Chapter Eleven

Stephen

Days passed in a blur, and before we knew it, we were back to the grind.

Trinity and I had talked while we were away, deciding that she would move in with me once we got back.

We had a heart-to-heart with Luke one night. He was cool with it and had been talking to Todd about moving in, so everyone was content.

We decided that while she would move in now, we might look for a new place to call home after the wedding.

This place had some good memories, but it also had some terrible ones. We both agreed that the style and layout weren’t perfect for when we wanted to start a family.

I know I keep coming back to that, but I’m at a point in my life where I have a successful business, the woman I love, and now I can't wait to see her carrying my children.

My girl is back to work today, and she's got a big meeting with some major investors. I know she's a bit stressed about it.

I don't know why she's worried. From what I’ve seen, her clients adore her and she's damn good at her job.

I plan to check out a few other locations this morning for potential expansion. Later today, Clint and I plan to meet up and head to Capulet to chat with Dave.

“Baby, I gotta go,” Trinity says. “I have such a busy day. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

“Hold on, doll, you really think I'm going to let you leave that easily?” I say. “Come here.”

She quickly dashes into the kitchen where I’m making coffee and comes over to me.

She grabs the back of my neck, pulling me down, and plunges her tongue into my mouth, claiming it with a fiery passion. We make out until we’re both gasping for breath.

“Damn, that was hot,” I say, breathless. “I should let you take control more often.”

“You really should,” she winks at me as she turns to dash out again.

“You’re forgetting something, doll.”

She turns around and sees I have a travel mug of coffee ready for her. She grins at me. “You complete me, baby, thank you. I'll call you later!”

And just like that, she's out the door.

After getting ready, I called the realtor and headed off to the location they had found for a second bar. It was down on the New East Side just off Lake Shore Drive; the perfect location.

We spent about an hour there and I called Clint down to have a look. I had decided I was going to give Clint half shares in this and it would be his to run.

“So, what do you think?” I ask once he looks around.

“I think it's a great location,” he says. “We could do a lot with this, mate.”

“My thoughts exactly. So are we doing it?”

“Yeah, let's do it,” Clint smiles.

We arrange to pick up the paperwork later today and head off to get a coffee.

“You got anything up tomorrow?” I ask once we’re settled into our chairs.

“Nothing I know of, Mia’s back to work.”

“Want to take a drive with me? Got something I want to show you.”

Clint fans his hand dramatically. “Oh baby, I thought you’d never ask!”

I roll my eyes and laugh. “Very funny, jerk. Seriously, though.”

“Yeah sure, what is it anyway?”

“I think I've found where to have the wedding and I’m pretty sure Trinity will love it but I want it to be a surprise.”

“Sure mate, where are you thinking?”

“Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park.”

“Nice!” Clint smiles. “Sounds good.”

“I thought we could have the ceremony outside and then they have the hall for the reception.” I unlock my phone and pull up the pictures I found on their website.

“That looks perfect, bro, I think she'll love it.”

We’re finishing up our coffees when I get a phone call from Trinity. I swipe up and bring my phone to my ear.

“Hey, doll.”

“Hey baby, are you busy?” she asks.

“Just with Clint. We finished finding a venue for the second club opening and grabbing a coffee.”

“Oh good, I’m glad you’re with Clint,” she sighs. “Do you think you guys could meet me at my next open house?”

“Sure babe, everything okay?”

She pauses. “I’m not sure, baby.”

“Okay… you need to give me more than that. What’s wrong?”

Clint sits up and looks over with a worried expression so I hit the phone on speaker.

“Baby, I'm putting you on speaker so Clint can hear too.”

“Hey Clint,” she says.

“What’s up, Trin?” he asks.

“I'm not sure if it’s something or me just being paranoid, but I’ve had six open houses this morning already and the same guy has been at all of them,” she explains.

“At first, I thought nothing of it since we often have people looking at more than one place when they’re looking at moving, but he's starting to make me feel a bit uncomfortable with his questions.”

“What questions, doll?” I ask. “And you were right to call, if you’re not feeling comfortable I want to know.”

“Well, at first it was about the properties but now he’s asking me personal questions. How long have I been doing this? Am I from the area?”

“Then he noticed my ring and asked how long I had been engaged? Who the lucky man was? When we were planning to get married. I tried to shake it off as polite conversation but something doesn't feel right, babe.”

“It's okay, doll. What does he look like?”

“I would say early to mid-thirties, African American, presents well and seems to know the right questions to ask, so I would say highly educated.”

Clint and I exchange a look. First the club with Dave and now this? Could be a coincidence but do I want to take a chance? Absolutely not.

“Honey, shoot us the address of your next showing and we’ll meet you there. Might be nothing, but if he’s making you uneasy, that’s enough for me.”

“Okay, love, I’ll text you now. See you soon,” she replies.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. See you soon.”

We end the call and Clint and I gulp down our coffees as her text comes in. We head back to our cars and speed off.

We reach the address my girl sent in no time and head over to the open house.

“Hey, you okay?” Clint gives her a side hug, offering comfort.

I lean in, planting a soft kiss on her and holding her close. “You doing okay, sweetheart?”

“I'm okay, guys, just something feels off,” Trinity admits. “He’s getting too personal too fast and, at the very least, I don't feel safe being alone with him.”

“Say no more,” Clint assures her.

“Is he here yet?” I ask.

“Yes, he’s already inside looking. I said I would wait outside in case anyone else showed up for the open house.”

“Clint, stay here with Trin, please. I’m going to go up and take a look.”

Clint nods in agreement.

I head in under the guise of checking out the property. I wander around the small apartment and find him in the kitchen.

We exchange polite nods and I move on to the next room. As I’m looking around, I notice he keeps glancing my way, but nothing alarming.

I step into the bedroom and look out to see Clint and Trin chatting by her car.

I hear the front door close and keep watching to see if he leaves. I see him walk down and approach her.

They exchange a few words and after about five minutes, he takes some paperwork from her and leaves.

As he walks away, I notice him glance back at the apartment and lock eyes with me for a few seconds before he turns back around and walks off.

I leave the other potential buyers to their browsing and head over to where Clint and my girl are.

“That was him, right?” I ask.

“Yeah, that was him,” Trinity confirms.

“What did he say?”

“Not much, bro,” Clint answers. “Asked about applying for the property and the paperwork, but I don't think it was the property he was interested in.”

Clint gives me a knowing look and I just nod.

I don't want to alarm her, the last thing she needs right now is more stress.

“Don't worry too much, baby. Daddy’s here now and we’ll go to the next few showings with you just to be safe.”

“Yeah, and Uncle Clint’s got your back, too.” He gives her a cheeky wink and we all burst into laughter.

“You're a real piece of work sometimes, bro, honestly.”

We get in our cars and Clint and I accompany her to the next two showings, but we don't see him again.

Whatever his intentions were, our presence seems to have deterred him enough to leave my girl alone for the rest of the day.