by P Mulholland
He originally said no to me taking the afternoon off as I had gotten behind with the accounts. Then I told him who I was obliged to meet with.
A hint of fear flashed in his eyes. “No one says no to that man,” he muttered.
“Trust me, it’s not by choice,” I said.
I suspected Daz was in debt to the Malones, but I wondered if he owed money to the Austins as well. Either way I sympathized with the guy, since I was also in debt to both families.
When I had the ‘accident’ I took two weeks off without pay, mostly to let the facial bruising fade and wounds heal in time before I went back. The broken bones were going to take longer, at least 6 weeks, I couldn’t take that much time off. I’d have to grin and bear it, pain or no pain. I’d suffered through worse. I could handle it.
I hadn’t been back to Elite Security Services since I got beaten up in their offices. Isaac hadn’t asked me to return and I haven’t contacted him to see if I should. Even if Isaac did say I had to work off my debt, Jake wouldn’t let me. He adamantly said he’d chain me to my bed to stop me from going back there.
As I stepped into the elevator of the Austin Building to go up to the twenty fourth floor, I received a message from Ocean Warrior pilot Sarah confirming that’s it all on for launch in five weeks time. I felt a tingle of excitement to get back on the vessel again, get back into the wild waters.
We’ll be heading into southern waters this time to Antarctica where trawlers were illegally dragging Antarctic Tooth fish from the Ross Sea, along with the usual conflict of illegal whaling and drift nets. When the ocean dies, we all die. How many times does it need to be said/written/screamed?
The elevator pinged and I felt a surge of panic run through me re-reading Sarah’s message. Five weeks? Did I read that right?
I messaged her back, questioning the date. The date hadn’t changed. Time had just flown by. Five weeks. I had yet to tell Jake and Farrah. I was leaving one week before my babysitting time was completed. The plan was to serve my time on the vessel, then go back to San Diego and open new bank accounts, along with a new life. I had several thousand dollars sitting in my frozen accounts that my asshole brother had taken control of, but he can keep the damn money. I don’t care. I want my freedom.
An attractive blonde woman at the spacious and minimalistic reception area smiled at me as soon as I stepped out of the elevator.
“I’m here to see Mr. Austin.”
“Which Mr. Austin would that be?” She looked me up and down. Summer was sliding away, tee shirts and thin blouses weren’t warm enough to keep away the early fall chill. I wore dark skinny jeans and a jade colored dress jacket that Farrah bought me with pink Chuck Taylors. It wasn’t as nice as what the receptionist was wearing, but I’m doing my best here with minimal clothes and money.
“The top guy. The Godfather. I mean, the father of Jake.”
She shot me a forced smile that reminded me of Nancy Applegate.
“Do you know Jake personally?”
I forced my facial expressions to behave. “You could say that.”
“It’s just that we get a lot of people, mostly women, who try to make themselves familiar with the sons.” She took extra note of my sling, as if I was seeking to sue someone with a fake injury. I actually didn’t need to wear the sling any more, I only did it so people would steer clear of my left side. My bones still gave me a bit of grief, especially when I lift something or knock it. Or when Jake gets a little too ardent in the bedroom.
“Jake is my roommate.” I decided to put her out of her misery. “And we are very familiar with each other. My name is Brydie O’Neal.”
“Oh yes. Found it.” Her eyes ran all over the computer screen, then she looked back at me again. “Looks like you’ll be seeing more than just Mr. Austin senior at this meeting.”
“Will Jake be there?”
“Come with me.” She led me out of the reception area, through a large open office packed with secretaries at their desks typing and talking on phones. As I glided by, I sensed their eyes staring at me over their computer screens and dividing walls. An unfamiliar woman was not welcome in their den.
The receptionist paused at a second reception area, the desk blocking the way into where the important people dwell behind their mahogany desks in their large swanky offices.
I heard a tap on the glass wall behind me. Jake was standing there in his fish tank, talking on his cell. I signaled that his fly was down and he saluted me something dirty in return. Yeah, we shared secrets. Yeah, we had fun together. I’m pretty sure half the staff in the office saw how much.
After waiting in the second reception area for ten minutes, the second receptionist beckoned me to follow her into the enchanted wood. She walked quickly down a hall lined with large offices encased in glass walls.
But I didn’t get far before Jake snatched me by my waist, thrusting me into his office to steal a kiss. He had me pressed against the door inside his office, kissing my neck, squeezing my boobs, then he shoved me out the door to find the lady in pumps.
“We’re friends,” I shrugged, when I spotted her glaring at me from down the end of the hall. “He wanted me to see his office.”
She led me to a boardroom where seven people sat on one side of the long table and I was asked to sit opposite them alone. I felt like I was at a job interview for a position on Wall Street. I looked at their faces but identified only one individual, Corey Austin.
Jake then appeared and sat next to me on my side. Us against them. Team Scarred against Team Flawless.
“Why are they here?” Jake was the first to speak, pointing to an immaculately dressed man and woman in their early fifties.
