Slade
I have to admit that I feel a little better about leaving Kara to go to this meeting now that Noah has agreed to help Cooper nail Higgins. Cooper told us yesterday that Noah gave him a bunch of info once he sobered up. He was going to help Cooper set everything up so he can wear a wire and catch Higgins paying him for the Narcan. Although Cooper didn’t tell us much about what Noah said, he did tell us that he instructed Noah to make sure Higgins talks about the drugs.
I slip my tie into place as Kara comes into the bathroom dressed in her gym clothes. She has training appointments this morning. “I know things have potentially calmed down with Noah now that he’s agreed to help your father, but please watch your back. I still don’t trust him and neither should you.”
“He’s a sick man.” Her voice is soft. She’s been like this since she saw him high as a kite at the club. The dude was such a mess he’s lucky he made it there in one piece.
I turn to face her. “I know he is, and trust me, I’m sorry for the man, but he did this, and now he has to get himself out of it. It’s the only way he’s going to learn. He has to want to get better.”
“I get it, I guess.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I just wish we could help.”
“We are. Your father is going to do everything he can to help him with court once he helps get Higgins off the street.” She nods her head and grabs her toothbrush to brush her teeth. I wish I could make her feel better, but I honestly have no idea what to do. The one thing I do know is no one in Noah’s situation learns by people getting them out of the situation. The only way they learn and get better is to deal with it themselves. I’ve seen it firsthand.
She storms out of the bathroom to the kitchen, where she’s busy making her protein shake. “Listen to me. I know this is hard for you, but I’ve witnessed this first hand. I lost my best friend to drugs because his parents kept getting him the best lawyers to keep him out of jail. They kept sending him to cushy rehabs that would send him home far too early, and in a matter of a week he was back on drugs.” I close my eyes, trying to calm myself. “We all wanted to help him no matter how much he stole from us or hurt us, but the reality of it is if he doesn’t want it, and isn’t willing to work for it, then there’s nothing you can do. He has to want it and he has to work for it.”
“I’m so sorry.” A tear rolls down her cheek. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that, and you’re right. He has to want it too. If he does and he shows it, we’ll help him, but if not, then he’s on his own.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. I agree with you. I hate to see anyone go down this path, but if he doesn’t care to get clean, there’s nothing you can do.” I slip my fingers into her hair. “I have to go. Try to have a good day.”
“You too. Good luck with your meeting.” She presses up on her toes, her lips connecting with mine. I lick across her lips and she opens to me. Our tongues connect, but I have to pull away or I’ll be late.
I chuckle. “You’re going to make me late.”
“It’ll be worth it.” She has a bit of laughter in her voice and it’s nice to hear. I shake my head and walk out the door.
When I get out to my car, I set the GPS to the business address and take off. I love that this is my main role with the company now. I assess situations and determine their need. It may be they need guards, or it could be alarm codes and swipe badges. The exception is always my new crew of friends. Although Zane told me the other day he thinks Cole and I are too close now. More so me than Cole, now that I’m dating Kara.
I pull up to the high-rise and park in the garage next to it. The building has hidden cameras that you wouldn’t really know existed if you aren’t in the security world. Over the last few years more and more of these building owners are stepping up security in order to make their tenants feel safe. This building has a wide variety of businesses within these walls and security is one of the things renters are now looking for. I step through the doors to a very large open lobby. There’s seating on one side, an empty reception area on the other. The reception area almost reminds me of a hotel style set up but instead of the greeter standing, there’s a tall stool type seat behind it and the computer is elevated. Too bad the desk is empty so I can really walk right in with no one knowing. When I spoke to Mr. Johnson, the owner of the building, he told me I would have to stop at this desk to get a visitor’s badge and then I could proceed up to his office, which happens to be on the top floor. That is very typical of a high-rise. The owner has the entire top floor, and typically not only manages the building from there, but runs other business as well.
I’m leaning on the counter, tapping my fingers, when my cell phone rings. I’m fully aware at this point that I’m late to my meeting because the receptionist is not here to give me my badge, and I plan to bring it up with Mr. Johnson, who employs her. “This is Slade.”
“Hello, Slade. This is Jared. I’m Mr. Johnson’s assistant. I’m calling to check on your arrival.”
“I’m downstairs, and have been for a good ten minutes, but your receptionist appears to be MIA, so I can’t get a visitor’s badge.” My voice displays pure agitation.
“I’m so sorry about that. I’ll be right down.” He cuts the call and I move over by the set of three elevators, and in a matter of a few minutes they open up. He glances over and shakes his head. “Again, I’m sorry. We’ve been having issues with her, and clearly they’re not getting better. I will take care of that.”
“No worries.” We both step into the elevator and it whisks us up to the top floor. He pulls a badge from his pocket and swipes it, unlocking the glass door. This is a very large office space. There’s a waiting area to the left. The entire front of the office is glass, which is kind of funny, since all you can see outside the doors is the elevators. What I assume is Jared’s desk is situated directly across from the glass doors. I do see some hidden cameras popping down from the ceiling in various places. I’ll need to look at those to see how they’re set up.
