“Hey.” Jamie’s hand came down on my shoulder and I looked up at him through blurry vision. “You did well back at the flat when we found her. You kept it together even though it was awful for you tae see her like that. You find that strength you had in that moment and hold on to it tae be there for her again.”
Jamie’s advice would stick with me over the next few days. Somewhere I’d find the strength to be what Harper needed, but worried constantly that it wasn’t enough.
I went in alone to be with Harper while the police interviewed her and took photos of her injuries. Although she told them everything that had happened (and I had to shut out the visuals her description produced because they made me nauseous), she was angry with me for calling the cops.
“I told you not to,” she hissed as they left us in the hospital room.
I slipped my arm around her waist to help her up off the bed. “Well, I did. Vince needs to face charges for this and you know it.”
“Yeah, so his defense team can drag up my history and twist it around on me to make it my fault. That I’m out looking for this kind of shit.”
I glared at her. “You do not. This is not your fault and you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.”
She looked away, tears burning in the eye that wasn’t swollen shut.
“Harper …” I ducked my head so she couldn’t avoid my gaze. “Do you think for one second that I would have let him anywhere near you if I thought he was capable of this?” Then an awful thought occurred to me. “He hadn’t … he didn’t hit you before this, right?”
Her gray-blue eye blazed with ire at the suggestion. “No.”
“Then how can you blame yourself for something you didn’t even know he was capable of? He was high and messed up. This is not your fault.”
“We both know that once he started saying negative things about my work and once I started to suspect he was on drugs that I should have walked away.”
“You had hope.” I squeezed her arm. “You wanted to believe he could change. There is nothing wrong with that. And when you realized he wasn’t going to change, you made the choice to leave him. It isn’t your fault that he attacked you for that decision. Do you hear me?”
Harper nodded, but the dull expression on her face told me she still wasn’t ready to forgive herself.
While Caleb got us a cab to my place, Jamie had taken the Range Rover back to Harper’s to collect some clothes and toiletries for her. I had to hope she’d forgive me for the invasion of her privacy, but I didn’t want to let her out of my sight long enough to get her clean clothes and pajamas. By the time we got to my apartment, Jamie had arrived with her things.
She’d barely acknowledged him or Caleb, and sensing her distress that they had paid witness to all of this, I settled her in my bed and ushered the two big Scotsmen out into the living room.
“I would offer you a coffee—Strike that. I would offer you a freaking kidney for what you both have done tonight.” I gave them a teary, grateful smile. “But she’s not doing great and—”
“You need us tae go,” Caleb cut me off, giving me a reassuring nod. “We get it. We’ll leave you be. But call me if you need anything.” He pressed a sweet, tender kiss to my forehead and I pressed my hand over his heart in thanks.
Jamie surprised me by wrapping me up in a big hug, but I quickly recovered, hugged him back, and whispered a thank you to him.
Once they’d left, with Caleb gone, I felt an emptiness I couldn’t explain. It was an emptiness that frightened me almost as much as the woman lying broken in my bed.
Only able to deal with one thing at a time, I shoved Caleb to the back of my mind and got down to the business of watching over Harper. That night I slept on the armchair in my bedroom, waking every hour or so to check that Harper was okay. She slept deeply, thankfully, exhausted by her ordeal.
The next morning, however, she woke in pain and I forced some food down her throat so she could chase it with painkillers. Harper was a terrible patient. Partly because she still hadn’t forgiven me yet for calling the police, and partly because she spent her life constantly on her feet. Her energy was admirable, but trying to keep her in bed when she needed bed rest was exhausting.
Despite her protests, I called Jason. She knew her boss had to be informed because she had a broken wrist and wouldn’t be able to work for a while until it healed. Jason and his wife, Gillian, appeared at my apartment less than two hours after I called to tell him what happened.
He walked in seeming to have been struck haggard by the news. Gillian, a tall, striking woman who took a long sabbatical from professional tennis to be a full-time mom—a fact visible in her broad shoulders and muscular arms—had kind hazel eyes that were filled with horror when she took in the sight of Harper in my bed.
Jason went from haggard to enraged. “I’m going to kill him,” he announced.
“I’ll help,” Gillian muttered.
Harper appeared ready to sink under the covers. “Stop glaring at me like that.”
“She thinks it’s her fault,” I said.
If looks could have killed, I would have been dead. “Screw you, Ava.”
I flinched, the undeniable pain piercing me even though I knew she was just humiliated and taking it out on me.
“Watch it,” Jason snapped, rounding the bed. “You don’t talk to her like that.”
Harper just glowered at him. “You better not be here to tell me I can’t work.”
He pointed to her wrist. “How the hell do you plan on working with that?”
“I’m going back to work. Tomorrow.”
“Like hell you are.”
“I am.”
“Harper—”
“Jason—” Her voice broke on his name, her lips trembling. “Please.”
His expression softened and he looked over at Gillian. Whatever he saw in his wife’s face made him curse under his breath. “You can’t work with a broken wrist, Harper. But”—he cut off her coming protest—“after a few more days’ bed rest you can come back to work and help where you can, as long as you don’t become a frustrated nuisance in there.”
