“Okay. Take me to my old place and I’ll tell you everything. It’s really ugly, but at least you’ll understand why I can never be with Alex.
* * *
Alex
It’s been three weeks since I walked out of the hospital. I’d be lying if I said I don’t cry myself to sleep every night. I’ve stayed in the condo, but I sleep in one of the guest rooms. I can’t sleep in our bed without Miles. Although, I guess it’s just my bed now.
Jessica came over and boxed up his stuff. She looked sad as the moving guys took it away, but she did it. That was two weeks ago. While he was still in the hospital. I know he got out last week, but he hasn’t tried to contact me and I’ve forced myself to not look pathetic by calling or texting someone who is so obviously over me.
I’ve let the girls set me up on a few blind dates. I didn’t click with any of them. They were all hot, and successful, but they’re not him. Miles has ruined me for every other man on Earth.
I try to clear my head as I walk into the Society room for the emergency meeting Jane called. No one has any idea what’s going on, but they’re all excited at the prospect of a new mission. It’s rare that everyone’s called in at once, so the excitement level is even higher.
I take my seat. Everyone’s here except for Jane and Matt. I hear the door close behind me and turn to see them, along with Jessica.
“Thank you all for coming. I know you’re expecting a mission. There will be more than one. My family needs help from all of you, especially Alex.”
“Me? I don’t know how to go on a mission. I’m just supposed to work the front desk.”
“You’re the only one who can save my son from destroying himself.”
“She’s not going anywhere near Miles,” Tegan tells her.
“That’s not for you to decide. Now let Jessica speak. What she has to tell you may change your mind about what you think happened to Miles. And Alex.” Jane glares, and no one dares to challenge her.
I see her take a deep breath, and then Matt squeezes her hand and kisses the side of her head. “My ex-husband beat me. Often. I let it go on because I was scared that if I said anything, the consequences would be too much to deal with. I thought no one would believe me and then Martin would get custody of Miles. I knew if that happened, he would beat my little boy. I had to protect him.
“When he became older, he tried to intervene on a couple of occasions. Once was during the summer, and I think he told Alex.”
“He did. He said his dad hit him because he did something wrong. He wouldn’t tell me what it was.”
“He was trying to defend me. He wasn’t strong enough yet, and his father hurt him. Not just physically. Martin told Miles that he’d never be able to protect me or anyone one else he loved from him. I begged Miles to never interfere for me again. He begged me to tell Jane, or even Matt. He said his older brother would help, even if he wasn’t my biological son. I was still scared, so I refused.
“Martin started spending more and more time away from home over the next year. Miles was away at military school and asked for permission to take martial arts classes off campus. Martin knew that if he became too strong, he’d fight back. Fight for me. So he had a doctor friend say that Miles had severe asthma and couldn’t participate in sports or use the weight room. I gave my son the permission to take the class, which almost cost us all everything.
“The next summer, when Miles turned eighteen, I saw the change in how he looked at Alex. I knew he was in love with her. It made me so happy. Their age difference was an issue then, but it wouldn’t matter in a few years, and they were such good friends. I knew they’d stay in touch. Until I ruined it all.”
“How did you ruin it? He was the one who left and didn’t speak to me for six years.”
She turns to me as she explains. “I was talking to him about it, about you, when his father walked in for a surprise visit. He was furious, thinking Miles would disgrace us by pursuing you and that he would lose the deal for Gary to build the latest Corrigan building. Miles told him he wouldn’t touch you until you were old enough.” She pauses and closes her eyes for a minute. “Then Martin started saying things about you, Alex. Disgusting, vile things. Miles, well, Miles went crazy. I’ve never seen him look the way he did that night. He was full of rage, and although I wouldn’t let him protect me, there was nothing I could say or do to stop him from protecting you. He used all the skills he’d learned and almost killed Martin.”
“Oh my God.”
“It was then that Jessica finally had to call me and tell me what was going on. Miles was in police custody, and my son was in the ICU, almost dead.”
“Jane believed what I told her and got Miles out of jail. While Martin was still in the hospital, Reina and Audrey dug up everything they could find so we could blackmail him into leaving us alone after I divorced him.”
I see Matt look to Reina and mouth “thank you” before he speaks to all of us. “I still can’t believe this was all happening. I would’ve protected you both.”
“You were protecting our country, Matt. I was always so proud to be your step-mom. I thought we’d be okay. I was just trying to wait for Miles to leave the house before divorcing Martin. I knew I’d be okay on my own and he’d be at college, where his father couldn’t hurt him. At least not physically.
“After the divorce, I left Chicago. I needed to be away, and I also couldn’t bear to see Martin going on like nothing happened. Mitchell knew what had happened, but his hands were tied. Because he’d always wanted to have Corrigan & Co. be a family business, he’d written certain things into the charter. One of those was that two Corrigan men had to be part of the company at all times, unless there was no one who wanted the job. Miles was too young, and Matt was away, so he was forced to keep Martin in the company.”
“I tried to make him quit. The bastard spit in my face, and called me some names. He knew there was only so far I could go with him, because no one wanted him killed.”
