Chapter Fifty-Four - Fletcher

I slept like a lost child in the woods. Every noise I heard set me upright. Every moan or sigh from Ava had me on edge. This wasn’t a way to live.

She was right. I knew that but I couldn’t give her false hope right now. I couldn’t let her believe that I would leave my father alone to deal with this. Levi wasn’t mature enough to make rational decisions, and my father’s head was too far gone. I couldn’t allow them to handle the Capellos alone.

I couldn’t leave this lifestyle until I knew what was going to happen. And frankly, I had no earthly idea what was going to happen between the two families.

When the sun hit our bedroom window the next day, I got up and made coffee. Jones was taking his morning shift when I walked out back.

“Jones,” I said over my coffee mug. “Have you seen anything out of the ordinary?”

Jones shook his head. “Not a peep, Boss.”

I listened to the birds waking and the sound of the morning chatter amongst the shift change. “I’m afraid that the Capellos are going to attempt to get to one of our guards. It’s the only way they can get into the house.”

Jones pressed his lips into a thin, straight line. “We performed background checks on all of the guards before we hired them,” he said.

I hadn’t forgotten. But that didn’t mean the Capellos wouldn’t attempt to reach out to one, waving dollars in their faces in an attempt to use them.

“I want you to keep a very close eye on all of them, Jones.”

Lucinda’s light came on in her house and I watched her shadow dance around from window to window as she woke for the day.

“You think they would try to get to her?” Jones asked.

I chuckled. “Lucinda doesn’t go very many places. She works in her backyard. She’s been loyal to me for years. I don’t think so.”

Jones nodded. “I’ll do my best, Boss.”

“Thank you, Jones. Let me know if you see anything out of the ordinary.”

I walked back into the house and found Charlotte pouring herself a mug of coffee. “Is it okay if I have a cup? I won’t be in your hair long. I need to tell my employees I’m safe.”

“I don’t mind,” I said, sitting at the dining table. My mind raced with scenarios and how to prepare for them.

“She loves you, ya know.”

I glanced at Charlotte leaning against the kitchen counter with her coffee.

“Ava?” I asked. “I do know. I love her, too.”

She stayed silent for a few moments before clearing her throat. “It’s not my business but I think you need to know that Ava has a kind heart. She’s not like me.

I don’t mind telling you how it is and giving someone a quick kick to the ass. Not Ava. She gives people chance after chance. She’s loyal, and she deserves more than half of you.”

I eyed her, trying to decipher if she was trying to sabotage us or give me honest advice.

She put one palm up. “I know you didn’t ask for this, Fletcher. But you need to make sure she’s safe. Don’t drag her through Hell to be with you. She’s been through hell in her life already. She’s strong but soft. Don’t forget it.”

Charlotte left me in the kitchen as Lucinda opened the back door. “Oh, Mr. Hines. Do you need something from me?”

“No, thank you. I just woke up early and wanted some coffee. I’ll see you back in an hour or so for breakfast.”

She nodded while watching me leave the kitchen. Ava was still asleep when I walked back into our room to get ready for the day. I hurried, not wanting to wake her and found Duke waiting for me in my office.

He sat up from the lounge when I walked inside. “Good morning, Boss. What’s on the agenda today?”

I sat down and slid my palm over my face. “We need eyes on Mr. Capello, Duke. He knows who you are, and mentioned attempting to get you on board before.

You’ll have to lay low so that he doesn’t recognize you. I want to know exactly what he does today. I don’t care if he sits in his house all day. I want to know if he leaves and where he goes. I can’t help but think they are going to come here for Ava. Or take out my Dad.”

Duke frowned. “Am I going alone?”

“No, I'll send one of the guards with you. You report every single thing that happens back to me.”

“Sure thing. But that doesn’t give me a chance to woo Charlotte.”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s awake. Go see her. You have thirty minutes before you leave.”

Duke hopped up. “What is Levi doing today?”

“I have something for Levi.”

Duke left and shut the door behind him. I opened one of my desk drawers and pulled out a small photograph of my mother. Rubbing my thumb over it, I stared down at her beautiful smile.

Dad had risked her life on the daily. I didn’t want to be that guy. I wanted to be the hero for once in my life.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I dug it out. A familiar number flashed on the screen, and I answered.

“Hello?”

“Fletcher, this is Adams.” Adams was one of Dad’s bodyguards that he’d had since he was young. “Your dad had an accident. He’s currently in the hospital.”

My heart stopped beating. Had I jinxed him? I was afraid they would go after him. “What kind of accident, Adams?” I asked.

“He was walking to his car this morning and slid on something slick. We can’t figure out what it was that he slid on, but he broke his hip. He’s pretty bad off.

They just took him back to operate, but I assumed you would want to know.”

I stood, gathering my keys and wallet. “I’ll be there shortly. Do not let anyone into his room when they take him back. Keep a close eye on the door. I’m sure you’re aware of everything going on.”

“I am, yes, Sir.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

I shoved my belongings into my pockets and stopped at the door. I didn’t want to leave Ava alone, but I sure as hell didn’t want to bring her with me. That was a disaster waiting to happen. Traveling with her was a death sentence.

The Capellos, or anyone, didn’t care about the public. They had enough money to get themselves off in court.

I sliced down the hallway and barreled into Levi’s room. He was still half asleep. “Dad slipped and is in the hospital.”

Levi sat up, looking around with sleepy eyes. “What?”

“Get up, we’re going to check on Dad.”

I left while he shouted for an explanation. Ava was still asleep when I walked over and touched her forehead. “I’m leaving, Ava. My Dad is in the hospital. I need you to stay here today.”

She sat up and wiped her eyes. “What happened to him? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. Just slipped. Stay here no matter what today. Got it?”

She rubbed her eyes while I kissed her goodbye. Levi was dressed, his hair a mess, but waiting on me in the front lobby. "Are you ready?" I asked.

Duke walked in with a curious Charlotte behind him. “Where are you two going?”

“Dad’s in the hospital. Had a fall. Go do what I asked today, Duke. We’ll keep you informed. Charlotte, have one of the guards drive you wherever. Ava can’t leave right now.”

She gave me a look that screamed judgmental but didn’t comment. I was thankful for it. I needed to go check on Dad and make sure it wasn’t worse than we thought.

Levi kept hot on my tail as I got into the driver’s side and started the engine. Levi hardly shut the door as I jetted off toward the hospital.

Dad was too old for this. He was right to retire soon, but that left everything to me.

I rolled my neck around.

“How did he slip?” Levi asked.

“I’m not sure. They don’t know what he slipped on. You know he’s not careful of where he steps. It was a matter of time.”

Levi shifted. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Maybe what?” I asked. “If the Capellos wanted him dead, he’d be dead.”

“Yeah, but it’s odd that he slipped. It hasn’t been raining or sleeting. The weather is beautiful and it’s hot. I just think it’s fishy.”

“Adams was with him. He would have mentioned if he thought it was staged.”

“You’re right,” Levi said.

Unless he was one of the ones in on it. I brushed the paranoia off my shoulders. I needed to make sure he was fine before we dealt with the ifs and buts of the situation.

In the back of my mind, I wondered if this was a way to get us out of the house.