Burning For Claire (The O'Connell Family Book 2) (5 page)

“I really don’t have much, just some orange juice and some beer Rick left here.”

She tried to get up and help, but I wasn’t having it. “Relax, Claire. Tad told me you had a rough day. What do you want to drink?”

“A glass of water with ice.”

“Okay, you can start setting it up, and I’ll get our drinks.”

I walked back into the living room where she had her papers in a pile and was setting up the food. Damn, I found her setting up our food sexy. This was going to be a long night. I wanted to leave after dinner, but I also wanted to stay. I didn’t want to leave her again. I felt like if I did I wouldn’t see her again.

“Do you always work long hours and then do the bookkeeping?”

I thought she was going to lie to me, but she just answered, “Yes. I do. I just started this company from the ground up with a loan from my father, and I’m just out of the red, so I can’t hire the many employees I need.”

“Your father could help you out.”

“Yes, but I wanted to do it on my own. Rick did, I knew I could too. I’ve actually paid off his loan about three months ago. The salon has been a success until this last two months.”

“Are you losing money?”

“I believe so. We have lots of cancellations and not a lot of reschedules. I haven’t done the bills/banking in a long while. The girls have been helping me with the paperwork and supply ordering since they know all about the business aspect of the industry, but they’ve been slacking as stylists. I’ll find out how bad we’re doing tonight.”

“But they haven’t been coming to work? Is that why you’re losing money.”

“Yes, but this is only the fourth time in the past two months or so. We have also been losing product. There have been spills when we’ve been in a rush, so lost product is lost money. My business was so popular I had over thirty clients a day. Now I’m down to fifteen. I need to figure out how bad it is so I can find a way to fix it.”

“First you need to fire those broads and hire someone to look at the books who is a professional. But for now you got me to help, and I’ll help any way I can. So what do you have to get done tonight?”

“I have to go over the inventory sheets and reconcile the bank statements.”

I grabbed the top statement and saw her name and that of the salon. I wondered if she used the same bank account for both private and business use. I hoped not. Even though it was her company, it’s always fiscally wiser to keep the two separate. “Do you have a different bank account for the business?”

“Yes. I don’t want to mix up anything when it comes to tax time. The Feds are brutal with tax evasion,” she said with a completely deadpanned expression.

She was about to start with the papers, but I pulled them from her hands and commanded, “Ha-ha, Eat your food. I know you want it.”

“I do want it, thanks. I haven’t eaten since before you stopped by this morning. I tend to get carried away with work and forget.”

“That’s not good. Don’t let that shit happen again.”

She gave me a mock salute again. “Yes, sir.”

“Save that shit for the bedroom, baby. I think I might like you calling me sir.”

“Always sex.” She rolled her eyes at me before taking a bite on a veggie egg roll.

“Hey, I can think of other things. I just happen to prefer thinking about you and me naked.”

We ate and talked about what she does for fun, which was absolutely nothing because she works ninety hours a week. We just finished our food, and she got up to take the plates. I tried to help, but she swatted my hands.

She came back a moment later, and I asked as I looked down at her papers if I could do something. “So what can I help you with?”

“Nothing just relax.” She picked up our empty drinks and asked, “Do you want another beer?”

“No, Claire, but where is your bathroom?” I asked.

“The first door on your right.” She pointed down the small hallway.

I walked to where she was standing with our empty drinks and stole a quick kiss before heading to the bathroom. I looked around as I heard her rinsing the plates. I didn’t want her to hear what I was doing so I turned on the sink.

I was just walking out of the bathroom when she came to ask what I was doing.

“What do you mean what was I doing? This is the bathroom, is it not?”

“You don’t have to turn on the water to take a shit. I promise I wasn’t eavesdropping.”

“I wasn’t sweetheart, but it’s good to know for future reference. Follow me,” I said as I grabbed her hand and walked her to the bathroom.

“Oh, no, you didn’t,” she said with a small smile.

“Before you say shit, I’m not trying to get lucky. I know you’re sore and tired. I thought you could use a hot bubble bath.”

“But I’ve got a lot of catch-up work to do.”

“Don’t worry about it. I can match up a few numbers. Remember…I am a Fed.”

“I don’t need you to do it for me. I’m a big girl. I can handle it on my own.”

“I know you can. I didn’t say you couldn’t, but you have a nice hot bubble bath waiting for you. Go and enjoy it or I may have to steal it for myself. I don’t care if I smell pretty in lavender.”