“Motherfucking bastard.” I look over, and Matt looks like he wants to kill his father himself.
“Yes, he is. But he was behaving because he had his precious job.”
“Until Miles and I took it from him.”
“Yes. When Mitchell died, and you took over, Martin wasn’t worried. It was when Miles decided to give up his baseball contract and take the other spot in the company, that he was pushed over the edge. He hid it well. We all thought he was ready to go, and live his life of luxury without the work. We were so wrong.”
She bursts into tears, and Matt pulls her into his arms, hugging her close. Jane takes a deep breath, and then looks at me. I see regret, and guilt on her face.
“I thought he was over it. I would’ve had him monitored more closely if I’d had any inkling of what he was planning.”
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Because his revenge was all about you, Alex. He saw how Miles had behaved with women over the years, and figured out that he was still in love with you. He wanted to hurt him, and prove to him that although he was now too strong to be scared of him, Miles could never protect you from him.”
“But it was Nick, and his friends who hurt Miles. And me.”
“When you saw Martin at the hospital, he had just told Miles the truth.” She takes another deep breath. “Martin hired Nick to pursue you, and to do the other things he did. It was all planned out. He even knew Miles would beat Nick up, although I don’t believe he shared that with Nick. He had those men camp out in your apartment, knowing you’d come back at some point. It was all a sick plot to hurt Miles. To show him he couldn’t protect you from his father. He didn’t care who he hurt.”
“Oh my God. That’s why he broke up with me.”
“Yes. What Martin told him, along with watching that man kiss you and touch you while he was being beaten, has nearly destroyed Miles.”
“We’re killing him, right? Please tell me we’re killing Martin.”
“We don’t use
that word, Scott. Ever. You know that. My son will be neutralized, but he will live. I-I can’t order anything more. I’m sorry.”
My grandma walks over to her, and hugs her. “Don’t be. None of us expect you to order that. He’s still your son, even if he’s not who you raised him to be. As long as he can’t hurt anyone again, we’ll stand behind your decision.”
“Thank you. We’re cleaning out his accounts, cutting off his money, and dropping him somewhere remote. He’ll have shelter, and we’ll drop food to him monthly, but he’ll be on his own.”
“What if he escapes?” Zane asks.
“My son is too lazy to get far. If by some miracle he does, the tracker in him will let us know, and we’ll pick him up, and drop him back at the starting point.”
“Wow. You don’t play around.”
“No. We don’t.”
“Who’s doing this?”
“I am, Matt,” Reina tells him.
“I’m going with you, Princess. You’re not facing that bastard alone.”
“I’m taking Jade and Audrey with me.”
“Take me too. Please. I promise I’ll follow your orders. I’m smart enough to realize that I can’t lead this mission, but I need to be part of it.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
They walk out of the room, and then I turn to everyone else. “I’m going to need help. From all of you.”
“What are you planning, Alex?”
“I’m going to woo Miles. Show him how special and important he is. I know just what I need, but for some things, I’ll need help.” I look to Jessica, and she smiles. “I need the cards.”
“I know where they are. But we’ll need Martin for them.”
“I can get into any place they could be hidden,” Darcy tells her.
“A bank vault?”
“Piece of cake.”
I outline the rest of my plan for them. They all agree to help with their parts of it. I thank them, and then get started on what I have to do. I’m going to fight for Miles, even though he’s the one I’ll have to beat to get him back. I won’t let him go again.
Chapter 10
Miles
It’s my first day back to work, and even my secretary gives me a smile when I walk in. Or hobble in. I’m still not moving too fast, even two weeks after being released. Broken ribs and internal injuries will do that to you, I guess. I walk into my office and stop in my tracks.
Paper cranes are hanging from the ceiling and there’s one sitting in the middle of my desk. I know there’s 1,000 of them. Alex and I read that book and then made 1,000 of our own cranes that year. I go to my desk and see the note underneath that crane.
I’m wishing for another chance with my King.
I love you,
Xandy
I suck in a breath as I drop to my chair. She only wants that chance because she doesn’t know. She doesn’t understand that everything was my fault. If she did, she’d never want to see me again.
* * *
It has been two days since the cranes; all of which I carefully took down and boxed. I can’t have her, but I’ll keep those. It’s been a long day of work, and I have Landon’s baseball practice tonight. I haven’t been much use as a coach the last month, but they’ve been doing really well. The championship game is on Saturday. I think I’m more excited than the guys are.
I walk slowly out to the field, casually glancing at the stands. I do a double take when I see Alex lounging on the bleachers. She’s leaning back with her elbows on the bench behind her, looking hot as hell. She has on a baseball cap from the team I was supposed to play with—in fact, I think that’s my hat with the number I was assigned before I had to leave the team. Holy shit. Where the hell did she find one? They only made like 100 of them. And then that shirt with “I’m with the coach” stretched across her beautiful tits. Hell yeah she is. No wait, she isn’t. She can’t be. I shake my head and walk out onto the field.
The little guys all run up to me. “Hey. You guys have done awesome while I was gone. Thanks for keeping up the good work.”
“You’re okay now, right?”
“Yeah, Land. I’m good.”
