Page 16 of Strip It Down (Spoiled by My Blue Collar Man #4)

Gentry

After a fast shower I make my way downstairs. Sayer is at the stove, pulling a tray of biscuits from the oven, along with bacon. He glances up.

“I cheated. I made one of Dad’s lazy day breakfast casseroles. Frozen hashbrowns with whipped eggs and cheese on top.”

“Did you text Jarrett? Is he on his way? I’ll make up a tray for him. Oh, did you feed the dogs?”

“Yep, and Ayla and I took care of Stone and Bella.”

Paul shows up as we’re finishing and I make a plate for him.

Sayer comes up behind me and kisses my neck before turning me to take my lips.

“I have to go meet my crew. Jarrett is going to hang close to the house because another friend is coming to install some cameras. Dad will stay as long as he can, but he’s helping MaryKatherine get her daughter ready for them to leave her alone with her business.

I said to tell her we’d fill in if we need to while they’re gone.

I mean, she’s family now. You okay with that? ”

“Yes, of course.”

“You have Jarrett’s number so text him for anything. I don’t care how small. And you have the dogs. Are you okay?”

“Get out of here, so you can come back home.”

Home. I watch him leave from the kitchen window. This is what having a home, a family feels like.

He texts at ten. Tells me how much he misses me and hopes to be home early.

At noon he’s frustrated by little issues that have come up.

At four forty-five, he’s furious about something that happened at another job and he’s there and needs to deal with it before he can come home. Sheriff Tate had just arrived.

Gentry: Sounds like you’re working up an appetite. Good thing I put on a couple chickens to roast, with baked potatoes and broccoli-cauliflower divan.

Gentry: I never saw your other friend, but Jarrett said it’s all done and you should check your phone.

Sayer: Sounds great. Forgot to eat. I’ll text when I’m on the way home. I’m starved… for you.

Heat rushes to my cheeks and my nether regions. I honestly don’t know how to respond to that kind of comment. I simply send a kiss. He must have gone back to work because he doesn’t respond.

Could something really be going this right with my life? Working with Paul has been so easy and he appreciates my suggestions and help. Respect and consideration are every day values to him. And to his son.

Paul’s relationship with MaryKatherine is so sweet. She deserves some goodness in her life, too. Paul treats her with respect and consideration, and they work together. I smile. Last week she said he makes her feel like a schoolgirl, all giddy in love.

That’s what I want with Sayer. Togetherness. I realize, we’ve already started that way. I wash, he dries. He starts the laundry, I bath Ayla. It’s not the ‘you wait on me’ I’ve seen in so many relationships. It’s a shared togetherness. He even listens when I make suggestions.

I don’t feel threatened by him. Sometime in the middle of the night after we’d talked and both fallen asleep, he cuddled up next to me and threw one leg over mine. There was no panic. No fear. I’d felt… protected.

I turn down the temperature on dinner to keep it warm and take Ayla into the office where most of her toys are. We work on DaDa with his pictures, and I’ve heard Sayer say Papa, for Paul so we work on that as well.

Bella walks into the room then out. The second time she does it, Stone sits up ears forward.

Walking over to the office door I watch her.

She’s literally pacing every room on the floor.

When I turn back, Stone is standing in front of Ayla.

Rushing forward I make sure the door is locked, then check the one at the back of the house.

Hand shaking, I pull my phone and try to call Sayer. But nothing happens. I text Jarrett.

Gentry: I think something’s wrong. Bella is acting funny.

Jarrett: I know. Are the doors locked?

Gentry: Yes

Jarrett: Windows?

Gentry: Shit. Forgot to check.

Jarrett: Leave them. Stay in the office. Get under the desk. Stone is with you?

Gentry: Yes. Should I get Bella?

Jarrett: No. She knows. Stay quiet.

It feels like forever, but it’s only been ten minutes. I hear what sounds like glass breaking. Then a gunshot in the distance and a yelp.

Gentry: Window broke.

Jarrett: Stay down.

Tears threaten to choke me. It’s Greg. He’s after me. Maybe if I give myself up, he’ll leave the dogs and Ayla alone. He may never even notice her if I do this right.

“Ayla, sweetie,” I whisper at her ear. “Quiet. Stay with Stone until Dada comes. Shh. Stay. No talk.”

Like she rarely ever does I remind myself. I crawl out from under the desk and point to Stone. I swear he gives me a frown but takes position in front of Ayla.

The only thing I can find for a weapon is Paul’s knife-style letter opener. I cross to the conference table, drawing attention from the desk. I sit like I’m working and not aware of any issues.

Greg throws the door open and storms in, followed by Clive and another guy I don’t know.

“You bitch. You really think you can take me on and win? I’m an Archer. We own this fucking town. When I’m done with you, you’ll be begging me to kill you. Just like your sister.”

“My sister?” I push to my feet. “What did you do to my sister? Where is she?”

“Her and her little bitches thought they could shake me down. I played along. Gave them a couple 8 balls. They left, got happy, and I gave them to some guys who liked to play rough. Won’t be seeing them again.

“You, I’m gonna take care of myself. I can’t wait to hear you scream.”

He glances to the guy I don’t know. “Find the kid. She’s little enough we can sell her.”

I grip the letter opener. I’ll only get one chance. I’m sure Jarrett and the other dogs are on the way.