I let out a sigh. I figured that was probably the case, especially when no one came for it yesterday.
“I’m giving them the whole laptop, but I haven’t left this place in over two weeks. I’ll need to talk to Drake.”
I roll over and grab my phone from the side table.
“There’s a note in the kitchen that says he was going for a run.”
I look at the clock and know he should be back by now.
I slide my finger across the screen and read the text
Hulk: Have to work, cupcake. I’ll see you tonight.
“He’s working,” I inform Elle, who’s now slipping on her heels.
“Yeah, Pink slipped out quick this morning, too. They must have something going on.”
“Well, crap. How are we going to take the laptop in?”
“I’m sure one of the guys on the door will escort us or something. Ensore isn’t that far away. Maybe only a mile.”
“Alright. Let me get dressed and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Elle leaves the room, and I make quick work of getting ready in the bathroom. I slide on a pair of jeans, hoodie, and sneakers. Elle let go of my having to dress professional a long time ago.
When I enter the kitchen, Elle is typing away on her phone. She doesn’t even look up when she speaks. “I told them we’d be by shortly and to have someone there to take the laptop.”
“Sounds good.” I open the pantry door and don’t see anything I want to eat, or at least anything I feel like making. Drake has spoiled me with his cooking.
“You think we can go to Bojo’s after? I’m starving.”
“God, that sounds so good. We haven’t eaten there in forever.” By forever she means maybe two weeks, which is a long time for us. We normally eat there about three to four times a week. It’s a simple diner, but they have anything and everything you could want.
“Cool.” I grab my bag and slip my laptop and phone inside. Elle follows me to the door. When I open the door, I’m surprised that no one is standing outside. Normally, if Drake isn’t here, he has a guy who just stands there looking extremely intimidating.
“That’s odd.” I look up and down the hallway, and Elle does the same.
“There was someone here when I came in. Maybe there isn’t a threat anymore and that’s what the guys have been up to this morning.”
“Maybe,” I mumble, digging into my bag for my phone.
“Front left pocket.”
I reach into the front left pocket of my bag and pull out my phone. I tap out a message to Drake.
Me: No guard on the door. I need to drop laptop off at Ensore.
I hit send and wait for a response, but nothing comes.
“Crap. I don’t want to bother him if he’s busy. I’ve been hogging all of his time.”
Elle fiddles with her own phone for a moment before sighing.
“Let’s just pop into Drake and Pink’s office downstairs real quick and see if there is someone who can take us over there. It’s not that far. I’m sure one of them can pull themselves away for a little while to run us over..”
“Alright,” I agree, shooting Drake another text to at least let him know I’m on my way down to his office.
We ride silently down the elevator and when it gets to the bottom floor, I only take two steps out before I’m slammed back against a wall.
My head hits the wall hard, and my bag slips from my hands. I hear Elle scream, and black dots swim before me as I try to get my bearings.
“Orlando?” It’s then I realize the man who has me against the wall is one of the security guards at my old building. He’s so close I can feel his warm breath on my skin. His eyes seem wild as they dart back and forth.
“You had to fuck everything up. I could’ve just planted the bug in your computer and made me a shitload of money. But no, you have to get these other fuckers involved,” he growls at me.
I see Elle trying to pull at him, but it doesn’t seem to be doing any good. He turns around, giving her a shove and sending her sprawling to the floor.
“Who would have thought it would be so hard to get your attention? One would think it would be easy. Give the chubby, geeky girl a little attention and I should’ve been in your place like,” he snaps his fingers, “that. But no. It was like I didn’t even exist.” He leans in a little more, and I stop breathing. I can smell the stench of alcohol on his breath. “But you spread your legs for the other guy, didn’t you? You like them big and all scarred up? Is that what gets you off?” He licks up the side of my face, and I feel my stomach roil.
I push at his chest and he goes flying, hitting the floor a whole lot harder than Elle did.