Chapter 18 (Everett)

I didn’t want to drag Tanya into this mess, but she wasn’t leaving me with much of a choice. So, I tightened my grip on her hand and pulled her inside.

Our pace was slow as we moved through the building, taking the back stairs instead of the elevator to make our arrival less obvious.

“What do you think her plan is?” Tanya whispered, a little breathless. We had already climbed ten flights of stairs, and there were ten more to go.

“I’m not sure, but whatever it is, I’m going to stop her.”

“No, we’re going to stop her.”

I smiled, glad to have her by my side. Tanya was loyal; I loved that about her. I suddenly felt silly for doubting her. I didn’t need her to sign a contract – all I needed was her love. Hopefully, we’d get out of this mess so that I’d be able to tell her – it was long overdue.

Eventually, we reached the top floor. I opened the door ever so slightly and peered out. Just as expected, there were a couple of guards stationed outside my office. It seemed they were the same two guys that had chased Tanya. Had Nettie been dumb enough to come here so underequipped. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised. She tended to underestimate people – including me. But, not this time. She was in for a very rude awakening.

“What are you going to do?” Tanya was by my side, holding onto my arm.

“The only thing I can do, fight.”

“What? Are you crazy? Those men are huge. You’d get hurt.”

“I don’t have much of a choice.”

Tanya looked fearful. “I don’t know about this.”

“Trust me. Just stay here. Stay out of sight.”

Before she could protest, I had already slipped into view, holding up my arms in challenge, a smirk on my face.

The two guards looked surprised to see me, standing there like a couple of statues.

Casually, I rolled up my sleeves, forearms tensing in preparation. “C’mon, you know you want a piece of me.” I beckoned them forward, already in a defensive stance.

Like a couple of bulls, they charged forward.

Effortlessly, I sidestepped, watching one of them crash into a nearby vase. With one fluid motion, I grabbed an umbrella from the holder by the receptionist desk and bore it down on the brute’s back.

He gasped in pain, crashing to the ground.

His partner growled, nostrils flaring, grabbing my shirt. He yanked me right off my feet, throwing me like a rag doll. Luckily, I landed on the couch, momentarily winded. His fist came flying in my direction, but I rolled out of harm’s way just in the nick of time, clipping his feet. He stumbled but kept his balance, grabbing me by the neck and throwing me onto the coffee table, glass surface shattering into a million pieces. His grip tightened, crushing my windpipe.

I did everything I could to stop him, but he seemed driven to end me.

Then, just when I thought it was all over, the man toppled over. To my surprise, Tanya was standing there, holding one half of a broken keyboard. “Do you think Kelly will mind?” She asked with a giggle.

I stared at her. What a woman.

Quickly, I got to my feet and kissed her. “I owe you.”

“I know.” She smiled, throwing the keyboard to the side. “Who knew I had it in me?”

I laughed. “It’s no time for victory just yet; we still have Nettie to deal with.”

She nodded and together we walked into my office.

There, my ex-girlfriend groaned, slamming down on the enter key, a look of irritation painted on her face.

“Is there something I can help you with?” I asked, my tone casual, hands in my pockets as if this was an everyday occurrence. “I do believe this office is closed for the holidays.”

Nettie looked at me like a deer caught in headlights. “E-Everett, what are you doing here? My men… they were supposed to take care of you.”

“You might want to hire some better help next time. Oh, wait, there won’t be a next time.”

She gulped, stepping back. “I…”

“But, I’m feeling nice, since it’s Christmas Eve and all. Now, either I can press charges, and you’ll go to jail where the other inmates will certainly eat you alive.  A pretty young blonde like you? Oh, they’ll have their fun alright. They’ll pick you to pieces, Nettie.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Do you want to try me?”

Nettie kept looking at the exit like a trapped animal.

“So, I suggest you get out of here as fast as you can. And, if I ever see you again, I will make you regret it. I won’t be the nice guy I am tonight; do you hear me?”

She was pressed against the window at this point, eyes falling on Tanya. “Just… tell me. Why her and not me?”

I laughed. “One word. Loyalty.” With a smile on my face, I wrapped my arm around Tanya’s waist and pulled her close. Slowly, I leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips just to prove my point. “She’s the only woman for me. I love her, and nothing you do or say can ever change that.”