Heavy Traffic Ch. 08

Sean entered the hotel room and got the laptop started before he called his Uncle. "Good morning Uncle Kirby. I thought you might like an update on the situation here."

"Hi Sean. I certainly would. I have been getting snippets of the details from various sources, but a briefing from you would help fill in a lot of the gaps. Let me have it."

Sean spent the next ten minutes filling his Uncle in on what had transpired since they had last spoken, including the murder of Sheriff Smith and Mickey's concerns for the safety of Amanda and the girls.

"Brandt Consulting has some personnel with considerable personal protection experience don't they?" Sean asked, although he knew the answer. His Uncle had once worked for the Secret Service before becoming a Deputy United States Marshal providing security for persons in the Federal Witness Protection Program.

"What are you looking for?" asked Kirby.

"I want to hire a team to protect both of my grandmothers until this is over. I will probably want a much larger team to secure a facility I hope to establish as a home for the girls here in the Atlanta area. Eventually, I'll need some experts to provide me with plans for the permanent security needs of this facility, but the immediate need will require bodies to secure the perimeter at the very least."

"What about Amanda?"

"Amanda will be with me for the foreseeable future, so her protection is taken care of," said Sean.

"What are you anticipating the need for protection from?" asked Kirby.

"Street gang level violence and brute force is my best guess. If what Mickey and I suspect is accurate, we're dealing with people who rely more upon intimidation and lots of flying bullets than they do on planning and professional execution. Do you know what I mean?"

"Unfortunately, I do," said Kirby. "How soon do you need this?"

"For my grandmothers, as soon as possible," said Sean. "The facility won't be an issue until this evening at the earliest, but the sooner we can get resources identified, the sooner they can get to work setting things up for transporting the girls and securing them in their new home."

"I'll get right on it. Remember that your Grandma Wallace is also my own mother, so I already know who I want to take that assignment. There is a husband and wife team who both used to work for the Secret Service living in the Nashville area. Sam and Gail Bennet are sub-contractors for us and should be readily available."

"Great," said Sean. "I'll be meeting Grandma Askew at 11AM and we'll have lunch afterwards with Amanda. Her detail could wait until this afternoon if that helps you."

"The added time gives me more options, so thanks for letting me know. What type of area is the facility that you are considering located? That will make a difference on the size and makeup of the team you need."

Sean thought for a minute, trying to remember details on the facility from his previous visits there. "The facility sits on approximately 230 heavily wooded acres along the Chattahoochee River north of Atlanta. It fronts the river along its western boundary, has private residences to the north and south, and a two-lane suburban street along its eastern boundary. There is only one access road into the property. The residential buildings, or lodges as they are called, are separated, but one of those has more than 70 rooms so we can put all the girls into that single building to make securing them easier."

"Okay," said Kirby. "Let me know as soon as you have the location finalized. Is there anything else you need help with?"

"Not at the moment, but Uncle Kirby, the bank doors are open right now. Spare no expense if making sure everyone is safe. This is on my dime, and I've got plenty of them as you know." "Don't sweat it, Sean. I'll make sure everyone is covered."

"Thanks. I should be available on my phone for most of the day, so don't hesitate to call with any questions or updates."

"Will do. Bye." His Uncle ended the call.

The laptop had finished booting and was sitting idle by the time Sean had finished the call, so he sat at the table, took a drink from his coffee, and began searching the internet and composing e-mails.

As Amanda entered the room with another cup of coffee for him, he looked at the time and saw that it was already after 9:30AM. "Wow, I didn't realize how much time had passed," Sean said as Amanda leaned down to kiss him and then replaced his empty coffee cup with the full one. "How was breakfast?"

Amanda pulled out the other chair at the table and sat down across from Sean before answering, "Let's just say that a day at an amusement park is probably the only thing that could top the fun everyone had at breakfast. The staff at the restaurant were wonderful, making sure that every child received exactly what they wanted on their plates, drawing faces onto some pancakes with whipped cream and pieces of fruit or designing hearts out of marshmallows on the top of a cup of hot chocolate... whatever it took. The volunteers from the church had just as much fun teasing the kids and prompting them in the most interesting ways to finish all their food in preparation for a long day of rides and excitement. Are we almost ready to go?"

