Chapter 13

Rounding the corner, Remi nodded as Baker and Boden walked by her toward the kitchen. Turning, she watched them go through the door, something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t say what. Shaking it off, she started to Nadine in the corner. A few steps later, she watched Darien take something out of her hand and stuff it in his pocket. Nadine was shaking her head, worry clear on her face. Darien rubbed the back of his neck and then looked at Nadine again. She didn’t need to hear what he said. She could see clearly that he was upset. Nadine patted him on the shoulder and returned to what she had been doing.

Feeling like she shouldn’t be staring, Remi spun around and went into the kitchen. The Lewis boys were standing at the counter, pulling dishes out of the dishwasher. She watched them for a moment before clearing her throat. They both stiffened and turned slowly. She looked at their name tags, slowly raising her gaze up to their reddened faces. “Why are you two wearing Baker and Boden’s name tags? Where are your brothers?”

Bates cleared his throat and took off Baker’s name tag. “They’re going to be late, and with everything going on, we didn’t want to stress you out more.”

Raising an eyebrow, she looked at Berk. “So, you thought you’d pretend to be your brothers?”

Berk raised his hands. “Only you would notice.”

“Our own mother can’t tell us apart,” Bates added with a sigh.

Shaking her head, Remi took the name tags and tossed them on the counter. “Why are your brothers going to be late?” She really hoped it was trivial.

Berk looked around the room, and Bates cleared his throat.

“Guys?” Remi looked from one to the other.

“Uh,” Bates finally looked at her, “they’re still at the station.”

“Station? As in police station?” Berk nodded. “Why?”

Bates opened his mouth and then looked at his brother. Berk nodded. “For questioning. We have to meet Randell there when we leave here.”

“Unbelievable!” She pointed at them. “You are not going there.” Growling, she spun on her heel, digging her phone out of her pocket. Shoving the door open, she sidestepped a surprised Nadine and stomped toward the door. “I’m going to feed him his badge.” She snarled, shaking her head. The nerve! To go, behind my back and question my staff, my family. He had absolutely no reason.

“Whoa,” Finn slid in front of her. “Where are you going?” He shifted to stay in front of her, even as she went to step around him.

Remi glared at him. “I’m going to beat Dell over the head with a,” she tried to go around him again, “desk.” When he stopped her again, hands out like he would grab and hold her, but didn’t. She put her hands on her hips and huffed out a breath. “Get out of my way, Finn.”

“Ah,” he stuttered and looked over her shoulder for a second, “I can’t let you leave.”

“What?” Pointing up at him, she growled. “Move.”

Emery appeared beside Finn. “What’s going on?”

Finn looked relieved.

Looking from one to the other, she went to step around them both, but they out-maneuvered her each time.

“Remi” —Emery was in front of her again— “come on. You shouldn’t go out alone.”

“Emery, get out of my way.”

“I,” he stuttered, looking to Finn for help. Finn just shook his head, “uh…”

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, and she was lifted off the floor. She didn’t need to look to know who held her. “Darien, let go.” She tried to pry his arm loose.

“You’re not going to beat Dell with a desk,” he said next to her ear, “as much as I’d like to see that.”

Growling, she struggled in his hold. “He’s questioning my staff…” she stopped struggling, “my family behind my back.” Her feet were on the floor again, but his arm held her in place.

“He’s what?” Darien loosened his hold enough to turn her and look at her expression.

“Berk and Bates were pretending to be Boden and Baker because Dell has them at the station questioning them.” She gritted her teeth. “Where’s Kyran?”

“He’s walking down the street, should be here in about twenty seconds,” Finn told her with a smirk. Darien turned and glared at him. Finn shrugged. “It’s a kick seeing Remi all revved up. I’d like to let her loose.”

Pointing a finger, Darien scowled. “Go find something to do, or I’ll let loose on you.”

“Spoilsport,” Finn mumbled as he quickly strode from the room.

Relaxing slowly until his hand was just resting on her waist, Darien looked down at her. “We’ll find out what’s going on. Just calm down.”

Tapping her foot, she held out her phone. “Fine. You call him.”

Taking the phone slowly, watching her for signs she would go crazy at any second, he nodded. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the screen, slid the saver off, and pressed call.

Remi heard the door open and spun to face Kyran walking in, pissing her off all over again. Before Darien could stop her, she was in his face. “What the hell is going on, Kyran?” She barked. Raising her hand, she intended to smack him on the chest for effect when she was lifted off her feet and found herself halfway across the room.

Seething, she glared at Pascal as he held her in his arms, a few inches off the floor. “What have I missed?” Lifting his head, he glanced over to Attis was looking amused, Finn right beside him. “Seriously, Finn, if there’s to be a beating and blood spilled, I’d expect you to inform me first.” He gave Remi a fanged grin. “What’s this about you feeding people their badges and beating them with a desk?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “A woman after my own heart.”

A low rumbling growl echoed across the room. Looking over, she saw Darien still standing where she’d been, and he wasn’t at all happy.

“See now,” Pascal set her on the floor, “you’ve made me step on toes by distracting me with violence.”

Huffing out a breath, she stepped away from him and gave Darien a puzzled glare. “I just want to know what’s going on.”