“I’ve informed Mr. Johnson that you’re here and he’s ready for you.” He takes me to the right of his desk and we walk down a hall. There are only a few offices on this side of the space and I assume it’s all his top people. His office is at the end of the hall. Jared opens the door, and when I walk in, I’m stunned. I was picturing this huge office space with a large desk, seating area, and conference table, however that’s not what I find. It’s a moderate size space. His desk is simple but masculine. He has a full bookcase on one wall and above it are some clocks that display times around the world. On the other side of his desk is a small conference table that seats four.
“Mr. Johnson. How are you?”
“I’m well, considering I have to deal with how you were greeted this morning. I’m very sorry about that.” He puts his hand out and I give him a firm shake.
“No worries. I know you’re a busy man, shall we start the tour?”
“Yes, please.” He holds his hand out for me to lead the way out of his office.
We spend the next hour touring the building and discussing concerns. I’ve met with his security team, which consists of a few men that monitor camera activity, and that’s about it. We’ve discussed some ideas on improvements and so far he’s happy with what I have in mind. The security room is plenty big, so now all we have to do is make some changes. He’s going to start with hiring more guys to be stationed around the building. I’ll be a part of helping him with that process as well.
***
Kara
“Do you need me to walk you out?” Colton leans on the countertop next to me.
“Nah, I’m not far. I’ll be fine.” He gives me a look. “Seriously, I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I push the club doors open and head toward my car. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I see it’s a text from Noah.
Noah: I’ve offered to help Cooper with Higgins.
Kara: I heard. Thank you.
Noah: You’re welcome. When can I see you?
Kara: Not sure that’s a good idea.
I get to my car, climb in and lock the doors while I finish this conversation.
Noah: Why not? I want to fix things between us.
Kara: There’s nothing to fix. I’m with Slade now, and although I’m really happy you’re straightening your life out, that’s not going to make us better. You need to get better for you, not for me.
Noah: That’s bullshit. I’m doing this for you.
Kara: You can’t. You have to do it for you.
Noah: Fuck that.
I sigh and start my car. I don’t know what else to say. I know he’s upset, and I understand, but he really does need to do this for no one but him. When I pull up to my parents’ house I’m happy it’s empty. I need some quiet time to think about my feelings for Slade and how I feel about everything that’s happening with Noah. I collapse on my bed, exhausted from the long weekend we’ve had. We’re supposed to go to Monday night dinner, but I really don’t feel like it.
My mind drifts and I begin to think back. I’ve been trying to figure out if there were signs I should have picked up on that told me Noah has been using and I just didn’t see them. I want to believe he didn’t start using until after we broke up, but it’s hard to tell because we spent so little time together toward the end. I can feel my eyes are getting heavy but I fight to stay awake. I don’t want to sleep, because I need to call Slade soon to let him know I’m not going tonight, but that he can go if he wants to. I would never stop him from seeing our friends. I yawn and roll over to plug in my cell phone. I quickly peek to see if Noah sent me any other texts, and when I see he didn’t, I place my phone on my nightstand.
I look around my room, thinking about how long it’s been since I’ve slept in my own bed. It almost feels weird to be here. I’ve been staying with Slade for a few weeks now. The funny thing is we fell into a comfortable routine so quickly. It’s like we were truly meant to be, and I just had to get over Noah to see it. Now Noah has himself in a mess and he needs to get himself out of it and quickly. I yawn.
“Noah, I don’t know what you want from me. I’m not going to get back with you,” I scream at him. He’s pacing the room with a knife in his hand. He’s panting and sweating. I’ve never seen him like this.
“I’m not giving up on us. I’m sorry I never told you that I loved you, but I do, and you will give me the opportunity to prove it to you.”
A tear rolls down my cheek. I’m scared and I don’t know what to do. I’m home all by myself and I’m not even sure how he got into the house. I was sure to lock it as soon as I got in. “Please, Noah, just go. I won’t tell anyone you were here. I promise.”
He laughs. “Do you really think I believe you? The second I leave you’ll run to Daddy and tell him all kinds of stories. He already hates me and you’ll make it worse.” He’s spitting as he talks. He steps closer, his eyes meet mine, and that’s when I realize he’s high as a kite.
“I thought you were going to get clean.”
“Why bother? You don’t want me anymore. When I’m high I don’t feel the pain from losing you.”
“Noah, please,” I beg.
“Please what? I said please, I’ve begged you to give me another chance, but you wouldn’t listen. You just keep throwing Slade in my face. Now you’re going to know what it feels like. Beg, bitch.” He grabs my hair and pulls me down onto my knees.
Tears start to stream down my face. I’m so scared. I have no idea if he’s going to rape me or kill me.
I jolt awake. “Kara, wake the hell up.”
I begin to sob as Slade sits down next to me and folds me in his arms. “God, I’ve been so worried about you.” He rubs his hands through my hair. “I had no idea where you were.”
“I’m sorry. I meant to come home to get some things and I must have fallen asleep.” I pull away. “How did you get in?”
“I called your father. He’s downstairs. What were you dreaming about?”
I tell him how Noah sent me the text today and it got me worried and apparently scared. I tell him about the nightmare and ask him if we can stay in tonight. Of course he agrees. I tried to tell him he could go and I would stay here but he wouldn’t hear of it. He sent Logan a text, letting him know that we weren’t going to make it.