Chapter 11: Thinking about her

I hadn't stopped by the club the next day like I told Sadie I would. And I hadn't come the few days after that either. I had wanted to, I had desperately wanted to, but I could already feel myself getting drawn into her web. I needed to put some distance between us so I could get my head on straight and act like the Don I was about to be.

She was lying about why she was here, that much was clear, but what I couldn't figure out was why I didn't care more about that. If one of my men had lied to me as boldly as she was, I would have made an example out of him. Beat the shit out him and let him sit in the cells for a few days before kicking him right out of the group. With Sadie, it was different. I was well aware she was lying, but it didn't matter. All I cared about was that she was back. I was letting my emotions get in the way of my job, and that was something I couldn't let happen. That meant I needed to keep Sadie at an arm's distance, at least until I figured out what her end game was. I hoped it was nothing. I hoped she was genuinely back here and that the connection between us was as real as it had been eight years ago, but I couldn't count on that. I certainly couldn't operate that way and get myself into a position to be just as broken and shattered as I had been back then.

I knew she was working at the bar today, so instead of using the front like I normally do, I slipped in through the back entrance, hoping to avoid her. My father had called a meeting and I was already running late. He and Alex and a few other men sat at the table in the back, all engaged in conversation. I slipped in virtually unnoticed, which was fine by me. I didn't feel like explaining myself to everyone this morning.

"Hey, man." Alex said as I sat down next to him.

"Hey."

"Oh good, you're here." My dad looked up at the sound of my voice. "Seems we had another visit from Herrera last night at one of our factories. He didn't find anything, but he's not going to stop nosing around until he does. I think we need to rethink a few things. I know I said I didn't want to move product but we might have to, at least for a little while."

The door to the room creaked as Sadie slipped in with a few glasses and a bottle of whiskey. She smiled politely, darting her eyes away from me. I had to shift my weight from the tightening in my pants when she leaned over the table to put the glasses down in front of Alex. Damn, was she a sight for sore eyes after the last few days. I kept my eyes locked on hers, daring her to look up, but she stayed consistent, playing a little hard to get herself. I should have guessed she wouldn't make this easy on me. She had the kind of effortless beauty that drove me wild, her hair tied back in a low ponytail, a few loose ends dangling around her face. Her rosy red lips poised in a soft pout. The slight blush in her cheeks could have been make-up, but I had a feeling it had more to do with the fact that she was uncomfortable in here with all of us. Was it possible she had only gotten more beautiful with all this time?

"Thanks, Sadie." Alex said quietly.

My father glanced her way and to my surprise, continued his speech. "I want everything from the lockers at Sampson Hill moved to Sparrow Street."

I furrowed my brow. The only shit we kept at Sampson Hill was collateral we had collected from businesses in the area who had taken loans from us. There was nothing illegal there, just a bunch of expensive artwork and jewelry. Why was he wanting to move the only lot we had that we couldn't actually get in trouble for?

"You want to move that stuff?" I arched my eyebrow at him, grabbing the whiskey from in front of Alex before he would even open it himself. It was already shaping up to be one hell of a day.

He nodded. "I want it out by tonight."

My dad continued to talk but I kept my eyes locked on Sadie as she walked out of the room. So much for avoiding her. I was drawn to that woman like a fucking magnet, always would be. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to focus on what we were talking about here, but when she paraded around in that short black dress and her long, tan legs, it was easier said than done. All I could picture was laying her back on this table and those legs wrapped around my waist as I made love to her, feeling every inch of her, watching as pure pleasure and passion overcame her body, relishing in the sound of my name on those sweet lips...

"You think you can handle that, Brandon?" My dad asked, jerking me back into the conversation.

"Got it." I nodded, hoping I wasn't as disheveled as I felt. I had gotten myself so worked up that I was actually sweating and I could only hope no one noticed. "I'll get my men on it right away."

