86: Plotting
Luci
“Stalkers?” I glance at Cole and Vince nods understandingly. He zips his lips visibly and points
to Cole and Barrett.
“I’ll take them to the playroom.” Baker offers.
Once they are well out of sight, Vince starts again. “Before I met you at the coffee shop, I was
getting the layout for your apartment, the parking lot, exits etc. I saw this guy hanging out in
the shadows across from your place but thought he must live there and was either on the
phone or smoking. But then he was there yesterday and today. Same time each morning and
he leaves right before it’s time for your classes. He seemed pissed this morning that you
weren’t there. I “bumped” into him yesterday and said I thought I saw him in my apartment
complex. He was a little nervous, but just angrily told me I was wrong. I told him to relax, that I was hoping to talk to him because he caught my eye. I acted like I was flirting with him, which completely set him on edge. Tried to give him my number. You’d have thought the devil himself was after him, the way he bolted as I gave him lustful looks. He’ll be looking over his
shoulder for me now which is what I want.” Vince smirks after he shudders.
They guys start laughing, but Becker loses it cackling hard. “Vince, please tell me there’s some surveillance footage of this with full audio. Like I will pay well for it. Possibly with a
kidney.”
“More like you might need hazard pay, Vince.” Mr. Jason offers. Vince shakes his head.
“Only audio. I record everything with these psychos. But I did pull some footage around your routes, Luci. He’s been following you for weeks. To the coffee shop, the campus in the mornings and then to the preschool. He didn’t the two afternoons I went with you but before that….every day.”
“Why is he stalking me?” My hands start shaking and a chill settles over me. Easton warned me about my routine and how easy of a mark I was for someone ill–intentioned. Easton pulls
me into his chest and covers my hands with his. “He’s not touching you baby.”
“I think he’s after Easton and plans to use you to get to him. Anytime he sees Easton with you, he instantly gets angry and almost has to restrain himself.” He frowns hard. “I’m going to start following him instead of you. I put a tracker on his bumper today. Stalker number two is right here. Recognize her?” He turns his phone around and Easton snarls.
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86: Plotting
“Yeah we do.”
“Now she’s more interesting. She’s talked to him. I bumped into her too. She eyed me like I
was on the damn menu and I wanted to take a shower. I plan to run into her again.”
“I can hire someone else Vince if I need to.” Mr. Jason offers.
“I think Marco and I can handle it since Cole is done with school now. That is if you’re
comfortable with that.”
“Yes. We’ll make sure Luci isn’t without one of us at all times.” He glances at me and I nod.
“Sydney lives only a few doors down. He probably knows…” I add shakily.
Jackson touches my arm looking alarmed himself. “Dad, she’s right. He’d know she’s close to
Cole and Luci.”
“I’ll have a guard detail for her by this afternoon. Warn her Luci.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Vince leaves and I want to lay my head on the counter. Instead, I turn to Mrs.
Tamara.
“Lorelei doesn’t have histrionic personality disorder. But I’d wager heavily that her mother
does. She is the poster child of a histrionic mother. Shallow emotions, self–esteem issues,
needs validation in another person, probably anxiety and she craves the attention she never
got. She emulates her mother too since that’s what she saw. Her father couldn’t handle the
disorder and abandoned them both which makes Lorelei worse than normal. Now there is one
saving grace here. She might be reasoned with at the end. But it will have to come from her.
Something will need to hit her that she is harming Cole the same way her mother harmed her.
I offered to let her come see me for a session, but that didn’t work. It’s often hard to recognize
your own shortcomings unless they truly smack you in the face usually with a cement block.”
With that I swallow hard. I think of Cole’s words today. I need to do better. She talks to Jason
and Easton more. As she is about to leave, I stand up and follow her. “Mrs. Tamara….”
She turns and gives me a smile. “Would you…..would you be able to help me? With my triggers
from the accident?”
“Are you sure, Luci?”
“Yes. I need to make sure I’ve done everything to manage them for Cole’s sake. And mine.” Easton’s hands grip my shoulders.
“Then let’s schedule a time to meet after Christmas. Call my office on Christmas Eve and we’ll set it up at least.” She leaves with a wave and a kind smile.
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手繪 Pedr
86: Plotting
“Proud of you sweetness. You are the bravest person I know.” He whispers into my hair.
“Not sure about that. You have a hockey game to get ready for Captain.” I admonish him.
“I know. Come early so I can see you before the game.”
