Chapter FOURTEEN

A soft knock on her office door echoed through her office but Kimberly kept her head down, her attention focused on the papers on the desk. "What is it Melody?"

"I know you said you didn't want to be disturbed but there's someone here to see you."

Her head snapped up and she pushed back her glasses as they slid down her nose. "Tell whoever it is that I'm busy."

"I hate to break it to you but I don't take no for an answer."

"Maybe it's time you learned." She smiled as she pushed back her chair and stood up. "What brings you to my office Darius?"

Removing his hat, he smiled at Melody as he edged around her and came towards the desk. Kimberly didn't miss the way Melody's eyes slid down Darius's backside to settle on his ass. She looked back up to wink at Kimberly before she snapped the door shut.

"I was cruising the block and thought I'd stop by." He scratched at his chin, motioning at her to take a seat. "It's been a few days since I heard from you. I wanted to see how you were doing."

She walked around the desk and both of them sat down. "Everything is fine; I've just been busy."

"You're always busy but I know you well enough to be tell when everything isn't fine."

"I'm fine, seriously." She reached out to settle her hand on top of his. "I appreciate you being concerned but you really have to stop this."

"How are things with Bobby?"

She smiled thinly. "Just fine."

"Quit saying you're fine and tell me the truth." Darius thread his fingers through hers. "Whatever it is, you know you can tell me."

Kimberly hesitated then leaned forward to brush her lips against his, eyes closing as he raised a hand to cup the side of her face. Just as quickly she pulled back. "I'm sorry, I just..." She cleared her throat. "I had to know."

"Excuse me for being a bit confused. You had to know what?"

"I kiss you and I know there's mutual attraction..." She pressed her fingers against her lips. "But there's no spark." She shook her head. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for that Kim. I can't say I'm not disappointed but I think we've both known it for a long time."

Her eyes went to her office window, her fingers remaining at her lips. "Bobby and I fought today."

"What did you fight about?"

"What we always seem to argue about, money. It's never gone this far." She whispered. "It's never hurt this much before."

"I'm sure both of you said things you didn't mean. Bobby's a hot head, you know that."

"Jack's family needs money and I thought... I thought I was doing something good by offering to help." She lowered her hand and turned to stare at Darius again. "But Bobby acted like it was hard to even look at me. He said things and he yelled…" She looked away again. "He's never yelled at me like that before and when I tried to leave..."

"Did he hit you?"

Her head snapped back towards him. "What? No! No, he didn't hit me."

"I had to ask Kim."

"Bobby would never do something like that. He would never hit me."

"What happened when you tried to leave?"

She shook her head and clasped her hands together. "I've really said too much already."

"Kim, I know it's hard to talk about it but if you don't, it's just going to build up until it boils over one day. You know you can tell me anything and I swear it won't leave this room."

"I'm not one of your victims Darius and this isn't an interrogation room down at the station." Kimberly rose to her feet. "We argued and we both said things that were hurtful, end of story."

"If that's the truth Kim, why are you still here?" He looked down at his watch. "You should have gone home hours ago."

"There's work I need to finish." She answered stiffly.

"So you argued with him and you're hiding out until the storm blows over, is that it?"

"I am not hiding!" She snapped. "I don't want to talk about this anymore." She stalked over to the window and crossed her arms. "If you're done checking on me, you can see yourself out."

Darius rose from his seat but he crossed over to stand beside her instead of leaving as she hoped he would. He took his time pulling out his cigarettes and lighting one before throwing the pack and the lighter down in front of her on the window sill. "The ice queen routine you've perfected doesn't work on me Kimberly and you know it." He exhaled a steam of smoke through his nostrils, watching as she grabbed the pack to slip out a cigarette of her own.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me; it was rude to talk to you that way."

"I told you, you don't have to apologize. People do crazy things when they're in love."

Her eyes didn't flicker from the city lights below. "This is why I kept people away, this feeling hovering in the pit of my stomach. This is the exact place I swore to never trap myself. I love him so much." Her voice cracked. "And he swears he loves me but then something like this comes up. I can't change who I am, I can't make the last twenty-six years disappear and start from scratch. My family, this company; it's who I am."

"You're so much more than this company Kim and I want to believe Bobby sees that."

"Bobby doesn't see past the dollar signs." She snorted and pulled at the smoking cigarette. "Usually when I say that I'm referring to someone infatuated but with Bobby, he can't get past how much he hates it."

"The man grew up with nothing for the first half of his life Kim. He had to fight for everything before Evelyn and even after that those kids struggled to understand they didn't need to hide their belongings or collect every penny just to buy their next meal. Now suddenly he has someone in his life that never has to worry about that and he doesn't know what to do with himself."

