Cobra (Blue Angel Security Book 1), page 9
“I swear I’ll never tire of seeing you dressed professionally, Jaycee. You look fantastic.”
“Yeah, well, let’s hope it gets me his contract.”
“If he wasn’t married, it might secure you a date, if nothing else. You look hot, even if you are a woman.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mumble, walking out to his truck with my heels clicking in my wake. Hearing a loud ‘Fuck’ come from across the street, I glance over, noticing Whiskey staring straight at me. And even though it’s been years since anyone looked at me with as much heat as he’s directing at me, I know desire when I see it and right now, there’s no denying Whiskey’s attraction for me.
Liam opens my door and looks over his shoulder at Whiskey. “See, like I said hot,” he says, closing my door and running around to his side of the truck. Before long, I’m walking in through the sleek building doors, being met by an older man standing at a desk of sorts.
“Can I help you, Miss?”
“Yes, I have an appointment with Jefferson Deschanel at one o’clock.”
“Let me check and then I’ll escort you upstairs. Hello, Liam. Are you here for personal or business?”
“Personal, James.”
“Good enough,” he replies. Picking up the phone, he tells whoever is on the other end that we’re here.
“Liam, you two can go right up. Miss?”
“Jaycee Storm.” I say smiling.
“Liam knows where you two are going. Have a good day.”
With James’ brief send off, Liam directs us to the elevator. In no time, we’re stepping into an office and I instantly smile. I don’t know him personally or even his name, but I recognize the man behind the desk as my neighbor.
“It’s a small world,” he begins with a grin. “First, allow me to officially introduce myself, neighbor. I’m Malachi Branson, and I’m sure you’ve seen the delicious man that’s always with me, Dr. Patrick McDowell. Although most just call us Mal and Pat. Second, I take it you’re boss man’s one o’clock appointment?”
“Yes, Mal, I believe I am. It’s nice to meet you officially. I’ve seen you a few times in the neighborhood. My name is Jaycee Storm, but most people just call me Jaycee.”
“Alright, Jaycee, let me ring boss man and tell him you’re here. Liam, we can catch up afterwards, sound good? Oh, and Jaycee? Beware the boss man’s wife is sitting in on this meeting as well.”
“Oh,” I nervously respond. “I wasn’t expecting to have to convince a couple I could update the website.”
“No worries, his wife is a real sweetheart. You’ll love her. Besides, our neighborhood is her baby.”
“Okay, it’s showtime Jaycee. They’re ready for you.” I swallow hard, and follow closely behind Mal.
He opens the door and peers in, “Boss man, your next appointment is here.” He gently guides me in and waits for a moment. As my potential client turns around to face me, I try to calm my nerves the best I can. This man’s picture is plastered all over Manhattan as being the best architect New York has ever seen.
“Miss Storm, please have a seat. Thank you, Mal, that’ll be all for now. Hold all my calls.”
Nerves wrack me as I take a seat in front of his desk and so intense I don’t even notice the woman sitting in back of me on the couch until she speaks up. “Jefferson don’t be so formal. Lose the grizzly ‘tude. You sound like a stuffed shirt.” I glance behind me, seeing her getting up. “I’m Raelyn, and like I said a moment ago, this is Jefferson.”
At this present moment, even the thought of relaxing a minuscule seems out of my reach. I straighten my spine as I embrace a philosophy I had to learn a long time ago. Fake it until you make it. “I’m Jaycee, it’s nice to meet you.”
“See, that’s more like it. We’ve been told by plenty of your previous clients that you’re the best in web design and, despite my husband’s objections, he is in desperate need of your services.”
“Well, I can certainly help with.” The moment we start talking business all of my nerves vanish, fully snapping me into my professional mode. “So, can either of you show me Jefferson’s current web page?” I ask as Raelyn looks at me confused. “I sent over a request for an intake form, but it may have been lost.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” she snarks off, giving Jefferson a pointed look. One that silently says he probably did receive it, he just didn’t respond. “I can get it for you now,” she says sliding his chair out effortlessly as she sits in his lap.
“Oh heavens, yes.” I shake my head disbelieving the website in front of me. “You are right, Raelyn. This site needs to be massively updated. When were these pictures uploaded?”
