Chapter 3
Migraines were something that happened to people because of stress mostly but this one was because of a hard fall. She didn’t mean to actually pass out. Opening her eyes and finding strange people around her often caused her to freak out, somehow she felt surrounded by people she could trust.
“Are you ok?” Lance asked. She didn’t reply or move.
“Maybe she’s in shock.” Ronnie said as he tried to help her up.
“I’m sorry about that. God my head is killing me!” She replied as she felt the world spin and she almost landed in her spot again.
“Maybe you should wait until the paramedics get here to do that. Let’s make sure you don’t have a concussion.” Lance said.
“I can assure you that I am fine. Nothing that my migraine pills won’t cure.” She finally got up and grabbed her things. Walking away from the people she was going to have to spend entirely too much time with. Might as well get use to it, she thought.
She walked out to the car when she saw the ambulance pulling in; when they asked her to move she smiled. “I took the fall, and maybe you should examine my head for any possible injuries but I can assure you it’s just another migraine attack.”
He was looking through the window, watching her every move. A quick hit to the speed dial and a familiar voice on the other end quickly followed. “I found Red Ambert.”
"I told you she would come to me, now let's put this plan to work." The Voice said.
She decided to work from home. It would be for the best since in addition to the migraine pills they made her take other medication that made her drowsy. She began organizing all the documents that were brought to her attention. Suddenly, something didn’t seem right with Lance’s accounts. More money coming out, than rolling in, too obvious, even for her. She began looking through her files for his number and realized that it would be weird for her to call him considering that it was almost 7pm and she couldn’t think of any girl that wouldn’t want to be taken out to dinner and a quick jump in the sack by this green-eyed Spawn of Satan. Sighing loudly, she figured why not just called. After all it was a new development and he had a right to know. She picked up her cell phone and dialed the unfamiliar number.
“Hi Red.” He simply answered. Cursing caller ID and prepared to make her point and finish the phone call as quickly as possible. She wouldn’t let her emotions rule, not this time.
“Hey, I was reviewing some of your documents and I seem to find money coming in but entirely too much money coming out. And I can’t seem to find receipts or any reason for it to be withdrawn from your account.” She began saying noticing most of the amount of money coming out where withdrawals made in cash. Large quantities, once or twice a week, but who?
“I’m afraid you lost me. Can you be more specific?” He replied getting into a more comfortable position in his chair.
“Do you ever balance your checkbook?” She bluntly asked.
“Miss Ambert, I have people that do that for me. Why do you ask?” He was intrigued now.
“The reason why I’m asking it’s because twice a week around $250,000 are taken out of your account. In cash, it doesn’t make sense because according to every banking law I know that’s illegal. The bank must have a record of such transaction. Have you ever trusted anyone enough to have them sign checks for your accounts?” She asked going quickly through JC’s bank statements.
“I deal with the same people all the guys use, what exactly are you trying to tell me?” Lance was worried at this point. With one drink in hand, he pulled out his two-way pager and left messages for the guys to come over to his house immediately.
“I’m not assuming anything at this point but I think that we should all get together, so I can show you all this.”
“I agree. I paged the guys to come over to my house, you have my address. I told them to meet here in an hour. Is that convenient enough for you?”
She looked at the ceiling and the picture she had stared many times. She closed her eyes and begged for forgiveness. “That’s fine.”
“Then it’s a date, don’t be late.” Score for the bad ass, he thought when he heard only a click from the other end of the line, knowing that he had shocked her. A grin appear on his face in satisfaction.
Driving to his house was easy. Map Quest was a great tool, but nothing could prepare her for what she was about to encounter. She was serious when she said she would get involve with them but after talking to Eric once again to tell him she had taken a fall and was working from home, things got stirred up.
“So you are going to meet with them later tonight. I knew it was the right decision considering that you are a single girl who is undersexed. Really, sweetie you need to let go, if you get to do something just go for it. I would and as unethical as it sounds we are only human and he did give you that look.”
She wore a black dress that had cost her $9. Tan colored sandals, her hair was pulled back and her make up was barely there. It was the sort of casual look she would normally sport. No point in looking professional because it wasn't like they were meeting at her office. Grabbing the documents that she needed, she walked towards the door. Ringing the doorbell, when he opened the door, a jaw hit the floor. He was drooling over her and she knew it.