"I'm starting to think that's the problem Darius. I'm the one in the relationship that's secure at least when it comes to funds. We never have to worry about our bills like Jack and Natalie are worrying. We'll never go hungry and when Marley wants something, there won't be a hesitation to say yes to her. But he's so stubborn about it. I have to fight him just to pay half of the bills!"

Smoke curled slowly to the ceiling as it escaped the corner of his mouth. "If he's that hard up to pay the bills, let him. When he needs the help, you'll be there to back him up."

"This isn't the Seventeenth Century Darius! I don't have to stay home and take care of the chores. I can go out and have a job. I can be the one bringing in the money if he'd only let me."

Darius chuckled, the smoke wafting up to the ceiling between them. "If you think Bobby's gonna put on an apron and watch soaps while you work, you're in for a treat Sweetheart."

"If he was the one with the money, he'd expect that of me."

"Despite the fact I'm going to sound like Dr. Phil, the only thing Bobby expects is for you to love him. I don't think this is solely about money Kim; I think it has a lot to do with the fact he wants to take care of you and he doesn't feel as if he's doing that."

She snorted as she moved to grab the ashtray hidden in her desk and snuff out her cigarette. She handed it to him so he could as well. "You're right." She eyed him. "You do sound like Dr. Phil."

"Think Oprah will give me my own show?"

Kimberly rolled her eyes and she remained pliant as he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"You should go home Kim. Go home and talk to him."

"How he feels isn't going to change Darius."

"Maybe not but at least you both will have your cards out on the table and discover whether or not you really want to continue down the path you're on. If you love each other, you can work it out." He pressed his lips against her forehead. "And if you can't, call me and I'll lock him up."

"Darius!" She giggled and rested her cheek against his chest. "He has to do something wrong before you can do that."

"I'll arrest him for stupidity and file it under public endangerment."

Kimberly smiled content at that moment to listen to the steady beat of his heart. "Thank you."

"Of course Kim. You know I hate it when you're upset."

"It's in your nature to hate it when any female is upset Darius."

They were both startled as the door to her office swung open. "Hey, stop!" Melody was almost yelling. "Hey, you can't just go in there; I told you she's-"

Kimberly pulled away to stare at Bobby in shock. "Bobby, what are you doing?"

"I tried to stop him Kimberly but he just pushed right past me!"

"It's okay Melody." She foolishly moved to stand in front of Darius as she recognized the look flaring in Bobby's eyes as he approached them. "Bobby, you can't just walk in here whenever you want."

"And why the fuck is that?" He snorted. "Am I interrupting something important?"

"Bobby..."

"I ain't fucking talking to you Green. I'll get to you in a minute!"

Kimberly sighed. "The only thing you're going to do is go back to your car and go home Bobby!"

"I came here to fucking talk to you!" He snarled. "If you're fucking cheating on me at least tell me to my fucking face!"

She slapped him so hard her hand stung. Bobby's head snapped to the side and she inhaled sharply. "How dare you fucking say that." She took a step back as he popped his neck and turned his head to face her again. "I want you to leave."

"I'm no fucking going anywhere. We're gonna talk."

"I believe Kim asked you to leave Bobby. Don't make me escort you out."

"I'd like to see you fucking try Green. You might be a pig now but I can still kick your ass when it calls for it."

"This ain't like our days in the hockey league Bobby. I've learned a few new moves since then."

Bobby smirked. "I don't give a shit what you and your boyfriend do during your off time. I'm going to beat your ass if you don't stay the fuck away from Kimberly."

"Bobby, you're not the one that decides those things!" She retorted, eyes darting between them. "I don't want any fighting!"

"What's the matter Kimberly? Afraid I'll mess up your girlfriend's face?"

"Darius is my friend!" She shouted. "He's been my friend since college and that's not going to change anytime soon! Now go home!"

Bobby snorted and crossed his arms. "A fucking semi couldn't move my ass right now."

"It's not going to take a semi Bobby." Darius stepped around Kimberly despite her protests. "She asked you to leave. Don't make her ask you twice."

"You gonna arrest me Green? Is that what it's come down to?"

"I warned you what would happen if you didn't keep your shit straight."

The muscle in Bobby's jaw jumped and he pulled at the waistband of his jeans. "You wanna go, let's fucking go. All you gotta do is say the word."

"Darius, please." Kimberly wrapped her arms around her torso. "Don't do this."

Darius kept his eyes on Bobby's. "I hope you're happy." He leaned in closer to the other man. "You finally found a woman who loves you despite everything she's been told or shown and you're doing your best to fuck it up."

"I love her." Bobby spat. "And I catch you touching her again I'll make sure it's the last thing you do."

