by A. M. Kusi
Chapter 31
“I’ll pick you up; text me the address,” he said before he hung up.
She texted him. Thirty minutes later, she got another text to say that he was outside. She walked down to meet him, and he motioned for her to get in.
He drove off as soon as her door was closed.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“For a drive. Nice neighborhood,” he said sarcastically.
“Yeah, well, at least I earned every dollar to have something of my own. I didn’t have to sell my soul to do it.”
His smile was sad. “Open the glove box.”
She did, and saw a yellow envelope inside. Not bothering to wait for his instructions, she opened it.
Liam was quiet as she sifted through it all. Pages and pages of documents, photos, names, and proof of violations against her father were enclosed. Many were printed on the company Human Resources letterhead. It was all Daniel Grayson’s indiscretions on record.
“W-why are you giving me this?”
“Because.” He flashed her a smile. “Someone has to take that bastard down.”
“You’re risking a lot to help me, to help these women,” she said, stunned.
“I’m not a complete selfish asshole. At first it started because I wanted control of the company. After you stood up to him, I realized it was about something much bigger than just me. He will be forced to step down from the board and . . . it will benefit me. I’ll take over. I have everything set up. I need to have clean hands regarding how this is leaked though.”
“I see. How am I supposed to do that?”
“I seem to remember you mentioning news outlets when you told the bastard off. It’s one thing to stand up and say something; it’s another to actually do something about it. He’s just gonna keep repeating his actions.”
“I can’t splash these women’s names all over, victimizing them again. I need their permission. I have to ask if they want to pursue it in court.”
“I doubt it would get that far. The company will settle with them, I’m sure. I have a few other things up my sleeve for dear old Dad. This is just the first step. Do this, and I promise they will all get a nice fat check, the chance to face him if they choose, and then I’ll deal with him.”
“Thank you, Liam,” she said, looking him in the eyes. Could she really trust him?
“There’s a business card for a lawyer who can help deal with the complainants.” Liam made another turn and they were back in front of her house, where he pulled over.
She got out. “I will.”
He nodded. “And, Isa?”
“Yeah?”
“Be safe,” he said before driving away.
Her heart was nearly beating out of her chest by the time she made it back to her dingy apartment. She opened the folder again, finding a small white envelope with her name on it. She opened it and found cash. Her brother was looking out for her. She hadn’t lost all her family like she’d thought.
A name caught her eye: Esther Appiah. She discovered documented statements from Esther and a copy of the email her father had sent out, notifying other companies not to hire Phillip Appiah. Her belly twisted with nervous excitement knowing she could give their family some form of payment for the pain they had been through.
Isa drew the lawyer’s card out and dialed the number with shaky hands. She knew what she had to do.
***
Isa locked the doors to the gallery on Christmas Eve. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as the strong feeling of being watched crashed over her. She had been more alert since meeting with the lawyer, knowing that if her father found out what they were up to, he would do whatever he could to stop her. She reached for her purse when a familiar voice set her at ease.
“Isa.”
She turned. Griffin Smith’s easy smile was aimed at her as he leaned against his car. He wore a charcoal grey coat that was open enough for her to see chest hair peeking out above his partly unbuttoned dress shirt.
“Hey,” she answered, picking up the packages she had gift wrapped and walked over to him.
“I’m here to offer you a ride home.” He smiled, reaching out his hand to help her into the passenger side of his car.
“Oh, well. I would love to, but I’m going to my friend’s house.”
“I’ll drop you off there then.”
She smiled and climbed in.
As he drove towards the address she’d typed into the GPS, he asked her about her work at the gallery. His questions about the business side of the art gallery kept coming until he pulled in front of Harper’s house.
“I have to admit, I didn’t come today just to give you a ride,” he said.
She turned to face him. “Oh?”
“Come to a Christmas party with me later tonight?”
She glanced out the window. She didn’t know when she would be ready, but it wasn’t now; maybe never. She and Ethan had only been apart for twenty-four days and three hours. But who was counting? She did owe Griffin for his help.
“I would like to introduce you to some other gallery owners there. It would be like a networking thing,” he added.
She chewed on her bottom lip, considering his request. “Okay. Is what I’m wearing alright? I don’t have anything else with me.”
“Send me your sizes and I’ll have something dropped off for you by my personal assistant. Pick you up at eight.” He smiled.
“See you then.” She smiled back because it felt good to be wanted. Griffin had been respectful of her and had helped her when it had been essential. He’d given her the space she’d told him she needed after he’d kissed her, not trying anything else since. Why not?
At Harper’s house she rang the doorbell, packages in hand.
Harper answered with a smile on her face and an ugly Christmas sweater with two cookies on it blinking across her chest.
“Hey! Isa’s here!” she announced to Jax, River, and Ella who were sitting in the living room, drinking and laughing.
“I like your sweater.” Isa smiled.