"Almost," said Sean. "Let me check for replies to some of my e-mails real quick and then we can head out. Is there anything you need to check on-line before I turned the laptop off?"

"I don't think so. It's still early in Sydney so I don't expect a response to my messages until later in the day, and then I can check them on my cell phone thanks to you and Brian."

"Okay, then just give me a minute and we'll be out of here."

The only e-mail waiting for him of any significance was from Moe confirming that she had begun contacting the finance directors and managers dismissed from Wallace Enterprises and received enthusiastic replies from all of them to her offer for them to return to their previous positions. Many could start immediately and Moe wanted to know if Monday would be soon enough for Sean's plans. Her explanation that Keith Longo and Marilyn Turner were still too intimidated by the threats which had driven them from their positions that they refused to return to the company even if Sean was involved in daily operations was disconcerting, but he didn't believe there was anything he could do to change their minds just yet. Sean quickly drafted a reply and sent it before shutting down the laptop.

Amanda saw Sean turning off the laptop and picked her new messenger bag off the floor to start packing the computer away for their departure. While she was packing everything into the bag, Sean made a quick tour of the room to see if they had forgotten anything. Finding everything packed already, he joined Amanda at the table where he took the messenger bag from her shoulder and placed it on his own. He then put his arm around her waist and walked with her to the door.

"Ready to go Mrs. Wallace?"

Amanda had a tear in her eye as she merely nodded and let Sean lead her out to his car.

Sean opened the door for her, and Amanda once again slid across and opened his door for him from the inside before he could do it himself. After Sean had started the car, Amanda lowered the center arm rest, reached over and took his right hand into her left, placing their arms together on the soft, cool leather between them.

"Can you drive okay with just your left hand?" she asked.

"Watch me," Sean said, smiling over at her before backing out of the parking spot and heading for the freeway entrance. Amanda's expression at the door of the hotel room had not been lost on Sean. As soon as he had merged into the late morning traffic heading towards Atlanta on interstate 20, he sought an explanation.

"Amanda, is everything okay?"

She glanced over at Sean and then looked down at their hands joined together between them. "Yes and no," she answered.

"Can you explain?" asked Sean.

"I'll try, but it's all a bit confusing. I love you Sean, and I love being with you. I am developing habits and feelings that seem inappropriate for this stage of our relationship, and that both amazes me and frightens me at the same time. The intensity of my feelings for you frightens me."

"Can you give me an example?"

"I don't know that I can give a specific example. I always thought that love was something that happened gradually between two people, so the realization that I have found my one true love and accept - no cherish the knowledge that what you and I have is eternal - well it confuses me in its suddenness. I always assumed that my parents' love grew over all the years that they knew each other growing up, but maybe it happened for them just like this. Maybe it happened for your parents the same way too. I don't think I have ever missed being able to talk with my Mom as much as I do right now. I love being known as Mrs. Wallace - YOUR Mrs. Wallace, and I don't want it to end. Ever. I told you that meeting you has shown me what I want for my life in the future, and the more time I spend with you, the more convinced I am that you and your happiness is my true calling in life."

"Amanda, I told you that you could trust me with your heart and I meant it."

"I do trust you Sean, I really do. It's just..."

"Jeremiah 17:9, correct? 'The heart is deceitful above all things...'."

"How did you know?"

"There is no "just', Amanda. If you trust me as much as I trust you, then revel in the amazement and dismiss the fears. That's what I am going to do. I have no intention of ever letting you out of my life, and just like you, your happiness has become my true calling. I have been a butterfly caught in your net since the first moment I saw you. I love you."

"But this isn't logical. You don't know me Sean..."

"I know your heart. I trust your heart. The rest as they say 'is just gravy'."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you talk funny?" she teased with a giggle.

Sean laughed and said, "Well, as soon as we stop you can fix that little flaw by placing your lips on mine. Kissing me is a sure way to shut me up in case the need ever arises."

"I hope all of your flaws are as enjoyable to fix," she said as she squeezed his hand in hers.

