We went back to looking through dresses, none of us saying anything for the next few minutes until Shane broke our silence. “Just out of curiosity . . . how’s the sex?”
“Gah!” Farah cried, clamping her hands over her ears. “La, la, la, la, la. I don’t want to hear this!”
“Then you go to the other side of the room, because whether you want to hear it or not, your big brother is seriously freaking hot, and the rest of the female population wants to know what he’s packing.”
A bark of laughter burst past my lips when Farah’s face crumpled up on a dramatic gag. “Don’t worry,” I assured her, cutting a piercing look at Shane, “it’s not like I’m gonna tell you anyway.”
Shane stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry. “Boo, you both suck. I’m putting out a posting for new friends on Facebook.”
I managed to push the worries that had been plaguing me for the past week aside and put on a happy face. With that done, we were able to go back to shopping and enjoy the rest of our day in excitement for Farah’s upcoming wedding.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jase
The intercom on my phone buzzed just before Wynn’s voice came through the speaker. “Reception just called. Bennett’s here with a Jensen Rose. You don’t have anything on your calendar. Do you want me to have them sent back?”
My back went stiff, the hairs on my arms standing on end. There could only be one reason why Ben would bring Jensen all this way, and it definitely wasn’t good.
“No, not back here. Do me a favor, Wynn, show them into conference room D, would you? I’ll be right there.”
“You got it, boss man.”
I hit the button to disconnect and propped my elbows on the top of my desk, reaching up to massage my forehead. The stress I’d been feeling since that fucking gala had been eating at me for the past two weeks. I couldn’t seem to find my footing. I was struggling to shake off the ugliness that had clung to me after that confrontation with my family. It always left me with a lingering sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, only this time it was so much worse. This time I had something of worth I was at risk of losing.
It felt like I was waiting in limbo for the other shoe to drop. There was one thing I knew for certain: if there was anything good in my life, it was only a matter of time before my parents worked like hell to ruin it.
Standing from my desk, I straightened my tie and started out of the office toward the bank of conference rooms.
I found Bennett and Jensen in the last one. Ben was sitting in the chair at the far end of the table. Jensen stood at the wall of windows, looking out at the street below.
“What’s going on?” I asked as soon as I entered, moving to take a seat next to Bennett, at the head of the table. “I take it, by this surprise visit, you guy found something I’m not going to like.”
Bennett was the first to speak. “When Jens called with what he had, I thought it best to do this in person and as soon as possible.”
“I figured as much.” Leaning back in the chair, I lifted a leg and rested my ankle on the opposite knee. Looking to Jensen, I pointed at the empty chair on my other side. “So let’s get this over with, shall we? I’m really not in the mood to drag this out.”
He took a seat across from Bennett, sliding a file folder across the table at me. I flipped it open and started scanning the documents inside as he explained everything I was looking at.
“Apparently, there were a few key items of value your folks managed to hold on to while everything else they had was being seized to pay back the money your father took from the company. A couple paintings, some jewelry, antiques that were worth a mint. Last week they hawked it all. Moved it so fast they got a whole fuckin’ lot less than it was worth. Thing is, the money they got for the shit didn’t go into the bank. They didn’t use it to get their house outta foreclosure or pay off any of their debts.”
“So where the fuck is it?”
“That’s what we don’t know. And that’s what’s bothering me so fuckin’ much. Together, that stuff was worth at least three hundred grand. They sold it for a hundred K, then that money just disappeared. If it were me and I pawned off the rest of the shit I had that was worth a damn for a third of its value, I’d be doin’ it for a goddamn reason. Knowin’ these assholes to be the assholes you’ve explained they are, I’m guessin’ their reason isn’t a good one.”
That guess would be spot fucking on.
“And you’ve got no idea what they used that hundred thousand for?”
“Not yet, but we’ll dig as far and as deep as we have to, you got my word on that. In the meantime, I think it’d be best to have eyes on your woman.”
“Goddamn it,” I hissed, dragging my hands through my hair.
That vague threat of my father’s at the gala played over and over in my head. Whatever they were up to, I knew for goddamn certain it was bad, and I knew to my very bones it had to do with my wife.
Until Poppy, I’d long decided it wasn’t worth the pain of having anything good just for myself. They’d only destroy it. The only thing I ever had worth holding on to was Farah, and even with that, my own goddamn sister, they’d tried their hardest to ruin it, using her against me without my sweet sister even realizing, putting me in the position of taking their abuse in order to spare her. They thought if they simply inflicted enough pain, I’d eventually grow to resent her, severing the connection to the only thing I had in life that made me happy.
They’d underestimated my love for her, because no matter what they dished out, I took it. I had been willing to bear anything for that girl.
For the first time in my life, I felt that for someone other than my blood. I was willing to take it all for her, any amount of pain if it meant protecting her.
Even if what I was protecting her from was myself.
Gripping my hair tight as my stomach twisted into knots, I stared down at the table as I proceeded to rip my heart out my own damn self.
“I have to end it.”
