“How about we stay in your room and color and we’ll see how long it takes someone to come looking for you?”
“Is that a game?”
I nodded, took off my watch, and put it around the little girl’s wrist. I started the digital timer and moved to sit at the small desk where we both colored pretty drawings. We had each colored almost a full page together before the door opened.
A man stood on the threshold, lipstick on his cheek and on his shirt.
“Petunia, what are the numbers on the watch.”
“A one and a five.” I glanced at it, reached over, and stopped the clock. Fifteen minutes they’d left this little girl unsupervised.
“Who the hell are you?” The kid’s personal body guard growled.
“Johnny said a bad word,” Petunia said in a singsong voice.
“Johnny, is it?” I asked while standing. “You’re fired.”
“Who the hell are you?” He barked. “Petunia, come stand by me.” Johnny released the strap holding his gun in the holster.
“I’m coloring.”
I stepped between them and slipped my phone out of my pocket. Showing it to the security guard in the event he turned trigger happy. I fired off a text and re-pocketed it, never taking my eyes off of Johnny.
“Who the hell do you think you are, lady?” Johnny demanded.
“I suggest you leave, Johnny. Your services are no longer required.”
I figured out Johnny’s tell sign before he advanced. I grabbed his wrist and bent his hand in an unnatural position as I shoved him against the wall.
“What the hell…” Carter said as he and Max stormed into the room.
Max covered his mouth with his hand. I could have sworn that I saw a smile on his lips.
“I fired Johnny.”
“Who is this bitch?” Johnny growled, trying to get out of my hold. I twisted harder until he fell to his knees.
I glanced at Max, and he raised his brow.
“I’ve been with Petunia for fifteen minutes after walking straight into the house and into her room. This piece of…” I glanced at Petunia. “Johnny has been MIA for fifteen minutes.” I glanced at Petunia. “Show your uncles the watch, sweetie.”
Petunia bounced up from her spot and grabbed the coloring page. She held it up. “This is how long me and Ms. Gwen have been coloring. See.” She held up the watch and the picture. “Didn’t we do a good job?”
Carter dropped to his knees. “You did a great job, honey.”
“Johnny, you’re fired,” Maxwell said with bitter condemnation in his voice. “Come on. I’ll show you out.”
Carter unhooked the watch from Petunia and took my wrist. He took his time re-hooking it before running his thumb over my pulse point. It was a seductive move and so not something I’d be entertaining.
I slipped my wrist out of his hold and continued securing the band. “I’d like to meet with your sister if she’s around.”
“Of course. I’ll show you to the study, and then I’ll go find her.”
I held out my hand and grabbed the coloring books and crayons. “Petunia, why don’t you come with us and you can color a picture for your mom.”
Petunia glanced at Carter as if what I’d said was taboo.
“Yes, Pet, you can come too.”
