14. Flora

Flora

I stared over Teresa’s shoulder, the message no less frightening the second time I read it. Still squatting down by the box, my bodyguard pulled out her phone and pressed a button.

“Lois, yeah I’m going to need a team here.”

She paused, then added, “Dead flowers and a note.”

Another pause, then she looked over her shoulder.

“How did you get this? Was it left at the gate?”

I nodded. “Security called to say I had a delivery. I told them to bring it back.”

“Who brought it?”

“Um, I think his name is Tim? He’s the red-haired guard.”

“You got that, boss?” Teresa asked. “Okay, I’ll see you guys soon. Thanks.”

She stood up, grabbing my elbow in a grip that was surprisingly gentle. “Let’s get some tea.”

“Tea?” I repeated in confusion.

Teresa tugged me along beside her. “It helps when you’ve had a shock.”

When we got to the kitchen I smelled food, reminding me that I’d put something into the oven. I had no idea what it even was, I’d just grabbed the next two pre-prepared meals off the shelf in the fridge and slid them in the oven.

“Sit.”

Teresa helped me get into a chair, then hustled around making tea with an electric kettle I didn’t even know we had. She’d clearly searched the house thoroughly in the short time she’d been here. The kettle whistled, and she brought over two steaming cups of tea.

“It’s chamomile,” Teresa said, nodding towards my cup. “Very good for the nervous system.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes, sipping our tea and waiting for the Sapphic Security team to arrive.

“What happens when your team gets here?” I asked.

“They’ll review surveillance footage. Check your house again for bugs or other hazards. Interview the security team. Try to trace the flowers.”

I wasn’t sure if it was the tea or the way she matter-of-factly ticked off the steps her team would go through to investigate what happened, but my heart rate finally slowed down and I felt like I could take a deep breath for the first time since I pried open the lid of that box.

“This is the first time there’s been something besides the note,” I said.

She nodded. “He’s escalating.”

The oven timer dinged, and without a word Teresa got up, removed the dishes, and covered them with foil. My phone rang, alerting me of our ‘guests’.

“Let them through please. And… they will want to review security footage.”

Whichever guard I was speaking to started to protest, but I hardened my voice.

“Give them full access to whatever they want,” I told him. “We’ve had a serious security breach, and I need to understand what happened.”

“Yes ma’am.”

A few minutes later the doorbell rang. I stayed at the table, letting Teresa take care of it. It wasn’t like me to be passive, but I had to admit, I was shaken. Even after what happened to my parents, part of me believed that there was some other explanation for my brakes going out last week. I’d convinced myself it was just a weird accident, and that my godfather was being too overly cautious insisting that I add additional security.

Now I knew he was right. Someone was definitely trying to kill me. But why? Was it about my money or something else?

“Are you okay?”

I looked up as Teresa came back into the kitchen.

“Yeah.”

“I’ve got two people checking the house and the yard, and another one interviewing your guards and looking at footage. They took the… um, package with them. They’ll dust for prints or other clues.”

“Sounds good,” I answered.

“You should eat something,” she said. “It’ll take a while for them to check things out.”

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”

Teresa knelt next to me, taking my hand in hers. A little current arced between our fingers as I met those icy blue eyes.

“I know you’re upset, but you’re safe. I will keep you safe, I swear it. But I need you to keep your strength up, okay?”

I nodded. We both stilled, staring into each other’s eyes, the air between us heavy. When I chanced a glance down, I could see Teresa’s fangs descending again.

“Why does that happen?” I asked softly. “Your teeth?”

She hesitated and I thought she wouldn’t answer, but then Teresa said, “Our fangs descend when we’re in danger or we feel strong emotion. Fear. Aggression.”

She paused, then added softly, “Passion.”

“So you feel this too?” I couldn’t resist asking. “The attraction between us?”

“I kissed you, didn’t I?” she replied. “I know it was inappropriate but… I couldn’t help myself.”

“You didn’t see me complaining, did you?”

Acting on instinct, I put my free hand on Teresa’s shoulder. She was slim, but solidly muscled. “Since we both admit that we’re attracted to each other, maybe we could have some fun while you’re here. Let off some steam. If you’re single, that is.”

“I am single,” she said, “but…”

“Hey Teresa --.”

We both paused as someone walked in, skidding to a halt when she saw our intimate position.

“Um, I can come back later.”

Teresa popped up to her feet. “No, it’s fine Angie. What did you find?”

The other woman gave me a friendly smile. “Hi, I’m Angie, nice to meet you Flora.”

I gave her a little wave and she turned her attention back to Teresa.

“Perimeter is secure. No listening devices. Nothing in the box other than the flowers and the note. Wanda finished questioning the guards but there was nothing new there. We’re going to head back to the office to review the video feed and dust the box for prints.”

“Sounds good. Thanks Angie.”

“Sure, you take good care of your ma… client and I’ll talk to you later.”

Teresa went to the stove, dishing us up some of the food I’d heated up, then brought us each a plate.

“You pay someone to make these?” she asked in distaste. “This isn’t a meal.”

“They’re perfectly balanced in macros,” I said, poking at my salmon listlessly. “About eight hundred calories per meal.”

Teresa shook her head, but didn’t say anything, instead tucking into her own plate. I couldn’t decide if she was judging me or worried about me, but I was too tired and stressed about the threatening note to figure it out. Plus I still had at least two hours of work left to do tonight.

As soon as she finished she went to make herself a sandwich, eating it while I finished my own meal. I got up and retrieved a can of Pringles, helping myself to a generous serving of chips to supplement my bland food.

After dinner I retired to the library. When my parents were alive it was strictly my father’s domain, full of heavy law books and dark wooden furniture. I’d remodeled it, adding a smaller desk, better Wi-Fi, a seating area facing the windows, and cheerful art. I plopped down on the soft leather couch and pulled out a lap desk that I kept in the large wooden chest that I used as a coffee table, then fired up my laptop.

I couldn’t concentrate though, despite my best efforts.

Pulling out my phone, I texted my best friend Julia.

Me: Hey girl, how are you doing?

Julia: I’m glad you texted, I’ve been meaning to reach out. What’s new with you?

Me: I have a bodyguard now.

Julia: What happened?

Me: Too long to text. Any chance you’re free for dinner tomorrow night?

Julia: Of course. How about Pedro’s at six-thirty? I could go for a margarita.

Me: Sounds good.

Julia: Bring your bodyguard. Is he hot?

Me: She’s a she. And yes, she is. See you tomorrow.

I finally gave up on the idea of working. Packing away my laptop and files, I headed upstairs. I wasn’t sure where Teresa was, but I had no doubt she’d come running again if I needed her. She seemed to have great hearing.

After a short internal debate, I took a long, hot bubble bath, slathered my entire body in lotion, and then headed to bed early, falling into a deep sleep soon after my head hit the pillow.