“Get it? Milk and cookies?” Harper laughed and pointed to her breasts as she shimmied.
“I’m sure Santa is very happy.” Isa winked, nodding towards Jax.
“Oh, he is.” She smiled, but Isa could see the hesitation in it. Her friend was worried about being too happy in front of her. The truth was, she didn’t feel like celebrating. But Harper had assured her that Ethan wouldn’t be coming until later when he was done with a party at his parents’.
“Where should I put the gifts for the kids?”
Harper showed her before getting her a glass of hot cocoa and rum.
Isa had fun catching up with Ella and River.
“Next year, we should invite all the families to the inn. We can close the whole thing,” River suggested.
“I’m in,” Jax said.
The guys went to the kitchen to raid the cookies at some point. Harper offered Ella and Isa a glass of dessert wine.
“No, thanks,” Ella refused.
Harper looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t have rum in your hot cocoa either. Are you—” Harper gasped.
Ella smiled.
“Oh my God, you’re pregnant!” Harper jumped up and down, causing baby Mila to giggle in her arms.
“We were going to wait until tomorrow to tell everyone,” Ella explained.
“Oh my God! I’m gonna be an aunty!” Harper exclaimed. The men came into the room, River straggling behind Jax with a smile on his face.
Jax looked between his wife and Ella before turning back to River. “You’re gonna be a dad?”
River’s smile widened. “Yeah.”
Jax pulled him into a tight hug. “Congratulations!”
Jax released River just long enough to grab Ella and
pull her into a gentler embrace.
“Gah! I’m so happy for you guys.” Harper beamed.
Isa plastered a smile on her face. She was happy for her friends, but she felt like an outsider peering in. None of these happy couples had found love the easy way. River and Ella had been forced to fight for their relationship pretty much from the beginning. Harper and Jax had felt like everything was stacked against them. From what she’d learned from her friends, love was worth fighting for, and it shredded her heart to pieces knowing Ethan had given up without even trying to find a solution. But had she?
With all that had happened, the steps she’d taken to help achieve justice for those her father had wronged . . . maybe now she could try again. Maybe they could be happy together. What they had was worth fighting for. She would call him after the party tonight and see if he was willing to stand by her side, and they could deal with this mess together.
The doorbell rang, interrupting her thoughts. Everyone was busy celebrating the news, so she went to answer it. Nervous that it might be the very man she had been thinking of, she opened the door. A mix of wintery air and snowflakes blew in.
A man held a package in his hand. “Isa Grayson?”
“Yes.”
“This is for you from Mr. Smith.” He handed her the package and left.
“What was that about?” Harper asked, peering out the window.
“I am going to a party in a little while. Griffin is taking me to network with some gallery owners,” Isa explained.
“Oh. I see. You’re sure that’s all it is?” Harper asked.
“It’s all it is to me.”
Harper nodded. “You can get ready in my room if you want.”
***
When it was almost eight, Isa made her way down the stairs. All her friends’ faces looked up with stunned expressions. The dress Griffin had picked out for her was blood red. The silky fabric hugged every curve, accentuating her features. It ruffled in a low V-neckline that made it impossible to wear a bra with. The back was barely covered with crisscrossing fabric. She walked on wobbly legs, feeling self-conscious in the black heels that made her five inches taller.
“Wow,” Harper said, her mouth hanging open.
Isa chewed on her bottom lip, nervousness and excitement vying for dominance in her belly.
“You look hot,” Harper added.
“Ethan just texted he is on the way,” Jax said, eyeing her with worry.
Isa felt like she needed to defend herself. This was not a date; it was a networking party.
“It’s just business,” she explained as the doorbell rang.
“Text me and let me know where you’re going. And when you make it home,” Harper said, handing Isa her coat.
“Thank you. I will.”
Isa walked over to Jax and said, “I know he’s your friend, but you keep looking at me like I’m the one who chose this. He broke up with me.”
Jax nodded somewhat reluctantly.
“Have fun and be safe,” Harper said, giving her a hug.
“I will.” She opened the door.
Griffin stood in a dark tuxedo. “Ready?”
No. But she needed to escape the judgmental looks from Jax and the watchful eyes of everyone who thought they knew better than her.
“Ready.”
Chapter 32
Ethan knocked on Jax’s door. Harper opened it with a hesitant smile.
“Finally! River has some news that I’m dying to tell anyone who will listen.” She giggled. The scent of alcohol wafted off her as she swayed slightly. “I’m going to be an aunt!”
He shut the door behind him and caught her as she jumped into his arms. He righted her on her feet as he asked, “River?”
She laughed. “Yes!”
He took off his boots, leaving them by the door before he hung up his coat. He walked into the living room to greet his two best friends and their wives. Jax held the baby monitor in one hand and a whiskey in the other.
“I heard congratulations are in order,” Ethan said, hugging River. He was happy for them.
