Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 21
“You can add me to that list. And what the fuck kind of name is Babboo?” Sounds like some kind of cartoon character.
“I wish he was as innocent as his name sounded. You wouldn’t like the things we’ve learned about him,” Carlton said.
“You already told me he’s intent on making Shannon his.”
“Let’s just say if Prince Babboo knew Shannon was… let’s call it ‘dating someone,’ he might decide to take a different course of action,” Carlton stated.
“You mean fuck with me?” I wasn’t concerned with someone going after me. I’ve pissed off enough people in my own lifetime to know how to watch my back and take care of myself.
Carlton shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised. The issue is he might feel he’s lost Shannon for good and decide to make that loss final.”
“You mean kill her?” All the air left my lungs. I could hear my own heartbeat for a second. My mind was racing. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her happiness, never mind her life. But I did last night. Fuck! “I need to know she’s safe,” I demanded.
“That’s what we’re trying to ensure,” he replied.
“Trying? That’s not good enough,” I snapped. That meant Carlton couldn’t guarantee that Shannon wouldn’t be hurt.
“We’ve taken some actions, mostly right now to keep her in the States.”
“How are you pulling that off? She takes her work seriously. I don’t think anything will stop her from continuing.” Not me, or her father.
“There may be an issue with paperwork. A snag, if you will. It’ll buy us some time to figure this out.”
Genius. I might have to give Carlton more credit. It seemed like he had taken the time to know his client. Not sure I like any man knowing Shannon that well. Fuck. I can’t be jealous of Carlton for doing his job. It wasn’t personal. But Carlton knew what time Shannon brushed her teeth and what she wore to bed, and that didn’t sit well with me.
I had so much on my plate right now – some big deals, some new programs – and I still needed to figure out how to get into the Bachelor Towers. Carlton was basically telling me to back the fuck off and let him do his job. Keeping my distance would make things not just easier for Carlton, but better for Shannon. But that wasn’t going to happen. I needed to know she was okay, and I couldn’t turn my back on her now. She needs me, even if she doesn’t know it.
“You think you can gain control of this situation in just a few weeks? I mean, you’ve been dealing with this asshole for almost three years and Prince Babboo is still breathing.” I’m cutthroat in business, but not once had I ever thought about killing someone. Then again, logic said to just take the fucker out and be done with it. I could handle competition and misfortune and disaster in my business – those I could recover from. Shannon being hurt or killed would end me.
“I wish I could say yes. But unless Mr. Hamel agrees to tell Shannon the whole history of her stalking, surveillance, and protection, I’m not sure what else we can do but continue as we have. It’s not what I suggest, but it’s also not my decision.”
Fucking Ralph. I wanted to go over there and tell him to open his fucking eyes. Before doing that, I needed a plan of action. Ignoring Shannon would be a red flag to her that something wasn’t right. Then again, I had ghosted her years ago. It might not be that much of a shock to her a second time. But I didn’t want to hurt her – that was the whole point. There has to be something else.
“Would her living here with me change anything?” I was shocked that suggestion had come out of my mouth. I’ve never had a woman at my place for dinner, never mind overnight.
“Unless you plan on locking yourself away together and not going anywhere, I think it’s a bad idea. I also don’t believe Mr. Hamel will approve that course of action.”
“This is not about Ralph. It’s about Shannon. I don’t give a fuck what he thinks.” Never have.
“She won’t be any safer at your place than she is with her father,” Carlton responded.
But she’ll be with me.
I’m not in the market for a serious relationship, yet here I am, unable to get Shannon out of my mind. With her life at risk, I know I won’t be able to concentrate for shit. But Ralph would never agree to let me help protect her. I knew I could be the richest man in the world and he’d still look at me as the same kid he didn’t like years ago. I’m not after his approval, or even Shannon’s. This is so much bigger than that. If I could guarantee her safety, she could hate me for eternity. It’d be worth the price.
Since none of their plans had worked, I needed to think of something Carlton and Ralph had missed. What would Shannon want? What makes her happy? Going back to work overseas was definitely out. I spun around in my chair and looked out over Boston. Carlton was right. There might be busy streets and thousands of people, but hiding wasn’t easy here. Not if people knew who you were.
“Is this your way of saying the conversation is over?” Carlton asked the back of my chair.
“I’m thinking,” I said.
“Should I leave?” he asked.
“You should shut the fuck up and let me think,” I ordered.
Carlton chuckled, but said nothing.
I needed to think like Shannon, not like Ralph, Carlton, or Prince Babboo. That was