“I want to come back tomorrow—”
“No.” He lifted a hand to cut off whatever she’d say next. “That’s final.”
She stared at him in irritation for a few seconds and then slumped back against the pillows. “Fine.”
“You can’t stay here either.” Gillian shook her head and gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Ava, but you don’t have the room. You can’t sleep on the couch for an indefinite amount of time.”
“I don’t mind,” I said, feeling panic build at the direction the conversation was taking.
“Gillian’s right.” Jason shook his head. “And you have work. Gillian’s at home. Harper will stay with us for a week or so until she’s okay to go back to her apartment.”
“A week or so? No way. I’m going home today.”
“No, you’re not,” all three of us said in unison. And then I stepped farther into the room. “Look, Gillian, Jason, I appreciate the offer, but I can take time off work to look after Harper.”
“I’m not a child,” she bit out. “Ava, stop treating me like I’m made of goddamn porcelain.”
That was all it took to make my temper snap. Suddenly I was braced over her on the bed and she was leaning back in shock at my abrupt, fast movement. “You have people who love you,” I said, my voice hoarse, harsh. “Deal with it and stop acting like a brat.”
She studied my face, her swollen eye marginally better today because we’d iced it through the night. “Good. You’ve stopped tiptoeing around me. That’s all I wanted.”
I rolled my eyes and sat down on the bed. “Whether you like it or not, you need to stay in bed for a few more days and you need someone watching over you for the next twenty-four hours, per the doctor’s instructions. Being a little shit to me isn’t going to change that.”
“Well, here’s the plan,” Gillian announced. “Harper
stays with Ava for another night while Jason and I get our guest room ready for her. Harper, you can stay with us for however long you like.”
“I don’t need to stay with anyone. I’ll stay here another night but then I’m going home.”
“No, you’re not, and that’s an order from your boss,” Jason decreed. “Gillian and I will be back tomorrow to collect you.” He put his hand out to me. “Do you have her keys so Gillian can pack a bag for her?”
“Hello, I’m right here, stop talking about me like I’m not.”
Jason ignored her and I hesitated. I feared the idea of letting Harper out of my sight. As if he intuitively understood this, he said softly, “We’ll take good care of her.”
“But the kids?”
“Our guest suite is on the other side of the house. We’ll make sure the kids don’t bother her.”
“The kids can bother me if they want,” Harper announced.
“It’s up to Harper.” I turned to her. “Do you want to stay here or with Jason? And no, your apartment is not an option right now.”
After a moment of scowling at us all, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll stay with you guys—” She gestured to Jason and Gillian and my heart fell.
I knew it was ridiculous to feel hurt by her decision, but I did. I hadn’t been able to protect her from Vince, but I had hoped to make it up to her in a small way by being there to take care of her.
Fighting the silly urge to cry, I got up off the bed. “Anyone want tea? Coffee?” I asked, my voice sounding flat even to my own ears.
To my relief, Jason and Gillian decided not to stay. They took Harper’s keys and left to get ready for her arrival.
I set myself up with a book on the armchair in the bedroom, giving Harper my tablet so she could watch a TV show she liked on Netflix. She fell asleep before the first episode was even finished and I switched the device off, placing it on the nightstand.
For a while I couldn’t concentrate on anything but my best friend. In truth, she had always felt more like my little sister, and I’d never felt that more than I did watching her sleep. For the rest of the day we barely spoke. I made her eat and drink lots of water and orange juice, but beyond that our interactions were minimal.
Her anger toward me hurt, but I suffered through it, clinging to the hope that her resentment was temporary. That she needed someone to be livid at other than herself. Someone she knew would take it and still be there for her in the end.
Later the next day, despite my disappointment and agitation that I wouldn’t be able to hover over her every five seconds, I was actually a little relieved when she left with Jason. Despite my rational understanding of her motivations, I was injured by her grievance with me.
When I hugged her gently, she didn’t hug me back. After all I’d been through that weekend, being her emotional punching bag bruised worse than I’d expected.
It wasn’t until after she’d left that I realized how drained I’d felt in her presence.
Still, I’d only let her leave under the vow that she pick up her cell when I called. Jason gave me a look that promised me he’d keep me updated even if Harper didn’t.
“I’ll be out tomorrow evening to the house to check on you.”
She’d ignored that but once again Jason nodded, thanked me, and bid me good-bye.
Then I cried when they left.
There was so much to cry over the tears took a long time to stop. When they did, I was no longer stunned by the realization that the one person I wanted to comfort me was Caleb. I knew if I called him, he’d come. He’d already called and texted me several times over the last two days. He and Jamie were eager for an update on Harper and even suggested he come over. And although I wanted him there, I knew Harper was embarrassed that the two brothers had witnessed Vince’s abuse, so I didn’t allow it.
Now I wished he would call again.
But he didn’t.
And for some reason that made me want to cry more.
Instead, I gave myself a stern talking-to and spent the rest of the evening cleaning the apartment and keeping myself busy so I didn’t have time to think.