"Keep pushing it Bobby. I'll take you in and when you get out, she'll be gone."

"You fucking threatening me?"

Darius chuckled. "I'm just telling you how it is Bobby and like she said, nothing is going on between us." He leaned back. "We decided a long time ago we made better friends than we did lovers."

The punch Bobby landed on Darius's face sent the taller of the two reeling back.

"Bobby, no!" Kimberly shrieked as she was jerked out of the way, Melody doing her best to shield her as the two men began to fight. "Stop!"

"Kimberly, no." Melody jerked her back again. "You have to let them fight."

She pushed away from her secretary. "No, I don't." Quickly she bolted into the hallway to find the empty coffee pot and it seemed to take forever to fill it. When she returned to the office, the two men were rolling around on her carpet, the chairs shoved clean out of the way, as they traded blows. She ignored Melody's protests and dumped the entire pot of cold fountain water onto their heads.

"What the fuck?" Bobby shoved away from Darius and pushed his wet hair back.

Darius rolled to his feet, shaking his jacket. "I'm sorry Kimberly."

"You're fucking right you're sorry."

"Shut up Bobby!" Kimberly took a step back, the coffee pot clutched to her chest. "I want you both to leave now."

"Kimberly..."

"Now Bobby!" She pointed at the door. "Please, just leave." She lowered her hand and took a step back. "Before I call the cops on you both."

Darius ran a hand over his hair. "I'll go. If you need me..."

"I appreciate it but I just want you both to leave." She whispered looking away.

He nodded but kept his eyes on Bobby as he went around him and headed for the door. Kimberly kept her gaze glued to the carpet and the wet stain there even as Bobby stood back up and wiped at his clothes.

"Kimmy..."

"Go away Bobby. Just please go away."

"Where are you going to go? It's late and all your stuff is at our house." Bobby sighed. "Look, I'm sorry but-"

Her eyes flew back to his. "I'm sorry doesn't change what you just did Bobby. I'm sorry doesn't change the fact that you hit not only my friend but a man who considered himself your friend as well! You come in here and you say things to hurt me without thinking about anything but yourself and expect me to just come home with you?" She shook her head as she took a step back from him. "Your mother would be ashamed of you." Without waiting for his reaction, she turned towards her desk. "Melody, please call security to make sure Bobby leaves the building safely."

"Of course Kimberly." Melody finally moved away from where she had pressed herself flat against the wall. "Come on Bobby, you heard her; let's go."

Kimberly kept her back to him, exhaling in relief as she heard Melody follow him from the room. It wasn't until her door shut behind her with a soft click that she broke down into tears, body collapsing onto the carpet. She covered her mouth to silence her sobs as fat tears rolled down her face, her entire body shaking. It became hard to breathe and she had to force herself to calm down as she lay down onto the carpet, tears still blurring her vision.

She didn't move as her door opened again minutes later. "Is there something I can do for you Kimberly?"

"I just want to be alone right now."

Melody sighed. "I know you do but you can't stay here all night. You have to sleep and eat at some point."

"Please Melody."

"I have a spare room at my apartment. It's not much but it'll do for a night or two until you have a clearer head."

"Melody, I appreciate the offer but I'm going to pass." Kimberly wiped at her face and forced herself to her feet. "I'll be okay. Just lock up and go home."

"I don't feel right just leaving you."

Kimberly ran a shaky hand down the front of her dress. "I'm ordering you as your boss to go home." Despite her nerves, she spoke steadily. "Unless you want to find another job, I suggest you do exactly that." She closed her eyes at hearing Melody sigh but a few seconds later the door to her office shut again.

She took a few minutes to straighten up her office, her nerves finally steadying. Darius had left his cigarettes, almost a silent blessing in disguise, and she stuffed them into her purse before she shut off the lights and locked her door.

Inside her head voices screamed at her to do the smart thing and go to the house. Whispers pleaded with her to end things with Bobby and get out while she was still in one piece, but the fact of the matter was that she was no longer in one piece. Her heart was rattling inside her chest from being knocked around and she wasn't sure if she would ever be able to place them back together.

Despite anything she had seen or anything she had been told, she loved him. She loved Bobby Mercer and the thought of being without him now completely scared her. Yet at the same time he scared her. His temper was legendary and she now knew why. Bobby was a man who had been pushed until the only option left was to push back twice as hard. He grew up fighting for what he wanted and then having to fight just to keep it. There was no doubt in her mind that he loved her, Bobby wasn't a man to lie; he wasn't a man to waste his breath unless he was completely certain of what it was he was saying.

