58 Blacktop Obsession
"I know you're not sleeping." Han walked into the theatre room with a grin.
"You know me too well, Han." Shayde smiled devilishly.
"Do I even want to know what you are up to?" Han asked.
"I'm up to nothing." Shayde promised.
"What are you buying?" Han asked, knowing she was on her phone ordering something.
"Oh, I'm spending my husband's money and making plans." Shayde smiled.
"Making plans, huh?" Han asked, folding his arms.
"My arms dealer is gonna love me so much with how much I just ordered." Shayde laughed.
"Your husband gonna be okay with that money you're spending?" Han asked, knowing Carter wouldn't be very happy at all.
"Well, he's missed a lot of anniversaries and important dates and since I can't go anywhere, I no longer need a new car or two." She explained.
"So what are you ordering?" He asked.
"Weapons. Lots of them. And extra extra extra ammo. My dealer has new stuff just for me." Shayde smiled.
"Oh he's gonna love that for sure." Han laughed.
"Yes, I am having it brought by boat later tonight. You know, a boatload. Literally." She laughed. "Probably went a bit overboard but you know I get bored easily and I hate being caged up so this works." Shayde smiled innocently.
"He's going to have a conniption." Han warned.
"No, that will be later when I order all the stuff to redecorate the fucked up room and this house." Shayde explained.
"Shay, you're supposed to be behaving." Han reminded her.
"Han, I'm just laying here. I'm being super good." Shayde shrugged.
"Scrambled eggs sound good." Han held up his phone. She nodded.
"How's my drunken pirate in there doing?" Shayde sat up after placing her order.
"She's asleep. Tej is damn good with her. I guess it helps that they seem to like each other." Han noted.
"Someone sounds a bit concerned." Shayde mentioned.
"Not really. Just shocked Carter is okay with it." Han explained.
"Something I should be worried about?" Shayde asked.
"No, he's good. I mean, he can be a player but he's definitely a better match than Roman." Han laughed.
"He's not gonna be a player here." Shayde laughed. "Can you imagine Carter if she had liked Roman?" Shayde laughed, the mere thought making her crack up.
"It's very clear he can't stand Roman." Han nodded.
"He's Carter. He doesn't think. He thought I'd hook up with that pretty boy." Shayde scoffed. "So not my type." Shayde rolled her eyes.
"Do you even have a type?" Han joked.
"Carter thinks anything with two legs is my type, he's very suspicious of everyone." Shayde acknowledged. "I couldn't even take a shower after getting here without being questioned." She rolled her eyes.
"Careful or he'll think you and I are hooking up." Han warned.
"He's accused me of it before, wouldn't shock me. I just tell him Kaidyn's really yours and can't he see it in her face. He doesn't find it too funny." Shayde grinned.
"She might even be Hector's if you're not careful." Han nodded with a laugh.
"Han, I'm really sorry I brought you here. I think this was a mistake to bring you all. I think you should take the guys and get out while you can." Shayde said, it weighing on her mind.
"I told you we are ride or die. I'm not leaving if you don't. We're gonna take him down." Han shook his head.
"But you didn't think this was a good idea. No one does and I get it." Shayde said. "I am seeing a lot that's major red flags right now and I worry I drug you into something bad." She admitted.
"You didn't drag me. I made my choice. I am always gonna be by your side. Just because I didn't agree with it doesn't mean I'm not gonna help." Han admitted.
"Him and I talked it over in depth and we have spent hours running every scenario. I know everyone's against it but this really is the only route to eliminate at least one threat." Shayde explained softly.
"If we get lucky, maybe two." Han nodded. "I get it. You know I am just worried about you. You are just worried about Kaidyn and so I gotta worry about you." Han tried to explain.
"I appreciate that. I love ya, Han. You know I run everything by him and if he didn't agree, I wouldn't be here." Shayde moved her hair from her face to look at Han.
"I know. We got this." Han encouraged.
"I hope he's going to treat Kaidyn well. I'm starting to be concerned her mouth is going to get us all killed." Shayde admitted.
"Yeah, he was pissed. I have to wonder what his angle is and what he was trying to do with that room. Maybe test her memory or push her to get it back? Or torture her?" Han asked.