“Years ago, if I had to guess. We’ve been together for five years now and these pictures haven’t changed in all that time.”
“Wildcat, there was no need. Just like now. I don’t see the benefit of updating it when everyone in this city, hell, most of New England, already knows I’m the best there is.”
“Well, Mr. Deschanel, the benefit is that many more people will see your work, which will lead to tons of new contracts if you’re lucky. Who knows, maybe the other houses in my cul-de-sac will sell if we update your page to reflect your newest acquisitions.”
“Oh, my God. You’re the pixie that’s driving Luca mad, aren’t you?”
“Um, excuse me? Luca? I’m sorry I don’t know who you are talking about.”
“Yes, you do. Luca is Cobra, the bodyguard. Your bodyguard.”
“You mean Whiskey? Tall, dark, moody, and too sexy for his own good?”
“Yep,” she tells me, popping her P as she smiles back at me. Clapping her hands, she rubs them together. “You described him perfectly, well, other than the sexy comment. I have my own sexy man, but hell, this is priceless.”
“Wildcat, stay out of it.”
“Nope, not happening, Grizzly. He needs a little help and I’m gonna give it to him.”
“I’m lost,” I say, finally noticing the glimmer in her eyes. Oh shit, this girl seriously could be Kylee’s older sister. Up to no good. I can already tell.
“Alright, Jaycee, first things first. Let’s finish up this little business matter and then you and I are going to sit down and start planning our night out.”
“No really, I’m good. I don’t want to cause any problems. I don’t go out much. I’m more of a homebody.”
“Yeah, that isn’t happening anymore.” She picks up cell, texting someone. “Perfect. Okay so Elle is going to meet me at my place and then we’ll be at your place at seven to get you. You do have a friend you can invite out for a girls’ night, right?”
“Yeah, I have one, and for the record, I think she’s going to love you,” I mumble staring blankly at her. How could she get me to do something in less than one hour of meeting her that Kylee hasn’t done in months?
“Great, I’ll see you in a few hours and Jaycee. It’s a girls’ night out, so wear something sexy!” she nearly shouts as Jefferson growls.
“I hate girls’ nights.”
“Oh, come on, Grizzly, it’ll be fun. You can save me from all the unwanted drinks I’ll be offered,” she laughs as he whispers something into her ear, causing her to giggle like a schoolgirl.
“Fine,” I say, getting up. “Mr. Deschanel, I’ll have those first new pages uploaded to your email for approval within the next week or so.”
“Sounds good, Jaycee, and please call me Jefferson. Tonight will be awkward if you’re still calling me Mr. Deschanel,” he tells me, smirking.
“Okay, Jefferson.” I look up at him trying to gauge how tonight is really going to go.
Is he serious? He’s joining us?
With my mind still reeling, I leave the office and join Liam and Mal, not able to do anything other than shake my head as they look at me expectantly.
“Well, how did it go? Did he like your work? Although if he didn’t, he’s nuts,” Liam loudly cracks up at his own joke.
“That part went fine, and apparently, I suck at saying no.”
“Huh? What’s wrong, Jaycee?” Worried, Liam asks, standing and crossing to me.
“I have a girls’ night out tonight with Raelyn and her friend. I need to text Kylee still.”
“Hell yeah! A girls’ night with Raelyn? Pat and I are in. He doesn’t have to work tomorrow.”
Walking down the hall Raelyn giggles, “See, Grizzly, even Mal and Pat are coming. It’s gonna be okay. Lighten up, my sexy man. It’ll be fun.”
“Sure it will,” he grumbles. “For the record Wildcat, I’m not piercing anything else, no matter how pretty you think it’ll look.”
Mal and Liam bust up while I stand here confused. “I’ll tell you later,” Mal says hugging me. “We’re an informal bunch. Here’s my card with both mine and Pat’s numbers on it. If you ever need anything day or night, just give us a call. I hate knowing there’s a woman living alone next door to us.”
“I promise, Mal, I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
He looks at me with a smirk, “And if you can’t, I’m sure the moody fuck across the street from you can help.”
