Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 103: Second in Command

"Janice, are you sure you want to do this?" Bennie asked with a smirk on his face. The raven haired woman turned on her heel and whispered, "Of course I'm sure. I like causing trouble."

She sauntered over to the older man placing her hand on his chest dragging over his shoulder and across his back as she circled him. She leaned into his ear, "I thought you liked that about me..."

Bennie turned his head towards Janice as his smirk grew, "I do..." Then kissed her feverishly. She pulled away and pushed him into the couch behind him. "I have work to do... And so do you."

Bennie sat there stunned for a moment as he watched her walk away. He mumbled under his breath, "Yes, boss."

Janice didn't expect the Knight Nursery family to be as protective of Siobhan as they were. She thought they would just stay out of it, which was what she wanted. Made it easier to frame her with no one looking into it.

I had no idea the whole nursery would back Siobhan. I thought they all still hated her, like they do me. Well, just means I'm going to have to be more thorough— no mistakes.

After the scene she caused at the nursery, Janice drove herself over to the bar. There was a certain brunette bar tender there that was easy on the eyes and enjoyed Janice's company. And, the cold, noirette woman hadn't realized, yet, nor would admit, but she felt a warmth in her chest every time she saw Sara's beautiful smile.

As Janice was attempting to fill the endless void inside her, at the Serpent-Clark home, the secret of her involvement was being revealed.

"Siobhan, who is Janice? Vivian mentioned her on our phone call.

The blonde woman's head jerked up. "Oh, I forgot! When I was brought in for questioning, I saw a woman with the exact same money piece as her." She looked at Vivian and then at Shadow, "I think she is pulling strings somehow to frame me."

Siobhan dropped her head, "wouldn't be too hard to frame me... considering I participated." Vivian placed her hand gently on Siobhan's knee, "Bon, you did none of that by choice. There is proof of that, baby."

Shadow interjected, "Siobhan, there is nothing to worry about. Everything you did was under duress— that will be taken into consideration in any courtroom." He pulled some of the reports from his briefcase.

The two women began reading the contents silently as Shadow watched their expressions.

Transaction Report
Date: 31 October 2024.
Contact: J.G. (2nd)
Exchange: Package delivered— $100k received
Authorized by: Roger Knight

Siobhan shot up as her chair flew back against the wall, "Janice is Bennie's 'second-in-command'?! "

Vivian's mouth dropped open, her heart dropping into her stomach.

Shadow placed the report back into his briefcase. "If I had to guess, considering the type of organization she is leading, she probably has threatened harm to someone or their family to force them to go after Siobhan."

Siobhan's phone rings. As their eyes snap to the screen, they see Laurel (Ciara's caseworker).

Hesitantly the blonde answers the phone. "Hi, Laurel. How are you?" The exhaustion was evident through her tone, "Good afternoon, Siobhan. I have something to run by you if you have a moment."

With a sigh she responded, "I have something to share with you too. Is it okay if I go first?" Siobhan punctuated with a chuckle.

Laurel echoed the chuckle, "absolutely..."

Siobhan took a deep breath and put the phone on speaker. "Well, I was arrested today for conspiracy to traffic drugs. It's a long story, but the charges are bogus." She heard a slight stammer on the other end of the line. The blonde continued, "I was in an abusive relationship before I married Vivian. He was involved with the cartel."

Laurel paused for a moment, "Okay, so here is how things will go. I will have to do an investigation just to ensure safety for Ciara. I'm not concerned personally, but legally I have to. She won't be removed from your placement. I'm so sorry you're having to endure this, Siobhan."

Vivian piped up, "What were you wanting to talk to us about?"

A heavy, conflicted sigh was breathed through the phone. "Well... Ciara's sister isn't doing well in her current placement and we thought she may need to be moved. I was going to ask you two if you would consider taking her..."