by C. J. Thomas
Lowering myself on the bench next to him, he greeted me. “How is your father doing?”
“Busy as always.” I turned my head toward the small lake. “The man isn’t slowing down. No plans to retire.”
He chuckled. “And you’re officially working in the organization now?”
“First day.”
He whistled. “I always thought you would be the one to stay away.”
“Me, too.” I turned to meet his gaze. “Look, this request is different than previous cases you’ve worked with my father.”
The lines on his forehead deepened.
“It’s not business related.”
His brow quirked with fresh interest.
“I need you to tell me who this girl is marrying.” I handed him a folded piece of paper with Sienna’s name on it.
He drew his chin into his neck and lifted the corner to steal a glance at my scribble. “Senator Day’s daughter?”
I looked him in the eye and nodded.
He let out a heavy sigh.
“Is there a problem?”
He shook his head. “Shouldn’t take me long.”
“Good. I want to know all the details. Name, occupation, how long they’ve been together, and if he has a record of domestic violence.” My muscles jumped at the thought of Sienna getting hit.
“You got it.” He stuffed the paper into his sport jacket pocket. “Anything else?”
“We don’t have much time.” I stood. “The wedding is in two days.”
14
Sienna
The girls insisted they stay, delaying their mornings at work, until Gary arrived.
I was relieved they suggested it, not wanting to ask them to do more than they already had. I loved them for wanting to make sure that I wasn’t left alone with a potential monster who had already proven he was capable of hitting a woman.
I didn’t want Gary to see me in a cocktail gown so I headed to the bedroom and quickly changed into a pair of blue sweats and pulled a cotton tee over my head. I tied my hair into a messy bun on top of my head and headed back out front.
Sophia was the first to look up. “Smart move. You can’t look as sexy for him. He doesn’t deserve it.”
“And when you guys talk, be sure to keep his eyes up here.” Monica lifted two of her fingers and pointed at both of her eyes.
“I’m sorry for making you two wait like this.” I frowned.
“Don’t be.” Sophia slid her feet over to me and rubbed my back.
I smiled and snaked my arm around her waist, letting my head fall to her shoulder. She pulled me closer and smoothed her hand down my arm.
Sophia had the flexibility to do as she wanted now that Nolan had her in charge of Foster Software Technologies, and Monica had worked a similar arrangement at her own place of employment. We were three hard-working women, making names for ourselves in our own careers. I didn’t have to worry about today, having already requested the time off for wedding prep.
My stomach flipped at the thought of having to go through with this just to maintain Dad’s reputation. We weren’t a family of quitters, but this wasn’t a game. There were real consequences. My life was on the line.
Sophia released me and joined Monica in the living room. Silence filled the room as Monica lazily flipped through a gossip magazine. Time ticked by as I collected my thoughts on what exactly I was going to say to Gary.
I still couldn’t believe how quickly things had changed.
So much had happened since he lost his cool and took his anger out on me. I ran and found Trevor in the process. Call it coincidence, but after spending last night with him and getting to know him better, it felt more like fate than anything else.
Sophia excused herself to the back, saying she needed to call Nolan. Monica teased, but Sophia insisted it was work related. I couldn’t blame her for finding every excuse she could to hear his voice. Nolan made her feel like she was the only woman in the entire world, and really set the bar high for knowing what kind of gentlemen could actually be caught. It didn’t hurt that he was Trevor’s brother.
I fell into the comfy chair next to the couch and stared out the window.
Monica continued flipping through the magazine pages as we listened to Sophia’s muffled voice in the back. She was madly in love with Nolan and I wished that I could have said the same about Gary. Sophia still worked as hard as she did before they met, but with him owning the company she was now running, it made it easier to pull those long hours without feeling like she might be missing out on having it all.
“Can I make you something?” I asked Monica.
She peeked her head over the magazine. “Do you have coffee?”
The thought of holding a hot mug of coffee between my hands made me smile. “I do,” I said, standing up.
“You know what,” Monica dropped the magazine on the coffee table, “why don’t I make it?”
“No. I need the distraction.” Monica gave me a knowing look.
Once in the kitchen, I filled the kettle, turned on the burner, and pulled the beans from the cabinet. Thinking about my looming conversation with Gary, I hoped he understood that this was a talk that would decide our future. Inside, I knew that I needed to listen to what he had to say. I needed him to admit that what I found on his phone was true. Maybe I had overreacted. If that was the case, he certainly was guilty of it as well.
“Honestly,” Monica joined me in the kitchen, leaning her hip against the counter ledge, “I never thought you loved him.”
I couldn’t look her in the eye. My lungs squeezed and I grinded the beans, asking myself if I ever had. I’d been with Gary so long, he had just become a part of my life. When he’d asked me to marry him, of course I said yes. I was young and naïve and certainly not thinking any further than a year ahead.
A knock on the door sent my heart racing. At least he had the sense not to let himself in.
I shared a knowing look with Monica. She asked, “Want me to answer it?”
I shook my head and moved to the door. “Keep an eye on the water, will you?”