"I don't know but I'll let you know we fought all night until I had my tantrum. He wanted her to do pageants for a resume. He's so focused on looks it's sickening." Shayde sighed.
"I fear he's trying to sell her, Shay." Han looked at her with concern.
"Han, I'm worried he's already sold her." Shayde admitted.
"The hell he will." Han shook his head, his cheeks becoming flushed.
"Well, we have a while before that happens. He's trying to earn me back. And the more problems she has actually works in our favor right now. For both my dad and Carter. I just worry how we're going to contain that mouth." Shayde admitted.
"Lots of distractions, Shay." Han nodded with determination.
"Han, we talk about everything right?" Shayde asked, looking at him.
"Yeah." Han nodded.
"I've been going over things in my head and I gotta ask why is he against taking out Monica and all those involved that night? I have video clear as day of who it was. It's not adding up." Shayde folded her arms.
"I think we already know why." Han admitted.
"Yes, I'm fairly certain he had a hand in it. It hit me when I got here and saw my closet and all the white clothes he had for me. Along with him being so focused on how she looks and her resume." Shayde mused out loud.
"You know we all suspect he's behind it. I really think he ordered it, Shayde." Han speculated.
"If he did and is behind this, I just walked my daughter into a deathtrap." Shayde fretted.
"Like you said, any way you went was a risk. This is the lesser of the evils right now. There's more of us to help her than before if that is the case." Han promised.
"Yeah, you're right. I should really go cook us some breakfast." Shayde sighed, not wanting to really move.
"I can cook them breakfast. You relax while you can." Han offered, getting up to head to the door.
"No, you need to rest. I guarantee you I'll need you for later tonight. Besides, I have to keep busy and keep myself out of my own head. I have a lot to do. We're having a bonfire tonight." Shayde promised.
"You're gonna burn everything, aren't you?" Han asked, looking horrified.
"You get me." She laughed. She walked in the living room to check on Kaidyn.
"They all passed out." Hector laughed.
"Poor things. Those boys better get used to not sleeping much." Shayde laughed.
"It's been a day alright. Ten bucks Roman wakes up if I go make food." Hector whispered.
"Too late, I'm already making breakfast." Shayde called over her shoulder as she walked into the kitchen. Shayde got busy laying out bacon on trays to put in the oven and got out the eggs, lost in deep thought.
"Need some help?" Brian asked, making her jump. She turned around and gave him a glare.
"Don't ever rush up on me like that again." She warned, shaking her head, her hand already having pulled a knife from her side pocket.
"Whoa. I know you took out the head of security last night but trust me when I say I don't want to replace him if it means I have the same fate." Brian held up his hands innocently.
"So you heard how 'unhinged' I was last night, huh?" Shayde asked, turning around and going back to her dishes.
"I might have heard you had some sort of a fit." Brian grinned, flashing his grin at her.
"Can you please stop smiling at me?" She asked after turning on the scrambler.
"I can't help it. I don't even realize I am doing it." Brian admitted.
"You really remind me of someone and I don't appreciate it." Shayde grumbled, missing her true love.
"Am I ever going to meet the person I remind you of?" Brian asked, looking curious.
"I have the scrambler on. You can talk freely." Shayde nodded. She loved how Brian was acting like he didn't know who she was talking about.
"Do you trust it to work?" He asked, looking at her as he dried one of the dishes she handed him.
"Yes, my tech guru is the best in the business. I have no issues there, I assure you." Shayde promised with confidence.
"Awesome." Brian nodded.
"My turn to play answer the questions." Shayde informed him.
"Huh?" Brian asked, confused.
"You drilled me with so many questions when you met me. It's only fair I return the favor." Shayde purred, folding her arms.
"Okay, ask me whatever." He shrugged as he watched her check the bacon in the first over.
"I made three trays of bacon because I know how Han eats and I know Rome is just as bad if not worse." She explained.
"He will appreciate that." Brian nodded.
"Did you like how I got you that head of security job?" Shayde asked, looking at him. "That little fucker was hard to find last night. He was hiding and letting his men take the fall for him." Shayde shook her head in disgust.
