by A. R. Ford
The angel and devil both applaud my actions and speech. A cab provides transportation to the condo. A bodyguard is missing from the door. It will not please Lukas to learn this information. I send him a text but also add that I am safe inside the condo with the door locked. Several text messages from Morgan come through. My cell rings, revealing Lukas’s number. I answer to reduce his worry.
“Sarah, what the heck is going on over there?” Oh, dear. Lukas is not happy. Voice tone and volume are in the upper echelons of the ‘I am pissed register’.
“I got organized and made a few requests to work effectively. I just wanted to let you know I’m safe and there is no bodyguard or security whatever at the condo,” I reply. “There’s no need to overreact. I’ve got this in control.”
Lukas laughs before continuing. “I would love to have seen Morgan’s face when you made your demands. What did you ask for exactly?”
“The basics: just a phone, computer, printer, and some interest on their part. I gave them until Friday, or I walk. I’m not going back until tomorrow. Morgan might need time to get his act together.”
“Speak of the devil, Morgan’s calling. I’ll talk to you later, babe. Keep the door locked, please?”
“Bye,” I murmur as my heart melts when he calls me babe. I end the call before searching in the fridge for food. Morgan needs to get his act together. I’m serious about my demands. He should know this by now.
After learning that they have met my demands, I continue to work through the week. Morgan hires an IT company to set up Internet and secure email for all of us. He works on a website and asks John and me to approve the basic design. Who knew Morgan could build websites? The page is sleek, professional, and eye-catching. By Friday, the office hums along like a well-oiled machine. Within a month, Morgan has hired a half dozen new staff. He even thanked me for whipping the company into shape.
Chapter 19
Lukas
I insist that we meet Morgan and Brittney on a Friday evening for dinner at a local steakhouse. It’s good to see Morgan so happy with Brittney a part of his life. A thunderstorm brews overhead while I drive to the restaurant.
Sarah glanced at the darkening sky. A peak of thunder and a flash of lightning makes her jump. “I hate storms,” she mutters.
“I have an umbrella,” I assure her.
The first drops of rain fall as we leave the car. I am relieved to be standing inside the restaurant. Silver-blue streaks of lightning dance across the evening sky while thunder booms loud enough to rattle the windows. Moments later, sheets of heavy rain pour from the heavens. I am relieved when our food arrives. We carry on conversations about our week while eating. Sarah excuses herself with a murmured comment about the restroom.
“You guys seem happy together,” I grin when Morgan unexpectedly kisses Brittney’s cheek.
Brittney nodded and smiled. “I’m so glad you harassed Sarah that night at the Flying Crown, Lukas. Without you, I wouldn’t have met Morgan.”
“I guess we have you to thank, bro,” Morgan agreed. I’ve never seen my brother this happy and relaxed.
Flicking lights then total darkness follows a loud crash of thunder. Darkness envelops the restaurant only broken by the light of windows near the front of the building. A second later, a man’s roar of pain comes from the back of the restaurant. Sarah. I bolt from the chair then weave my way through the tables toward the restrooms.
Morgan followed at my heels. Chaos erupts as the lights come on. I rush into the restroom only to see Sarah on the floor clutching her head.
“What happened?” I say as I collect her off the floor. “Dammit! You’re bleeding, Sarah.” I examine the knot on her forehead. A trail of blood dribbles from the gash in its center.
“Taser meets would-be attacker. I think he got away.” Sarah giggles. “My head hurts.”
“This is nothing to laugh about,” I grumble, brow furrowed as I examine her for other injuries. “We should go get this looked at.”
“I’ll be fine with a Band-Aid,“ Sarah murmured.
“You will not be fine with just a Band-Aid!” I growl in frustration induced by fear for Sarah’s safety. The attacks have become physical and directly target her. My thoughts spin desperately as I try to think of some way to protect her.
“I’m fine, honestly. It doesn’t even hurt.”
“Morgan, look into this. We need to discuss the number of men available for Sarah. I’ll talk to you soon.” I lead Sarah to the car after paying for our meals. She sits quietly, occasionally darting a glance in my direction. I take her hand once we arrive at the hospital. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you, Sarah. I’m sorry for overreacting,” I say before kissing each knuckle of her hand held in mine.
“I’m not helpless, Lukas. And I handled things just fine,” Sarah replies.
I cup her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Let me do what I can to protect you. Trust that I know best in some areas, babe.” My gut twists as I realize each time a message or an attack has come, Sarah has been with me. I wonder if protecting her means putting distance between us? I shake the thought away as the thought of being without Sarah sickens me.
“What are you not telling me?” Sarah asks, eyes searching mine.
I shake my head. “Nothing, babe. Let’s go get you checked out.”
*******
Morgan drops by for an impromptu visit on Saturday evening. We eat dinner before Morgan and I launch into a discussion about the security firm. Sarah wanders off to the balcony to watch the setting sun. An hour later, we are still deep in discussion. The information Morgan has shared rips my heart open. The people I trust the most have betrayed me.
Sarah clears the dishes, loads the dishwasher, and excuses herself to get ready for bed. The instant the bedroom door closes our discussion becomes more heated.
