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Misconceptions pt. 41
John slid his chair back and stood, more than ready to knock Cameron on his ass! He wasn't about to sit by and watch him brow beat Natalie into another phony charge...no way! "Back the hell off, right now!"
Thomas was sick of this! "John!" he snapped, poignantly expressing his unhappiness with a stare. There was a clear warning in his eyes, and he found himself surprised when his son actually backed down. He glared at Jason. "Before you start anymore shit, how about you tell us what you're talking about?"
He sighed, instantly regretting his behaviour. He never meant to disrespect Tom in anyway. "Cramer set up a little meeting."
Eve was confused. "I don't understand, Jason? What does that mean?"
He rolled his shoulders, nearly groaning from the tension in his tight body. "It means that she suckered Tate into calling our good buddy, Rowlands here. She wants to make a deal."
John looked at his friend, staring into her patient gaze. "What kind of deal?" He had a very bad feeling about this.
Gina leaned on the table, glancing around the group. There were far too many sharp, blue eyes on her at the moment, causing her to shift in her seat. "She claims that there's no way we'll find the money, because someone got to it before she did."
"What?" Natalie was genuinely shocked, and then she found Cameron's prying eyes on her. He was watching her closely for her reaction, and she nearly slugged him on principal. "Well, she's lying. That's what she does!" She felt another heated stare, and another. You're fucking kidding me? "Oh no! I did not do this!"
John moved around a few chairs, standing beside her and taking her hand in his for support. He stood in front of her, partially blocking the view, but it was the simplest point he could make. He was telling every person here that she didn't do it, he didn't believe it, and he wasn't about to stand aside while they took another shot at a false conviction.
The cool night air seemed overly warm as the silence began to overtake all of them.
Eve stood up. "Relax, John. Nobody's saying that Natalie took the money." She stared at her rigid son, who was hell-bent on protecting the woman that he clearly loved very much. "I don't believe that she stole the money, and neither does anyone else."
Cameron frowned, not necessarily agreeing, but he would let it go for now. There was no proof that Cramer was even telling the truth. "We have her computer, and it will tell us what we need to know," he stared at McBain, "but if she's being honest, then..."
"...that would be a first," Natalie interupted, aggitated. She wasn't letting go of John's hand.
Jason took a breath. "...then that would significantly reduce her charges. No money means no embezzlement."
Okay, enough was enough! She was around the table and stepping up to the detective in an instant. "Are you kidding me? Are you telling me that she'll get away with everything? With setting me up, assaulting me, trying to kill me?" Her anger was uncontrollable at this moment. That bitch spread her legs and used her brother!
John was about to take Natalie inside to speak to her alone. He wanted to help her calm down, but understood her reaction perfectly. Before he could make a move, he nearly buckled from shock. He watched his mother go to her.
"Natalie, nobody is saying that. She is not going to get away with any of those things."
It took a moment to register the words, maybe because their deliverer was such a surprise, but she put her face in her hands for a minute and then refocussed. "So what does this mean? If she didn't take the money, then who the hell did?"
Gina stood. "We don't know yet? It's clear that she set you up to take the fall," she paused, "but it's also clear that you're innocent. The money didn't just walk away by itself. Who stands to gain?"
She frowned, looking at the blonde carefully. "Anyone who has the money would benefit, it's 30 million dollars."
Gina shook her head. "That's not what I meant."
"Well what do you mean?"
John gripped the back of a chair tightly, finding her questioning eyes with a steady gaze. "She's asking about the Buchanan's, Nat."
She straightened in surprise. "What about them?" There was that anger again. "Oh, so you can't prosecute me, so now my family is fair game?"
"Easy," John urged softly, but she was not going to be placated about this. The look he received made that point loud and clear. "It's a logical assumption."
"Logical?" She was royally pissed off! "It's logical! Is that what you just said to me, John?" Her hands went to her hips while he approached. He was clearly irritated with her tone. She didn't care!
"Just stop and listen, damn it!"
Her heart was pounding against her breast. Why was she always on trial? "To you explaining how your girlfriend's investigation techniques make sense? No thanks."