I could see her eyeing the tub. I was waiting for her to cave, and she did. “Fine. I’m going, but just call me if you need me.”

“I’ll manage. Now scoot your pretty and tired butt before the water cools.”

“Tad’s so right that cowboy drawl that randomly comes out is sexy,” she said saucily.

“Get going, woman, before I get your ass. It’s not nice to tease an old man like me. Great how am I supposed to concentrate now that you admit I’m sexy?”

She stuck her head out the door, and I could see her top was gone and she replied, “I said the drawl was sexy, not you.”

I’d made like I was going to go after her, so she squealed, tucked her head in, and closed the door. Damn it to shit, I had to adjust my cock. After taking a breath or two, I took a seat at the coffee table to look at the papers.

It was about twenty minutes in and my eyes were going cross. I needed to step back, so I got up to get a beer. Once I grabbed the beer and took a drink, I yelled to the bathroom, “Hey, babe. You okay in there?”

“Yes, am I taking too long?” she asked softly.

“Not at all. Just making sure you didn’t fall asleep.”

“Thanks.”

I took another a swig, and sat back down. Feeling refreshed, I’d gotten back down to work. To my shock getting up helped because there was a major problem with the statements. I was looking at the billing from two months ago, and there was a massive discrepancy in the banking to inventory invoices. A twenty thousand dollar discrepancy as a matter of fact. I pulled out last month’s statement and the same thing. They were large cash withdrawals. I was afraid to think something illegal was going on, but it looked a hell of a lot like it.

I couldn’t find anything to justify the transactions. There were bills for equipment, but they were on the statements. I just put it down to take another drink when she came out in tiny fucking shorts and a tank top that wasn’t hiding her large breasts or her peaked nipples.

“Come on, babe. Are you trying to get rid of me?” I groaned.

“No, why is there something wrong with my pajamas or body,” she whispered in embarrassment, uncertain of her natural beauty.

“Nothing, except for the fact that I promised not to have sex with you tonight,” I growled. I stood up and showed her the damaged she caused. My cock was pressed hard against my zipper and clearly visible to the naked eye.

She groaned, “I’m sorry. I can change.”

“No, Claire. Come sit your sleepy ass down, and I’ll give you a foot massage.” I tapped the seat next to me on the sofa. She sat down, but that wasn’t enough for me, so I snatched up her feet and lifted them over my legs.

“Don’t keep spoiling me. I might get used to it,” she warned.

“Get used to it,” I replied.

She grabbed my beer and took a drink. Then she spit that shit out fast as hell. “This tastes like shit.”

“I don’t even want to know how you know what shit tastes like.”

“Ha-ha. Funny. How do you drink this?”

“Easy, like this.” I took a swig and asked, “You want to kiss me now, babe.”

“Nope.”

“Fine, lay back and let me rub you right.”

“Okay,” she moaned as I started touching her little feet. Then she grabbed the papers on the table.

“Don’t worry about that right now. Just relax.”

“I don’t have time for that. This is more pampering than I’ve had over the last year.”

“Take advantage of it and wait,” I stated. 

“I can’t. It’s been bugging me that I’m not on top of things.” I didn’t want to keep pestering her about it, but I also didn’t want to bring it up.

It was a minute in to looking at the bank statement that I realized she caught the problem. She then grabbed the last month’s statement and dropped it on the floor.

She pulled her feet out of my lap and stood up. Her tears were on the brink. “I don’t understand,” she whined to herself. She kept looking at the withdrawal like it was going to change. My poor girl looked broken, and I didn’t like that shit.

She turned to me and accused, “You saw this already, didn’t you?”

I shrugged and guiltily replied, “Yes. I did. I noticed it when you were in the bath, but I didn’t want to stress you out about it.”

“What the hell happened? How did this happen?” she said angrily to herself.

“You said you let your staff help with the books. The only thing I can think of is maybe one of them got a little greedy.”

“Jane and Rita worked on it together.”

“I don’t know the other girls, but Tad didn’t seem that shady.”

“He’s not. He didn’t touch the books. Tad’s dyslexic and has a hard time focusing on things like this.”

“I had a hard time. My eyes crossed a couple of times, and I don’t have any issues. I don’t know how accountants do it.” I tried to make light of the situation, but I was really too pissed to try.

“I don’t understand how this happened,” she bemoaned to herself.

“Baby, did you buy anything or ask any of your staff to buy some equipment in cash?”