Once they all leave, I head for the playroom with Cole and Barrett. I am opening the door when I hear them whispering. I decide to spy on them worried about what they’ve been plotting.
Barrett
“She had no mom answers?” I thought we’d be wrong and she’d have one or two. Then Cole
would have two moms maybe. If he wanted to. Luci was his real wish.
“No. She didn’t even listen to my lines.” He’s sad. I see it. “She only wants my daddy. Not me.
But it’s ok. I won’t have two moms. I only need one.”
“Sorry Cole.”
“I not sorry. She was mean. I’ll have one nice Luci mom, not two moms with one mom being a
mean lady.”
“That’s for real.” I tell him as I grab another color. “Now I need to find one for my daddy.”
“Uncle Becker said Miss Kylie would be good for your daddy.” Cole says.
“He told me too. I liked her. She played with us. And Luci liked her.” I think about her. “She’s a
teacher.”
“Baker is her daddy too. He’d be your grandpa.” Cole smiles. “Baker is really nice.”
“What are you rascals up to?” Luci walks in smiling. “You helped Cole with his questions for
today.”
“Luci, we had to figure out if Cole would have two moms. We didn’t know if his mom was a
real mom. I told him to ask him the mom questions.”
“You two…..now what are you plotting for your daddy?” She taps my hand.
“Daddy needs someone to love him and take care of him. Besides you, Aunt Syd and Nanna.
He should be happy.”
“I agree Barrett but you can’t rush that.”
“Luci can you help? I know you love Daddy too. He kept looking at Miss Kylie.”
“Please Luci….” Cole gives her the please eyes and I do it too.
“You two are such rascals. I’ll help. But if your daddy says to stop, we stop. And you two don’t
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86: Plotting
listen to Uncle Becker so much. He’s like an honorary overgrown rascal.” She gives us the mom look.
“Yes Luci.” We say. “We need more candles.” I tell her.
“Let’s hold off on the candles just a little.” She smiles.
“Oh, Luci, we need to help Aunt Syd too.” I tell her with a big grin and the please eyes.
“You can put those eyes away. I already knew we needed to help Aunt Syd.”
Cole and I squeal happily.
“We’ll talk about it later. We need to get ready for a hockey game soon.” Luci commands.
Easton
I search the stands for them the minute I can see their section as we head onto the ice for warm ups. Cole and Barrett are dancing on their seats to the music going. Stormi is holding Cole’s hands and Sydney has Barrett’s. Now where is my…..I stop short seeing her. Not long after I find her, she turns and her eyes lock onto mine. Like she knows exactly where I am. I jab my finger toward the player entrance and she nods grudgingly while rolling her eyes. I might let the attitude go today. I hold up one finger so she knows to come alone. She approaches the
side and I grip her waist. “What is this?”
“Umm I think it’s a hockey jersey.” She teases.
“MY hockey jersey sweetness. Do you have any idea how f*****g hot it is for us to see your girl
wearing your jersey, your number?” I turn my finger. “Spin now. Slowly.” She does and seeing
my name on her back has me wanting to haul her down to the equipment room.
“That is my favorite thing you’ve ever worn.”
I grip her arms and kiss her long and hard.
“Easton, you just kissed me in front of everyone here.”
“You think I f*****g care if they all know I’m taken and you are too?” She glances around
curiously. The puck bunnies glaring at her.
“Go before I throw you over my shoulder and see if the arena can hear you screaming from the
locker room.” I growl at her and she steps back a few paces.
“Girl, Easton Reed just kissed you! What the hell? I’ll wear your jersey if that’s all it takes. I’m much better looking.” Only if I was f*****g blind I want to answer. Luci looks very pissed off when she says she’ll wear my jersey. I’ve never seen Luci act possessive of me like this.
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+ Point
86: Plotting
“Are you dating him? We’ve been trying to get him to notice us for years.” She stares at Luci
with disbelief.
“Damn what the hell? You? There is no way he lets you in his bed. I so want to know what it’s like for him to kiss me.” One sighs.
I mouth at her. “Go on. Answer them.” She gives me a confused look.
“I just want to know what it’s like to be in his bed. I can’t wait to say I had him too.” The last
one snips and I watch that possessive light flare fully into her eyes.
Luci glares at all of them. “It’s like nothing you’ll ever experience. And sorry if you don’t believe
it, but he’s all mine.”
