The Reluctant Assistant - Book One

Confessions Part 48

Jackson's eyes widened in surprise when he opened the box. Inside was a watch made of rhodium, with gold inlay and a white gold and platinum strap. Taking it out of the box, he looked at the time piece.

"Turn it over." Raymond said, smiling at his surprised face.

"You can do it!" Jackson laughed at the inscription. "This must have cost you a fortune." he turned the watch around in his hand.

"You sound like me, worrying about money." Raymond chuckled. "Here, let me put it on you.

"My love... this is..." Jackson seemed to be at a loss for words, looking at the watch on his wrist.

"It comes with one condition though. You must never take it off, unless it is absolutely necessary. Otherwise you'll forget about me." he smiled.

"I promise, I'll never take it off and I'll never forget you." he leaned over the table to kiss Raymond. "Thank you." he grinned like he was the happiest man in the world. 

"Come on, let's get going then," Raymond said after they had finished their meal. Getting up, a waitron weaving between the table knocked into him, spilling water over his jacket.

"I'm so sorry," the young man said, taking a towel to wipe Raymond's jacket, while surreptitiously slipping an envelope into the inside of his pocket.

"Don't worry about it," Raymond smiled at the boy, before moving toward the exit with Jackson.

Once they got home, Raymond went to his office, to Jackson's disappointment. Sifting through the information that he'd just received, Raymond became more worried. He knew he was being followed, which in itself was not a problem, but this put Jackson right in the middle of whatever plan was being concocted by Lilith. He picked up his phone with a sigh.

"Uncle, we need to talk." 

--

"So, you think she's ready to make a move?" Damon asked, frowning at what Raymond had just presented to him.

"From what I've collected, she's getting ready. She's tried to bug my office, destroy information and she's already planted a few of her own people in the company. It's mainly to find out what I know and to keep an eye on me, but it's getting serious now." Raymond was worried. No matter how calm he seemed on the outside, inside he feared the worst that could happen. "She's been collecting information on the different board members. I assume it's to get any leverage on them, to swing their vote."

"It doesn't seem like we have much time." Damon nodded, not looking happy with the situation they found themselves in. "Do you know where she is?"

"She's staying at a hotel in the city. She's bound to make contact now that she knows that I'm working for you."

"Have you told Jackson?" he asked, looking at the worry on Raymond's face.

"What do I tell him? That some crazy woman is out to get you and will probably try to kill all of us to get what she wants?" he shook his head ruefully. "I was selfish. I knew what the risks were and now I've put him in the direct line of fire." He sighed morosely. "What do I do?"

"Why don't you stay with us for a while? Then we can keep him out of harms way and keep an eye on him." Damon suggested.

"That would only draw more attention to us. The best I can think of right now is to carry on as we did before. Lull her into a false sense that she might be winning." Raymond couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to break.

"You're going to have to tell him at some point Ray. You know that you'd want to know if something like this were to happen to him. If he knows, then keeping him safe is easier to do." Damon reasoned. "At the moment we can't afford to let her use him as leverage against you."