Page 28

Gabriel

We kept ourselves locked away all weekend, ordered food, drank wine, and stayed naked.

It was the break that we both needed, but it didn’t stop either of us from voicing our concerns about Dale and Williams.

Anders and David provided regular updates on them, but there has been nothing that seems out of place, and there were no issues at the bar.

We have made the agreement that we are going to continue business as usual, not hide away but make sure that we stay vigilant.

The week went by with no issues, I had Dale restricted from entering, since his membership application was declined there is no requirement for him to attend.

HR informed the front desk that he was no longer to be permitted entry, and those who have had him join them as their guest were also warned.

There was no pushback from any of them, some even relieved.

He was approaching ‘newer’ members requesting that they bring him in as a guest whilst his application was in the process of being approved.

Kelcie has advised her staff that we will be present on Thursday evening once again, telling me that we need to show some form of presence which Anders agreed with.

She’s not wrong, I was usually present a couple of nights a week but that scaled back after I made Kelcie mine.

We make our way down to the bar, David holds the door for us and members acknowledge us as we walk through.

I notice Williams at her table, I glance over and give her an acknowledging nod, nothing that I wouldn’t do with other members.

The woman looks like she has seen a ghost, as we take our seat I lean over and tell Kelcie.

Kelcie’s eyes flick over to her then back at me.

“I still feel that something is off.”

Her tone is flat, impassive.

“Anders still has her being watched.”

The next hour or so passes by and Kelcie appears to have relaxed somewhat but I can tell that she is still vigilant.

Aware what’s going on around us.

I follow her gaze around the bar and then see Anders walking towards us.

As he reaches us, he leans in and whispers to me then leaves immediately.

“Dale attempted to attend, stating that he’s William’s guest,”

I pass on to Kelcie.

“Anders is going to follow him.” Kelcie nods over to Williams’s table.

She has taken a call and is looking around the bar, clearly uncomfortable.

“Why does he want in here so badly?”

“I’m not sure, but Anders will find out soon enough.”

“Should we leave?”

Kelcie asks.

“Not yet, Anders is on it, he will keep me updated.”

We stay in the bar, waiting for Anders to get in touch.

Kelcie keeps a discreet eye on Williams.

I knew that Dale was going to attempt to come, but he was respectful when he was turned away.

“Maybe, he is just eager to be a member?”

I say factually.

“I know I am one for letting my imagination take over, but my gut feeling hasn’t been wrong yet.

Being followed by O’Connell, I felt that.”

She turns her gaze to me.

“But this feeling isn’t like that, I’m not scared, I, I don’t know how to explain it, but I know that we need to be cautious.”

I instinctively lay my arm across both her legs.

I know that feeling too, but it’s one I developed in this business.

My phone chimes, a message from Anders.

Anders

Audio file sent.

Gabriel

Ack.

“I am going up to the office, Anders has sent an audio file through.

Stay and keep eyes on her.”

Kelcie gives me an acknowledging look and I make my way up to the office.

I sit down at my desk and open the file.

It’s a short phone call.

Dale

I’ve been refused entry.

Unknown male

I knew you were fucking useless.

That’s why we have her.

It’s easy to tell that one is Dale, but the other voice is distorted.

But it’s clear that they have Williams working with them.

I load up the current security, Williams is still here, who the fuck is she tied to.

I send a message off to Kelcie telling her to come up.

I reload the audio letting her take it in.

“Who is that?”

I expected her to be angry, if she is there is no evidence of it in her voice, it’s neutral, flat.

“Unknown, but the tail l have on her and Dale will be remaining.”

The next morning both Kelcie and I are in the office earlier than usual, Anders informed me he personally tracked Williams last night and had some intel for us.

Anders arrives not long after.

Williams went back to the apartment complex that she is refurbishing, which isn’t unusual, but then left around 2am, meeting with Dale outside of town.

As soon as she reached him, he gave her a hefty slap knocking her to the ground.

Leaning down at her, he ‘scream whispered’ that she better pick up her slack and get more information otherwise he would kill them both.

After which he took off, telling her to keep her phone on, she was still on the ground as he left.

“Who will kill them both?”

Kelcie asks.

“I’m unsure yet but we should carry on as normal, Anders will keep an eye on things.

It’s not unusual for people to try and get something on me.”

I state truthfully.

“It’s possible that Dale wanted the membership to then vouch for the other man and since he didn’t get it, they sent in Williams.”

“So what? We just continue day to day life knowing that someone is watching us?”

“No one is watching or following you, Miss Taylor.

I’ve had one of the team watching that too.”

Anders answers her.

Weeks go by unchanged, and we somewhat remain in our routine.

However, I am careful to make sure I change the timings that we arrive and leave so as not to leave a traceable pattern.

Kelcie doesn’t think anything of it, and I’ve kept it that way so she can get back to normality, whatever that may be for us.

Anders is still working on exposing who the other unknown male on the audio clip was, but nothing has been found, they traced their tracks well.

They will slip up soon enough.

They always do.

The jewellers contacted me letting me know that Kelcie’s ring is now ready to be collected.

With everything that has been going on, she hasn’t been suspicious if I have been taking calls without people around.

Collecting it is going to be difficult, I’ve been making sure that she has been with me constantly, I could send Anders, but I need to check it over myself.

By Friday I still haven’t managed to get to the jewellers, and as things have been relatively normal, I tell her that I’ll run out and get us some dinner and meet her back at home.

I’ll take the driver and Anders will take her back, I let Anders know what the plan is, and he arranges a late collection of the ring and dinner for me.

It’s coming up to around 6pm when Kelcie walks into the office and I walk over to her, wrapping my hands around her neck in my usual manner.

I love how it still makes her take a deep breath in.

“I’m going to grab us some dinner.”

“Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be with you.”

She states back to me.

“You finish up, I’ll grab it and meet you at home.

Anders will bring you.”

“You sure?”

I know she is asking because I haven’t let her leave my side.

“Yes, Anders is with you, and things have been clear of late.”

She agrees, kissing me before walking over to the desk.

I watch every step she takes, thinking how much I can’t wait for this woman to be mine in every possible sense.

I leave giving Anders the nod that I am going.

Anders has been contacting our driver when he’s needed instead of him waiting outside, he’s instructed to pull up around the back.

As I make my way out the door, he’s there ready and I get straight into the back pulling my phone out to let the jewellers know I am on my way.

The driver takes off, taking the wrong turn as we leave.

As I go to speak, I’m greeted by Dale leaning over the front passenger seat and a gun in my face.

“Mr DeMarco.”

He greets me with a tone that he thinks will intimidate me.

“Arh Dale, good to see you.”

I respond as I put my phone down.

I look at the driver, noting that he’s been replaced.

I relax in my seat.

“Where we off, anywhere nice?” I ask.

“I suggest you keep your fucking mouth shut.”

His hostilely makes me smile.