There was no way he could verbally accost her in front of his colleagues. He’d never risk losing that much face.
“I suggest you gather your thoughts and return to me when you have a clearer picture of the situation.” Political speak made her antsy, and Mr. Ross was plainly agitated.
Still she pushed harder. “Tell you what, you obviously can’t handle being in charge and let’s face it, you only want the kids to be in power or whatever, so why not surrender custody to me before I take what I’ve just heard to my lawyers.”
“What lawyers?” Brian barked it, then cut off.
There was a muffled bang on the other end of the line and the chatter in the background was silenced. He was in his office, most likely.
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” he grated at her.
“Oh, I know exactly who I’m dealing with, but I think you’ll find it’s you who’s in trouble. Because Brian, you’ve never dealt with the likes of me. If you harm a hair on either of my children’s heads, I will be on you so fast you’ll think hell is a holiday. Got it, big guy?”
“What occurs in my marriage is none of your business and has no bearing on the custody of my children.”
“I beg to differ, Bri,” she snapped back in a supremely mocking tone.
“If you come near that house again, you’ll regret it. Do you understand me, girl?” He wanted to make her feel small, but there wasn’t smugness in his tone and it gave her strength.
It meant one thing: Brian Ross was threatened by her.
He’d ruined everything for her with Chase and with her kids. This was her sweetest revenge.
“Brian, I will visit those children when I like, because they are my children. They deserve better than what you can offer them. Don’t for a second think I’m afraid of you.”
“You should be,” he threatened.
She chuckled, though inside she was filled to the brim with nausea and rage. “Sorry, but there’s nothing you can do to me. I’m not exactly pregnant with your child, am I?”
“I will –”
“I didn’t call to mince words with you. I called to tell you to watch your ass, because in a couple weeks I’m going to be chewing on it.”
She took great pleasure in hanging up first, then looked back at the butcher again. He’d stopped chopping meat and stared at her instead. She caught sight of her reflection in the glass, her long blonde hair tangled by the wind, her cheeks flushed with anger. She gave a wave then strolled off to her car.
At least she had a means of getting to Brian now. He wouldn’t be able to bully her or anyone else by the time she was through with him. She got into her car and sped off down the road, window open.
The air whooshed over her, cleansing her from the awful conversation. What a damn morning. She pulled into the drive and parked.
It hit Emily like a bus. What the hell had she just done? Potentially gotten Amanda in trouble for sure. She jumped out of her car and ran all the way up to the glass doors of her apartment building, clutching her phone in her hand.
She burst into her place, shut the door and hurried to the couch.
She had to call Amanda and warn her before it was too late.
CHAPTER TEN
The phone had rang continuously but nobody had picked up. Something was definitely wrong. Amanda was always home and the kids would be back from school by now.
Emily steered into Brian’s street and held her breath. Please, let it just be a false alarm. Please, let them be all right.
She parked a block away and walked the rest to the house. She couldn’t risk Brian seeing the car and getting angrier, if he was home and victimizing Amanda. Good God, what a total fuck up.
Emily blamed herself for this. She should’ve thought before she’d acted, but she’d just been so damn outraged at Brian’s belief that he could do what he wanted, when he wanted to. She wouldn’t let it fly anymore.
The rich red-tiled roof of the house appeared and she crept closer, keeping to the trees and checking the road constantly.
She peered between the slats of the fence and up the driveway. His Audi was there. Her heart sank and she whipped out her phone, desperate to get hold of the kids. But what was the point? They wouldn’t answer and if Brian did, she’d only make it worse.
There was a slam and Brian appeared on the porch, red from head to toe with anger – luckily not blood. He stormed to his Audi, opened the door, slipped in and revved the engine in classic ‘dick-driver’ fashion.
He peeled out of the gates and Emily shrank back behind her chosen tree, but he sped off in the opposite direction. The gates – which usually stood open – began a slow slide closed. Emily raced towards them at the last moment.
They closed fast. She was too far, she had to get inside!
Emily slipped through at the last second, and the horrid metal constructions slammed closed behind her like the gates of Mordor.
“Holy shit,” she wheezed, gripping both knees and bending over. Then she rose and stared up at the house. It was silent, eerily so, the darkened windows glaring down at her in accusation. Blaming her for what she’d caused.
Brian was unstable and she’d given him that extra push over the edge. What the hell was wrong with her? No wonder Chase didn’t want anything to do with her.
She was selfish.
Emily left her self-pity in the garden but picked up a rock to replace it. She stepped below the eaves, out of the line of sight of that cursed camera, and lobbed the stone at it.
THWACK.
It broke into several pieces.
That ought to do it.
She hurried up to the front door – who knew when the psycho and his silver speedster would be back? She knocked once, but there wasn’t an answer.
Dread surged through her again, her arms and legs went tingly. If he’d hurt those kids, she’d make good on her conviction and commit a murder she could remember. She grimaced at that thought and knocked again.
“Who is it?” It was Becci’s terrified whimper which came through the wood of the door.
“It’s your mommy, sweetheart. Open up.”
