Corruption - Leigh Lennon Page 0,63
the two spaces. “There’s some dead space, but for now, this is the best I could do in a week’s time.”
There’s a fuck ton that can be done when you have the money to back it up. I don’t share this as she leans into my ear, and says, “I think this is pretty impressive, Mr. Sobota.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I pull her back into our little playroom, and we spend the rest of the night breaking it in.
Luke Staudle, a former Navy SEAL and close friend of Chadwick’s, arrives at the house at seven a.m. sharp to go over everything concerning Jewel’s safety. Just retiring from the Navy, he’s started a security firm housing Navy SEALS and police officers.
The second I pull the door back to the huge frame of the large man, I’m completely taken aback by the man. I’m not small, but this man makes me feel like Pee-wee Herman.
“Mr. Sobota.” He holds out his hand, and we shake, exchanging pleasantries.
“Come on in, and please, call me Maddox. And a little bit of advice, if you call my girl by her last name, she’ll most likely hate this situation even more than she already does.”
“She’s spirited, is she?” Luke asks. Boy, how can I answer this? If he only knew how much of a spirited sub she truly is. My reply comes in the form of a chuckle and a grin. Luke gives me a return smirk. He must understand strong women, too.
As we sit down at the dining room table with the coffee Jewel set out for us earlier, he begins to explain his plan. “I called the community college to let them know there’s a restraining order out on this man, and that one of their students will have security with her at all time. I’d prefer, as they would, to stay out of the classroom—the least invasive I can be. I’m in plain clothes as it is, so I will probably look more like Jewel’s older brother or maybe some will think a boyfriend.”
I don’t know why this fills me with rage and jealousy that someone might think Jewel belongs to another man, but it does.
“I promise, though, it’ll always be professional.” With his recommendation from Chadwick, there’s not a doubt in my mind that Luke Staudle will be anything but professional. “I’ll drive her to school, walk her to classes, and stay outside at the exits. She will have a panic alarm with her.” He pulls out a device that looks like a simple button. “It’s linked to my comms, and I’ll bust into the room. Also, it will have tracking on her as long as it’s on her person.”
Jewel will hate every part of this, but I won’t. I can go about my day and get back to running my club while knowing Jewel will be all right.
“And you asked me to drive her to your club after her classes are complete, right?” he asks.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I want.” And Jewel did have choice words about me not letting her be alone in the house while Danner is on his road of destruction.
“As we discussed, I’ll be splitting this assignment with another colleague of mine. I will be with her three days a week. You asked for a female for the rest of the time and on Saturdays, too, correct?”
“Yes, if Jewel is at my club seven days a week, let’s just say it won’t bode well for anyone. I need someone to take her on errands, stuff like that.”
“Sounds good to me. Cady is ex-SWAT, and no one will mess with her.”
Footsteps down the front part of the house let me know that Jewel will be here soon. Walking into the room, she freezes at the sight of the monstrous man. Standing, I take her in my arms, whispering in her ear, “You won’t be a brat to him, do you understand me?”
Her tight lips tell me she’s still on board with this but not happy. “Yes, Master,” she whispers back in my ear. She turns around wearing what I know as her fake smile and starts to chat with Luke about security protocols. She hates all of this, as I do, too, but she does as she’s told.
She gives me a peck on the cheek because even though she’s obeying me, she’s not doing so with a happy heart. But I get it and give her grace because of it.
I’m not going to work first thing this morning.