“Me too,” Kyran said, gobsmacked.

“I just saved your life, detective,” Pascal told him.

Kyran raised both hands and looked back at Remi. “I just found out, and I expressed my opinion loudly, and the boys are right behind me.”

Taking a deep breath, Remi tried to settle down. “No more of my staff will be questioned, Kyran.”

Lowering his hands slowly, he nodded. “Agreed.”

Remi closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening them and looking around. Finn and Attis were far too amused. She rolled her eyes at them and turned to see Emery shaking his head.

“I will never cross you again.” He grinned. “And that, ladies and gents is my Mom.” He pumped his arm in the air a few times. “Mess with her and pay. Yes!”

Hissing out a breath, she threw her hands up and walked out of the room, all eyes following her. When she reached the kitchen, she brushed past Nadine and went straight to the break room, Nadine close on her heels.

“Are you okay, Rem?”

Remi leaned on the table and took a few deep breaths. “I feel like everything is going to hell lately.”

Nadine sat down and a heartfelt sympathetic look on her face. “I know.” She shook her head. “I’m afraid to leave the house now.” She clasped her hands together. “I don’t know how you’re holding it together.”

Remi snorted. “Clearly, I’m not.” She grinned and looked at her. “I can’t believe I just did that.”

Nadine grinned. “Neither can I, but at least we know it takes all the guys to stop you.”

Remi laughed. “I guess that’s something, huh?” Taking a deep breath, she straightened, remembering what she’d seen before she apparently lost her mind. “What did you give Darien?”

Nadine took a deep breath and held it; shaking her head, she exhaled slowly. “That’s not for me to tell. You’ll have to ask him.”

Knowing that when Naddy gave her word, she was true to it, like most witches, Remi nodded. “Okay, I will.”

Nadine stood up. “I better go get the kids.” She let out a loud breath. “My husband is picking me up.”

“Good. No one is to be by themselves for now.” Tucking her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, Remi offered her a smile. “I’m glad you have someone. The nights seem to be closing in on me in the last month with inspections and audits…”

“And everything else,” Nadine finished for her.

“Yeah.”

Nadine turned to leave and then looked back at her. “Honestly, Rem, you need to let loose and get yourself laid soon.” She shrugged. “It works wonders during times of high stress.” She smirked. “It’s been what, six, seven months for you? That’s a lot of stress built up.”

Groaning, Remi rubbed her hands over her face. “Don’t remind me.” She waved a hand at the door and then froze to see Darien standing in it. She felt her cheeks heat. How long had he been standing there? How much had he heard?

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Nadine said quickly and left before Remi could reply. She bailed on her, plain and simple.

Darien was looking at her cautiously. “You okay now?”

Shaking her head, she looked hopeless. “That’s questionable.”

“Do I need to lock you in my cage?” He smirked.

Huffing out a breath, she shook her head. “No. Not yet, at least.” Pulling out a chair, she dropped down into it. “I just,” she waved her hand in exasperation, “feel like everything is happening at once, Dare.” Dropping her hands onto the table, she studied them for no reason. “The inspector driving me nuts, now he’s dead, the audit being randomly called, being attacked,” she glanced up at him, “and it’s like I’m losing touch with everyone that works here.”

He perched on the edge of the table, not interrupting her, just listening.

“Emery is acting weird now, and I just went…”

“On a rampage,” he finished for her quietly. “You’re allowed to blow off a little steam, you know.” He leaned over closer to keep her attention. “You’re twenty-five years old, Remi, and running a place that’s open twenty-one hours every day.” Holding her eyes captive with his for a few tense moments, he shook his head. “I do what I can. We all do. When Doyle left this place to you, he didn’t mean for you to do it all on your own.”

“You guys are great,” she sighed. “I can’t even imagine doing it all on my own. It’s just…” she closed her eyes to gather her thoughts before looking back at him. “I don’t want to screw it up, you know. I had nothing, was nothing until I walked through that door, and Doyle gave me a chance.”

Squatting down beside the table, he grabbed the leg of the chair and pulled it until their faces were only a few inches apart. “You were never nothing, Remi, ever.”

His dark brown eyes bore into hers. At times like this, when she could see his emotions as he looked at her, she wanted to cry, knowing that there was someone that did care about her.

“You were meant to be here. Doyle knew that the moment you stepped inside and no one,” he lowered his voice until it was almost a whisper. “No one will ever say differently.” Brushing the hair back from her face, he gave her a weak smile. “None of us would be here if it weren’t for you, do you know that? You have the loyalty and love of each and every being that works here.” Leaning back, he smiled. “You were right; we are your family. This is our home, even for those that don’t live in the building.”

Taking a shaky breath, she nodded. The lump in her throat stopped her from saying anything.

“Now” —he stood up and held out his hand— “let’s go get some dinner tossed together and have a little piece of serenity before the night begins.” He pulled her to her feet. “You spend too much time working in the place and not enough time enjoying it.”

On their way out, Darien warned Kyran to keep Randell away from her tonight. He told all the staff that she wasn’t the boss for the next few hours; she was just Remi, and if they had any problems, they would wait until tomorrow.