"Can I come in?" She asked with a half grin. Sometimes the reaction most men had was her biggest boost of confidence. He motioned for her to come in the house. It didn't matter what she thought, this house was elegant yet fit for a man his age. And to her that was sexy. This was going to be a harder task than she expected. She sat down on the table and spread out the documents with the evidence that so far she had found when a plate was put in front of her."I must say you look amazing. I made dinner, I was hungry figured you would be too." He said walking to the nearest seat available next to her. She sensed peace and chaos at the same time.
"Thanks. So when are the other guys getting here?" She asked looking at the pasta with sausages he had prepared.
"They'll be here soon." He simply answered. She's going to kill me when she finds out they're not coming. A liar, she thought. She was in tune with them, they wouldn't come.
She began picking her food as she normally did when she was put in the spot. Play it cool was the way to go. She silently thanked him for the soda he offered and drank quietly. She began to look at him, his whole persona the idea of being at home with him during down time was entirely too appealing for her. And those eyes...
"It's not polite to stare." She simply said looking up. She gave him a flirtacious smile.
"It's hard not to look at you when you show up wearing that dress." He simply replied walking around the living room, running his hands through his hair.
"I'm glad you approve, but that doesnt give you the right to stare. I like this dress, I didn't wear it because of you. I can't let you get to me, do you understand? It just can't happen." She began breathing hard, and longing for that one magical touch she hadn't felt in the last 5 years. She had being alone, lonely and so many times she would go out to bars or even clubs looking for someone that would just touch her. The next day guilt always managed to hurt her even more. So she chose to be alone, and now he came along and pretended he could just hurt her like that. She wouldn't allow that, there was too much for her to gain from her clients and too much too loose if she took it further. Then she felt a cold chill, and it was as if she knew that everything her mind was saying didn't matter anymore. She stood up and stopped him. "You need to stop pacing around, you are making me dizzy."
"I'm sorry, are you ok?" He said putting both hands on her shoulders and looking straight into her eyes. She nodded with a half smile. HE kept looking at her lips and she knew she had to give in to this kiss.
She decided to work from home. It would be for the best since in addition to the migraine pills they made her take other medication that made her drowsy. She began organizing all the documents that were brought to her attention. Suddenly, something didn’t seem right with Lance’s accounts. More money coming out, than rolling in, too obvious, even for her. She began looking through her files for his number and realized that it would be weird for her to call him considering that it was almost 7pm and she couldn’t think of any girl that wouldn’t want to be taken out to dinner and a quick jump in the sack by this green-eyed Spawn of Satan. Sighing loudly, she figured why not just called. After all it was a new development and he had a right to know. She picked up her cell phone and dialed the unfamiliar number.
“Hi Red.” He simply answered. Cursing caller ID and prepared to make her point and finish the phone call as quickly as possible. She wouldn’t let her emotions rule, not this time.
“Hey, I was reviewing some of your documents and I seem to find money coming in but entirely too much money coming out. And I can’t seem to find receipts or any reason for it to be withdrawn from your account.” She began saying noticing most of the amount of money coming out where withdrawals made in cash. Large quantities, once or twice a week, but who?
“I’m afraid you lost me. Can you be more specific?” He replied getting into a more comfortable position in his chair.
“Do you ever balance your checkbook?” She bluntly asked.
“Miss Ambert, I have people that do that for me. Why do you ask?” He was intrigued now.
“The reason why I’m asking it’s because twice a week around $250,000 are taken out of your account. In cash, it doesn’t make sense because according to every banking law I know that’s illegal. The bank must have a record of such transaction. Have you ever trusted anyone enough to have them sign checks for your accounts?” She asked going quickly through JC’s bank statements.
“I deal with the same people all the guys use, what exactly are you trying to tell me?” Lance was worried at this point. With one drink in hand, he pulled out his two-way pager and left messages for the guys to come over to his house immediately.
“I’m not assuming anything at this point but I think that we should all get together, so I can show you all this.”
“I agree. I paged the guys to come over to my house, you have my address. I told them to meet here in an hour. Is that convenient enough for you?”
She looked at the ceiling and the picture she had stared many times. She closed her eyes and begged for forgiveness. “That’s fine.”
“Then it’s a date, don’t be late.” Score for the bad ass, he thought when he heard only a click from the other end of the line, knowing that he had shocked her. A grin appear on his face in satisfaction.
