Chapter 22
Zoe stayed home last night, and I slept in the spare room. It was late after we'd finished dinner, and we'd all drank too much. Jake had loosened up a bit, but not enough to say that he was okay with Zoe and I. Instead of calling a cab, Zoe insisted I drive her into work as I had been, and seeing as Jake was still passed out from his over indulgence, I didn't see the harm. When we arrived at the school, it was a half hour early, both of us needing some air.
“You want to come in? Meet some friends?” She asked.
“Yea, alright.” I agreed, shoving the keys in my pocket and following her up to the building. It was the first time I'd been inside, and for being a donations only school, I was impressed with what they were able to afford. There was a sitting area in the main hallway complete with leather stools, and bar tables. The students used the space to study, or complete work on days they needed to get out of the classroom.
“This is the teacher's lounge.” She said, ushering me inside. “And this, is Melanie, and Cathy. They're the other kindergarten teachers. Ladies, this is my boyfriend Wes.” She added, reaching for my hand.
“Lucky you.” Cathy winked, shaking my free hand in greeting. “It's nice to finally meet you. Usually we have to sneak a peek out the window.” She joked, cocking her head towards the parking lot.
“Come on.” Zoe said, giving me a tug. “I want to show you my classroom.”
I waved a quick goodbye to the ladies, and let Zoe half drag me down the hall excitedly. I loved seeing her like this. Happy. In her element. There was a kind of radiance that just exuded off of her, and when we stepped inside her world, it seemed to magnify. Color. There was color everywhere. Bright, and untamed, meant to catch a child's attention as soon as they entered the room.
“What do you think?” She asked, spreading her arms wide.
“It suits you Babydoll.” I said stepping towards her and placing my finger under her chin. “Got any openings in class?” I teased raising my eyebrows, before pressing my lips to hers. She laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck to return the kiss I'd started. “You ever have sex on that desk?” I asked.
“Wes!” She teased, batting at my chest.
I laughed, I couldn't help it. I loved shocking her, pulling her out of her comfort zone. “What?” I asked feigning innocence. “I missed you last night.” To prove it, I nudged her with my straining erection, making her gasp.
“You're insatiable.” She whispered.
“I'm just doing my job.” I whispered back, nipping at her lip the way I knew she liked.
“And what's that?”
“To make you as horny as possible in really awkward situations.”
Her laughter filled the room, and I joined her. The two of us lost in a moment that was all our own. “My students will be here soon.” She said on a sigh, when her laughter finally died down. “You should go.”
“Alright Babydoll.” I sighed back, cupping her perfect ass in my hands. “I'll see you after school.” Placing a final kiss on her lips, I headed out. I was getting in touch with Cole today. I needed to find out how much he knew about this Drake/Vanessa situation, and what, if anything could be used to contain it.
********
I pulled up to Cole's new place less than a half hour later. I was expecting to find the place flanked with bodyguards, but to my surprise, I only spotted one at the entrance. He covered his ear and spoke into an intercom as I exited Zoe's car, probably informing Cole of my arrival. We hadn't spoken to each other since the fundraiser, so I wasn't sure how he was going to receive me today. I nodded my head at the goon guarding the door, and without a word, he opened it wide signaling for me to enter.
It wasn't the largest house I'd ever been in, but it was pretty damn close. The ceilings were cathedral, with hand painted murals. It was like something out of a museum. I shook my head, wondering how the hell Vanessa had pulled this off. There was no way Cole was making this kind of money on his own. He had to have help. A nameless benefactor, most likely Vanessa.
I stood, waiting in the entry way as I heard footsteps slowly approaching from somewhere in the distance. I was greeted with a warm smile. Completely opposite from the greeting we'd shared at the fundraiser. At first I was a bit put off, but not wanting to cause a scene, I accepted the hand he held out to me, and shook it firmly in my own. “Cole.” I said, with a stiff nod.
“Come on in.” He said, opening his arms wide. “Can I get you a drink?”
“It's nine AM.”
“Nah, it's five o'clock somewhere!” He laughed enthusiastically, waving me towards the kitchen.
When we entered the large room, Cole pointed me in the direction of a chair, and I took the seat, watching as he poured himself what appeared to be a gin and tonic. He reached for a second glass tipping it my direction, but I refused once again. A few seconds later, Cole was taking the seat directly across from me, placing his drink on a coaster. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” He asked, with a hint of sarcasm.
“What do you really know about Robert Drake?” I asked, looking him directly in the eyes.
“Other than the fact that he can't keep a lock down on his product, not much. Why?”
“You were set up. This whole life you're living, it's all a lie, and as soon as she's done with you, it will be gone just as fast as you got it.”
Cole laughed, tipping back the rest of his drink before slamming his empty cup back onto the table. “She?” He asked bitterly. “The woman who practically handed me a map?”
“Her name is Vanessa. After they split us up, after I killed Dan, I was sent to another home. I had to do things I'm not proud of. Vanessa was one of my foster sisters. She blames me for not helping her and her sister get out. From what I gather, she escaped, but couldn't bring her sister. Now she wants revenge.”
“What does she have to do with me?” Cole scoffed, signaling one of his men for another drink.
“In her mind, I'm the reason her sister got left behind.”
“So she slept with me, and handed me the keys to the kingdom, for what?”
“You're my little brother Cole. I couldn't save her sister, so she's going after me.. through you.”
“It's a good thing I told you to mind your own damn business then isn't it.” He said, standing. “You can show yourself out.”
“Cole-”
“I know I was an ass the other night, but I thought you could at least be happy for me.”
“Damnit Cole! Robert Drake isn't even a real fucking person! Vanessa runs California!” I yelled, trying anything to get my words past his thick skull.
“You're telling me a woman from ten fucking years ago, just showed up out of the blue, and decided to hand me everything she's worked for?”
“I'm not saying I understand her logic Cole, I'm only telling you what she told me. I wanted to give you a heads up. I don't know what she's planning.. just, be careful alright?” I said, before turning on my heel to leave.
An uneasy feeling crept over me the minute I slid into Zoe's car. It was nearly noon, and I hadn't been to the shop yet. One of the new hires was there accepting deliveries, so instead of heading there, I drove to the school.