***

She rolled over to cuddle next to Tom and found that he wasn't in the bed. Kimberly remained on her stomach as she looked around the room and listened for sounds of Tom in the bathroom. Seeing and hearing nothing, she rose from the bed and walked into the bathroom to see if he was there, as well as to take care of her own morning needs. On her way, she saw Tom's dress shirt, tie, suit jacket, and finally his shoes and socks were still in the room so she knew he must be around someplace. Tom would never leave the house without being immaculately dressed. It was just his style to look his best when presenting himself to the world.

Kimberly decided to go ahead and shower and dress while she was waiting for Tom to return. She had no desire to wander around I-Bar's house searching for Tom, but she wanted to be ready for him when he returned. When he had left her on the floor of the foyer last night to wait for I-Bar, Tom had taken her overnight bag with him. She found it next to the chair with Tom's remaining clothes, so she carried it to the bathroom and set about her grooming routine for the day.

Kimberly had just rinsed the shampoo from her hair when the shower door opened and one of I-Bar's men, this one named 'Splint', reached in and turned off the water.

"I-Bar wants to see you," he said as he took her arm and began pulling her out of the shower.

"Can I at least dry off first?" she asked. In response his hand left her arm and grabbed a handful of her wet blonde hair and yanked hard.

"When I-Bar says 'now', there ain't time for you for you to do anything but move bitch." He literally drug her naked dripping body down the hall, but he did have the presence of mind to grab one of the towels on his way out of the bathroom. Pushing Kimberly into I-Bar's office, Splint dropped the towel onto the floor.

"Stand on the towel so you don't get the floor wet bitch."

Kimberly stepped onto the towel and stood shivering as I-Bar just stared at her. With a nod of his head, I-Bar dismissed Splint who left and closed the door behind him. Kimberly instinctively knelt to her knees and bowed her head into the submissive position she had come to learn was expected of her in I-Bar's presence.

"How did you sleep?"

Kimberly was surprised by the question, but more so by the tone of I-Bar's voice as he asked it. He sounded civil and actually concerned with what her answer would be.

"I slept well, Sir. Thank you."

"Kimberly, please stand up and dry yourself off."

This order confused Kimberly and that fact frightened her more than if I-Bar had yelled at her as he normally did. She still didn't hesitate to obey, standing and bringing the towel up with her to begin drying her hair. I-Bar just sat and watched her until she had finished.

"You can wrap the towel around you if it makes you more comfortable. I don't have a robe or anything in here for you and I imagine that you might be a little chilled."

Kimberly wrapped the towel around her and tucked the end in to hold it up at the top of her breasts. I-Bar then rose, walked around his desk, took her hand and gently led her over to the couch in his office.

"Would you like some coffee or juice?" he asked her.

"No sir," Kimberly said, still bowing her head.

"Kimberly, please look at me," said I-Bar. "I want to talk to you."

DeMarcus Steele's voice was deep, and usually when Kimberly heard it, there was nothing but contempt and intimidation in his words and tone. Now his voice was almost soothing. He was speaking to her gently and with apparent kindness. She raised her head, but didn't look him in the eyes.

"Kimberly, I wanted to let you know that I have sent Tom away, and he won't be coming back. It isn't safe for him, you or me if he were to remain in the country."

Kimberly finally looked into I-Bar's eyes and saw something other than hatred for the first time since soon after she had met him when they were teenagers. She wasn't sure exactly what she was seeing now, but she didn't fear it in the least. "Tom mentioned that he might have to go away, but he wanted me to go with him."

"Yes," said I-Bar, "Tom did want you to go with him, but I wouldn't allow it."

"Why?" asked Kimberly.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about." DeMarcus surprised Kimberly further when he reached over and gently took her hand into his. "Tom screwed up big time, so one reason why I am not letting you go with him is as punishment for what he did and to keep him in line in the future. The second reason I am keeping you here is because I am in love with you myself."

"What?" gasped Kimberly as she tried to pull her hand from his. DeMarcus allowed her to pull her hand free and simply folded his own in his lap.