He was angry. "Knock it off!" She always does this, lashes out blindly when she's scared. He was trying to talk to her, but sometimes she was so pigheaded that it seemed easier to just throttle her. "Listen! Somebody is out there with 30 million of your grandfather's money, I'd think that you'd want to know who it is?"
She huffed loudly, not interested in being cooperative at the moment. "Well let's find out what your blonde thinks, shall we?"
He stood straight. "Are we really going to do this again?" She wasn't thinking clearly, and she wasn't backing down, and it occurred to him that their fight just got very personal very quickly. Without another word, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, and then he carried her into the house with her thrashing around on his back.
Natalie didn't have time to be embarassed, because she was too busy being shocked. He was packing her like a bag of flour, and the firm sound of the kitchen door slamming sealed the reality with a bang. She found herself back in the livingroom and on her feet, and his eyes were boring into her with a nerve-racking rage. "What?" she challenged, heatedly. "Having a hard time balancing out two women at one time?"
He stopped his pacing and glared at her. "I don't want to do this again, Natalie. I shouldn't have too."
Her beating heart stopped instantly.
"Tell me right now if this is a waste of time?"
She couldn't breathe, and her voice was nowhere to be found, so she shook her head slowly. Her wide eyes were locked on his, advertising her emotions very clearly. She just couldn't hide them with him.
He sighed, going to her and staring down, touching her cheek with a soft caress. "You're not alone in this, Natalie." She bit her lip lightly, and the act drew his attention away for a second or two. "Gina is asking the same questions I would. She's asking the right questions. If you don't ask, you don't get to the truth."
She understood that, but her heart didn't. "I know, I'm sorry...it's just that..."
"You feel backed into another corner." She nodded. "That's not what this is, I won't let that happen."
Natalie pulled him into a bone crunching hug, burying her cold face into his shoulder. "I didn't mean those things I said, I just wanted to hurt you."
He chuckled. "The only thing that will ever hurt me is losing you." He hovered over her mouth, fighting a powerful urge to kiss her. But now wasn't the time. He wouldn't be able to walk away from her a second time in one night. "So? I guess we should go out there and try to figure this thing out, huh?" She smiled, and he felt his heart thump. "When we're done, we're going to call it a night. I think we've earned some make up sex, don't you?"
She laughed, hugging him again. "I'm going to hold you to that one, McBain."
"Yes, ma'am."
They rejoined the group, who were arguing heatedly around the table. All voices quieted while they waited to see where the duo stood on the matter.
Natalie took a slow, even breath. She glared at the Fed. "My grandfather would benefit, my father, my mother, all of my brothers..." She sighed. "Basically, the entire family. Except for maybe my uncle Todd, who has nothing to do with Buchanan Enterprises?"
Gina nodded, realizing how hard that was for her to say. "And what about other enemies?"
Natalie laughed and turned to John. "Do you still have that list?"
He grinned, rubbing his neck. "Yeah." He fell into her weary eyes for a moment. "Here we go again, right?"
Michael was just about ready to lose it completely. This was supposed to be over, they were supposed to be having a family dinner. "Can you get us that list in the morning, Natalie?"
She nodded, taking the nearby seat and plunking in it. She was bloody exhausted.
Eve glanced between Jason and the agent. "Are you two hungry? We have plenty of dinner left."
Cam closed his eyes for a moment, before placating. Truthfully, he was starving. "Turn down steak? Not in this lifetime." He stood and went to the kitchen, with Eve and Mike hot on his heels. He chuckled. Michael was already after seconds...unbelievable!
Tom watched Natalie closely. She was tired, that much was obvious, but he was more concerned about how she was getting lost in her thoughts? "I'd like to show you something," he said, softly. She was surprised, but curious, and he reached out a hand to help her to her feet. He saw her look apprehensively at his son, who simply shrugged, but she caved and followed him into the home.
John turned to Gina. "If Cramer walks on the embezzlement, then..."
"...we'll get her on conspiracy to commit murder, assault and battery, and accessory to murder. She killed a cop John, she's not walking."