"Perfect." A smile formed on his lips. "You guys can go now." He turned to Robby and Hector who nodded and headed out the front. Aside from Sadie's dad, they were my father's right-hand men, and some of his most trusted associates, so I was even more intrigued when he had them leave.

Once they were gone, my dad took a glass of whiskey for himself and cleared his throat. We sat in silence for a few minutes, waiting for someone to speak. Finally, my father did.

"This thing with Sadie...are you still confident she's lying?" He asked, glancing back and forth between the two of us.

I clenched my jaw, letting out a heavy sigh. "She said she was in trouble, and I believe that. I just don't think it's money trouble like she claims."

"You've seen the most of her." He turned to Alex.

"What do you think?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I think she's terrified of something, but even more scared to talk about it. She came into work the other day with a nasty bruise on her arm, and she blew it off when I asked about it, but I know what it looks like when someone grabs your arm."

"I saw it, too." I grumbled, kicking myself for not pressing her for more details that night.

My dad arched his eyebrow. "Maybe a boyfriend stalking her?"

I tensed up at the word boyfriend. She hadn't mentioned anything but it wasn't completely out of the question. It actually made the most sense, I just hadn't even considered, or I didn't want to consider, that she was seeing someone. The very thought was like a punch to my gut, even though it shouldn't have been. It had been years since we were together, and I hadn't exactly remained celibate. Why would I expect that she had?

"I don't know." Alex shook his head. "There's just something off, like she's playing some kind of part. Every once in a while, she'll get laughing and joking around and I see her old self in her, but most of the time she's so reserved and distant, and jumpy. Almost like she's paranoid or afraid to mess up. An abusive boyfriend or stalker actually makes sense."

The idea of someone hurting her in that way was nearly debilitating. Even if she wasn't mine, I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her, and God help anyone who got in my way. If I found out that was what was going on, there would be absolute hell to pay, the guy would suffer in unimaginable ways for hurting her.

"What are we going to do about it?" Alex asked. "If she's in trouble, we can't just let it go."

"Yes, but we also can't do anything if she won't tell us what's going on." My dad sighed, rubbing his forehead.

I let out a sharp laugh, bitter that I hadn't been able to crack her yet. Maybe that was the case for him, but not for me. I got Sadie. I knew every train of thought, every emotion, every dream that she had. Granted it had been years since we had been together, but not even time and distance couldn't change that. When we were young, we had spent hours on the dock talking under the stars about our hopes and dreams. The girl had a list of ambitions a mile long, and none of them included working as a bartender in a club. She seemed like a shell of the person that she used to be, nothing like the headstrong, confident girl who had left here. She was timid and scared and that version of her broke my heart. Like Alex said, there were moments I could see a glimpse of that girl, but there was no denying she was different. Something was going on, and it was really starting to piss me off that I couldn't figure it out. And I would continue to push and to prod until I did, because I knew deep down, she wound up in my bar because she wanted my help. She wanted me.

"Look, I know we're all worried about Sadie but we can't let it distract us from doing our jobs. I've got a plan when it comes to Sadie, I just need you two. Think you can handle that?" my dad said standing up.

Alex and I both nodded. My father could have his own plan, but that didn't mean that I was going to let it rest myself. Especially if some bastard out there was after her.

"Good. I'll see you both later." He grabbed his briefcase and headed out the door.

When we were alone, Alex looked towards me with a confused expression on his face. "Am I missing something here or is he asking us to move the only shit we have in hiding that is legal?"

I started chuckling, running my fingers through my hair. "Who knows" I shrugged. "I'm going to go find Sadie."

"Yeah, you do that Romeo." Alex chuckled. "Might want to find a cold shower first."

I glared at him at first, but couldn't help but laugh. Apparently, I wasn't as discreet as I thought.

"You're not going to let this rest like Dad asked, are you?" He smirked.

"Not a shot." I grinned. "I'll see you later at Sampson Hill?"

Alex waved me off. "Yeah, Yeah I'll be there."