Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
FIFTEEN
Theo
“Did we ever figure out what’s going on with Evertrust?” Parker asks. It’s one of the rare occurrences we’re all in the office, minus Boston. Unless there’s a situation he can’t avoid, he stays in New Orleans. Today, Parker has graced us with his presence, which means Nessa must be working the day shift this week. Ezra brought us coffee from Millie’s coffee shop, and I’d really like to get this meeting over and done with.
“Nope, still combing through the years. The decrease in money stems back ten or so years, so it’s taking our analyst a bit longer.” We hired a corporate accountant to work alongside our own. It was a no-brainer to have a neutral party look at everything as well.
“Fuck, this is taking too damn long,” Ezra states. He’s not wrong.
“We’ll go another week, two at the max, then I say we pull the trigger. Four Brothers can take the partnership, or we can grab him by the balls and offer a smaller amount with Trust being only ten percent partner while we have control of the board,” I tell Parker, Ezra, and Boston, who’s finally joined on a Zoom call. He’s an hour behind us and looks like he just rolled out of bed.
“Look who’s decided to grace us with his presence,” I remark. Boston’s hair is pulled every which way, and he’s got a cup of coffee in front of him much like we all do.
“I’m still trying to figure out why you’re at headquarters bright and early when a certain person spent the night.” He raises his eyebrows. It’s no use denying it.
“Probably because we can’t all fuck off like you fools do whenever your women snap their fingers. You’re all pussy whipped.” Ezra snorts at my bullshit answer.
“Bitch, please, Danica used to work at Four Brothers cleaning the employee area, yet now she only cleans your penthouse. You’re paying a hefty fucking penny. I’d say we’re not the only ones whipped by our women,” Boston replies.
“Jesus, and I thought Parker and I had it bad. I think you take the cake,” Ezra interjects.
“It’s not a bad thing, brother. A good woman in your bed every morning and night. Welcome to living the good life.” Parker sits back in his chair, looking more smug than ever. I’d like to say we’ll get back to talking about Four Brothers and what we all need to work on for the rest of the week, but the likelihood of that happening is highly fucking doubtful.
“Alright, we all good with giving Evertrust a couple of more weeks with the auditors before counteroffering?” I ask, trying to get the hell back on task.
“Works for me. Not sure why you needed me on a Zoom for this. You know my support is with whatever is good for Four Brothers,” Boston grunts. Amelie comes around the corner, and his arm goes around her waist, pulling her in. “I’m out. Let me know how things go with Danica and when we should fly up for the wedding.”
My phone vibrates on the conference table. Seeing Bellamy’s name, I pick it up right away. He’s yet to call me when it comes to Danica or anything. A text is usually his only form of communication.
“Hey, Bellamy, is everything okay?” I answer immediately. Parker and Ezra, who started talking amongst themselves, quiet down when they see I’m on the phone.
“No, I’m afraid not. I need you to get to Miss Powers’ apartment building right away.” I stand up and head out the door, keeping the phone to my ear as I hear him soothe, “It’s okay, Danica, stay where you are. Help is on the way.” I’m crawling out of my skin. It’s going to take me too fucking long.
“Bellamy, I need to know what’s going on. I’m heading out of the office now, but I’m still twenty minutes away, and that’s without traffic.” The elevator opens with a push of my finger, courtesy of having a designated elevator for our floor only.
“I came inside Danica’s apartment building. She said she wouldn’t take long, but it’d been over twenty minutes.” He takes a deep breath then mutters to Danica again, except this time, I can’t hear him. I turn around, ready to hit the garage button, when Parker and Ezra huddle in with me, still staying silent but knowing enough not to ask anything, not like I could fucking tell them a thing. “She was on the ground, head tucked between her knees, covering herself, and there in front of her was the landlord.” My heart stops. Brian was being hand delivered a message to leave. It wasn’t supposed to happen until later this afternoon, once Danica was safely at my place.
“How bad?” My hand not holding my cell phone goes to the wall. I’m worried Brian did the worst possible. Did he rape her? Did he hurt her in a way that will cause permanent damage? Is she sitting on the bottom of the stairs unable to move? My heart is racing, stomach twisted in so many knots while I wait. Jesus, it feels it’s been a damn whirlwind, and I haven’t been waiting a damn minute.