He knew that! An unpleasant image of the man bleeding to death crept up in his mind, haunting him. He squeezed his hands, able to feel the heat from the all the blood that had pooled around his skin. He knew that! He sighed, rubbing his face animatedly. He was tired too.
"So...Natalie said some things?"
He looked at her, prepared for this conversation after the little show they put on. "She's not comfortable with you and me, our relationship."
Gina smiled. "She's not the only one." This was more indepth than they usually did with one another, but avoidance wasn't good either. "A month ago you were in my bed."
He blinked, surprised by her directness, and he suddenly realized how unfair he has been acting with her. He had been in her bed, but never really thought about it as a problem until this moment. "I'm sorry," he said, not sure how else to convey the truth?
She nodded. "Look, we're friends and always will be, but it's hard to see you so..." She paused, pondering her words carefully. "It's just hard."
He reached out and took her hand. "I never thought about that, about you, I'm sorry. We probably should have had this conversation awhile ago, huh?"
Gina snickered, amused. "Maybe, but you weren't the only one avoiding it." She could see the relief on his face. "John, I'm really going to miss you, you know that?"
He grinned an arrogant smile. "I did know that. It's because I'm so damn lovable."
That was her cue to exit, because he would only get worse from here. "Right, and on that note, I'm going to go grab some food." She stood, stopping when he was on his feet and in her path. She looked into his eyes and melted a little. He kissed her on the cheek slowly, and then she walked away. Her stomach was rumbling, and it was a little easier to breathe when he wasn't so close.
Natalie leaned against the edge of the blue Honda Civic, flipping through the album one page at a time. She took in all the photos, committing them to memory. They were of John and Michael as children, playing in a soccer tournament. He looked so cute with his cleats and shin guards. Her head lifted to find Tom watching her. "Why are we here, Commissioner?" It wasn't just because he was feeling nostalgic.
He smiled. "You're a very perceptive girl, Natalie. I know that this evening has taken a toll, but I wanted to thank you for getting my son here. He wouldn't have come without your help."
She didn't speak.
He glanced at his feet and chuckled, resting his hip on a stack of boxes that were propped against the wall of the garage. He crossed his arms loosely over his chest. "You know it's funny? I always thought Caitlyn would be the one to bring John back to the family, but she couldn't have done it."
Natalie swallowed, and smiled, despite herself. "Careful. That almost sounds like a compliment."
"It is." He stood straight. "So, shall we head back and see what's for dessert?"
They left the room together, and it was a strangely comfortable moment. Neither were naive enough to think that it would necessarily last, but it was a really great start.
John sat at the table and frowned. What was it about this evening? He was alone with Cameron, who was concentrating on the piece of sponge cake that was on his plate, covered in fresh blueberries and whip cream. This was the last place he wanted to be. He wondered where Natalie was, what she was doing with his father, but didn't want to intrude.
Jason took the final bite of his dessert and then sat back, irritated that he no longer had a distraction. Where the hell was everyone? There was laughter in the kitchen, and he wanted to scream at them to get their asses outside. Instead, he turned to the man who was watching him. And who was equally uncomfortable. "So? You and Rowlands eh?" He couldn't help himself. It gave him a small pleasure to tick this man off.
John leaned into his chair and glared, crossing his arms over his chest. "You can't help it, can you? Being an ass comes naturally!"
There was a taut silence between them, tugging at them with each new moment.
"I really don't like you," Jason confessed casually.
John smiled. "The feelings mutual. I'm curious though," he began, leaning on the table and offering his rapt attention, "why?"
Cam leaned forward as well. "You twist people up without a regard to their feelings. The only thing that matters to you is what you want...or who?" He licked his dry lips. "You wanted that redhead, and then you turned your back on your family and your duty to have her." He sat back again. "Although, I guess I can see the temptation. She probably does amazing things with that mouth of hers?"
He grabbed the table, using it to keep his anger grounded. "Say one more thing about her, and we'll finish what we started in the station house." He wanted to put his fist through some teeth.
Jase laughed lightly, and then shivered dramatically. "Scary."
