Air: Elementalist Book 1 by Rebecca Wolf (christmas read aloud .TXT) 📗

days were much of the same, with no updates from Aiden regarding the attack at the bar. My arm was feeling much better at this point, and if I didn’t have a scar as proof, the whole thing would have felt like a bad dream.

Chapter 19

Penny and I decided to have a besties day in. We lounged in our pajamas, and I caught her up on everything that we had happened. From Aiden’s mother whisking in, and manipulating me into getting a whole new wardrobe, to discovering that my dad had murdered Jerry.

Penny didn’t know if she should be jealous that I had a whole new wardrobe, or horrifically impressed by Lucy’s skills, getting me to do what she wanted. She was also slightly terrified about the idea of my father knowing about me. “I never thought I would say this to you, but It’s a good thing Aiden has a security detail on us, babe. Who knows what that Bastard would try to do if you didn’t have protection.” I didn’t point out that the way he probably found out about me in the first place was through this fiasco of a marriage to Aiden. Whatever.

We did our nails, and applied homemade facials, and when we were done, we felt the strain that had been weighing on our relationship dissipate. All the stress had really messed with us. I was glad we took the time to rebond. A day later Aiden called me on the phone.

“I have news,” he said. “How about you come to my house and I can show you what I have found about the attack at the bar?”

I didn’t protest. I got Penny and the two of us got into the armored SUV, our security detail following behind us. At Aiden’s house we went into a private office. There sat an enforcer looking nervous and about ready to bolt. If it hadn’t been for Aiden sitting in the massive desk across from him, I’m not sure he would have stayed long enough for us to meet him.

“Pete has something to tell you,” Aiden said, his dark eyes seeming to bore holes in Pete’s face.

“I actually think I made a mistake.” Started Pete nervously, “I probably didn’t hear what I thought I did.”

“Yes, he did hear it. And Pete wants to share it, don’t you Pete?” Commanded Aiden, a spark of fire igniting in his eyes.

“Uhhh. yeah. Ok.” Said Pete, paling visibly at the look in Aiden’s eyes.  "I overheard a buddy telling Ben that now that y’all had broken up, if they scared you into selling to Ben they could make a killing together. They could stop their crappy jobs as enforcers and use their contacts in the force to help evade the extra taxation on alcohol.” Penny gripped my arm so tightly it felt like it might snap in two.  “They’ve been intimidating customers away from your place, hoping the lack of income would solidify the decision for you.”

“Do you have a way to prove this?” Penny asked steadily, her voice a lot calmer than her grip would indicate. “Well, not as of yet, but from what I know they plan on making you an offer sometime in the next week or so.”

“Thank you.” said Penny. Turning to Aiden she asked, “what are the chances that you will back me in a confrontation?” Aiden looked directly at me as he replied, “high.”

“Good. Please inform our security detail of your stance on this matter.” We turned heading to the front door.

“Won’t you stay for lunch?” He asked, but I could tell it was more of a demand. We looked at each other. We couldn’t turn him down and risk him reneging on his support. Penny nodded at me, “sure,” I said to him, and we settled in to spend a few more hours there.

Half a week later, Ben showed up with his task force partner, David. They called Penny over to their table after drinking a couple of pints. “Penny, I heard about the break in, I’m hurt you didn’t call me. I would have helped.”

“Oh, I would have,” said Penny nonchalantly lying through her teeth, “but Zephyr’s Fiancé offered before I could place the call.”

“And how’s the business treating you?”

“We get by,” said Penny with gritted teeth.

Ben looked around markedly, as if noting for the first time the lack of customers. “Looks like its been pretty slow lately. It must be stressful running a bar in a town like this. People destroying property, stealing your hard earned cash. David and I have a lot of experience with that already on the task force. We’re thinking maybe you’ve had enough. Maybe you would rather take a boatload of cash then try to salvage your business here.”

“That is so kind of you to offer,” said Penny, a little too sweetly, “but you see, Ben, I know it was you and your buddy Dave here who tried to make my life running this bar a nightmare. I know that you planned on buying it because you thought you could make more profit by getting around the normal taxes that a bar would have to pay for alcohol. Even three months ago, you might have been able to force me into selling the place. It’s just your luck that my bar has the backing of an elementalist house now, a house that is keenly interested in keeping me on as the owner.”

“You don’t know any elementalists,” sneered Ben, finally dropping the facade. “I dated you for six months, and you never mentioned any sort of connection, and you told me EVERYTHING. My God, really your droning was painful to listen to.”

“You see those six security guards around my bar?” Penny raised a hand and motioned them over before continuing, “they are provided to me with the blessing of the Ember family.”

Four guards came over and encircled their booth.

“This is what’s going to happen now.” Explained Penny, “you two are going to