“Josh and Millie. Are you certain it’s them, Morgan?” I ask while looking at the bank transfers into their accounts and photographs of them with Roman Bass.
“It’s them. They meet with Roman the day before something happens with Sarah. The private investigator used some new technology to eavesdrop on distant conversations. It’s all on this recorder.” Morgan takes a compact digital recorder from one pocket. He places it in the folder. “Listen, and you’ll see.”
The recording leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Everything Morgan says is true. “How do I protect Sarah?”
“You have to keep her away. When you’re together, things happen. You have to make it look like you broke the engagement,” Morgan suggests.
“No! There has to be another way. I can’t, not Sarah.”
“You can make her understand after Millie and Josh are behind bars. She’ll be safe with Brittney.” Morgan sounds certain this is the only way. I’m not sure. Hurting Sarah is the last thing I want to do.
“Millie met with Roman today. Something will happen tomorrow. What if he hurts her?” My voice I strangled, the torment painful and sickening. “It’s the only way?”
“I think it’s the safest way. Sarah can’t pretend with you, Luke.”
Our whispered conversation brings no other options. At three in the morning, Sarah rouses from sleep and comes searching for me. She always does this when I don’t sleep by her side. The most painful act of love must come now. To protect Sarah, I must break her heart.
“What’s going on?” Sarah says. “Morgan, you’re still here?”
“It’s over, Sarah. It’s best if we don’t see each other.” An icy spear of pain pierces my heart when her eyes cloud with tears. She takes a step back, inhales sharply and shakes her head.
She steps toward me, confusion and hurt mirrored in the hazel eyes. “You don’t mean that. I love you, Lukas. I thought…”
A hand goes up to stop her approach. If she touches me, the plan will end. My heart will melt along with my resolve. “You need to leave. I’m done.”
Then the coup de gras comes. Morgan speaks up, adding insult to i
njury. “Given the circumstances, Sarah, it’s best if you don’t continue at the firm. I’ll mail your check and any belongings left at the office.”
Sarah turns away without a word. The slump of her shoulders and droop of her head let me know she is broken. A few minutes later, she returns from the bedroom with a backpack. She tugs the engagement ring off before placing it on the coffee table along with the keys to the condo and the business. She takes the cell phone and clutch purse from the table before turning and silently walking out the door.
The instant she is gone my stomach roils. I barely make it to the bathroom in time.
“You alright in there?” Morgan asks.
I open the door. “Nothing is alright without Sarah. Are you certain this is the only way?”
“I’m sorry, Lukas. Every time an attack or message happens, she’s with you. Millie and Josh are on the take. We have to get this information to Detective Akins. When he takes them out, we can talk to Sarah,” Morgan replies. “She’ll be safe with Brittney.”
I call Brittney at nine the next morning just to check on Sarah. I have to pretend to be a cold, uncaring bastard but that doesn’t mean I can’t check on her. Brittney answers on the first ring. “Brittney, did Sarah make it there?”
“Fuck you. You’ve done enough, Lukas. You and Morgan are something else. She’s cried ever since she got here and won’t come out of the room,” Brittney replies. “Do us a favor. Stay out of our lives.”
“Morgan has nothing to do with this.” An icy spear of fear pierces my gut. I pray they will listen when everything is over.
“He had everything to do with this. I know he’s still there. You’re gloating over your victory. If you show your face at the apartment, I’ll have you arrested.”
The call ends. “Is Sarah with Brittney?” Morgan asks.
“Yeah. We’re both fucked now. Brittney dares either of us to show our face at the apartment,” I bite out.
“Fuck.”
“You sure your plan is worth it, Morgan? Cause right now I’m feeling shitty about our chances of pulling this together. You can show yourself out. I need a drink.”
I walk to the bar and take a swig straight from the whiskey bottle. The burn does little to settle the worry. Why in the hell did I agree to go along with Morgan’s plan? Now I’ve created my own hell on earth. I pour a full glass of whiskey, drain it, close my eyes as the thought of being without Sarah pounds my brain. I roar with rage at the same instant that I throw the empty glass against the wall. It shatters into a million pieces just like my heart.
It overjoys Detective Akins to get the private investigator’s file on Josh and Millie. The file contains enough information that he thinks he can obtain arrest warrants within the next week. That isn’t the case. Day by miserable fucking day stretches onward. On Monday, I’m forced to report to work. At least I can make the ruse look good. I’m fighting a hangover, and the color has drained from my face.
“Is everything alright, Mr. Knight?” Millie asks as I walk past her desk into the office.
I pause at the door, turn, and reply, “No, Millie. Sarah and I are no longer together. If she calls, give her the run-around. I don’t want to speak to her. If she comes by, have security escort her out.”
“Yes. Of course, Mr. Knight. Is there anything you need?” Millie continues.
“Coffee, two ibuprofen, and hold all my calls today.” It’s one of the biggest lies to come out of my mouth. The first lie came when I told Sarah we weren’t working out. My stomach twists as a knife of regret stabs through my heart. This plan isn’t working out, but I can’t turn back now.
Josh drops by unannounced later that afternoon. “You don’t look so great, Lukas. What’s going on?”