“Damn, this is worse than high school. What? Have I been the trending topic of water cooler gossip around here?” I ask with my attitude threatening to flare.
“No, Jaycee,” Jefferson steps in. “What everyone has conveniently left out is that Luca is a very good friend of ours, and the hot topic with him has been you, or should I say his frustration with you. He’s incredibly attracted to you, but keeps putting his foot in his mouth.”
“Oh, okay,” I say. Not having a clue how else to respond, I motion to Liam. “Ready? I still need to make a phone call on our way home.”
Mal gets up, slapping Liam’s shoulder, “I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yeah, let me see if Clayton has any plans. I’ll let ya know in about an hour.”
11
JAYCEE
Half an hour before her scheduled arrival time, a very sleek BMW pulls into my driveway, indicating the start to our night of fun, according to Raelyn and Kylee. I still don’t see anything good coming out of it, especially with those two acting as our entertainment queens for the night. Kylee is enough trouble on her own, but add in Raelyn and I’m pretty sure tonight is going to go down the tubes in record time. Even though I’ve only known Raelyn a few hours, Liam filled me in on the way she can be, and furthermore what Jefferson meant by his comment. When he told me that it involved piercing his dick, with something called a Prince Albert, I had blushed while he laughed. So not nice Liam, and here I thought we were friends.
Opening the door, I see Raelyn climb out wearing a skintight little black dress. I wonder how big of a hissy fit her husband threw when she walked out the door dressed like that. I think she’s my hero. Somberly, I look at her, trying to envision what would have happened if I would have ever tried to pull a number like that with—
“Stop it, Jaycee,” Kylee scolds me. “Don’t let your past ruin tonight. You deserve to be happy, too.” Masking my discomfort over being called out on my negative thoughts, I paste a smile on my face as I wait for Raelyn to join me on the porch. She walks up to us with a gorgeous woman at her side who I swear is wearing fire engine red lipstick with the matching heels and dress.
Okay, so maybe Kylee was right when she insisted I wear this dark sapphire dress with silver heels, saying it’d match my eyes perfectly. I thought I’d be way over dressed, but I guess not.
“Oh my God, Jaycee, you look fantastic!” Raelyn exclaims, looking at me.
“So do you. Raelyn, this is my best friend, Kylee. Kylee, this is Raelyn.”
“Hello,” Kylee says as she looks at Raelyn and her friend. Raelyn’s about to introduce when Kylee begins laughing. “Oh my God, you’re the nurse who—”
“Shh, girl. Your secret is safe with me,” she winks at Kylee. “Hi, Jaycee, I’m one of Raelyn’s best friends, Elle. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard plenty about—”
“I’m sure you have,” I say, laughing remembering my water cooler comment from earlier. Jefferson can say whatever he wants, but I do believe especially now, that I’ve been the topic of conversation many times with Raelyn. I hope that Elle’s remark isn’t just the beginning to endless questions and comments over me and Whiskey. If it is, I doubt either of us will be enjoying ourselves.
“Okay, ladies, now that intros have been made, let’s take a picture and get going!” Raelyn shouts as she pulls her phone out, angling it up to take a selfie of the four of us all decked out.
“Pictures?” I nervously question. I haven’t even thought about that possibility. I can’t do this. My heart starts to race and the blood rushes to my head as panic surges through me. No one can see me. My blanket of security will be gone before she even publishes that picture. I struggle against my fight or flight instinct, willing myself to calm down. Kylee noticing my impending panic attack steps in between Raelyn, Elle, and me.
“Jaycee, breathe. It’s going to be okay. Raelyn, what are you going to do with the picture?” Kylee asks her while I fixate on everything that could go wrong tonight.
“Send it to Jefferson. Don’t worry, it’s safe with us.”
“How did you know?” I quietly ask while feeling slightly embarrassed. Not even one minute into our girls’ night out, and I’m already making up scenarios about how everything could go south ending the life I just created for myself.
“I remember from my own wary days of what the repercussions could be. Trust me, we’ll keep you safe.” Somehow she manages to convince me to let my guard down long enough to snap the picture and send it off. “Come on ladies, it’s time for us to let loose for the night,” she tells us as we walk over to her BMW, and climb in.