"You sound surprised by something I said," chuckled DeMarcus. "Care to share which comments confuse you?"

"I should think that it would be obvious. How can you say you love me after the way you have treated me all these years?" asked Kimberly.

DeMarcus nodded his head and looked at her with a sadness she had never seen in him. "I doubt that I can explain things in a way that will satisfy you, Kimberly. Do you remember when Tom first introduced us? You two were a steady couple who were hiding your relationship from your families but you were both dedicated to each other."

"I remember," said Kimberly.

"Do you remember how you and I got along then?" DeMarcus asked.

"You doted on me more than Tom did," she said, remembering things that the years had driven to the back of her mind. "I thought you were almost competing with Tom for my attention sometimes."

"I was. You were, and are the most beautiful and interesting girl I had ever met, but you loved Tom. Do you remember when I started treating you different?"

"Not an exact date or anything," she said.

"I do," said DeMarcus. "It was when you let Tom make that video of you giving his boss a blow job. Tom shared that with everyone he could think of to demonstrate his control over you, and I wanted to kill him for weeks afterwards. I couldn't understand you letting Tom manipulate you that way, and I couldn't understand how Tom could treat someone as wonderful as you so badly. I first started humiliating you in hopes that Tom would recognize your real worth and stop pimping you out for his own selfish purposes. I admit that I also wanted to punish you for allowing yourself to be used by Tom, but neither of you ever seemed to want to change things. Sending Tom away and keeping you here will finally change things, and I have no regrets."

"Keeping me here?" Kimberly asked with concern evident on her face.

"Not here in this house," said DeMarcus. "Although you are welcome here any time. I meant here in the States where Tom can't use you the way he has been doing..."

"And so you can use me instead?" Kimberly interrupted. This action was not something she would have ever considered before DeMarcus showed the gentler side of himself.

"The way I treated you was for reasons that no longer exist. I won't make you stay here with me, or force you to do anything that you don't want to do. You know too much and our business arrangements with Tri-Star Partners will require me to keep in touch with you, but I want you to know that you are now free to choose who you want to be with, and if you choose to be with me, I would treat you like a queen."

"I don't have to stay married to Mark if I don't want to?"

"No you don't," said DeMarcus. "Unlike Tom, I have no interest in Mark's family money. If you choose to be with me, even if just for dinner on occasion, I would escort you proudly. I have no one to be concerned over me being in a relationship with a white woman. Some of my Homies may be confused because of the way I treated you in the past, but they will catch on quickly, and I guarantee you that none of them will ever disrespect you again or it will be the last thing they do."

Gazing into his eyes and seeing the calmness there, Kimberly asked, "Can I call you 'Dee' like I used to?"

"Kimmie, you can call me anything you want."

Taking him at his word, she said, "Dee, to say that I am shocked by your offer would be an understatement. I always found you attractive, and I will admit to you here and now that I was always disappointed that you didn't demonstrate any desire for me as anything other than 'your bitch'. I hope you understand that I'm going to need some time to process all of this before I make any decisions. My future is obviously very much up in the air right now with Tom leaving and Sean Wallace returning to try and take back his company. Can you give me a few days to think things over?"

DeMarcus took both of her hands back into his and said, "Take all the time you need, Kimmie. I'll have one of my guys get you a rental car to drive back to Nashville as soon as you're ready to leave. Figure out what you want to do, but don't let the business factor into your considerations. I'll handle Sean Wallace for all of us."

Kimberly scooted over and placed her arms around DeMarcus' shoulders, unconcerned about the towel coming unwrapped from her body. Hugging him tight and kissing him lightly on the lips, she said "Thank you Dee. I mean really, thank you."

DeMarcus hugged her in return. "I doubt that you trust me very much Kimmie, but if you give me a chance, I will spend the rest of my life making up for the way I treated you in the past. No pressure, just my promise to you."

Rising from the couch, leaving the towel lying on the cushions, she said "Would you care to give me an example?"

"What do you mean?" asked DeMarcus.

"Make love to me with the respect and love you claim you have for me," she told him. "Right now. Prove to me that a future with you would be different than our past."