Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Owen

It had been two days since Dennis showed up at the office. But instead of leaving, like we thought he would after the tongue-lashing he received from Annalee, he and Walter were hanging around and I couldn’t figure out why.

According to Lex, Dennis and Walter were holed up in their fancy hotel, living off room service and racking up quite the bill, despite their lack of financials. It made me wonder if they had something up their sleeve. It was also why I was keeping Annalee close. She didn’t step foot out of my sight unless one of my friends was with her.

I expected some pushback when I first explained my concern and how I planned to deal with it, but Annalee had been completely understanding. Not only did she not fight with me about it, she managed to make the most of it. Our evenings together were great, and she had lunch daily with a different person. The day after seeing Dennis, Kati and Easton took her to the diner. Yesterday it was Hendrix. I’m pretty sure he was just trying to make me jealous, but I trusted my friend. And the joke was on him because every night it was my bed she crawled into wearing my shirt and my scent.

“Who’s Annalee’s lucky lunch date today?” Mav took the seat across from my desk and leaned back in the chair.

“Not a clue. I don’t think Annalee knows until someone is dragging her away from her desk.”

Maverick nodded his head but he looked to be deep in thought. “How long do you think I have before she leaves here?”

I wasn’t in a rush to answer because I had no idea what to say.

“I wish I knew. She doesn’t hate it but sitting behind a desk isn’t her thing either. You said before she would need more, and I think it’s time you figured that out.”

Maverick rapped his knuckles against the desk before standing up. “Yeah, I think you’re right. I’ll get on it.”

Mav walked away just as my phone rang. It was Lex, and with any luck, he had an update for me.

“Hey, man. Tell me you’ve got some good news.”

“I do. They’re on their way to the airport. I called ahead and they have a jet booked to leave within the hour.”

I pumped my fist in the air. This was really good news. The best actually. Dennis and Walter were running away with their tails between their legs.

“Keep me posted. I want to know the second they board that plane.”

“Will do.” Lex didn’t say anything more before hanging up.

In one hour’s time, Dennis and Walter would be on their way out of Texas and Annalee could go back to a somewhat normal life. She wouldn’t need me or my friends watching her every moment. While she was fine with it, for now, I’m sure it wouldn’t take long before that changed. No one wanted a shadow all the time.

I pushed up off my desk to go give Annalee the good news. She was working away diligently when I stepped through the glass door.

It wasn’t a hardship working with her. Especially when I had the opportunity to watch her strut around the office in tight skirts and dresses knowing that when we went home, I would get to see exactly what was underneath. Though, to be fair, I watched her dress that morning, so I already knew. It was hell on my concentration but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“I’ve got some good news for you.” I dropped my hip on her desk and waited until she brought her beautiful green eyes up to meet mine.

“I love good news.”

“You’re really going to love this news. Lex is on his way to the airport. Dennis and Walter are leaving Texas.”

Annalee did the cutest little wiggle dance in her chair. “Does this mean I’m off house arrest? Or in this case, work arrest?”

I laughed at the pleading look in her eyes. “You were never on work arrest.”

She scoffed at the audacity of my claim and she was right. “Okay, fine,” I conceded, “you were on a version of it, but yes, it’s lifted. Lex has them in his sights, so it’s safe to leave the office within reason. Stick to Main Street for now so that you’re close.”

Annalee didn’t wait to hop up and grab her purse. “Then let Maverick know I’m taking my break. I’m headed to Wickedly Delicious to stuff my face and chat with Maisie.” She gave me a quick peck on the lips and was out the door before I could say anything in response to that. I wanted to be offended that baked goods were more important than me, but I got it. Maisie’s desserts were top-notch.

With a shake of my head, I went back to work at my desk.

Fifteen minutes later I was knee-deep in Walter’s financials, or lack thereof, when Lex called me again. I smiled thinking Dennis was going to be out of Annalee’s hair for good in just a matter of minutes.

“Are they on the flight?” I didn’t bother with a hello, and went straight to business.

“We have a problem.”