Love (Gimme 6)

Chapter One

Elijah

“Sir, there’s someone outside in your mother’s garden,” my assistant says, looking out the back window as we visit my mother for my monthly trip to town.

“What,” I snarl, moving quickly to the same spot, nearly sending her on her ass. I’d feel like a prick, but I don’t have time for that. My mother could be in danger with some bastard roaming on her property uninvited. My eyes scan the area, but I don’t see anyone.

“Yes, she’s gone now,” she mutters. She?

“What? How did she get in?” I grunt, talking to myself. None of my mother’s sensors were tripped and my mother didn’t have any guests over while we were here.

“Oh don’t mind her, she’s not doing anyone any harm,” my mother says, coming into the kitchen.

“What? Who is she and what is someone doing entering and exiting your garden?” I open the back door to her small home which already drives me insane. I vowed to buy her anything in the world once I finally became wealthy and once I did, she wanted a modest home, so small that it only has three bedrooms

“Are you the police, my sweet boy?” she asks, tapping my cheek gently.

“No. I’m your son and I pay heavily to have you well protected when I’m not around to care for you.” She knows I take her well-being extremely seriously.

You are out of your mind if you think that poor, little thing will hurt me. She rolls her eyes at me, and I still haven’t even seen this poor little thing she’s referring to and I need to assess the threat.

“That poor little thing could be strung out on drugs and want to break in and hurt you.” There are plenty of people down and out who do just that. She should know it because she raised me in areas where drugs and gangs ruled the streets and life was dangerous. People you knew couldn’t be trusted once they got hooked on some strong narcotic because they were no longer themselves and would cut their own mother for another hit. It’s a terrible thing and it’s why I requested that she at least let me hire security for her, which I need to talk with.

“Strung out on drugs. Have you lost it? First of all she’s not strung out, just struggling. She doesn’t want to take a handout and she’s homeless. I let her take some fruits. She’d rather live in her old beat-up car than sleep in a warm bed.” Guilt fills me, but this is my mother we’re talking about and her safety is more important than some stranger who could be using her and slowly worming her way into my sweet mother’s heart and sympathies.

“How long has she been coming around?” I question, wanting to know more about this woman lurking around my mother.

“I first saw her around a year ago.”

“A year ago, and she’s still living in her car, sounds suspicious.”

“No, she wasn’t living in her car. It has been going on for a month. I don’t ask questions because she’s uncomfortable about them.” The look in my mother’s eyes tells me there’s more there that she’s not sharing and I don’t like that shit. If I didn’t have to leave I’d grill her some more, but I will get answers, and that means talking to Troy.

As if she’s reading my mind, she wags her finger at me with her brow raised and a scowl on her lovely face. “Leave her be and don’t go firing Troy because I don’t want anyone else wandering around here, understood young man?”

“I’m only looking out for you, mother,” I remind her, taking her hand and holding it in mine.

“I’m still your mother and I demand that you respect my wishes.”

“Yes, mother,” I grumble even though I don’t have any intention of completely letting her get away with this. I’ll investigate the matter and see how it needs to be handled even if it means delaying my trip to Greece and the business assets I have working there to bring the economy back to its standard and to capitalize on my own financial success.

“I don’t believe you, but if you send that girl running into trouble, I’m gonna be so angry with you.”

“Of course. I promise to be on my best behavior. I have to leave, but I'll be back soon.

“I’m sure you will.”

“Come on, Miss Van Kemp.”

“Yes, Mr. Callahan.” She follows me out just like she followed me in. I didn’t want to let her inside my mother’s home, but my mother insisted I have some manners. My visit was extremely brief, only to stop by and say hello before heading out to the airport. However my plans have changed.

Once we’re in the back of the SUV, I call my pilot. “I’m sorry, Phillip. We’re going to have to reschedule the flight in a couple of days. I had an important matter arise.”