They Called Him Mister

By Kavi Elwyn

A sweet and wholesome romance with forced proximity, best friends brother, and opposites attract themes. 

 

She's a bit mental, a little mischievous, and all about color, he's stoic and reserved with a bent towards perfectionism. Their shared past contains a dark secret and feelings that have long been buried start to resurface as they navigate what it means to have a relationship after years apart. 

 

*TW: brief mention of suicidal tendencies and mental health hospitals/medication.*

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kavi Elwyn
• Release date: Aug 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223788287

Book preview

Chapter 1

They called him Mr . Landers, or sir, on occasion, he was referred to as ‘The Boss’, but that was all. No one used his first name, because no one knew it. If he was called by any other name, it was in dark rooms and uttered so silently that it could barely be understood.

He was six foot four, with tanned brown skin, his ancestry was unknown, but many thought Native American when he walked into the room. His previous occupations were also unknown, but they had left him fit and healthy, toned to a fine point.

Jet black hair was cut close to the scalp, and always neatly combed, it was longer on top, and occasionally he spiked it, but that was the only variation. His eyes were dark and unreadable, with the power to melt women’s insides and make grown men shiver with cowardliness.

He wore suits, always suits, perfectly tailored to fit his frame.  He wore brown Italian loafers or soft black leather dress shoes. His watch was gold and expensive, his silk ties neatly tucked in. He carried a small black leather suitcase with his business papers and legal documents. He carried a .45 in a shoulder holster, no one knew if he had a permit, and no one asked.

The company was called Locate Inc. and Mr. Landers was the owner, and active participant, in excellent shape at thirty-four. He had eight employees, seven of them men, the exception being Ms. Filla- the company secretary. Her desk was at the front entrance, and she monitored everything. There was also a cubical for every employee, though they were little used.

Their headquarters was a three-story building strategically set near the outskirts of town. Ms. Filla and the other employees worked on the first floor, and no one ventured to the second floor without express permission, the second floor was Mr. Landers’ office.

No one really knew what the third floor was; no one had ever been up that high.

There was a parking garage underground, and it was tightly monitored; one needed a security pass to do everything from print out a piece of paper, to open the lavatory doors.

Every area on the first floor had a camera, and every square inch was under surveillance, from the small visitor’s lounge, to Ms. Filla’s desk, and beyond that to the individual cubicles.

Locate Inc. was a specialty business, and the title said it all, if you needed anything or anyone located, this was the place you put on your speed dial. Mr. Landers had an excellent reputation, and his business was elite and specialized. He had the latest software, the latest weapons, the latest means, and was always on the cutting edge.

His employees were all experts in various fields, and they knew enough to work and not ask questions. No one asked questions of Mr. Landers, it just wasn’t done.

Mr. Landers was a fair boss, and gave no one any cause for complaint, though if they did complain; it was in private, and at least five hundred yards away from the building. Above all, Mr. Landers had a certain degree of respect from those who worked for him.

There was speculation, there was talk and there was much curiosity, but everyone knew that it would never be satisfied. Mr. Landers was a very private person, and he liked it that way. 

Business hours were eight to five and there was plenty of overtime. Employees showed up promptly at seven-fifty, and though Ms. Filla was always half an hour early, Mr. Landers was inevitably there before her. They would nod politely in passing and continue their way.

Ms. Filla had her desk set up to view the main entrance, the one that opened to the street. Those who walked in were greeted by a comfortable sitting room, and then a door that opened to a long rectangular room. Ms. Filla’s desk faced the door, and down to her right were the cubicles. To her left was the elevator that went down to the garage and up to the other floors.

Visitation was by appointment only, and Mr. Landers was a stickler for procedure. So, when the front door opened at twelve past ten o’clock on Monday morning, Ms. Filla reached for her schedule book.

Her brown eyebrows came together in disapproval; there were no appointments that morning.

The unannounced guest peered through the open door, which Ms. Filla left propped open, and stared at the frowning secretary.

Can I help you sir? asked Ms. Filla professionally.

I want to see Mr. Landers. The man was late fifties, with graying hair and a noticeable limp.

You’ll need an appointment sir, let me see what I can do. Ms. Filla opened her book.

I want to see him now; it is a matter of some urgency. The man leaned on a silver-handled cane, watching Ms. Filla with undisguised hostility. 

The secretary was not one for mincing words; I shall say it only once more sir, visitation is by appointment only.

Listen here ma’am.......... The gentleman stopped as the elevator dinged.

Colonel Davidson, I believe we spoke on the phone, Mr. Landers held out his hand as he stepped from the elevator.

Ms. Filla pressed her lips together primly as the Colonel limped over to shake Landers' hand. I believe we did; your secretary was just informing me that I need an appointment, the Colonel barked.

Landers' dark eyes flitted to Ms. Filla, Its fine, the Colonel made his appointment through me, and I neglected to pass it on. Without further explanation, Landers showed the Colonel to the elevator, and swiped his pass to close the doors.

Ms. Filla sniffed and penciled the Colonels name into her appointment book. She swerved to face the computer, and her fingers tapped away diligently at the keys.  

On the second floor, Landers settled behind his desk, in a comfortable leather chair. The Colonel dropped hesitantly into the chair facing Landers, propping his cane up against the side.

I suppose you’ve had enough time to think over my proposal. The Colonel rubbed his stubby jaw thoughtfully. You should know that one thing has changed. I’ve hired a lawyer to handle the legal angle.

I’ll need a signed form from you, for my own legal purposes. Landers pushed a manila envelope across his desk.

Your fee will be doubled if you find Sharlet before the end of the month. Colonel Davidson scribbled his signature at the bottom of the form.

Landers eyes flickered to his desk calendar, it was the twenty-sixth, he didn’t comment, merely