Duke

“Thanks. Nice to see you as well. I have your weekly report on Miss Van Adams,” he says, quickly getting down to business. It’s one of things I like about him and he came highly recommended. He’s the best money can buy and I sure as shit want the best for Esther. He pulls a folder out of his briefcase and slides it across my desk.

“Very good, please continue.” I open the folder and peruse the photos while he goes over what my girl has done all week.

“Miss Van Adams had coffee every day this week with Mrs. Franchesca Roades before heading back to her apartment. Today was the first day she’s deviated from that schedule.”

“Deviated? What do you mean she deviated? Where did she go? Who was she with anyone?” I demand, banging my fist down on my desk. I have to give the man credit, he doesn’t even flinch.

“She went to Kilworth, Kent, and Horowitz, Attorneys at Law. She stayed for fifty-six minutes and 42 seconds before she was walked to her car by Denton Kilworth junior,” He says.

I clench my fist as he then slides over several other pictures. Fanning them out, I stare at them. I’m pissed as hell. You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t need this shit right now, but I am just now realizing that I never once thought she could belong to someone else. It wouldn’t matter if she did, I’d still get her. But it does complicate things a bit.

Looking back down at my desk, I look through the pictures again. Each one makes me madder than the last. What was she thinking going into the lion’s den alone? After that, he continues to speak but all I hear is white noise. I am left wondering what the fuck my girl could have been doing in that snake’s office for damn near an hour. Kilworth is one of those slick smarmy as fuck defense attorneys. The kind that represents mob guys and murderers. He’s often in the legitimate news as well as the supermarket tabloids. If all the gossip is to be believed, he’s married and keeping his wife out in the suburbs. He also keeps several mistresses in the city. Whether it’s true or not he’s still a piece of shit, point blank.

“Anything else?” I ask tersely.

“No sir. I’ll see you next week,” he says, getting up and shaking my hand.

“Very good,” I respond, and he leaves the room.

My mind plays tricks on me while I try to figure out what the hell, she was doing with him. In the end, I decide that there’s no way in hell she would ever fuck a man like that. Looking at the pictures of her looking so prim and proper, with that lecherous fuck’s hand on her back has indescribable feelings coursing through my body and mind. How fucking dare he touch what’s mine. I am now out for blood and I know it won’t go over well with anyone, except me.

She’s mine and the sooner I claim her the better. After work, I head over to Baron and Frannie’s house. Frannie’s not home, but Baron lets me in right away.

“Hey bro. What’s up. Is everything okay?”

“Yes and no,” I tell him.

“Well, that’s pretty cryptic. Come on in. I’ll pour you a whiskey.” He opens the front door wider and I move past him into the living room.

“Sounds good,” I reply, sitting on the couch. He moves to the bar and works his magic, but a drink isn’t what I need right now. I need Esther.

“What’s going on?” he asks as he hands me the glass.

“I need a favor,” I begin, which is hard for me to ask. I make it a point to be my own man and do things on my own.

“What kind of favor?” he asks, intrigued.

“I need you to set up a double date with you and Frannie, and me and Esther,” I say. Baron happens to be taking a drink at my announcement, which causes him to choke.

“Esther? Frannie’s Esther? Esther Van Adams?” he asks after clearing his throat.

“Yes, that Esther,” I say rolling my eyes. I knew this would be the reaction I would get. But fuck, I want her, and I am at my wits end.

“Esther?” he asks again.

“Can we get past that?” I ask, crossing my leg at the ankle. I set my glass down without taking a drink.

“I don’t think I can, bro. When did this happen?”

“Since you showed me that file on Frannie.”

“That long and no move?”

“Don’t start. I have my reasons. You know I do,” I remind him.

“Yeah, but still. It’s been months.”

“And I’m done waiting. Are you going to help me or not?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ll have Frannie set it up and let you know the details,” he says. “I’ve got a dinner meeting.” he stands to walk me to the door.