“No. Never. The tax issues would be too much to deal with, so I just pay invoices with my card or checks,” she cried. I stood up and wrapped her in my arms as she sobbed.

My anger was boiling over for these broads. I know they both have to be involved. I felt it in my gut.

“I need to make a call. Can you give me a minute?” I asked.

“Sure, I have to go wash my face.”

“You still look beautiful, my pixie.”

I walked out into the hallway and made a call to one of my brothers. He’s a forensic accountant and works with me in McAllen.

“Hey Brax, I know it’s late, but I have a problem with stolen monies from a hair salon.”

“Really, bro. It’s late. It’s a hair salon. Does this have to do with a murder or some other shit that’s vital?”

“It’s your future sister-in-law’s salon. Okay.”

That caught his attention. “Sure. Send me the info tomorrow, and then you can tell me about the woman that you actually want to keep around.”

I knew it was those broads, but I wanted all my ducks in a row. I wasn’t going to let someone take advantage of my woman. “Sure thing. Thanks, bro.”

“Night.” He hung up, and I walked back into the apartment. She was standing there looking miserable. Her face was tear stained and her eyes were red, yet to me she was still pretty. Her eyes brightened when she cried.

“How you doin’, baby?”

“I just lost forty thousand dollars to people who I thought were my friends. I feel freaking fantastic.”

“Hey, baby we’ll call the bank tomorrow. I’m sure you could file fraud charges and retrieve your money.”

“Like the bank’s going to give me my money back. I’ll be lucky if they let me get this month’s twenty grand back. They’ll just think I’m an idiot. That’s all I need.”

“Babe, I don’t know where you get this self-doubt, but it’s not cool. You’re a talented, beautiful woman who has turned her fledgling business into a success at such a young age. Trusting your friends doesn’t make you an idiot.”

“Thanks, Travis.” I took her in my arms and gave her a big hug.

“I’m sorry, but I’m tired, I just want to go to bed.”

“Um, okay…I’ll leave. Just let me make sure you’re tucked in.”

“I know I said no sex, but would it be terrible to have you stay the night— to just sleep?” Her eyes begged, and I couldn’t refuse.

“I hoped you would have asked. I can sleep on the couch, if it would make you feel better.”

“No. I preferred if you stayed next to me, if it’s okay with you.” I could see her hesitancy. It was a lot to ask when she knew what she did to me.

The thing is being away from her was something I didn’t care for. Even the couch seemed too far away. “Just being with you is great for me.”

After I made sure the door was locked, we walked to the bedroom. Her room was not huge just like the rest of her apartment, but it looked comfortable. There were pictures of her family all around, and in the center was a king size bed. It took up the majority of the room. And of course the covers like downstairs had a hot pink/purple and black look to them.

I was actually nervous. She was the first woman to ever mean anything to me. We weren’t planning to have sex, so why was I so nervous? She wasn’t so nervous, but I guessed that was because her mind had been filled with painful and trying thoughts.

“How you doing, babe?” I said as I looked down at her.

She’d just pulled the covers back, and whimpered, “I just want to sleep.”

“Well, tuck your ass in,” I commanded.

She just gave me a weak smile and climbed in bed. I took off my shirt shoes and belt climbed directly behind her. I didn’t dare get anymore undressed. She might accidentally catch a dick between her thighs.

Claire didn’t flinch when I slid my body behind hers. She curled up against me when I slipped my arms around her. “Rest, my little lady,” I drawled.

“Goodnight, my cowboy,” she murmured sleepily.

It was three in the morning, and I was rubbing my hand in between her thighs. I didn’t realize it because I was having the best and naughtiest dream I’d ever had. Then I was awakened from the sound shattering of glass. It wasn’t the sound of a beer bottle crashing to the ground, but a louder sound, like a window. I pulled my hand away from her goodies. I hurriedly jumped up out of bed. I ran to the front window just in time to see a black sedan speeding around the corner. The security alarm didn’t go off downstairs, so I didn’t think it was her building. I was walking back to the bedroom, when there was a loud boom followed a shake and a distinct smell of fire. I knew I needed to get us out of there—fast.

I ran back to the bedroom, and I threw on my shirt as I shouted for her to wake up. “Get up, Claire.”

Damn, I needed to get her out of here before we were trapped, but she wasn’t waking up. I shouted again. “Claire, wake up!” She didn’t move.
Oh shit.
I put my hand on her, “Claire, baby, get up!”

“What?” she murmured, still half asleep.

“Fire. Babe, come on. Let’s go!”