"Yeah, I was not expecting that but it is a good thing. I am sure it will really help us get the upper hand." Brian nodded.
"You think you can handle being his head of security?" Shayde asked.
"Yeah, with Tej helping me. We can definitely handle it." Brian nodded.
"I am trusting you with your experience that you can." Shayde advised him, raising an eyebrow as she watched him, deep in thought.
"What are you thinking of?" She asked,
"He probably put Tej with you to keep away from Kaidyn because he is watching them very closely but that will actually help us." Shayde admitted.
"Anything I need to tell Tej?" Brian asked as he tried to ignore the camera.
"Just to be on his best behavior with Kaidyn, which I know he will but that he is being watched. A heads up can't hurt. And I need him to modify some pieces of equipment and help us in the tech area. But he knows this." Shayde nodded.
"Sounds good. He knows already?" Brian asked, scratching his head.
"After breakfast, you should make your rounds, introduce you and him and check things out for us if you can. Just be advised I will give you a scrambler, but it needs to be used only when needed. His men are everywhere and they can probably hear you out there. So watch what you say please." Shayde warned.
"Yeah, I need to go meet these dumbass men who signed their death certificates." Brian shook his head. "Can I ask you a question?" He asked.
"You only get one, this was supposed to be my game, Brian." Shayde sighed, pretending to be annoyed, making him laugh.
"Why would anyone sign up to be his guard? Knowing you, no offense. And knowing Carter? Does he lure them in or does he lie to them? How does he get 600 something guys to sign up to do security?" Brian asked in awe.
"You mean 488 now." Shayde boasted with a smile.
"See, that is what I mean. You are ready to drop on them and they are out there like they have the rest of their lives to live." Brian shook his head.
"I don't know what he tells them to be honest. I know some are desperate and want their families to be taken care of and I know he gives them huge amounts of money. But I don't know all the details. I don't try to kill them, Brian. But they are on the wrong side and I can't control the circumstances but I have to take care of what's in my best interest. Kinda like how you guys killed those people with Ramsey and all those innocents on the highway. Wars bring casualties." Shayde explained, her eyes staring at him.
"How do you know about that?" Brian asked, his mouth dropping open.
"Because we wanted God's eye. There's a lot you just don't know. I will ask you once more, does your moral compass interfere with being here? Please be honest. My daughter's life is on the line so I need to know." Shayde said, staring him in the eyes directly, something she did not do with him.
"No, not at all. I know innocent people get killed every day. These guys out here are not innocent and I have no doubt you are just trying to do what you have to do." Brian promised her, staring back at her.
"I am glad that I believe you. Honestly, Kaidyn has never taken to anyone like she has you three. I have had a lot of friends over the years and she does not interact well with most people. So I am relieved to hear this." Shayde admitted.
"I got you and so do my boys. We're here to help." Brian swore.
"I'm giving you a comm when I give you a hug once we are done making breakfast. Then I need Tej to modify it a bit. But you can wear it once you get the one from the guards outside and Tej combines them. He will know what to do." Shayde explained.
"Yes, he is good with all that stuff." Brian nodded.
"Now that we got that out of the way, expect some phone calls from Carter today. He won't be pleased with me." She admitted.
"Oh?" Brian asked, watching her scramble the eggs and put them in a bowl. "How does it feel to always be watched by so many cameras and mics and feel so under the gun?" Brian asked.
"It wasn't always like this. He has gotten worse. He had a few cameras back in the day. But I mainly only had them in Kaidyn's room. I have footage of that night. He doesn't know I have it. He is still pretending that we suspect Monica and Markum. But I know for a fact it was them. I am trying to find out if it was his doing before I really make a move." Shayde advised.
"I just want you to know I really respect what you guys are doing for Kaidyn. Anything I can do to help, I am here." Brian promised.
"I appreciate that very much." She said gratefully.
"What I can tell you of him, I would go with my gut. I don't have any doubt he would do something like that." Brian nodded. "I've seen the shit he can do. That is partly why I agreed to do the job." Brian confessed.
"Can you get out the orange juice and milk?" She asked as she worked. He did so quietly as she got out some glasses and put them on the kitchen island that stood in the middle of the sprawling kitchen.