"For the life of me, I can't figure out why the hell my brother is friends with you? You're a waste of time."
He glared. "I'm more of a brother to him than you are." He stood. Without another word, he went into the house. It wasn't a good idea for them to be alone with one another again. Both were itching to start something, but that would only further the difficulties of the McBains. He wasn't interested in that at all.
Natalie found herself in the kitchen, watching a hoard of people crammed in the little space. She slipped out the side, and went to John. He was looking off into space, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind, running her fingers over his arms. His tatoos were peaking out from the cloth of his shirt. It made her mouth water in anticipation. "Hey you?"
He smiled, pulling a chair to his side, so that they could remain in direct contact. She sank onto the cushion. "Hey yourself." he replied, kissing her softly. He couldn't help it. He went in again, licking her lush lips with the tip of his tongue, but she didn't grant him access and he sat back. "Okay," he conceded, knowing it was a bad idea to do anything. They couldn't keep themselves in check for very long, the passion was too great. "So where did you go?"
She shrugged, playing coy. "Just looked at some old pictures."
"Oh God!" Not the pictures. It could have been worse. If it had been his mother, then he wouldn't see her for the rest of the night.
"I particularly liked the one of you naked on the bear rug." She grinned from ear to ear. "Classic."
He sighed, heating up over her little taunt. "Well, get your hands on a bear rug, and you've got yourself a floor show." He kissed her again, chuckling against her lips. Her fingers scraped the hair at his neck and he sighed, pulling away again. "I think it's time we head out."
She agreed wholeheartedly. "Past time," she breathed, ignoring the coil that was twisting her gut sharply. Everyone began to file back out with fresh beers, and she spotted Eve through the window again. "Give me a minute."
He nodded, letting her go. His brother passed him a beer, and he decided to have one last one for the road. It may be awhile before being back, and he was going to miss Michael a lot. Maybe even his parents?
Natalie shut the door to the kitchen and leaned against the wood. She saw the woman stare at her suspiciously, and it made her smile. "John and I are leaving."
Eve frowned, resuming her task. Her fingers worked diligently to wrap up food and fit it in the already full refridgerator. Her heart was pounding. What did that mean? Leaving for tonight, for forever? Leaving town? "Thank you for coming," she said quietly, keeping her focus on the tupperware in her hands. She felt as though she were playing with leggos as she struggled to place the items in the icebox.
Natalie kept her blue eyes trained on the tiny, but formidable woman. There was something else going on here besides an overprotective motherly attitude? "Thank you for having me, Eve." She continued to stare. "This night has definitely been an eye-opener."
Eve stopped moving and finally faced the redhead directly. "Meaning?"
"Meaning I'm going to figure out your secret."
She blinked, grinning. "You're paranoid, there is no secret. There's just you wrapping yourself around my son, but he's a smart guy, Natalie. Eventually, he'll see you for what you really are?"
She was deflecting, it was obvious. "I get that you don't like me, and frankly I don't care, but there's more to this hatred of yours. I'm going to find out what it is?"
She laughed. "Knock yourself out!" Then she turned and refocussed on her food containers. "Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out."
Natalie chuckled and opened the door, finding herself face to face with John. "Hey, ready?"
He nodded, touching her flaming hair with his fingers. "Yeah." He looked at his mother. "I'll be right there, okay?"
"Did you say your goodbyes?"
"All but one."
Natalie stepped past him. "Okay, I'm going to make mine. I'll meet you in the driveway." She went back outside, so that he could have some time with his mother.
John held the doorknob pretty tightly, waiting for her to finish up her fidgeting. He knew she'd turn eventually.
Eve was worried. She looked into the stern gaze that was pinning her to her spot on the floor, and absently clutched at the fabric of her cotton pagen top. "So, you came? That's good right?"
He sighed, walking up to her. "I love you, mom." He did, so much, and he could see the water behind her wide eyes. He stared hard. "But don't put me in a position where I have to choose between you or Natalie." He felt his heart working every muscle in his body as it pumped. "Please don't do it? You'll lose."
