Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas 1)

“Well… His name is Lucas Carmical. He is from Hattiesburg and we met a few weeks ago.” I knew I was being short with him, but I didn’t want to confess all of his underlying secrets. Hell, I didn’t even know all there was to know about him.

“What does he do? How did you meet him?” Leave it to Stacy to cut straight through the bullshit. I didn’t want the remainder of my time spent on answering questions, so I figured I might as well go ahead and get it all out there.

“I met him at a bar. He actually saved me from being molested by this guy and we have been seeing one another ever since. He is in the timber business, is extremely good looking, and takes care of me. Oh and he is the President of a Motorcycle Club.” I said the last part rather fast, hoping he didn’t hear me, but of course I didn’t get that lucky.

“A motorcycle club huh? Which one?”

“The Devil’s Renegades,” I said not making eye contact.

“Hmm. That’s cool,” was that all he was going to say? “I am glad you met someone. I am even gladder that this someone is more down to Earth and not some spoiled rich kid that you usually go for. I would really like to meet him.”

I was shocked at what he said, but I tried to conceal it. “Of course. I was hoping he could come with me, but he had some prior obligations.”

“I see. Well, I look forward to meeting him one day.” Stacy patted my hand then got up to help himself to some bisque. I started to tell him about the other group of bikers, but no need to go stirring up anything right now. If they came, and I highly doubted they would, we would deal with it then.

Chapter 18

My Tupelo office was located downtown in a shopping center. It was small, but with no more business than I had up here, it worked. Scott greeted me as I walked in the door.

“Hey, Dallas!” he said a little too cheerfully. I noted that the office was clean and everyone was superbly dressed. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a result from me coming.

“Give me the files on both of those properties,” I said. I was back to being a shrewd bitch and could tell the effect it had on everyone. Scott ran to his desk to grab the files and I felt a pang of guilt when I noticed how he acted around me. His brow had beads of sweat on it and it was apparent that he was a nervous wreck.

Had I always been this intimidating? I wondered what made me realize this now even though I knew in the back of my mind what had caused this. Luke. He was making me weak. I didn’t like it, but I had to admit that the high I got from being nice to people was much different than the one I got when I was a being a complete bitch.

“Oh Scott, calm down,” I said exasperated. I don’t know who I was more aggravated with, me for trying to change who I was or him for being such a pussy. “I’m not gonna bite you, relax.” I took a seat at the chair in front of his desk. He paused, looking at me curiously.

“Yes ma’am,” he said with one quick nod of his head. I could tell my words had done absolutely nothing to relax him. Hopefully he would lighten up by the end of the week.

“Have you heard from them today?” I asked looking over the file in front of me.

“No. I have tried to call them every day, but I haven’t received an answer.”

“Ok, well I am having dinner with Tammy tonight. Maybe she can give me some insight. I’ll call you in the morning.” I left the office in no better mood than I had arrived in. Maybe a few drinks with Tammy would loosen me up and help me keep my mind from Luke. He had not responded to my message and I hated when we didn’t communicate. It seemed that every time we took one step forward, we took two back.

I confirmed my dinner with Tammy, and then tried Luke once more. I called and after the phone rang for what seemed like forever I got his voicemail. I slung the phone in the passenger seat hoping to break something in the process. I hated being ignored. I bet if sweet Maddie would have called he would have picked up. Ugh! I had to stop doing this to myself. Luke was probably just busy. I would try him again after dinner and if he didn’t answer, then I would worry.

Dinner with Tammy was a flop. I had learned absolutely nothing about the tenants and after the first fifteen minutes we had moved on to another subject. She didn’t seem to mind that our meeting was cut short. Two drinks and one appetizer later I was out the door.