"Wow, you really go all out." Brian commented.
"Not really. But I know you guys are likely very tired and need to eat. I don't cook like this all the time." She promised.
"So why will Carter be calling?" He asked, still curious.
"I am going to have a bonfire and lose my shit later today. Would you like to be surprised when he calls or for me to tell you now?" She asked, shrugging.
"I think I will be surprised so I don't get his suspicions up. I am sure it's gonna be good." Brian grinned.
"Oh, it is going to be very epic. He is going to flip the hell out. I can assure you of this." Shayde promised. "I am turning off the scrambler now. Breakfast is almost ready." She warned as she started to put the food dishes on the kitchen island.
"Need some help with that?" Brian asked, reaching behind her to grab the bowl before she dropped it. Roman walked in, his mouth dropping open.
"Don't be hittin on her, Brian." Roman said, kicking him as he walked by. "I ain't ready to die for yo ass." He noted.
"Ro, I'm gonna kick your ass after I eat. I was just trying to help. Shut up." Brian kicked him as he walked by him.
"Damn, this food smells so good. I am starving." Roman rubbed his stomach.
"Wow, she did drink a lot more than I intended for her to drink." Shayde looked at the empty bottles on the counter in the kitchen. She began to clean up the empty bottles as she watched Roman look at the food.
"Roman, wait for the rest of them. We are not quite ready yet." Shayde chided as Roman started to reach for a piece of bacon.
"Shayde, this smells good." Han walked in, grabbing the orange juice.
"Hey question, Brian. How was that table?" She asked, a smile on her face. "Think I am the babysitter or the sister?" She asked, folding her arms with an amused smile. Han and Roman busted up laughing.
"Shayde, I am really sorry. I feel stupid I didn't put two and two together." He looked down, his hands in his pockets. Shayde laughed.
"It's cool, I'm just the babysitter." She laughed, making Brian roll his eyes sheepishly. "Out of all the names and titles I have been called, it's never been that." She smiled. "It was original, I'll give you that." She nodded.
"I didn't realize. I don't know. I just feel like an ass. I would have never come onto you if I had known you were married, I am sorry." Brian said.
"It's okay, Brian. It's all good. I am sorry he set you up and scared you." Shayde said, patting him on the shoulder.
"I'm good, I just feel like an ass." Brian admitted, turning a light red.
"You don't gotta feel like an ass. It's okay." Shayde hugged him, slipping the comm in his pocket as she did so. She gave him a look and a nod.
"Brian! Brian! Aw man, what are you doing, man? Your ass is gonna get us killed, bruh!" Roman yelled, shaking his head and looking appalled. "I don't want Verone killing us for you giving her a hug, white boy." Roman started to pace.
"You know I'm not a piece of property right? I can get and give hugs, he doesn't control me. Our relationship isn't like you are thinking, Roman. Calm down." Shayde pulled back from Brian, shaking her head.
"Is that before or after Carter kills us?" Roman asked, folding his arms and reaching for some tomatoes. Shayde slapped his hand.
"No!" She scolded him like a puppy. He looked at her like he had just been wounded. "Wow, you really are scared of him, aren't you?" Shayde asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I am not scared, not me." Roman shook his head.
"Liar." Brian grinned.
"Chill out. No one's dying unless it's by my hand. I'm the killer in the family. You're scared of the wrong person but we can talk about that later. Right now, let's eat breakfast, are you hungry?" She asked.
"I'm always hungry. "Roman nodded. "Killer, huh?" he asked, giving Brian a concerned look. He wasn't sure what Brian had gotten them into but he wasn't sure he was ready for whatever it was. Brian walked away from the group and went into the bathroom to put the comm in his ear and made sure his hair hid it.
"Welcome to the game, Brian O'Connor, yet another player entering. Very nice. Your job above all else is to keep Kaidyn safe and to allow Shayde to be Shayde. Directions will follow but just know your every move and words are being listened to by me." The tech guru's voice came over the comm. "You will never speak to me and you will not ask me anything. You will pretend I am not here. I do not exist. Cough if you understand." the female voice said over the comm in a quiet, deadly tone. Brian coughed. "You may go on about your business." She gave permission and dismissed him.