She sucked in a sharp breath and held his beautiful eyes, refusing to look away even though her heart felt torn. "I don't want to hurt you, John."
He frowned. "Then don't." There was an eternity of excrutiating silence, while each absorbed the seriousness of the conversation. Finally, he bent and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you for dinner. It felt good, you know?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I know. Please don't disappear again?"
He hesitated. "I won't." He hugged her, relishing the feel of her strong grip for a few seconds. He went to the front door and found Natalie waiting by the cab.
They climbed in and sat very close, holding each other tightly during the drive.
"Are you okay?" she asked, tentatively.
"Yeah, just tired. You?"
"Same." She waited a heartbeat or two. "How tired?"
He laughed, happy beyond words to catch sight of the tall apartment building on the horizon. "Not that tired." She laughed too.
John didn't understand it, but the moment the elevator doors were closed he had to touch her, and he didn't need to understand it because it was what he wanted more than anything. To have been so close earlier and then have to back away, well that was the single most difficult thing he's ever done. He closed the distance, swiftly pinning her to the wall with the weight of his body. She was panting, and the sight of her flushed skin and open mouth affected him acutely. He licked his lips, trailing his gaze over her curves with careful scrutiny. God! She was designed for sex. There was no doubt in his hungry mind.
She finally looked at him, and he grinned, feeling very confident as he unlatched the belt that circled her hourglass waist. His pulse was spiking along with her desire - he could practically touch it as it enveloped them both. It smothered them in the tiny car, and he grinned wider.
She had the sense to know that, though this elevator went to her own private floor, it was for patron use. Anyone of the other tenants could climb on at any moment in time. "John?" She barely recognized her voice, because he was lifting the hem of her blue t-shirt with the Superman logo on the chest. She closed her eyes, arching closer to his tongue when he latched over the silk that confined her in a very sensual way. The bra was flimsy, see-through, and very low cut. The seam barely covered her swollen nipples from view.
He sucked on her fervently, enjoying the sensation of her squirming from his delicious attentions. It caused a stir of his own as he slowly began to fill his pants, causing a tightness all around. He concentrated, flicking the hard bud while he continued to feast on her voluptuous form. "Mmmm.." She tasted so good.
Natalie heard a loud ding, and barely had time to notice that they were nowhere near the top floor. She quickly shoved at him, yanking down her top about a second before a young woman stepped onto the elevator.
John was feeling very single-minded at the moment. He grabbed her head and kissed her slowly, deeply. He moaned softly into her mouth when she sucked on his tongue, forcing him to draw her closer. He didn't care that there was someone trying to be nonchalant, while their touches began to get bolder. His hands roamed, taking their time as they swept over her wherever he could reach. The familiar signal rang out, alerting them to another floor, and he came up for air. The woman was bolting from the confined space, no doubt made torturous by them and their ardor, but again...couldn't care in the slightest!
He wrapped a strong, secure arm around her waist and lifted her from the floor, practically falling through the doors when they opened to their desired destination. He had her shirt off in record time, and tried to get to her bra, but was stopped when she moved out of reach and held her hands up. "Wait.."
He frowned, grabbing her and kissing her until they were both weak from lack of oxygen. Then he searched her eyes and saw a clear fire...it was raging and it was for him. He attacked her again, mewing when she pulled his hair roughly with her frantic fingers.
"No...wait.." She moved from his grasp for the second time, and it was pure torture.
He didn't speak, he just stood there looking more frustrated than he had in that bathroom. She watched him toss his shirt over his head, and had to swallow as she scannned his naked chest a little desperately.
"You have about three seconds, Nat."
She believed him, but couldn't remember why she was stopping him in the first place?
He was on her, and she sighed into his mouth as he aggressively ravished her lips, demanding everything. Jesus, he's quick! His hands had her bra unlatched and in his tight grip before she even realized what he was trying to do. It was overwhelming to be so wanted, so desired. She squeezed her legs together tightly, a reaction to the pounding that was expanding with every contractive muscle.
Her answering machine was picking up a call in the background, but that was the last clear thought she had, because John was whisking her to the bed and forcing her to push away everything else. There was only the two of them in the entire world, and she could die happy at that thought.