I grabbed her slippers that were right by the bed and the bathrobe. She barely stood up when I scooped her up and ran to the front door, not letting her get dressed. I knew we didn’t have time. I reached for the door handle and it was hot. The door we came up from, attached to the salon was hot too. Our only way out was the fire escape. She was wide-awake now and started panicking.

“Calm down, baby. I’ve got you,” I promised.

“Don’t drop me please,” she pleaded.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” I promised solemnly.

Just as we got down the fire escape, the fire trucks arrived followed by an ambulance. We walked out from around the back after I helped her put on the slippers and robe. The medics spotted us and shouted to the firemen as we walked up to them. 

“Is there anyone else inside?” the fire chief asked as he approached.

“There shouldn’t be,” I growled. “Somebody tried to kill her.” I was feeling evil at the moment. I’d never felt the need to seek revenge until this moment. He could see my anger radiated from me as I scanned the area. I was looking to see if there was anyone who looked suspicious.

There was a small crowd gathering on the street, but I didn’t notice anyone that seemed odd to me.

“Chief, I don’t know what they used, but it was arson. I woke up to glass shattering, and as I looked out the front upstairs window a black car sped off.”

“Okay, Mr…”

“Williams. Brady Williams.” I almost let my real name slip. My rage and fear almost took over my common sense. 

I looked down at my woman who was staring at the flames. I had my arms wrapped around her waist as she was lost in thought, shivering. The EMTs were trying to get a response out of her, but she wasn’t speaking. She was aware, though, because her tears were flowing heavily down her face.

I turned her around to look at me, and I gripped the sides of her face. “Babe, I need you to go with him. They need to examine you.”

“You didn’t leave me,” she mumbled almost childlike. It was kind of scary to see her so devastated.

“Never, Claire. Now go with the medic, Matt here, and I’ll be with you in a moment.” I looked at the guy just above her shoulder and nodded.

“Okay,” she whimpered as the EMT took her to the bus to examine her.

The fire chief looked at Claire before he turned back to me and asked, “Sir, what is her name?”

“She’s the owner of the salon and lived upstairs. Her name is Claire O’Connell.”  

“Do you have any idea who could have done this?” he questioned.

“Not at the moment. I need to speak with her and find out if she has any enemies or competition. She was just telling me that she was able to pay off her loans with her success. So it’s likely she’s got angry competition out there.”

“We’ll look into it.”

“Thanks,” I said. My eyes never left her, and I started to get a little jealous of the smile she gave the EMT. I wanted to be the man who made her smile through terrible times. “Excuse me. I need to check on her.”

I walked over to her where she was standing by the ambulance. She was being evaluated, but from what I could see she didn’t have any burns.
Thank God
.

I’d been in a lot of dangerous situations, but tonight was the first time that I felt true fear. When the doorknobs were hot to the touch, I was almost as panicked as she had been. The thought of not being able to get her out had scared me. My concern had been solely for her. All I could think about was getting her to safety.

“Claire,” I whispered, causing her to turn to me and rush into my arms.

“Thank you, Travis,” she whispered in my ear, so that I could only hear.

“Anything for you,” I said as I looked into her eyes. Our kiss this time was met with a gentle possession. She was mine, and I wasn’t going to let some pyromaniacs try to take her away from me.

Even with the robe on and the seventy-degree night, she shook, and I knew it was from the shock of it all. “Are you cold? You’re shivering, Claire.”

“A little bit.” 

“Here Miss,” the paramedic said as he handed her a blanket. I wanted to growl at him and pull her to me, but I knew it’s what she needed.

“Oh my. I don’t have any clothes or a place to stay,” she cried out.

“You can stay with me at my apartment, and we’ll get you some clothes once we wake up,” I whispered as I pulled her to me.

“Okay, good. I stay at my parents’ house sometimes so I have stuff there. I just didn’t want to have to call them. They’ll worry.”

“They’re going to need to know. You think they aren’t going to find out that your home and shop were blown up? The camera crews are already on their way.”

“No, but I wanted to wait,” she whined.

“No can do, babe.” She look worried.

“If you don’t contact them first, and they see it on the news then they’ll think something happened to you.”

She knew I was right and finally relented. “You’re right, but my phone was in the house.”

“You can use mine. I’m going to go get something from my truck. Are you going to be okay by yourself for a second?” I handed her my cell and walked away after she nodded. I would make sure her ass called them. I was sure her parents would be freaking out. I knew my parents would lose their minds.