“Alex told us she thought you were, but she’s been really sad while she watches us play.”
“She’s been coming to practice?”
“Yep. She comes to the games, too, just like she said she would. Some guys tried to talk to her once. I was going to tell them to go away, but she handled it herself. She cries a lot, though, so now everyone leaves her alone.”
Fuck. I don’t want her crying. And I definitely don’t want some assholes hitting on her. I look back to the stands where I meet her eyes. She gives me a smile that lights up her face and melts my heart. I want to run to her, but then I remember all the ugliness I brought to her life. I can’t do that to her again. And I know my father won’t ever stop trying to destroy me. I turn back to the kids and get on with practice.
* * *
Alex
I almost had him the other day at baseball practice. He started to smile at me, but then his walls came back down around him. I’m hoping I can chip away at that armor he’s hiding behind. This isn’t my final surprise, but I think it’s a good start. I’m really nervous, but I’m also desperate for Miles to see how much I love him.
The announcer welcomes everyone to Cashman Field for the championship and then starts talking about me. “We have a special guest tonight who is going to get things started by singing the National Anthem. Please welcome Alex Roberts.”
I hear clapping as I walk out. I look for Miles and see that his eyes are wide. They should be. I’m wearing his jersey, as well as his hat tonight. When he was supposed to be playing in the Major Leagues, I immediately bought everything with his name and number on it. Several of each, actually. I hadn’t worn anything until now, but it really is time for me to pull out all the stops.
I walk up to the microphone and sing my heart out. I have one of those rare performances where everything goes right. I hit every note and stay in tune. I had some help from above tonight, so as I finish singing, I close my eyes and thank God and my parents for it.
I look to Miles once more before I walk off the field to my seat. The game is a nail biter, but the guys end up losing by two runs. I know they’re upset, so I go down to hug them all. I’ve come to love these kids the last few weeks. Their parents and the other coach all thank me for coming, but Miles is still ignoring me. I only have a couple more tricks up my sleeve, and if they don’t work I’ll have to give up. I just hope one of them does the trick.
* * *
Miles
I’ve managed to keep myself in control through all of Alex’s surprises. The cranes, the taffy from Disneyland that I love, the singing last week, the packs of card games that we used to play, and even my baseball gear. Tonight may be too much, though. She’s throwing a party for the kids and their families. At our condo. Well, her condo now. But still.
I can’t go there alone, so I picked up a chick at the casino to take along. She’s been trying to kiss me all the way up the elevator, even though I told her tonight was hands off. I just need her with me to get Alex to back off. She doesn’t know how bad I am for her. If she did, she’d back off on her own. I can’t tell her what my dad did, so this will have to do.
I don’t have a key anymore, so I ring the doorbell. Scott Griffin answers and his jaw clenches when he sees that I’m not alone.
“Fuck no. You’re not coming in here with her.”
“What’s wrong, Uncle Scott?”
Alex comes into view, and I lose the ability to speak for a moment. She’s got on an off the shoulder turquoise dress that goes just past her knees. There’s an opening right across her chest, and the fabric is doing some gathering thing on one side. She has on sexy black heels with swirls and sheer panels, and her hair is up in a messy bun with loose curls in front.
She’s smiling until she sees my date and I. A visible shudder wracks her body and her green ey
es flash as she steps up next to her uncle.
“What else could I have done, Miles? What wasn’t good enough?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve spent the past two weeks trying everything I could think of to show you how much I love you and how special you are. Obviously I was lacking since you’re bringing another woman into our home. Just know that this is it. I’m done. If she comes through the door we will never be together again. I mean it.”
“If you knew…things…you wouldn’t want to be with me.”
“I know everything, Miles. Everything. I have since before the cranes.”
“No. You can’t…”
When I look past her to where my mom and Matt are, they both nod. Oh my God. She does know. And she doesn’t hate me. Well, actually right now I think she might. She shakes her head at me as tears well up in her eyes and then turns to walk away.
Scott goes with her, leaving me with my date. She starts to walk in, but I put my arm out to stop her. There’s no way I’m letting her walk through this door.
“I’ll give you some money for a cab. They’ll call for you downstairs.”
“Are you kidding me? You promised me a party.”
“And now I’m telling you to leave.”
She starts to protest again, but Matt steps forward and throws her over his shoulder. “I got this little brother. Go try to win your woman back. She’s sure as hell done more than her part.”
Yeah, she has. I thank him and walk towards the living room. Landon stops me before I get to the door. “She’s not in there.”
“Where is she, buddy?”
“You’re a jerk. She wore your jersey and your hat, but you don’t care.”
“I do care.”
“Then why did you make her cry again?”
“Because I was scared of her love.”
“Are you going to be nice to her now?” I can’t help but smile at the protectiveness in his tone.
“Yes. I promise.”
“She ran upstairs.”
“Thanks.”
I run up the stairs and burst into our bedroom. She’s not there. I look around and notice she hasn’t been sleeping in here. I walk out, trying to figure out what room she might be in. I honestly have no clue since we’d only lived here for a day before everything went to shit.
Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers Book 6) Page 9