Several exhaustive hours later, she stood in her kitchen wearing nothing more than his black, button down shirt. It hung low, dangling around her knees, and she absently wished that she had put on some slippers. The floor was cold. She reached into her fridge and grabbed some orange juice, drinking down the liquid eagerly. Her body felt an instant buzz as she swallowed, allowing the vitamins to do their job and give her some much needed energy.
She set the carton onto the countertop and spotted the manilla envelope from the station. Her heart pumped an extra beat. It was silly, but there was so much wrapped around that article of clothing, good and bad. The many times John stripped it from her sleek body heated her from the inside out, and the terrifying moment where an innocent man lost his life flashed through her brain. She quickly picked it up and made a move toward the stainless steel garbage can.
"What are you doing?"
She glanced up, moistening a little at the sight of his strong naked body. He was so comfortable with himself that she was actually a little jealous. "Tossing out some garbage."
He went to her and circled her waist, holding her close. His face disappeared into her loose strands of flame. "I love that dress on you," he whispered against her ear.
She closed her eyes, feeling her nipples puckering from the sound. "Well say goodbye, because it's going to that big dress shop in the sky."
He chuckled, sucking on her neck for a brief moment. "Maybe you didn't hear me? I really, really love that dress."
She lost some of her air. "It's ruined John, covered in blood. It has to go."
He groaned, pulling back so that he could see her face. "Can't you replace it?"
She wanted to laugh. Men were so dense sometimes. "It's a designer original, sorry."
He licked his lips and kissed her, slowly applying pressure with each new coming together. His hands were under the shirt she was wearing...his shirt, clutching her naked breasts in a firm grip. He played, molded, touched. "I guess you'll have to make it up to me then?"
She was sure she would have collapsed to the ground, if he hadn't picked her up and taken her back to their bed. Then things began again, and she cried out with each new heightened peak! He was going to break her, and when they both finally crumbled, succumbing to the passion, she smiled because she wanted him to break her.
Natalie yawned violently, unable to hold back the echoing sound. There had been no sleep, but it was worth every explicit moment. She grinned, trying to keep the flush from her cheeks as she recalled the myriad of things that he did to her throughout the night. The man was creative, if nothing else...only there was a hell of a lot more to him than that. He has the biggest heart she's ever seen on a person, and it drew her to him.
Her finger pushed the button, and she listened to her messages, slightly surprised to find one waiting for her from Asa. He was usually too impatient to utter a word into a machine. It was vague and non-descript, and she frowned. Weird! Next, she called Rex and was happy to hear his voice when he picked up on the second ring.
"How are you doing?" she asked, puzzled by his upbeat tone.
"I'm doing great, why?"
...Rex, where did you say the towels were?...
Natalie knew she shouldn't be surprised, but she was...very surprised. "So, you've got company I hear."
He sighed. "What would you like me to do, Nat? Mope. It's not the Balsom way and you know it!"
She knew he was hurting, which meant he'd do something destructive very soon, but hopefully only to himself. There was no way to know when or how he would finally lash out, but it would be bad. "What can I do for you? What do you need?"
"Space." He stared at the woman in the doorframe and leered. "I'm a little busy right now, sis." He watched her drop her towel, and nearly lost it when her identical twin sister pulled her into the shower. "We'll talk soon," he began, anxious to hang up.
"Wait...just.."
"What?" he snapped impatiently. It was wrong to take out any frustration on Natty, but he couldn't worry about her feelings right now. He had to look out for himself or he wouldn't make it, and that wasn't an option.
"Listen, I'll be leaving town for a bit. I'll call you okay?"
"Great, have fun."
"Rex!" she blurted, irritated with his shortness. "If you need me, call my cell." There was a silence. "Did you hear me?"
He took a small breath. "Yeah. I gotta go." He hung up and stared at the phone for a minute. Things would be okay. They would be easier without her around to mother-hen him to death, because he planned on being very, very bad for awhile. Then he turned back to his bathroom when he heard some inviting giggles. He went to go have a shower.