She nodded and turned to the stove.
I closed my eyes and sucked back a large gulp of air with hopes of it calming my jitters before finally opening the door. Gary stood with a silly grin stamped on his face and my muscles quivered with a sudden surge of renewed anger. Digging my claws into the palm of my hand I watched him pull a dozen roses out from behind his back.
“For you.” He extended his offering.
I swallowed hard, barely able to look into his hazel eyes. I took the roses without much thought, not letting him think that he was going to get off that easy, then stepped aside to let him in. My voice couldn’t be trusted yet.
I heard the door shut behind me as I set the flowers down on the kitchen table.
Monica finished making the coffee and the aroma filled the air the moment she poured water over the grounds. Steam drifted in front of her face when Gary greeted her. She didn’t respond, and I silently thanked her again for having my back unconditionally.
“Coffee?” I asked him.
“A small cup would be great.”
His voice was much smaller than normal. He was hesitant on his feet, not sure what to do with himself or where he was welcomed to sit. It was unusual to see. He had practically lived here. Even though we’d kept our own apartments, this place used to feel as much his as it was mine. Today, it was different. It was clear he knew the gravity of the situation we were in. His guilt was evident.
Sophia emerged from the back and was quick to slam on the brakes. Coming to an abrupt stop, she looked at Gary before looking to me. “Hey, Gary,” she said awkwardly.
Gary smiled. “Hey, Sophia.”
I spent too much time evaluating how he’d gelled his hair, what polo shirt he wore. The entire room spun around me and the buzz was nothing short of complete awkwardness.
I hoped he knew why I had my girls here with me. Their presence had to add to his curiosity a
bout what I had to say to him. I’d already called off the wedding, but he didn’t know that I knew he’d talked to my dad.
“Hey.” I turned to Monica and Sophia. “Can you give us some privacy?”
Monica set a cup of coffee down in front of me, deciding to leave Gary dry. Then she hugged me. Sophia did the same, making sure to tell me they would be in the hall if I needed them. I appreciated knowing that I could still get to them fast if I needed. She made sure that Gary heard, too.
I crossed my arms and watched them leave. The dark clouds of rage billowed inside my chest and I wanted to lash out at him while my girls were still in the room. I also felt the urge to ball up and shrink inside myself as I let the emotions cry themselves out. It was important I remained strong.
As soon as the door shut, I rolled my eyes to Gary. “Do you have anything you’d like to say?”
He rubbed his hand over his mouth and stared into my burning gaze.
“I at least deserve an apology.”
His cheeks hollowed as he took a minute to collect his thoughts. “It should have never happened.”
My temperature spiked as I breathed heavier through my nose. I wasn’t sure if he was talking about the cheating or the violence.
“Sienna, baby, I’m sorry.” He extended his hand over the counter, reaching for me. I backed away, not wanting to have anything to do with that hand that struck my face. “I want to make it up to you.”
I stared at his hand, finding my fingers brushing over the cheekbone that was still sore from him. “I can’t marry a man who treats his woman with such disrespect. It ain’t happening, mister.”
Gary nodded, tucking his hand back by his side. “I overreacted—”
“—which made you look guilty.”
His eyes widened with mild disbelief.
“I need to know,” I paused and stared him in his eyes, “if it’s true or not.”
His chest rose and fell through hitched breaths.
“Were you secretly seeing your ex?” I held my breath, knowing that it was possible. I’d seen the messages they exchanged and knew that there were many nights I couldn’t confidently account for his whereabouts.
“It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think?” I shifted my weight to my other foot.
“She messaged me. Found out I was about to get married. She’s just a friend.” He edged around the counter and came to take my arms inside his hands.
“Don’t touch me!” I snapped.
He retreated and held his palms up, pleading innocence. “This has gotten way out of hand. We have our family dinner tonight. Baby, I still love you.”
I ducked my head. My insides trembled and I felt trapped.
“Tell me you still want to marry me.” He inched his way closer, lowering his voice in an attempt to sweeten the words. “The thought of letting my parents down, disappointing your family, embarrassing our friends—you’re not going to let that happen, will you?”
Inside, the fire raged. Not once did he mention disappointing me. That was the problem. When this wedding should have been about us, it was about him, my father, and a bunch of people I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about.
I pushed him out of the way and marched into the living room, thinking back to the conversation I shared with my father.
The walls closed in and I started to hyperventilate.
I didn’t see a way out.
Flipping around, I faced him and asked, “What did you say to my father?”
His Adam’s apple slid up and down his throat as he was at a loss for words.
“And why did you fail to mention anything about me calling off our wedding when you called him?”
“Sienna, your father is worried about you.” His brow wrinkled. “So am I.”
“Don’t worry, my father has made it very clear that I can’t cancel the wedding.”
The corners of Gary’s mouth curled. “I know.”
My brows pinched. “You know?”
“Your father called me.”
My eyes widened as a sudden burn moved to the back of my throat. Once again, I felt deceived by the man I was supposed to trust. When my hands started to shake uncontrollably, I clamped my arm down harder to my side, hiding my hands in my pits.