Where did that leave them? He would never get over the fact that he didn't have to struggle to provide for them. For the first time in his entire life, he didn't have to fight and that in itself was starting to seem like too much of a truth to face. Bobby needed the struggle in order to survive because without it, he seemed lost and unsure of his place in the world. Perhaps he thought himself unworthy of anything unless he struggled for it? Maybe Bobby was afraid of accepting something at face value and then losing it? Whatever it was, he was unknowingly pushing her away with his insecurities and jealousy. She couldn't live like that, she wouldn't.

Sitting there in the dimly lit parking garage, she lost herself to her thoughts as she sat there with the engine running. A knock on the passenger side window startled her and she frowned as she recognized Angel's unusually somber face. A glance at the dashboard clock alerted her she had been sitting there for the past twenty-five minutes. With a strangled sigh, she hit unlock on the door.

"Whew!" Angel slid into the passenger seat and shut the door. "Thanks. It's cold out there." He glanced around as he rubbed his hands together. "This is a nice ride. First time I've been inside a BMW 5 series, pretty sweet."

Kimberly kept her hands clasped together in her lap, her eyes set on the steering wheel. "What are you doing here Angel?"

"Bobby called me."

"That doesn't explain why you're here."

"I heard all about how he was an ass and like a damn fool had gotten into it with Green in your office."

Kimberly shifted to eye Angel. "He said that? The part where he was an ass?"

"Maybe not in those exact words... Hey, hey, hey." He objected when she rolled her eyes and looked away. "Bobby knows he fucked up. He's going out of his mind right now at the house, whining like a little girl how he's gonna lose you. He knows what he did was wrong."

"It doesn't change the fact that it still happened. He came into my work Angel, my place of business and got in a fight with my friend!"

"I can't defend that Kimmy. Bobby's never been known for thinking before he speaks but I can honestly say he's been doing better at it the past few years. Sometimes he just... He's been through a lot and it's just not that easy for him to drop his guard."

Kimberly looked away to stare out her window. "If he loves me like he says he does, he should trust me. There's no reason for him not to drop his guard around me."

"He does trust you Kimmy but Darius..." Angel shrugged. "I know he's your friend but those two have always had a rocky relationship ever since their hockey league days. You may not know it but Bobby and Darius were close until Darius decided to become a cop. I guess Bobby saw that as betrayal in a way especially when you consider half the cops in Detroit are crooked."

"Darius isn't a crooked cop!"

Angel raised his hands defensively. "I know that Sweetheart; he's proved himself. I'm just saying." He lowered his hands. "Cops and Mercers are two things that do not mix. Bobby would have probably never spoken to Darius again if it hadn't been for Ma."

"What do you mean?"

"Ma was amazing." He smiled as he reminisced. "She didn't care a bit about what you had done in the past, her door was always open and when she wanted people to put aside their differences and sit down together, they didn't argue. You couldn't say no to the woman and within five minutes of knowing her you didn't want to; you wanted to make her proud of you."

Kimberly was surprised to find she was crying and embarrassed she kept her face turned away. "I wish I could have met her."

"I wish you could have too." Angel reached out to wipe a tear from her cheek. "And so does Bobby. You're everything to him and it makes him a little crazy sometimes. He's never wanted to hold onto something so badly before and it's making him hold on so tightly that he's not thinking straight. Kimberly, I've never seen him love anyone as much as he loves you."

"He scares me sometimes Angel and I know deep down that he'd never hurt me but...." She shook her head. "I can't live my life wanting to believe."

"Sometimes you have to make that jump Kimberly. I've known Bobby for most of my life. He can be stubborn, he can say a ton of shit he doesn't mean in the heat of an argument but when he's serious, when he's looking you directly in the face, you can take his word to the fucking grave. He loves you, just you. Not your money, not where you've come but you because you treat him the same way and no one's ever done that before right off the bat." Angel sighed. "I'm not here to argue on his behalf; I'm just here to offer my opinion and I hope it means at least something to you."

"And what's your opinion Angel?"

"It's going to be one hell of a fucking mistake to throw away what you two have together." He kept his eyes on hers and for the first time since she had known him his face was completely serious. "Come home. Yell at him, throw shit, kick his ass where I can watch." He smiled as she did, "But for God's sake don't just walk away from this. You're always going to wonder what could have been if you do."

Kimberly stared at Angel a few minutes before she cleared her throat. "Sounds like to me you actually are arguing on his behalf." She reached out to pat his hand. "You should think about becoming a lawyer."

"Shit and go back to school? I think not." He snorted. He rubbed his hands together again. "So what do you say?"

"I say I hate the fact you Mercers are awfully good at persuasion."

Angel grinned at that. "Stubbornness, it's a family trait."