Fix It Up - Mary Calmes Page 0,13
end that I had to keep checking that he was still there. Eventually he blurted out words, letting me know the depth of his horror and revulsion. I was told to sit tight and he’d have a company out to me within the hour. The only thing that kept him in Chicago instead of flying there himself was that Jared needed him on another surveillance job for Shaw.
“Don’t worry, Loc,” he said softly. “The people I’m sending are the best.”
I found myself surprised that he cared.
The following morning I got up early, as usual, and when Isaias, or Isai as he told me to call him, got there at six, I relinquished my place in the chair beside Nick’s bed and went for my normal five-mile run. It was both relaxing and grounding, which I found I needed. After I took a shower, I relieved Isai, checked on Nick, saw that he was still sawing logs, and arrived in the kitchen at eight to see what there was to eat. Finding very little, I called Brent to have him stop at Starbucks and McDonald’s on the way in.
I had spent last night, as I sat in the chair watching over Nick, emailing everyone on staff who I was laying off, including who to call to get their severance checks. I told them not to worry about returning keys or fobs for the gate, as the hardware was all being changed out. None of them would be able to get back on the property.
“Good morning,” I greeted Brent when he came into the house, Isai having held open the door for him. “Thank you for going on the food run.”
“It’s no problem,” he said, unpacking the food and removing the coffees from the drink tray before suddenly stopping and staring at me.
“Brent?” I asked as I took the lid off my venti cup to pour in some of the cream he’d brought. It was thoughtful since I hadn’t seen any in the refrigerator.
“Sorry, I—there are just lots of people calling me this morning. Is it true that you fired almost everyone?”
“Yeah,” I told him, sitting down in the breakfast nook as Isai came in and announced Marisol Romero, who I stood back up for, waiting as she crossed the floor, offering her my hand when she reached me. She had a backpack and was carrying a wooden box with leather handles that I assumed contained all her various utensils.
“Where shall I put my things, sir?”
“Please, call me Loc.” She nodded and took in the space, openly admiring the modern Tuscan design and every high-end appliance she could possibly need. “I had a keyless entry installed on the butler’s pantry, so all your prep items can be stored in there, as well as your knives and whatever else. There’s also refrigerated drawers in there and a small freezer, as requested.”
“Excellent,” she said, smiling at me as I passed her a credit card that Rosalie had overnighted to the house for her use. “Is there a budget?”
“No,” I told her. “I want there to be enough to feed him really well. I think he needs to put on at least thirty pounds, so lots of protein, greens…you know the drill.”
“I certainly do.”
“And I’ll be here, and a bodyguard, and Mr. Donovan,” I said, introducing Brent to Nick’s new personal chef. “So three men continually in residence, as well as yourself and the housekeeper during the day. If you’ll coordinate with her for dinner service, that’ll be great.”
She shook her head. “I insist on dinner,” she explained. “I’ll do that and lunch, as I hope that you will all have had breakfast before I arrive at ten every morning.” Her right eyebrow lifted, and I got a pointed look that told me I had better make sure that happened. “I’ll prep breakfast when I do dinner every night and leave instructions for the housekeeper.”
“Okay, that’s great,” I said, nodding.
“Is that person live-in or––”
“Yes, live-in, starting today as well and––”
“Loc,” Isai called to me from the front door. “Your housekeeper is here, but I’ve got the guys out here to install the gate, as well as the locksmith.”
“Send her in,” I told him.
The woman there gave him a smile and a nod before she came across the floor to me. I liked her quick stride, her no-nonsense gaze, her white track suit, white running shoes, and the firm handshake I got when she reached me. Her burnished cream skin, dotted with freckles, along with her