Bennett finally spoke up. “What?”
“I have to end it with Poppy.”
“Son, you know I love you, but you’re talkin’ outta your ass right now. You aren’t thinkin’ straight.”
“I’m thinking perfectly straight, Ben,” I clipped, anguish and rage coating my words. “I never should have married her in the first goddamn place. It was a huge fucking mistake.”
“Boy, now you just listen here—”
“No, Ben. For fuck’s sake. It’s over. That’s it. There’s nothing more to talk about.”
“The hell there isn’t!” He shot to his feet. “You love that girl. You do this, you’ll be makin’ the biggest goddamn mistake of your life.”
“I don’t love her.” Those four words seared my throat as they came up and burned like acid on my tongue. I hated myself for saying them, but if I was going to find the strength to walk away from her, I needed to make myself believe the lie. “It’s not even a real marriage, Ben. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more.”
My stomach revolted at that lie, and I felt like I was going to be sick.
“You’re so full of shit,” he sneered. “I can see right through you, boy. I know what you’re doin’, Jase. You think this is the only way you can protect her, and you’re lyin’ to yourself to make what you’re doin’ hurt less. I’m telling you right now, you’re wrong. We can keep her safe. We can put Jensen and his men on her—”
“That’s not good enough!” I rose from the table as well, slamming my fists down on the surface. “If I end it, if they see she’s not a part of this anymore, they’ll leave her alone. Whatever fucked-up shit they’re planning, she won’t be in the crosshairs if she’s not with me.”
“There are other options—” he continued to argue.
“There aren’t,” I barked. “This is what I have to do.” Looking away from the disappointment covering every inch of his weathered face, I turned my attention to Jensen and ordered, “I wa
nt you or your guys on her whenever I’m not with her. I don’t care what it costs, just make sure one of you sticks to her like glue. Got it?”
He jerked his chin in indication that he most definitely got it.
“Good. Now, this shit is done. I need to get back to work.”
I started toward the door when Bennett’s voice rang out again. “You’re fucking up, son.”
I looked back over my shoulder as I pulled the door open. “No, I fucked up when I pulled Poppy into this shit. Now I’m just making it right.”
With that, I turned and stormed out.
* * *
Poppy
After the conversation with Farah and Shane at the shop the week before, I’d decided that I was going to give Jase time to get back to rights. But another week passed, and the clouds in his eyes still lingered.
It broke my heart watching him struggle, and when I woke up, I’d decided it was time to act.
I’d spent the morning in the kitchen. I baked fresh bread and mixed together my famous herb mayo. I fried strips of bacon until they were nice and crisp for turkey club sandwiches, then cut up a couple potatoes into razor thin slices, fried them up into chips, and sprinkled them with pink sea salt.
Thanks to Jase’s generosity, I’d finally brought someone on to help with the inn, and with Carla holding down the fort, I was going to take lunch to my man in the hopes of brightening his day.
I’d made the whole drive into Nashville with a smile on my face, so certain that this would work to bring my Jase back.
When the elevators opened onto his floor, I stepped out and gave a bright smile to the receptionist I’d gotten to know on the few occasions I’d come in to visit like this.
She returned my smile with one of her own, “Hey, Poppy. How’s it going?”
“Hi, Molly. It’s good.” I lifted the paper bag in my hands and asked, “I brought Jase some lunch. Would you mind calling to let him know I’m here?”
“No need. He’s already made it clear that if you ever show, you’re to be let right in. You can just head on back. He’s in conference room D. Just go straight down the hall, and instead of turning left for his office, take a right. The rooms are labeled, so you can’t miss it.”
“You sure?”
“Positive. I’m sure he’ll be really happy to see you, so why ruin the surprise, right?”
“Right.” I made my way to the glass double doors that separated her station from the rest of the offices, giving her a wink as I passed.
I took a right instead of a left, looking at the placards next to the doors until I found the one marked D. I was just about to knock when I heard raised voices coming from inside.
I recognized the first as Jase, clear as day, and what he said froze me solid, rooting me in place and making it impossible to move. “I have to end it with Poppy.”
“Son, you know I love you, but you’re talkin’ outta your ass right now,” I heard a voice that sounded like Bennett’s say. “You aren’t thinkin’ straight.”
“I’m thinking perfectly straight, Ben. I never should have married her in the first goddamn place. It was a huge fucking mistake.”
Okay.
Oh, God.
That really hurt.
My vision began to blur with unshed tears as I stood immobile, listening to them argue. “Boy, now you just listen here—”
“No, Ben. For fuck’s sake. It’s over. That’s it. There’s nothing more to talk about.”
“The hell there isn’t!” I heard a loud creak, like someone just stood and scraped a chair across the floor. “You love that girl. You do this, you’ll be makin’ the biggest goddamn mistake of your life.”
“I don’t love her.” There was a short pause before he finished destroying my heart. “It’s not even a real marriage, Ben. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more.”