Gary moved swiftly across the floor, bringing his hand to my face. “Baby, I love you.” He kissed my cheek and moved his hand down my spine before landing on my ass. I flexed and froze. “Let’s just forget it.” He lowered his lips to my mouth.
Slamming my hands into his chest, I pushed him away. “Forget it?! How do you expect me to forget it when I can still feel the bruises you left me with?”
Gary stood glued in place with a disbelieving face drooping his cheeks. Not having anything else to say, he moved to the front door. “I’m meeting with my groomsmen if you need me.”
“Don’t count on it,” I muttered under my breath.
“Otherwise, I’ll see you at the family dinner.”
When the door shut, the tears were unstoppable.
15
Trevor
I passed Julie’s desk and headed for my own when Noah caught me. “Lunch already?”
I rolled my head to him and pushed my chest out. “I told you I’d be back.”
His eyes went small as he glanced to my motorcycle helmet. I could feel his skepticism and I knew it was because of our earlier discussion about Sienna. Waving me into his office, he said, “Come inside.”
“What now?” I almost groaned with annoyance.
Noah rounded his desk, filing his paperwork away into his shoulder bag. “Did you read over the papers I gave you?”
“I did.”
He glanced up at me from beneath his brow. “Do you have any questions?”
I thought about what I’d read, feeling like I had a good grasp on the logistics of the operations he wanted me to familiarize myself with. “It’s part of our blood.”
He chuckled. “We’re not born with business intelligence.”
“Speak for yourself.” I winked.
Noah pulled his jacket off the back of his chair, swiping his keys off the desk, and hurried to the door. “C’mon, you’re coming with me.”
“You’re not going to quiz me on it, are you?” I teased as we headed to the elevators.
He waved a quick goodbye to Julie, telling her to call if anything dire came up. She agreed and when we reached the elevators, Noah pressed the button, fetching us a lift down to the lobby floor. “Should I?”
I lifted a brow, a glimmer of a challenge flashing over my eyes.
“Never mind.” The elevator chimed and he turned his head to the doors sliding open. “I don’t want to know.”
We both stepped inside. “Where are we going?”
“Evan is arriving,” Noah checked the time on his watch, “in half an hour. We’re picking him up, then I’ve made appointments with the loan officer and realtor. He’ll only be in town for a couple nights, so we need to keep things moving to make the most of his visit.” Noah’s foot tapped on the floor as he stared at the numbers counting down.
The car slowed to a stop and we stepped out to a busy lobby. The air buzzed with conversation, professionals hurrying across the floor in pressed business attire. We made our way to the parking garage doors and entered the cool, damp concrete bunker where I let my mind drift to the last time I had seen my cousin Evan.
“When’s the last time you saw Evan?” I asked Noah.
Noah lifted his key fob to his charcoal gray BMW M4. The car beeped and the lights flashed as I heard the doors unlock. Noah opened his door and said over the roof, “I traveled to the west coast last fall to explore potential petroleum leases. We met up then.”
I opened my door, tossed my things in the back seat, and settled into the car.
“When’s the last time you saw him?” Noah asked me as he fell into the driver seat, closing his door.
Bringing my hand to my face, I stroked my chin. “Long time.”
>
Noah turned the key and started the engine. “Before you shipped out?”
My eyes narrowed as I mined my memory for details. “Yeah.”
Backing out, Noah sped to the exit and turned onto the street. He down shifted, revving the engine with a smirk, and said, “Listen to that.”
We raced between lights—flying through yellows and burning rubber on greens. “I don’t know, the ride is kind of stiff,” I teased.
“Please,” Noah’s forehead wrinkled, “it’s the Competition Package.”
“Which means what?” I flicked him a quick glance as my hands comfortably gripped my knees.
“Which means,” he dropped the gear and the car lurched forward, picking up speed, “faster off the line and sharper handling responses.” He cranked the wheel to the right as we boomeranged around a corner.
“Let’s see it,” I said.
Noah passed the car in front of us and really opened the car up. The tires squealed, the fun just starting when his cell started to ring. Noah slowed to the pace of traffic and answered his phone.
Turning my attention out the window, my thoughts drifted to Sienna. Confusion twisted my thoughts as I returned to last night entwined in each other’s arms and what she said about wishing she had found me sooner. My gut clenched when I thought about how she was getting married in only a couple of days and how it seemed as if I had become her last attempt to pull off a secret fling before the big hurrah. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I wanted it to be something more.
“Evan’s flight is running late,” Noah said, dropping his cell in the console. “Looks like we have an hour to kill.”
I glanced to the back seat. “I don’t think we’d all fit, anyway. Maybe you should just drop me at the office.”
Noah gave me a look. “You’re not getting out of this.”
We were near my garage so I offered to go there. Noah didn’t say anything but I knew he’d want to sniff the place out now that he knew who had been there yesterday. I wasn’t worried. I’d cleaned up the evidence. Besides, I would do anything to be in my garage—my one place of refuge where I always felt at home.