The door swung inwards and both Becci and Jared rushed out and into her arms. She hugged them close, then separated them and checked for marks or bruises.
“Did he touch you? Did he hurt you?”
But they shook their heads and Jared pointed back into the house, coolness leaked out of it from the air con over the staircase.
Becci was half-hysterical. “Mommy, I’m scared. He hurt Amanda, he hurt her.”
“Hush now sweetheart,” she said and hugged the girl to her chest. “Jared, what happened? Tell me everything.”
The boy, wise beyond his years, took a deep shuddering breath. “Amanda was making us PB and J sandwiches in the kitchen when he came home. He walked in and just started screaming. Then he hit her across the face. I took Becci upstairs.” He scrunched up his eyes, hiding the tears from her, though he wanted to cry.
Brave boy.
“You did very well, Jared. Where’s Amanda?”
“In – I think she’s still in the kitchen,” he answered, swallowing hard.
“Thank you. Now, listen carefully. I’m not allowed to take you away yet, but I will be able to soon, all right? I need you to be brave and stay out of your father’s way no matter what. Do you understand?”
“Why, mommy?”
“Because your father has a temper and I don’t want you to get hurt. You do exactly what he says, unless he wants to make you do something wrong, and you stay on his good side. Is that clear? I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, mommy,” the children said in tandem.
“All right, now go up to your rooms and play. Everything is going to be just fine.”
“Can’t you come with us?”
“No, my love, I have to help Amanda. Off you go now.” She gave them each a final hug and they hurried off up the stairs.
She didn’t waste time getting to the kitchen.
She entered through the living room and stood there for a minute, gasping for breath, refusing to accept the sight which met her,
Amanda was sprawled on the tiles, supine, eyes half-open. Her face was undamaged, but the bastard had broken her arm. It hung at a strange angle. Her breathing was light.
Emily dropped down beside her and checked her vitals. She had a pulse and she was semi-conscious, but the woman needed an ambulance. She peeled back her torn blouse and gasped. A patchwork of deep black bruises covered her torso and abdomen. He’d kicked her obviously.
Emily whipped out her cell and dialed 911.
“911, what is your emergency?”
“Hi, I’ve got a woman here, a victim of domestic abuse, I need you to –” but Amanda’s eyes had fluttered open. She reached up and grabbed at Emily’s arm.
“No,” she whispered. “No ambulance.”
“Ma’am, can you please repeat? What is your emergency and where are you located?”
She cupped her hand over the microphone and levelled Amanda with disbelief. “You need medical attention.”
“Not 911. Take me in your car. Please, I beg you. Please.”
“Ma’am?”
She hesitated, staring at her high school friend for a moment longer. She didn’t want the domestic abuse part to go down, did she? Emily ground her teeth. Looked like Brian would get away with it again.
“Please,” Amanda pleaded. She met Emily’s gaze and the horrifying mix of fear and desperation turned her stomach into Jell-O. How could Amanda allow this? But then, Emily already had the answer to that. She’d done the same for years.
Emily uncovered the phone. “I’m sorry, I was mistaken. Everything is fine here.” She hung up.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A week had passed since Emily had dropped Amanda off at the hospital, and she still hadn’t heard a thing. She couldn’t call in case it spurred on another outburst from her murderous ex-husband, but she’d followed the kids to school one day and seen they were unharmed.
Amanda was another story. She had no idea what had become of her friend, but she was frustrated. What could she do? Amanda had chosen this path. She didn’t want to be free of Brian Ross. She was consumed by his ego and her own need for some kind of ‘perfect’ picket fence life.
Emily sighed and stared at the building in front of her. She was outside Chase’s block of apartments again. Of all the people she needed to talk to about Brian, he was the most important.
He needed to know what kind of maniac he’d dealt with, before Brian manipulated him into something horrible as well.
The two minute elevator ride took an eternity and anxiety bounced around in her mind on a trampoline, knocking into walls and sending her thoughts into total disarray.
It was the right thing to do. Seeing him again was a bonus. This wasn’t about proving herself to him, was it?
She tried a smile for the attendant and he beamed back at her. “Have a nice day, Miss.”
“Yeah, you too,” she replied, but the words stuck in her throat.
One hallways stood between her and Chase, the man she’d lost because of… well, because of everything.
She walked down the hall, her steps muffled by the maroon carpet. The number on his door, 16, was brass and shone to perfection. Emily gasped for breath a few times, then forced a laugh. What was wrong with her?
She’d never been this weak before.
Emily knocked and cleared her throat.
Chase opened up and stared at her. “Go away, please.”
“Wait a second,” she said, placing a palm on the door to stop him from closing it in her face. Man she hated that.
“I have nothing to say to you, Emily. I made that clear the last time we spoke.”
“Chase, I’m not here to make excuses or talk to you about what happened in the past. Hell, I’m not even here to apologize, but I need to talk to you anyway. It’s with regards to your business.”
Chase snorted. “My business is literally none of yours.”
She had to get him to listen. Maybe she could even show him the pictures of Janet and Brian to prove it. The man was up to no good.
