Initiative (Suncoast Society #31)(59)

“Oh, I was simply taking a look at a lot for sale near the back side of your property. And you weren’t in your home, you were in your pool.”

He grinned, swiping through pictures to show her yet another one. “I did a little research. Darryl Holman has been, poor guy, going through a nasty custody battle with his ex. I’m sure losing his job because of this salacious affair will not go over well. I know for a fact the morals clause in the employment contract the church uses prohibits their employees from engaging in…unseemly behavior.”

His grin sickened her. “I’ll be at Rev. de Papio’s office at noon. I know for a fact Holman will be in attendance as well. I told the reverend that I needed to discuss a matter of urgency with him.”

He put his phone away. “Show up with the paperwork, or Darryl Holman gets shit-canned and I make ruining his life my hobby. Don’t f*ck with me, honey. I’m older and wiser than you, and I’ve eaten people far better than you for breakfast.”

She forced herself not to move, not to react, as Marcus stormed out, Joanie silently trailing in his wake.

He wants to play that f*cking game, huh?

What Marcus wasn’t aware of was that she’d been schooled by the best in combat strategy—Grant and Darryl, and, later, John.

Okay, D and D wasn’t exactly real battle, but close enough.

She refused to panic, forced herself to remain seated and think it through. She couldn’t call Grant over this. His meetings that morning were too important. And Darryl would be in classes. She could text him, but why worry him? She’d rather him be surprised by this, too.

It would look more realistic that way.

It might mean a spanking later from Grant for not even sending either of them so much as a warning text, but she knew they’d forgive her.

And any spanking would be worth it.

Because she would enjoy taking the f*cking wind out of Marcus’ sails for good.





Susie also couldn’t wait until Kristin got in to leave and set everything in motion. She had too many stops to make to pull this off and make it to the church before Marcus and Joanie. As it was, she hit the county office off Ringling, then raced to the mall, startling the salesperson with the easiest sale of their life, probably. Three florists and two bakeries later, she headed to the church’s administration building, which sat between the church’s sanctuary and the building that housed the school and social hall.

It was eleven forty, and Marcus Costello’s car was nowhere to be seen.

Feeling a slight pang, Susie switched her wedding and engagement rings to her right hand, donned her newest purchase, and scooted inside to where a receptionist sat behind the front desk.

Putting on her winningest smile, and with her arms full, Susie beamed at the woman. “I’m sorry I’m early. We have an appointment to talk with Rev. de Papio at noon, but I’m so excited, I just couldn’t wait. Is he available now, by any chance? Last name’s Costello. Susan Costello.”

The receptionist looked a little puzzled. “Mr. Costello didn’t say anything about why he needed the emergency meeting with the Reverend. I think Mr. Holman isn’t available until noon.”

Susie held up her left hand and eagerly waved it, then showed the armful of brochures and sample books she’d accumulated during her harried dash through Sarasota’s florists and bakeries that were on her way between the mall and the church.

Fortunately, the woman was a quick study, her face brightening. “I think he’s free.” She stood. “Follow me.”

It was all Susie could do not to mutter, “Muwahaha, motherf*cker,” under her breath as she followed the clueless receptionist down the hall and toward the man’s office.

Marcus might think he’s older and wiser and eaten better people than me for breakfast, but he’s never played against Grant as a DM. And his own son drilled into me what a shit-weasel he is from the moment I met John.

Fucking amateur.





Chapter Nineteen


Darryl wasn’t sure why he’d been asked to meet with Rev. de Papio at noon, but he made sure, as soon as his third period class was over, to hurry his ass up and hustle down to the admin office. He was five minutes early, and had hit the reception area just in time to see an older man, and a woman he suspected was the guy’s wife, being led down the same hallway he was heading.

“Oh, good,” Ruth said. “Perfect timing.”

The man smiled, and something about his expression chilled Darryl. “Yes, perfect timing, Mr. Holman.” He looked predatory.

The guy looked really familiar, but Darryl couldn’t place him.

So Darryl was thrown even further off his game when they were ushered into the reverend’s office and found Susie sitting there, having a rather animated discussion with his boss.

The other man and woman seemed a little put off by this as well.

Susie beamed. “Darryl!” She jumped up and raced over to him to give him a huge, full-on kiss on the lips. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t wait. Can you forgive me?”

He caught her wink. The same one she’d given him countless campaigns before when they were trying to do something without Grant knowing it and throwing DM weight at them to stymie them.

He played along with it, almost feeling like they were kids again. “What’d you do, sweetheart?”