“Thanks, man.”
They sat and talked for a while. It felt good to be around people he cared about.
Life without Isa had been lonely. Empty. Cold and dark. He missed the way her warm body fit perfectly in his, and the ebb and flow of the easy conversation between them.
He wished Isa was there with him, sharing in the joy of the holiday with their friends. He longed for the mornings waking up cold because she had stolen all his covers, and the nights sinking into her flesh as he’d fallen deeper in love with the woman who was nothing like he’d expected in the best of ways.
“Oh, Ethan, don’t let me forget to give you the gifts Isa dropped off for the kisss,” Harper said, slurring slightly.
“Dropped off?” he asked, perking up. “She’s back from Europe?”
“Uh . . .” Harper’s face grew pale as she sobered.
Ethan glanced between her and Jax. His friends shared a look. Jax’s expression was guilty.
“Jax? What’s goin’ on?” The room grew silent.
“She never went to Europe,” Jax admitted.
Confusion swirled in his mind. “Why didn’t you tell me that when you came over all those times?”
“She made us promise not to say anything. I told her I wouldn’t unless you asked,” he said, hanging his head, ashamed.
River stood, guiding Ella out of the room by her hand. “We’re gonna get some more tea.”
Ethan clenched his fists. His confusion transformed into anger over the betrayal. “What the fuck is going on?”
Harper stood up to explain. “The day you guys had lunch with her family, she walked out on them. She chose you. When you broke it off, you broke her heart.”
His mind reeled with the information. “She never told me that. Why did she say different? She lied to me. Wait. How did I break it off with her?” He ran his hand over his face. “She is the one who said it was over. She compared us to fucking Romeo and Juliet, saying it was never meant to be.”
“You should really talk to her about this,” Jax said.
“You lied to me too! Jax, I was there for you when you needed me, when you messed everything up with Harper and this is how you pay it forward?” he snapped.
“You’re right. I should have been up front with you. You and her need to sort your shit out together,” Jax said, standing up.
“Ethan, she had good intentions for not telling you what she did. Just give her the chance to explain,” Harper said.
“Where is she right now? I need to see her.”
Harper grabbed her phone. “I’ll text you the address.”
***
With Griffin by her side, Isa met with several gallery owners at the party. Held in an opulent mansion, it was more like a gala. He always found a way to touch her in some way—her lower back, her arm, a brush of his thigh against hers. He introduced her to so many people she forgot all their names. He raved about what an accomplished artist she was, and it felt good, hearing the praise.
Griffin asked her to dance and she obliged. His arms held her close against his warm, strong body. He was a good dancer, smooth and commanding. He twirled her around and her heart stopped. Her breath faltered. She could have sworn Ethan was watching her from the sea of bodies. She turned to find him again, but he was gone. A mirage sent to torture her with what she wanted most and could never have.
“Are you okay?” Griffin asked, sounding concerned.
“Uh, yeah. I think I’m just tired.” She filled her lungs with air as she tried to calm her frayed nerves and collect herself. There was no way Ethan could be here.
“Let me take you home.” He wrapped his arm around her, leading her out the front door to collect her coat.
She nodded, taking her
phone to let Harper know she was headed back to her apartment.
He handed her a bottle of water from his console. “Sorry, it’s all I have, but it should help.”
She politely accepted the drink and took a few sips.
***
“I’ll walk you up,” Griffin said, climbing out of the car before she could protest. He opened her door and extended his hand to her. Her aching feet wobbled as she stood. His arm reached around to steady her as her head buzzed slightly. She must have had more champagne than she’d thought.
Isa placed her keys into the lock and opened the door, gripping the frame as a wave of dizziness hit her.
“Th-thank you for taking me tonight. I really appreciated the introductions.”
“It was my pleasure. How about I come in for a drink?” he asked, leaning in closer.
“I—I don’t think so. I’m just going to head to bed.”
“Come on. After all I did for you tonight? Now that you’ve got what you wanted, you’re gonna shut the door in my face?” He chuckled. His tone was teasing, but his words felt off.
She drew a deep breath. Her mouth was as dry as cotton. She needed a drink, badly. “Griffin, it’s not like that at all. I told you how grateful I am. I also told you that this is just business.”
Was it just her or was it getting darker in the hallway? His strong hand gripped her and backed her into her apartment. She gasped at the sudden movement, dropping her small purse to the ground. He shut the door behind him. Her stomach twisted in an unsettled knot as the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Something didn’t feel right.
“Griffin—”
“Shhhh.” His finger rested across her lips gently but firmly. The shadow of the man hovering above her eclipsed her, his face inches from hers as her body froze.
“I know you want me, but you’re afraid to give in. You’re afraid you’re not good enough for me,” he said.
“No. That’s not . . .” She struggled to find the words, her tongue turning to sandpaper.