My former best friend is pretending like he cares. It takes every bit of control I have to not smash his face in. I turn to look out the windows while telling yet another lie. “It’s been a rough weekend. Sarah and I aren’t together any longer. Things just weren’t working out.”
“I hate to hear that, Lukas. I thought you were getting along just fine. What happened?” Josh has the good graces to sit heavily in the chair in front of my desk. He looks like the wind has been taken right out of his sails.
“Too much baggage,” I reply while swiveling on one foot to stare at him. He looks up, gives me a weak grin, and nods. I can’t believe his gall. On the take, passing information to someone who threatens Sarah. And he’s here pretending to care. There will be time for retribution later. Now I play along.
“I hate that, Lukas. Hey, want to join me at the Flying Crown for drinks tonight?”
“I’m not in the mood. How about we meet at the gym on Saturday? Nine too early for you?”
Josh stands up and nods again. “Yeah, sure, I understand. The gym on Saturday would be great.” Josh walks toward the door, pauses, and glances back at me. “You’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do. Won’t you?”
“Of course, I will, Josh. Guys have to stick together,” I mutter.
For three miserable weeks, we meet at the gym every Saturday. We work out and pretend to be good friends while inside my heart is dying. Millie is beyond attentive. She brings coffee and ibuprofen every morning after I drink whiskey like it’s water every evening. Hangovers have become a part of my daily routine. Even Morgan starts to notice. I’ve stopped eating and drop at least ten pounds. I wonder how Sarah is, what she might be doing, and if it hurts her as much as it hurts me.
Chapter 20
Sarah
Brittney hesitantly comes to my bedroom. She was deeply disturbed by my tearful wails. “What happened?”
“He said it wasn’t working out, and I had to leave,” I sob. Nothing has ever hurt this much. Not even Simon’s betrayal.
“But you were so happy together,” Brittney interjects.
My eyes are swollen and throat raw from crying. A pounding begins in my head. I close my eyes as tears flow freely. My heart has been ripped apart by the man I trusted most. Now he has betrayed me. “Morgan fired me,” I whisper.
“Morgan was in on this?” she hisses. “Bastards!”
Her anger is frightening and draining. All I want to do is curl into a ball and sleep. My heart aches. It feels as if someone shoved a knife into it before twisting it to do the most damage. “I just need to be alone.”
“I’ll check on you later,” Brittney says.
Once the door closes my heart shatters yet again. I burrow under the comforter and sob until no more tears will fall. The next few weeks turn into a haze of sleeping too much, rarely eating, and crying.
Brittney’s response to the events is an all-out war on the Knight brothers. The first to taste vengeance is Morgan who shows up the next day with flowers for her. I flee upon seeing him but hear Brittney’s screams through the door. She kicks Morgan out before he can hope to explain. Good for her. I wish I could do more than curl into a ball and slowly wither away.
The angel and devil look at me, mouths open in shock at the sudden turn of events. Yes, I should have known better than to believe Lukas’s professions of undying love and devotion were true. Didn’t Simon teach me anything?
Lukas sends a few text messages and calls once. I block the number for good measure. I can’t talk to him, not now. Thinking about him only intensifies the pain. Brittney demands that I eat at least once a day. Food doesn’t appeal to me. I survive on an occasional apple, a few crackers or yogurt. Clothes that once fit well are baggy.
Two weeks later, I am but a shell of my normal self. Thankfully, my room is dark, and the air conditioner works well. I feel the blast of cool air after setting the thermostat on sixty-five. The nest of pillows beckons. I change into a nightgown before burrowing under the blanket. Darkness consumes me as I fall asleep.
Brittney rouses me one morning a few weeks after the breakup. “Some guy named Riley Briggs is here to see you. He insists on talking to you.”
I shrug into a robe before walking into the living room. Riley i
s a tall, muscular man that I estimate is in his forties. His blonde hair is cut in a military-style crew cut.
“I’m Riley Briggs. Pleased to meet you,” he says. I accept his hand and admire the firm handshake.
“I’m Sarah. Brittney said you needed to speak to me,” I mumble. Brittney shoves a cup of coffee into my hand.
“Lukas Knight hired me to be your bodyguard. He insisted that I start today,” Riley says with a smile.
“Get out.” I shuffle to the front door and hold it open. “Now.”
Riley frowns. “Did I do something to upset you, Miss Ross? Mr. Knight insists that I stay with you.”
“I said get out.”
Riley ignores me and instead dials a number on his cell phone. “Mr. Knight? You’re certain this is the right address and person?” He pauses and listens while Lukas no doubt feeds him a line of bull. “Hold on, sir. I’ll see if she will speak with you.” He holds the phone out with a smile. “Mr. Knight would like to speak to you.”
“I said get out! Leave! Let me just wallow in misery in peace!” I scream the words before slinging the cup of coffee at Riley’s head. It shatters harmlessly a foot or so from its intended mark. All the pain comes rushing back. I collapse against the wall, crying so hard my throat is raw.
Brittney glares at Riley. “You can tell Mr. Knight Sarah doesn’t need anything from him except to be left alone. He’s done more than enough damage.” She slams the door in the man’s stunned face.
