The Precious Topaz (The Precious Trilogy Book 2)

by C Renee

  I can’t watch that perfect family anymore so I turn my head to look out the window. Trying to distract my thoughts of the possibilities I could have had if I didn’t make the mistake of going back to Matt.

  “Lou Lou, I’m glad you called me.” I hear Seth’s voice before I see him. I turn back to face ahead of me and there sits Seth.

  He looks great considering he has been living in a different country for a few years now.

  It’s really good to see him outside of the hospital walls. I really have missed my brother and I hope he stays in town a little bit longer.

  The waitress comes back over to place my coffee in front of me and Seth orders a cream cheese bagel with his coffee.

  “So little sis, why are we meeting at this café on short notice?” Seth doesn’t waste time on asking me what’s wrong.

  “Well I will be staying with Alex until Steph finds another apartment because Matt knows where we live and it isn’t safe anymore.” I take a sip of my coffee before continuing.

  “I needed to get out of Alex’s house because when his father died he left a note with him. I can’t tell you any details but he has shut me out and I can’t be there right now.” I look down at my hands and they are shaking.

  “Will you please tell me what happened in the last four years you were with Matt? As a brother I need to know everything that fucker has done to you. I will make him pay.”

  “No, I really don’t want to go back and relive everything that happened. Just know that four years of my life have been a living hell and every time I think about what happened is killing me bit by bit inside. I can’t let it hurt me anymore.” I clench my fists and continue to stare at the door. I’m hoping Matt would walk through that door and get this mess over with but I will crumble if I see him again. I’m not sure which scenario is better.

  “Fine, I won’t push you this matter but will you please talk to someone about it. I can see it’s eating you up and I can’t sit by and let it happen.” He has sadness in his eyes and that breaks my heart.

  “I have a psychiatrist appointment on Friday. It’s only three days away and no I don’t want anyone to come with me. I will be fine.” I am scared to go but I won’t ever let that out.

  “If that’s what you want.” He looks down at the bagel and we both give confused looks. Not sure when that arrived but he looks grateful that it’s there. It keeps him from asking any more questions I’m sure he has bubbling to the surface.

  “Enough about me, I want to know how your trip to Paris was? Did you meet anyone there? What lead were you chasing?” I can finally let out a breath knowing the subject is now on my brother.

  “I shouldn’t be telling you this but you are my sister and I don’t want to keep you in the dark.” His face dropped from the thoughts circling around in his head. This can’t be good.

  “I was following a lead on Antonio Marfio. He is the Drug Lord in Europe. I went to Paris to catch him out on a huge drug bust. I was following him and his men for weeks, I was so close to finishing my paper on him until one day he caught on. He found me in my secret location, captured me and locked me away for I think a few weeks. I wasn’t sure how long I went without food or water until they released me. They could have killed me but someone spoke on my behalf and that was the end of that investigation. I returned home to find out my baby sister was in the hospital.” The brother staring back at me isn’t the same one I spent my whole life with, the man sitting in front of me is a stranger and I am going to fix that. He is my brother after all.

  “I’m so sorry Seth, I didn’t even think your job was that dangerous. Do you know who gave that good word to Antonio? Are you still going to be a journalist?” My thoughts are rushing around, who could this person be? Why would they give a shit about my brother when they could have killed him? I want to ask him all these questions but really I’m afraid of the answers.

  “No I don’t, but I was doing some digging when I left and since I got back home. I have a lead but I need money, money I don’t have.” Can he be serious? Is he going to do something illegal? I’m starting to get really worried about him. I need to say something, before he gets killed.

  “I know I asked, but do you really have to find out who it was? Can’t you just leave it alone?” I can tell I’m making him angry.

  “No. I won’t leave this alone Louise. This person saved my life. The least I can do is find whoever it is and thank them. I just have to come up with the money first.”

  “I think it’s a bad idea, I don’t want you to end up dead.” I can feel the table vibrate. I look down at my phone and the screen is black. It’s not my phone.

  “Hello Seth speaking.” I look up and Seth is on the phone.

  He seems busy with whoever is on the phone so I send Steph a text. She’s at work but I know she will read it.

  I’m coming to your house tonight, have drinks ready. L xo

  I think that’s what I need, a girls night in with my best friend. She knows exactly the right things to say to me.

  I look over to Seth and he’s still on the phone. This catch up has gone horribly bad, I’m stuck in limbo and I don’t know where to go from here.

  I look down at my phone again and there’s a reply from Steph, she told me to bring nice clothes ‘just in case of emergency.’ I can tell we won’t be staying in tonight.

  “Sorry about that Louise, that was work. I have to head into the office shortly. Sorry to have to end this catch up.” Seth seems agitated.

  “That’s fine, you go do you.” I can’t help but come across pissed off. He will understand that he’s going to leave me to my dark thoughts again and I can’t have that.

  “Before you leave Seth. Will you tell me if you met anyone over there?” I have to know his love life; it’ll make me somewhat happy.

