Colorado Game - 46. Chapter 46

CHAPTER *46*

"You going to tear into me as well? Whack me over the head some more? Because if you are, I'm buying a helmet. I saw a great one on sale just the other d..."

"Quiet." How the hell did she do that? Make it sound all royal and such? I wanted to say something but when she raised a perfectly curved eyebrow, I swallowed whatever I wanted to say. "That's better. Now what is this nonsense about moving to Canada?"

"You heard that, huh?"

"I heard some drivel to that effect, yes. So you're running away?"
I spread my hands.

"What else can I do? I tried talking to Ross. Hell, I even talked to Kyle, trying to get him to confess that he doctored the pictures."

"Ah yes. Kyle. You'll leave him to me. I have some... unfinished business with him. He won't be any trouble before long. Meanwhile, you going away is not helping matters. You need to stay here. You will stay here."
That tone again and a gesture with her hand.

"Whatta, you thinka you're some kind of Jedi, waving your hand arounda lika that?" I said, copying a line straight out of the movies. "Don't boss me around, Sofia. You know better than that."
She smiled.

"Still the joker, I see. Yes. Like I said; you will stay. We're going to clean up this mess you made of things and then you will give my son back his heart. According to him, you still have it."
I felt a flutter in my lower belly.

"He said that?"

"Yes. Mind you, he was roaring drunk at the time..."
Ross? Drunk? He never drank that much.

"How is he?"

"He's fine. If working eighty hours a week constitutes for ‘fine', that is. What were you thinking, Mark. Did anything we told you about Kyle, even find a way to your ears? I told you he couldn't be trusted. Ross told you the same thing. Several times, if I recall."

"There's nothing you can say I haven't already heard, or told myself, Sofia. It's my fault. I know that. But I have no idea of how to fix it. I got him fired, but that was just a small victory."

"Yes, I know."

"And I quit."

"I know."

"Is there anything you don't know?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

"No. I know everything." She smiled. "But I need something from you. Two things."

"Okay."

"I'll need those pictures and I need your promise, not to leave Denver."

"Sure, for the first, hell no for the second. I did okay, but I'm not as loaded as you people. I have to work for a living."

"I see. Fine. Then at least tell me where you are when you get there. Can you do that?"

"Sure. I'll tell ma, when I get there, and she'll contact you. What are you going to do?"

"Don't you worry about that. You just be ready to grovel through the dust, when the time comes."

"Grovel? Sofia, I will eat said dust, if that's what it takes."

"Good. I'll take those pictures now, if it's not too much trouble. I'm running late as it is." I got the envelope for her and handed it over.
She took a peak inside and raised an eyebrow. I blushed.

"It's not what it looks like."

"That also depends on who's doing the looking. You can't blame Ross for reacting the way he did. But it was lying to him that broke his heart. So I will make you a promise as well. If this works, and I am quite sure that it will, then it's a one strike, you're out. I will make your life a living hell if I ever catch you lying to Ross again. Understood?"
I wanted to crack another joke but the look in her eyes was dead serious. I swallowed and nodded.

"Yes ma'm. Understood.”