I crook my finger at her, grinning. She warily eyes me as she approaches again. “Now that was
even hotter. I love you.” I kiss her slowly making sure they have plenty of time to see it. “You
are wearing that jersey tonight and nothing else.” I whisper in her ear.
“And if I say no?” Feisty Luci…
“You won’t. You’re going to be my very, very good girl and find out what thoroughly f****d
means.” I add in her ear before I release her.
“Umm Cole and Barrett….” She’s blushing which I love.
“Will be sound asleep and I’ll make sure you don’t wake them. Or anyone else. Those pretty moans of yours are not to be shared.” I back away and watch her duck her head as she heads back to her seat. I might tease the hell out of her but I’ll never embarrass her like that. I’ll
make sure she understands that later.
I head out onto the ice and the rival team’s captain moves in close. I hate this prick. He’s
handsy and entitled. Steals his teammate’s shots too to pad his stats. “Pretty girl Reed.”
“f**k off Gaines.” I growl.
“Maybe I should show her what a real hockey captain is known for.” He smirks glancing up her way. “She’s got a nice ass.”
“Breathe on her and I will break your f*****g neck.”
He eyes me warily for a second hearing the murderous threat in my tone.
Becker skates around him exaggeratedly holding his stick up in different directions.
“f**k is your problem, back–up spare Reed?” Gaines snarls.
“Just measuring for your coffin. Easton’s already plotted your death out. Thought I’d help with
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* Deinte
86: Plotting
“Are you dating him? We’ve been trying to get him to notice us for years.” She stares at Luci
with disbelief.
“Damn what the hell? You? There is no way he lets you in his bed. I so want to know what it’s
like for him to kiss me.” One sighs.
I mouth at her. “Go on. Answer them.” She gives me a confused look.
“I just want to know what it’s like to be in his bed. I can’t wait to say I had him too.” The last one snips and I watch that possessive light flare fully into her eyes.
Luci glares at all of them. “It’s like nothing you’ll ever experience. And sorry if you don’t believe
it, but he’s all mine.”
I crook my finger at her, grinning. She warily eyes me as she approaches again. “Now that was even hotter. I love you.” I kiss her slowly making sure they have plenty of time to see it. “You
are wearing that jersey tonight and nothing else.” I whisper in her ear.
“And if I say no?” Feisty Luci…
“You won’t. You’re going to be my very, very good girl and find out what thoroughly f****d
means.” I add in her ear before I release her.
“Umm Cole and Barrett….” She’s blushing which I love.
“Will be sound asleep and I’ll make sure you don’t wake them. Or anyone else. Those pretty moans of yours are not to be shared.” I back away and watch her duck her head as she heads back to her seat. I might tease the hell out of her but I’ll never embarrass her like that. I’ll
make sure she understands that later.
I head out onto the ice and the rival team’s captain moves in close. I hate this prick. He’s
handsy and entitled. Steals his teammate’s shots too to pad his stats. “Pretty girl Reed.”
“f**k off Gaines.” I growl.
“Maybe I should show her what a real hockey captain is known for.” He smirks glancing up her way. “She’s got a nice ass.”
“Breathe on her and I will break your f*****g neck.”
He eyes me warily for a second hearing the murderous threat in my tone.
Becker skates around him exaggeratedly holding his stick up in different directions.
“f**k is your problem, back–up spare Reed?” Gaines snarls.
“Just measuring for your coffin. Easton’s already plotted your death out. Thought I’d help with
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18 Point
86: Plotting
the next step.” Becker grins facetiously.
“He’ll be in pieces. You should only need like a large skate box.” Jackson adds on his way
past.
By the end of the game he’s having trouble playing as easily. I checked him violently but within the rules every time he had the puck. His own team seemed to move away to let me. After our considerable win, he breaks his stick and storms off the ice. One of his teammates gives me a fist bump as he chuckles. “You pissed off grumpy daisy.”
“Grumpy daisy?”
His eyes light up with glee. “He was drunk and went to get a tattoo. Don’t know what he meant to ask for but it came out grumpy daisy. It was huge on his arm. He’s had one added over it but we saw it first. We call him grumpy daisy.”
“Fitting.” I say as we part. I skate away and find Luci waving with the boys. That gives me an idea. I’ll find time to get it done before Christmas. Another gift for Luci like Cole said to show her she has our hearts and this is permanent.
Ivory Row
Hehe I need to find a picture of how I see Vince. Imagine him flirting with Maxton the douche potato. Family date up next. Could have some drama. We got morons to round up.
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