  “Not really, it was all just about work but I did have a one night stand with this one woman. She was amazing, but sadly after our hot nightI never saw her again. I didn’t get her name but if I saw her again, I would know it’s her.” Watching Seth’s face change from brooding male to a happy one in a matter of seconds when he mentioned this woman is outstanding. This woman has changed my brother.

  “Does this woman live in Paris or was she just visiting?” The curiosity has gotten the better of me.

  “From her accent she was only visiting, it seems to me that she’s from America. I have no clue where to start if I wanted to find her but I don’t.” Seth gets up out of his seat, leans over the table and kisses me on the forehead.

  “It was good seeing you Lou Lou but enough about my life. Go conquer your own.” He leaves the café without looking back. The subject about the woman has touched him deeply; does he love this mystery girl? If he does, then good for him. I have seen him get thrown aside because he’s the nice guy and is always put into the friend zone. I hope one day that will change, he deserves more.

  I check the time and its only three pm. Reece has been with Alex for four hours, I’m not sure if I should go back and assess the situation. I know Alex needs his space but he also needs to open up to me.

  I know what to do.

  I get up from the table and make my way to the front door. I’m just about to open the door when an outline of a person reflects in the window. I get this sudden sinking feeling in my gut telling me to run but instead I turn around, I expected it to be Matt but it’s not.

  It’s a woman.

  “Can I help you?” I turn on my bitchy tone, one I haven’t used for a long time but I am NOT in the mood for this.

  This blonde petite woman is shorter than me, standing here giving me a blank stare through her glasses. It seems she wants to say something but changes her mind but then she takes a step forward and mutters a “No.”

  That’s it; she just walks past me before I could say anything else to her.

  That was strange.

  I don’t need to add anything else to this horrible day I’m already living.

  I decided to brush off that en
counter and walk to my car, I need some peace and quiet and hopefully the darkness doesn’t pop up and invade my thoughts.

  The drive back to Alex’s place was relaxing, the radio was loud and the bad thoughts didn’t appear which gave me time to think about nothing. I’m not exactly sure what I’m heading into when I get inside but I’m hoping Reece has taken care of it and things will go back to the way they were this morning.

  I need things to turn back to normal.

  I like Alex.

  I wish he would open up to me like he does with Reece. I am 100% certain that my past and what I have gone through can top any of his problems.

  I’m up the stairs and ready to open the door when I hear a loud crash and bang.

  Nope, not peaceful at all.

  Fucking hell Reece, he had four hours to make things better, not make it so much worse.

  I open and close the front door and I’m stuck frozen in place. The apartment isn’t a mess; nothing seems to be out of place except for a few broken picture frames.

  “What the fuck is going on!?” I shout across the room, not sure who it is directed to.

  “I’m sorry Louise, now is not the best of times to be back. He has only gotten worse.” Reece pops up from cleaning the floor.

  “Why haven’t you fixed him yet?” I march over to where he is kneeling on the floor and stand just before him.

  He looks up at me and God he is beautiful.

  Those blue eyes and his blonde hair make him look like he’s fallen from heaven.

  “I’ve tried everything but he doesn’t want to listen to me. Maybe you should have another go while I clean this mess up out here.” I shake my head from being angry.

  “No, I really shouldn’t. I should be going to Steph’s place for a girls night in.” I shake my head at him before I walk off to my room across the hall.

  “No harm in trying Louise.” He calls after me.

  Maybe I should just give it one more shot before I give up completely.

  I think I should pack first, just in case. I don’t want to ruin plans with Steph, I haven’t spent as much time with her as I would like.

  I miss her.

  I go into my closet and pick out a nice outfit to wear tonight; I have a feeling she will want to take me out on the town. I can’t decide if I want the black mini skirt with a red lacy top or to wear my short pink dress.

  I decide to pack the skirt and top into an overnight bag with another change of clothes, makeup and two pairs of shoes.

  I have my bags in hand and walk out of my room, I know I should talk to Alex but I’m not sure I’m the person to do it.

  If I don’t do this then when will Alex ever open up to me?

  I stop in the middle of my room and I turn around. I don’t look back at Reece because that will give him the satisfaction of him winning but I do hear him chuckle.

  Men.

  Chapter Eight

  Alex

  THE NOTE HAS COMPLETELY overwhelmed me. I didn’t expect anything like that. My father left me his company and a seat on a board to a secret agency that’s fucking unbelievable. I’ve read the note over and over again, I can’t decide if this is a good thing. I know it puts Louise and me, in a difficult situation. I wish I had the steel balls to talk to her about this but I can’t even look at her.

  Sitting in my room away from her aches, I need space and this is the only way I can get it.

  If I accept this seat on the board I’m jeopardizing whatever we have. Am I ready to do that?

  There’s a knock on my door and Reece barges in. Great, he is the only person who I wanted to see.

  “What the fuck are you doing man?” Reece walks over to me and pulls the note from my hand. I can’t look at him while he reads it.

  “Is this really why you pushed Louise away? I think you’re over-reacting” Reece throws the note on the bed and he takes a seat next to me.

