Possessive Boss

“Just made a few phone calls,” she says and laughs as she walks off.

I sigh and get up. There’s a small television just inside. I turn it on and tune into the local station, which is playing the news.

I don’t have to wait long to see what she’s talking about. It’s a big story, of course. Two gangsters arrested for tax fraud, money laundering, and a whole host of other financial crimes, along with several of their associates. Carmine and Dee both look good in handcuffs.

FLFM isn’t involved and Darin’s name is nowhere to be seen.

I head off with a light step. I find Valerie sitting out back with Amber. They’re talking and laughing with each other, and I love that they’re getting along.

“Hey, you two,” I say.

They look over. “Hey,” Valerie says, getting up.

“We were just talking about how all you Lofthouse boys are the same,” Amber says. “You’re all so serious and intense.”

“You mean, brilliant and charming?”

“No,” Valerie says, kissing me. “She meant what she said.”

Amber laughs and I put an arm casually around Valerie’s waist. “Can I borrow her for a second?” I ask. “I have something important to tell her.”

“Go ahead,” Amber says. “Don’t hold back on my account.”

I give her a look then steer Valerie away. I lead her back inside.

“What’s up?” Val asks me.

“Look.” I lead her to the TV and station her in front of it. We have to wait through the weather and traffic, and I have to keep reassuring her, but eventually the story comes back around.

Carmine Caro and Dino Morra, arrested and going to jail.

Val whistles and laughs. “They’re going to do some real time.”

“Yep. They’ll get out eventually, though.”

“And they’ll be pissed.”

“But we’ll handle it. Hell, maybe I’ll just pay them the money I owe them.”

She snorts. “Think they even know it was us?”

“Maybe, maybe not. They might even think it was Darin.”

She looks at me for a long moment. “I bet they do.”

I grin and kiss her. “That’s his problem now.”

She sighs and leans her head on my shoulder. “So does this mean we’re going back to Philly?”

“Maybe,” I say. “Eventually. We can’t stay here forever.”

“I like it here.”

“You’re one of the few who do.”

She gives me a look. “This place is amazing.”

“You should try growing up here sometime.” I turn to her and look into her eyes. “Listen, we should talk about the future.”

“Yeah?” She bites her lip.

“What are you going to do about the SEC?”

“I don’t know,” she admits. “I’m not even sure I have a job there still.”

“If Charles hasn’t fired you yet, I think you probably do.” I hesitate for a moment. “But I want you to quit.”

“Quit?”

“Come work with me. Come stay with me at FLFM. I’ll let you run the Philly office. I’ll let you do whatever you want, really. Just quit and work with me.”

She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. I hug her back and I can feel her heart racing. “That’s exactly what I wanted you to say,” she whispers.

“One other thing.”

She looks at me, eyes sparkling. “Yeah?”

“I love you,” I say.

She kisses me hard. “I love you too.”

We kiss like that in my family’s formal living room in front of a TV playing the arrest of Carmine and Dee over and over again. The world around me disappears and there’s only Val, only my little Valerie.

I’m devoted, I’m in love. She’s everything to me, everything I didn’t even know I wanted or needed. But now I feel like I can finally breathe clean air, finally walk upright. I feel like things have clicked into place.

All because of her, my love, my girl.

And I’ll never, ever let go of her.22ValTwo Years LaterI look out my office window and smile to myself. I give a little wave to Aimee who smiles and waves back before hurrying to her desk.

“God, that girl hates me.”

Jacob chuckles as he joins me at the window. “It’s been two years since all that Darin crap. I can’t believe she still holds a grudge.”

I turn to him and quickly kiss his lips. I feel that spark, the same spark I always feel when my man is around.

“I know, but she really liked him, I guess.”

I walk over to my desk and sit down behind it. Jacob drifts over to the chair in front and sits down, crossing his legs. “Yeah, well, last I heard Darin’s in the Bahamas hiding from the mafia.”

“If you know where he is, I’m sure he’s doing a bad job at hiding.”

He laughs a little and shrugs. “Not our problem.”

“You know, I always meant to ask. Do we still have all those… accounts?”

He gives me a sly look. “Do you really want to know?”

“I’m honestly not sure.”

“Then don’t ask.”

I sigh and rub my temples. “Yeah, okay, you’re right.”

He laughs and stretches. “Don’t fret, my darling wife. All will be fine.”