It wasn’t until that very moment that I realized what I’d felt with Cory hadn’t been true heartbreak, because it hadn’t felt anything like this. Hearing Jase say he didn’t love me didn’t just break my heart. It had eviscerated me. It was as if he’d reached right into my chest and ripped my heart out with his bare hands. It was a pain unlike anything I’d ever experienced.
My feet finally began to cooperate, turning me around and taking me in the other direction, but honestly, it was a wonder I was able to walk at all.
I kept straight toward where his office was located, my entire body feeling numb from the pain. As soon as I rounded the corner, Wynn looked up and grinned at the sight of me.
“Hey, babe. This is a surprise. Jase is in a meeting, but I can call him really—”
“That’s okay,” I cut in, my voice coming out in a croak as it fought its way past the golf ball-sized lump in my throat. Who knew fighting not to cry could physically hurt so damn much? “Molly pointed me toward the conference rooms. I heard them talking and didn’t want to interrupt.”
Wynn’s face pulled down into a frown as she studied me closely. “You okay?”
“Just fine,” I lied, my smile feeling so brittle I thought it might break. “I just swung by with some lunch. Will you see he gets it?” I lifted the bag and placed it on her desk before taking a quick step back.
“You aren’t staying?”
“I actually have a whole lot to do today, so I need to get going. There’s a second sandwich in there.” The one that was supposed to be mine. “Feel free to help yourself. It’s really good.”
That last word broke, and I knew I was dangerously close to losing it in the middle of Jase’s office. I couldn’t let that happen.
I quickly spun on my heel, issuing a wave over my shoulder as I speed-walked out of there, ignoring Wynn’s voice calling after me as I bolted.
I wasn’t sure how I managed it, but I somehow made it downstairs, through the lobby, and out of the building before the first tear fell.
And as soon as I climbed into my Wrangler and started it up, the dam broke.
I’d driven into Nashville with a smile on my face.
I made the trip home with a broken heart and tear-stained cheeks.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jase
The pressure in my chest was almost suffocating as I headed back to my office, leaving Ben and Jensen to find the way out on their own.
I’d never felt such a crushing, all-consuming pain than when I thought of leaving Poppy. I could only imagine this was the kind of pain that came with losing half of yourself.
I yanked at my tie agitatedly to loosen the knot, undoing the button at my collar. It felt like it was choking me. In the past several minutes, breathing had become so much harder than it should have been.
My loafers beat against the carpeted hallway, each step a hard, angry thud that sent vibrations from the soles of my feet all the way up my spine.
Wynn’s voice called out as soon as I rounded the corner. “Boss man, I have something—”
“Not now,” I barked, maintaining my stride as I stormed into the office and slammed the door after me. I’d just sat down at my computer and booted it up when my office door came swinging open and my very pissed off assistant came storming in. “Look, I don’t know what the hell is going on at Casa del Hyland, but whatever it is that has your wife near tears and you in a pissy mood, don’t take it out on me.”
My head shot up as a chill worked its way down my spine. “What are you talking about?” She tossed a paper bag on my desk with a heavy thump. “What is that?”
“It’s your lunch, not that you deserve it. Poppy swung by a little while ago and dropped it off.”
My gut twisted violently before sinking to my feet. “She just dropped it off and left?”
The look she gave me spoke volumes without saying a word, but like Wynn always did, she was never stayed quiet for long. “After she swung by the conference room first. Said she heard you guys talking and didn’t want to interrupt. But I could have sworn she looked close to tears before running out of here like her ass
was on fire.” Her eyes narrowed into slits as she said, “I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure it’s your fault somehow, so you better fix it.”
With that, she whipped around and stomped out, slamming the door behind her.
I reached for my cellphone, scrolling right to Poppy’s number and hitting Go. Halfway through the first ring, the call was sent to voicemail. I disconnected and tried again with the same result. The third, fourth, and fifth times I called were more of the same, and the recording of her sweet voice telling me to leave a message set my teeth on edge.
“Shit,” I hissed, raking at my hair just before thundering, “Fuck!” Shooting out of my chair, I stuffed the phone back in my pocket, grabbed my keys, and started for the door. “I’ll be out of the office the rest of the day,” I clipped at Wynn as I moved. “Reschedule anything important. Fuck the rest.”
“You got it.”
Then I high-tailed it the hell out of there.
* * *
Poppy
My tears had thankfully dried up by the time I pulled up in front of my house, but I still looked a mess. My face was covered in splotches, my eyes were swollen, and my nose was blood red. There was no hiding the evidence of my crying jag from Carla when I stepped into the house.
“Oh my goodness! Are you okay?”
My attempt at a smile was pathetic. “I’m fine, Carla.”
She began wringing her hands in front of her, her face awash with concern. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.” I reached the staircase and braced my foot on the first step, grabbing the banister as I turned back to her. “But I have some things I need to take care of upstairs. Would you mind handling the inn for the rest of the day?”
“Of course. Anything you need.”
I took the first step up. “Thank you, Carla.”
“Of course, of course. You need anything else, just let me know.”
Crazy Beautiful: a Redemption novel Page 19