Thirty minutes later, we walk through the doors of one of New York City’s swankiest night clubs. I’m clutching onto Kylee’s hand as Raelyn struts over to the bar without a care in the world. “Hey, Chet. How’s it going tonight?”
“No complaints, Raelyn. I saw a group clear out about two minutes ago, so there might be a table near the dance floor if you’re game. But you’ll need to hurry and grab it. This place is crazy busy tonight.”
“Thanks, I think we’ll try and find it. Bring us my usual pitcher as soon as you can.”
“Absolutely.”
“Chet,” Elle smirks at him.
“Yes, beautiful?”
She grins with a shake of her head at the man behind the bar. “You’re nothing but a flirt. Boy, you better not ever let Danica see you in action. You might not get any action for a long time if you do.”
“Nah, she loves me. So, what can I get you, Elle?”
“Diet Coke, I’m on call tonight since the hospital is so shorthanded. The last thing I need is to get called in and be buzzed. That would not go over well with my superiors.”
“Good, and as your group’s DD, your drinks are on the house,” he winks, picking up the pitcher. “I’ll deliver your soda and the pitcher to your table soon.” We leave him to find the table he mentioned, the thrum of the music pumping excitement into the air as we walk through the sea of already half-drunk patrons and party goers.
“Alright, ladies, who’s ready to dance?”
Loud choruses of agreement are heard from everyone but me. This is so not my scene. “How about that drink first?” I cautiously ask Raelyn.
“Come on scaredy cat.” Kylee takes my arm and guides me through the crowd, following Raelyn.
“Chet should be here any minute with our drinks. He’s usually pretty quick when it comes to my drink orders,” Raelyn confidently tells us, spotting the free table.
I sit down, scooting in to make room for Kylee. I’d rather she be the one on the outside. Whenever we go out, which isn’t often this is my seat of choice. The inside of a booth. At twenty-nine, you’d think I’d be used to a girls’ night out, but in all honesty, my early adult years have been stolen from me, so nope. This is so far out of my comfort zone, I’m debating making an excuse to leave. Leaning over, Kylee takes my hand. “Give it a chance please? I know you want to leave. If you still want to leave in an hour, we’ll leave together.”
“Okay,” I quietly agree, all the while thanking God, Kylee truly does understand me. While no one knows my whole story, she understands enough to support, but not ask the questions I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer. Before long pitchers of Blue Hawaiian and Diet Coke arrive at our table. Not wasting a minute or a drop, Raelyn immediately fills the three glasses to the brim with the frozen sugary concoction, while Elle pours herself a glass of soda.
“Wait, wait, we have to make a toast!” Raelyn raises her glass as we all follow, “Here’s to—”
“New friends!” Kylee shouts, cutting off Raelyn as we clink our glasses together, laughing at the simplicity of the moment.
I haven’t ever just had the opportunity to sit and drink with my friends so my alcohol tolerance is next to nil. But that makes no difference because tonight for the first time in my life, I feel free. Free from being the perfect, wealthy, socialite’s daughter. Free from being the perfect wife. Free from the woman always looking over her shoulder. Tonight, I’m just me. A girl out having a good time with her new friends. I decide right then and there it’s time for me to start living again. If anything is going to happen to me, it’s going to happen whether I’m partying with the girls or sitting at home under a rock existing like a hermit. I’m done giving up another week, day, hour, or minute of my life because of choices that were out of my hands.
I grab Kylee’s hand, and push her out of the booth. “Let’s go, girlie. We’re gonna dance and drink the night away. Like you told me weeks ago, I’m not fifty!”
We slide out of the booth clasping hands as we make our way to the dance floor, followed by Elle and Raelyn. Immersed in our own bubble on the dance floor, I feel like I’m twenty-one again. Not that I would have been allowed to enter an establishment like this. I’m enjoying the music and the rush of the adrenaline when, suddenly, the atmosphere changes dramatically. I search for the source of it, when my gaze lands on the only set of milk chocolate-colored eyes that drive me crazy. Raelyn catches me staring and follows my line of sight, smirking at me. “See something you like, do ya, Jaycee?”