Why were they associates anyway? It was a weird relationship for a guy who bought and sold businesses for a living. Brian was a congressman for god’s sakes.
“Goodbye, Emily.” He shut the door on her foot.
“Chase, please.” She hated pleading with people. It was such a debasing thing to do.
“Oh come on Chasey, hear her out.” Janet’s freckled mug appeared in the doorway and the crack widened.
Emily didn’t want to ask. It wasn’t her business after all, but the anxiety which had been trampling about evaporated into thin air. Janet’s presence made her want to bust a diatribe.
“Fine, come in then. Make it quick.” Chase moved into his apartment and Emily walked past Janet and stood beside one of the sofas. They had memories, but it had been so long since she’d touched him, that she could hardly remember it.
That was a lie. It was ingrained in her fibers.
Janet flitted to Chase’s side and stroked the back of his neck in a typical territorial move.
“What do you want Emily?”
“To tell you the truth about my ex-husband. He’s not a person you should associate with.”
“You two have a lot in common then,” Janet put in with a titter behind her hand. She proceeded to massage Chase’s neck. He didn’t move away from her.
“I’m not talking to you,” Emily answered calmly, though she’d love to rip out a chunk of those ginger locks. “Brian is a liar and a cheat. He will try to screw you over.”
“Fortunately, I’m well aware of Brian’s issues, Emily. I’m not on the end of being screwed over.” Chase gave a chilling smile. He was foreign to her.
“Then which side are you on?”
He didn’t give an answer, but sank down into the embrace of one of his leather sofas. Janet followed him, buzzing around, a bee around honey.
“I received a call from Brian’s ex-wife the other day. As it happens, he forced her to abort her baby.”
“Christ. Why do I need to know this?”
“You have to know what kind of character the man has.”
“This is totally inappropriate and irrelevant, Emily. It’s a thinly veiled attempt to win my favor and prove whatever innocence you think you have with regards to killing my parents.”
Emily spluttered helplessly. She choked a few times. Everything kept backfiring. How had she gotten this wrong as well?
“He broke her arm, okay? He broke his wife’s arm and he’s a danger to my children. If he’s a danger to them, he’s a danger to you too. Do you get that? Who knows what he’s capable of? What strings he can pull to get what he wants or to get rid of who he wants.”
“We appreciate your concern,” said Janet, rolling the ‘r’s on the word ‘appreciate’, “but Chase can handle his business.”
“Thanks for the, uh, warning? But I’ll be fine. I suggest you focus on your children.” He stood and motioned towards the exit, but she didn’t move.
“Chase. Chase, come on, please. This is …”
“What? What is it Emily, I’m dying to hear the opinion of a murderer. Do you have any idea what I lost because of your selfish, drunken stint?”
“Chase,” she began, but the follow up sentiment failed her.
“Yeah, exactly. Now, get the fuck out my apartment.” Chase pointed forcibly and Emily walked out into the hallway without another word.
Janet came to the door to close it behind her, then whispered after her into the hallway. “And don’t expect an invite to the wedding, darling.” Then she swung it shut with force.
Emily walked back to the elevator. This was the last time she’d see him. It was clear he despised her that Janet was the one he wanted, but she couldn’t keep back the sobs. Her visit had been a cruel education in reality.
She just wanted to go home, sleep and start fresh the next morning.<
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CHAPTER TWELVE
“I was hoping you’d give me a call about my offer, but when you didn’t, I figured you might still be down about the other day.” Joseph sat on the steps of her apartment building, smiling and holding a bottle of wine.
“I’ve had a rough day, Joseph. Thanks for the visit.” She entered the building. Hopefully he’d get the message and stay behind on the stairs, rather than follow her up. No such luck. He was with her all the way, even while she unlocked her front door.
“Mind if I come in?” He pushed past her before she could grant him entrance. This was an irritation. She just wanted to curl up in bed with a cup of tea, then cry herself to sleep or something. But no, Mr. Lawyerman was insistent on ‘ruining’ her evening.
She followed him in, then went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water and downed it in one go.
“Thirsty, eh?” Joseph’s grin twinkled with a mischievous edge. He twiddled the bottle of red under her nose. “I’ve got just the thing for that.”
“Not tonight thanks.” Emily left her handbag on the kitchen counter and went to sit down on the sofa. She didn’t put on the TV. Joseph came to sit beside her seconds later.
He brought two glasses of red wine and forced one into her hand, then clinked them together and took a swig.
“How are you feeling?” He asked, then fidgeted on the couch.
“I’m fine thanks.” She’d been better, but she’d shared too much with the pushy stranger already.
“Good, good,” he said, with an absent-minded wave. “So I’ve been thinking. We should go out on a date sometime. We had a lot of coffee, I mean a lot of fun at coffee the other day, right? Right? So, would you like to go out with me again?”
There wasn’t a polite answer which wouldn’t break him down. She wasn’t ready for anything with anyone. She had too much on her plate, her heart was broken and she was on the verge of a custody battle.
Balancing that and work was enough. But if she said no, would he still help her get her kids back?
Never Say Never, Part Three (Second Chance Romance, Book 3) Page 4