Twenty-five
The next morning, I was barely able to concentrate at work between thinking about Harper and the Scotsman who had swept into my life and turned it upside down. Harper hadn’t replied to my texts, so I had to call Jason for an update, which pissed me off.
“She’s fine,” Jason assured me.
“Good. I have to get back to work. I’ll be over tonight around seven, if that’s okay?”
“I’ll be at the restaurant, but Gillian wants you to stay for dinner.”
“I can do that. Thanks.”
We got off the phone, and the urge to call Caleb and tell him how hurt I was by Harper’s misdirected wrath was strong. But calling him wouldn’t be enough for me.
Before I could rethink it, I texted him.
You free for lunch?
His reply was gratifyingly speedy.
Caleb: A quick one, aye. Can you meet me at my office? 12:30 p.m.?
I smiled and texted him that I’d be there.
Not long later I walked into the tall granite building in the Financial District that housed a number of different companies, including Koto Tech. Walking over to reception, I told them who I was there to see and they called up to Caleb’s office.
The receptionist handed me a temporary security pass. “Tenth floor.” She gestured to a bank of elevators.
I flashed my pass at security before I got on the busy elevator that let me off on the tenth floor. I was greeted by a large reception area with a huge reception desk in its center. On the curved wall behind the desk hung engraved silver letters that read “Koto Technologies.” There was a half-moon-shaped gray couch situated around a glass coffee table. A woman in a tailored suit was waiting there, her laptop open on her lap, her fingers moving with super speed over the keys.
A young man sitting behind the reception desk wearing an earpiece stared at me, so I moved toward him, my high heels clicking on the shiny black tiled flooring.
“Ava Breevort.” I smiled. “Here to see Caleb Scott.”
The young man nodded. “You’re expected.”
“Miss Breevort?”
I glanced to my left to find a woman of indeterminate age staring at me. She was dressed in a light gray pantsuit with a soft pink blouse underneath. Her ash brown hair was cut short in tight spirals and she was immaculate from top to toe, from her smooth, wrinkle-free umber skin to her pearls and Prada loafers.
“Yes?”
“I’m Elizabeth.” She held out her a manicured hand. “Mr. Scott’s personal assistant.”
I shook it. “Nice to meet you.”
“The meeting he’s in is running a little late, but I have coffee for you while you wait.” She gave me a small smile before turning around to walk down the corridor beyond us.
I followed as we stepped from tiled flooring onto carpet. The whole place still smelled like fresh paint. We wound our way past individual offices until we came out into an open space that housed a desk and a waiting area. Behind the desk was a large office door with a silver plate on it that read “Caleb Scott, CFO.”
I couldn’t help but feel more than a prickle of pride for him and his success.
Elizabeth walked over to a table by the seats in the waiting area where there was a coffee machine. “How do you take it?”
But before I could answer, Caleb’s office door opened and something fluttered in my chest at the sight of him. He had the door braced open with one hand and was looking down at the individual who was currently standing half in, half out of his office.
When that individual’s hand suddenly rested on his chest, I dragged my gaze from Caleb to her. I tensed.
An attractive, very tall platinum blonde was smiling up at him flirtatiously. She was dressed in a suit much like my own, except she was all model-like lines and legs that went on forever. “Well, my offer still stands,” I heard her say in a th
roaty voice. “If you need someone to show you around Boston, I’m born and bred.”
Caleb nodded, thankfully not breaking a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. For now, I just need you tae get your team tae where you are. If not, then you’ll need tae clean house, Jen. You have two more weeks and any deadweight still remaining needs tae go.”
She dropped her hand but that smirky little smile of hers didn’t leave her face. “It won’t come to that.”
“Good.” He glanced over at me, apparently having sensed me there already if his lack of surprise was anything to go by, and I more than liked the subtle softening of his expression. “My lunch date is here. This meeting is over.”
I smiled at him and flicked a look at “Jen.” She drew her suspicious gaze over the entire length of me and muttered, “Of course,” before walking away. I didn’t bother to see if she looked back at us. I was too busy forcing myself not to run at Caleb and throw my arms around him.
“Hey.”
He gave me that little half-smile I loved as he closed his office door behind him. “Hey yourself.”
Kiss me.
As if he heard my silent plea, he leaned down when I reached him and brushed the softest kiss across my lips. They tingled as if telling me they wanted more.
“Liz,” he said over my head as he slid an arm around my waist. “I’ll be back within the hour.”
“You have a meeting in forty minutes,” she said, grimacing apologetically. “Your meeting with Miss Granton ran over a little.”
He sighed. “Fine. I’ll be back in forty minutes.”
While he led me back the way I’d come, his hand resting possessively on my lower back, I tried to stifle the urge to ask about Miss Jen Granton and found I couldn’t. I kept my voice light as I asked, “Who is the platinum blonde?”
Caleb hesitated a second before he answered, “The head of marketing.”
“She wants to sleep with you,” I told him, as if he didn’t already know that.
“Aye, well, she can want.” His hand pressed deeper against my back. “I dinnae shit where I eat.”
Fight or Flight Page 26
