me. She seems to want to work harder, and Iunderstand that. Work keeps your mind busy so you don’t dwell on the things you can’t change.
She’s complained about having to stay in the office all day, helping Kristen with the phones and filing. I’m still working on Marley’s case. I’ve made some real progress on correcting what the hacker has done, but I can’t locate the bastard who has done all of this to her. It’s the last thing I need to make all of this go away. I just need to know who and why they did it so Marley can rest easy, from now on.
Therefore I’m considering having Daisy go check out some addresses that I’ve associated to one of the men caught on CCTV footage at an ATM. I worry about sending Daisy out on her own, but with my brothers out of town running down other leads, I really don’t have another choice.
“Luke,I’m going crazy sitting here!” Daisy exclaims for the tenth time today. “Don’t you have something to get my damn mind off the waiting?” She blows out a frustrated breath. I nod as I grab a sticky note and scribble down an address.
“I need you to go check out this address,” I inform her as I hold out the slip of paper. “It’s in a remote location, so I only want you to conduct some reconnaissance. You do not enter the property or confront anyone. Are we clear?” Daisy rolls her eyes in dramatic fashion.
“Yes, daddy, I understand,” she sasses. She reaches to snatch the address from my hand, but I don’t let it go that easily. I clamp down on her hand holding on tightly as she tugs.
“I’m serious Daisy,” I growl. “Do. Not. Engage. We don’t know what this person or persons are capable of. I won’t have you getting killed on U.S. soil after surviving all the shit you’ve been through.” Daisy sobers and gives me an assenting nod. I release her hand and watch as she storms out of my office like the hounds of hell are on her heels.
I turn back to Marley’s case. Things are progressing rapidly now. I’ve been able to get all of Marley’s accounts up to date. I’m ready cancel the lease on her apartment, but the argument we had over the SUV I’d gotten her, stops me. This needs to be her decision. Marley is helping with stocking at Jay’s today. I send her a text, letting her know that I’ve corrected the alterations to her accounts, and it’s up to her if she wants to continue the lease. I’m sitting on pins and needles waiting for her reply.
Marley:What do you think I should do?
I know my immediate response. I want her to move in with me permanently. Is it too soon to ask? Probably, but it’s what I know I want, what I need. I love her. I’m going to marry her when she’s ready, if she’ll have me.
Me:Honestly, I want you to cancel the lease and stay with me, but I won’t pressure you. Keep it for now if it makes you more comfortable. I only want your happiness.
Marley:You really want me to live with you? Like forever??
Me:Yes, baby. I know this is fast, but everything with us has been on a slow burn for too long. Those embers have burst into a raging inferno. I want it all…with you. But take all the time you need to get where I am. I understand if you aren’t ready for all of this yet.
The three little dots appear, then disappear. They return and go a few times before I finally get the reply I want and need to see.
Marley:I’m ready, Luke. I’ll call and cancel my lease, today. I love you.
Me:I love you too, baby. See you soon.
I focus back on the CCTV video in front of me. It’s from an ATM where a man took money from Marley’s account with a fake debt card. The images are grainy, at best. I’ve been running various software programs in an attempt to clear them up, but I’m not having much luck. Even with the images I’ve improved, the facial recognition software hasn’t landed a hit, yet. I can’t believe these slimy assholes are this good evading my tech skills.
Kristen appears at my door shortly after Daisy leaves. I look up to see what she’s needing now. She’s been coming in my office at least once an hour ever since the incident with Marley. I guess she’s trying to get on my good side, but she’s only succeeding in pissing me off further.
“Yes, what is it?” I glare. She swallows nervously before crossing the room to come around my desk. My hackles raise. I have a bad feeling about this.
“I just wanted to see if you need anything,” she says seductively, turning to face me leaning her ass against my desk.
“No, I don’t,” I answer sharply, turning my back on her to face the screen in front of me to continue my work. She doesn’t leave. I’m about to tell her to do so when I feel her hands on my shoulders. I flinch in response.
“You’re so tense, Luke,” Kristen murmurs, beginning to massage me. “You work too hard. Let me ease some of this for you.” She’s leaned down to whisper the last part in my ear. I shiver, but not from desire. It’s a sickening feeling having her hands on me. Marley is the only woman I want touching me. I shrug my shoulders in annoyance.
“Stop!” I bark loudly. Her hands leaving me instantly. “I don’t know what you think you’re playing at Kristen, but I’ve told you I’m in a relationship with Marley. Even if I weren’t, you and I would not be a thing!”—she flinches at my harsh words— “I don’t date my employees, but more than that, I don’t find you attractive. It’s why I hired you even though I had other more experienced applicants. I don’t want or need a distraction at work. Do you understand?” She nods, her face hardening in anger before she spins on her 4-inch heels and storms out.
Hours later, I stretch to loosen my aching neck muscles after being hunched over the computer for so long. I notice it’s getting late in the day, and I haven’t heard from Marley or Daisy. I pick up my phone to see multiple missed calls and a couple ofvoicemails. Before I can see what I’ve missed, my phone rings. It’s Hawk, Ace’s C.O.
“Luke, here,” I answer. Hawk begins rapid firing questions at me.
“Luke where the fuck is Daisy?” Hawk growls into the phone. His voice is rough and hard. He doesn’t give me time to answer before he’s talking again. I can’t get a word in edgewise. “She hasn’t answered any of my phone calls for hours. She ALWAYS answers. I hope to hell you know where she’s at and why she isn’t answering.”
“I haven’t heard from her since she left this morning,” I confess.