  “This agency is tied to the fucker who hurt Louise and now I’m meant to walk right in and take over? Don’t you think it’s going to put a strain on whatever is going on with us?” I get up and walk towards the kitchen. I need a strong drink.

  “I understand that but why not let Louise in? If you care for her as I know you do. Just fucking do it.” Reece comes by the kitchen counter and takes the drink out of my hand. The same drink I was about to throw back.

  Fucker.

  I pour myself another drink and this time I don’t hesitate to down it all. I feel the burn at the back of my throat.

  Much better.

  “I just want to keep her safe and not bring any more drama into her life.” I plead with Reece to understand my inner struggle. I won’t allow myself to hurt her.

  “Is there a number you can call to sort out the agency?” Reece walks past me to my room and minutes later he comes back out with the note. Why must he poke the bear when it’s sleeping?

  “Reece, I don’t want to be involved in this. You take the seat on the board.” I walk past Reece to sit on the couch.

  “Here look, there is a number on the front of the note. Did you miss this?” Reece passes me the note and sure enough here is a number. Both Louise and I must have missed it.

  “Must have, I’m not going to call.” I scrunch up the note and throw it across the room. I turn away before I know where it landed. I need one less problem in my life.

  “You’re an idiot.” I hear Reece mutter.

  “Just leave Reece, I don’t need your help anymore.”

  “No, no. I’m not going anywhere, not until I’ve knocked some sense into you. I promised Lou.” Reece sits next to me on the couch and turns the TV on. This is going to take a while.

  Two hours later and I wake up from the couch with a stiff neck. Ouch.

  I turn over and see Reece has fallen asleep too. The fucker looks peaceful so I don’t wake him up. I get up and I lose my balance and knock the remote to the floor.

  Great, I didn’t want to wake Reece up but he just stirs in his sleep. Phew.

  I walk towards my room and see the note on the floor on my way there. I just stare at it; do I pick it up or leave it there?

  A phone call won’t hurt, so I pick it up from the floor and continue the walk to my bedroom.

  I sit on my bed and grab my phone off the nightstand. The numbers on the piece of paper seem so harmless but I’m scared out of my mind.

  I’m not prepared for this hurdle in life but it’s something I need to do. For my father.

  I enter the number in the phone and place it against my ear.

  The ringing has started and someone picks up after the third ring.

  “Hello this is Sylvia from Silver Shadows, what can I do for you?”

  “Hi, ah… this is Alex Knight and my father left me this number.” I don’t sound confident at all. What the fuck is wrong with me?

  “Ah yes, glad you called Mr. Knight. Hold on while I connect the call to Mr. Wayne.”

  I’ve been put on hold, fantastic way to calm my nerves.

  “Alex, it’s good to hear from you. I’m sorry about your father, he was a good man. I’ll need you to come into the office tomorrow.” He told me the time and place before he hung up on me. Mr. Wayne seems like a pleasant man but he seems like the type that you wouldn’t want to cross.

  I hear footsteps coming towards my room, I get up off the bed and meet Reece halfway. We are back standing face to face and he looks grumpy.

  What the fuck is up his ass now?

  “Alex, this is bugging the fuck out of me because I’m your best friend and I want better from you. So I’m going to give you two options. One, you fuck Louise out of your system and let her go or two, you fucking let her in man. Let her help you through this. She is stronger then you allow her to be.” Did he really just say that? Is this really bothering him?

  “Reece, whatever I decide to do isn’t any of your business. Let it go.” I try to walk past him but he grabs hold of my arm.

  “Let me go Reece, this isn’t your decision.�
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  “The fuck it isn’t any of my business. Louise is my friend too and I’m not going to let you fuck it up.” Reece holds on tighter and he’s making me really mad; I can’t listen to his bullshit anymore. I pull my arm free and grab the nearest picture frame and throw it against the wall right in front of me. That felt good, I grabbed another two and threw it against the same wall. I don’t bother looking back at Reece when I turn back around to walk into my room. I slam my door shut

  This has to end; I’m stuck in limbo. I need Louise but she can’t be involved.

  I stare at my phone, looking at Louise’s number going through a possible conversation to have with her when I hear the front door open and close.

  Reece must have left.

  “What the fuck happened?” I hear Louise’s shout from the kitchen. She must have seen the mess I made. Reece is the one who pushed me too far.

  I listen some more and I hear them talking, I can’t make out exactly what they are saying so I don’t bother going back out there. I’ll let them sort it out, I don’t feel bothered with them talking about me. I feel kind of flattered.

  A couple of minutes pass and I hear a light tap on my bedroom door. If it were Reece he wouldn’t bother knocking, he would just barge right through the door.

  It has to be Louise.

  “Come in.” I say after I swallow a lump in my throat.

  Louise pops her head around the door and she smiles shyly.

  What a beautiful sight she is.

  I never thought my heart would pump this fast just by seeing her face. She is a sight for sore eyes.

  “Hey, ah… I just wanted to come check up on you before I head to Steph’s for the night.” She opens the door wider and the rest of her comes into view. She is wearing denim shorts, a purple tank top and flip-flops.