Natalie watched John walk through the partition in a pair of black slacks and a tight black shirt. She swallowed, finding his tatoos. Her eyes just automatically went to them, she couldn't stop it. He hung up his cell. "Who was that?" she asked, handing him a tall glass of orange juice, which he eagerly took from her hand.
"Mike. I just wanted to say goodbye before we caught our flight this afternoon." He stared at her. "You sure you want to do this? B.E. is..."
"...going to be fine without me." She stood on her tip toes and kissed him gently for a teasing second or two. "Besides," she dropped back to the floor, "we've earned a break."
He smiled, petting her hair. He loved to touch it.
The phone rang and she quickly picked it up, wondering if it was Rex? It wasn't. "Asa?"
He had the receiver in his palm while he grumbled an order to the pilot, but quickly refocussed when he heard his name for a second, more assertive time. "Why the hell aren't you at the office?"
She frowned. "I'm taking a leave."
He froze. "What? You get your ass down there right now, missy!"
She was instantly pissed. "Ordering me to do anything isn't going to fly, so save your sanctimonious tone for someone else! I've just been to hell and back and am taking a leave, and if you don't like it then you can shove Buchanan Enterprises up your ass!"
He laughed. "See, that's my girl! But now's not the time to jet off with your latest boy toy. We've just hit a rough patch. Take a leave next month when the market is solid again."
Something was going on with him? "John's not a boy toy," she watched him chuckle softly to that description, "and if you're really worried about the company then get back here and run it. It's your's anyway, right?"
There was a silence over the line, and she wondered whether they were disconnected?
He fastened his belt as his jet started up its engine. "I can't come home right now, so I need you to take care of things."
She felt an alarm going off in the back of her head. "Asa?" She was suddenly very nervous. "Did you know that Adrianna is bucking for a deal. She's saying that she never got her hands on the money because someone else beat her to the punch."
More dead air.
Her gut clenched, and she placed her hand over John's as he moved closer. He knew what was going on. "You still there, did you hear me?"
"Yeah, I heard. She's probably full of crap?"
Natalie felt an anger pierce her heart like an arrow. It was straight and true, and absolutely devastating. "You don't seem concerned? We're talking about 30 million dollars of your money! What if she isn't lying?"
"Listen Natalie, I have to go. We're about to take off here. I need to know that you'll be taking care of the family business in my absence?"
She sat on a nearby stool, because her legs were a little shaky. He did it, he's had the money this whole time! While she was incarcerated and beaten and nearly killed. "You son of a bitch!"
"What's your problem now, damn it? Let's talk about it later."
She stood and clutched the phone with all her strength. "Oh we'll talk about it old man. When I find you, we'll have a nice chat about it. And oh yeah...I QUIT!" She slammed her phone down so hard that it fell from the cradle and crashed to the floor.
John didn't move, didn't speak. He watched her stalk around the room in a bundle of furious energy, waiting for her to come to terms with her heartbreak. That slimy bastard! How could he do that to his own family? His granddaughter...who emulated him? He waited for a long, long time, and was about to give up on it altogether, but that's when she finally met his eyes. He could see, he knew what she wanted. "Well, we're going to the airport anyway, right?"
She walked up to him and stared into his soul. "John, I..."
"...didn't ask me for anything!" He picked up her bag and headed for the elevator. "You coming?"
She stood at his side, processing everything to the best of her ability. The one and only thing that she knew for certain was that she wasn't alone, and that was what would see her through. It would see them both through. She took his hand and held it all the way to the airport.
the end...for now.
Hi everyone! I need to apologize for the few remaining unanswered questions? Truthfully, I've always intended to write a sequel to this, but as of yet, have not gotten that far. Plus, even though there are a few things left "out there", I felt that the story wrapped in a way that was okay...not too cliffhanger-ish. I hope that you enjoyed the story, and thank you for reading it. If you are NOT okay with the ending, I guess let me have it? I'm a big girl. Besides, I haven't given up the idea of continuing this when I have more freedom from a few of my other stories. Thanks again and have the best 2012. :)