“We’ll get to that in a minute, Jake,’ the distinguished, silver-haired man directly opposite me said. He held up his hand for everyone to remain quiet while platters of finger food were brought in.
“Are we celebrating something?” I whispered to Jake.
“This is standard Austin fare,” he whispered back. Even though we whispered, the room was so quiet they would’ve heard us easily.
I glanced at Corey who was wearing a smirk while rubbing his square jaw. A handsome man sitting next to him looked bored, like he’d rather be elsewhere. The two women, one younger and sassy with a dark bob hairdo and a classy, attractive older lady stared at me fondly.
I swallowed. My mouth was drying up and my nerves and adrenal glands were firing out impulses urging me to run. RUN! That’s what I’ve done for most of my adult life, why should I stop now?
I shuffled in my seat nervously. I could feel a warm finger graze my thigh. Jake’s attempt to ease my nerves. It made me uneasy that this many people were needed to receive a progress report on Jake.
“We’ve met before in person,” the distinguished, silver-haired man began. He was handsome with a squared jaw, a powerful and older version of the bored man next to Corey. “It was many years ago when you first came to Chicago. I am Jake’s father Red, this is Jake’s mother Jacqueline…” she wore deep red lipstick, had thick brunette hair cut above the shoulders. She smiled warmly at me and for some weird reason I felt a kinship with her.
“…my daughter Sophia…” Oh, the woman after Leon. He must be blind and stupid not to want to date her… “my sons Corey and Trent. ” Corey nodded his head while examining Team Scarred’s body language as if he was searching for something, a clue as to whether or not Jake and I were sleeping together, perhaps. Is the betting ring still in progress? Trent glanced at me briefly, then looked away.
Strangely he didn’t introduce the two people on the end that Jake was asking about.
Red Austin began, “I’ve brought you here today for two reasons. The first being Jake’s progress. Since it is a family affair, I wanted the entire family to be here.”
Jake folded his arms across his chest and slouched back into his chair. I could feel him tense up next to me. Something was off, I could smell it.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware but
Jake has taken random blood tests since he was released from rehab into your care…” I almost laughed when he said “your care”. I hardly nursed him. In fact, he’d been more a caregiver to me than the other way around. “…fourteen weeks ago…”
“Gosh, has it been that long?” Jacqueline asked, pride beaming from her attractive, perfectly made-up face.
“…And we’re pleased to say, each test came back clean of alcohol and drugs.”
Everyone apart from Trent smiled proudly at their boy and me for some odd reason. It was such a strange feeling sitting there, as I felt everyone knew me. Rich Chicagoans are weird.
“So, well done,” Red said. I was waiting for the table of Austins to applaud us. I glanced up at Jake, he wasn’t smiling. He kept glancing at the two people that hadn’t been introduced to me yet, trying to see where they fit in.
“He looks so much healthier,” Jacqueline added.
“He learnt how to cook,” I said, “healthy food.”
Her eyes opened wide in surprise as Jake let out a little groan.
“Perhaps you could cook for me sometime, Jakey,” Jacqueline almost pleaded.
“What else did you learn, Elmer?” Corey asked, with a smirk on his face.
“Any secretaries you haven’t banged yet?” Jake bit back.
“Now, now!” Red raised his hand to hush them. Trent cracked an amused smile while his younger brothers fought. Peel back the tailor made suits and they’re no different to any other boys who like to tussle in the playground.
Red continued, “Since we’re pleased and satisfied with the progress of Jake, Mr. Malone and I decided that his probation period is to end as of today.”
I frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”
“It’s over. You won’t be needed any longer to watch over Jake.”
“Wow!” I gasped. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“What’s the catch?” Jake asked, pointing to the two people again. He wasn’t pleased like I was, I could feel the disappointment dripping off him.
Red swallowed. “You’ve proven yourself, son. Obviously, we want you to continue your sobriety and random blood tests will be conducted over the next few months. But it’s not necessary for Ms. O’Neal to be part the picture anymore.”
“Does this have something to do with Brydie getting beaten up?” Jake asked.
Red winced as did Jacqueline and Sophia. “Let’s just say it contributed to the decision, from Mr. Malone’s side particularly.”
“So, will my bank accounts be unfrozen?” I hoped.
He looked uncomfortable. Going by the expressions on Sophia and Jacqueline’s faces, they were in the dark about that little detail. But then, Isaac knew he had to strip me bare to force me to stay. “Mr. Malone has arranged for that to be done today.”
Sophia swore under her breath, horrified.
“And my passport?”
“Again Mr. Malone has arranged for that to be given back to you.”
I covered my face with my hands and took long, slow breaths, holding back the tears. I could see the great blue ocean right now in my mind’s eye, and feel the warmth of the Californian sun and the sand between my toes.
A quiet snigger from Corey’s direction. I glanced at Jake to see what humored Corey so, to find that he honestly looked like he just had the guts kicked out of him. Corey seemed to be taking pleasure in watching his little brother suffer.
Jacqueline piped up. “I’d like to think that no one in my family had anything to do with Brydie’s injuries.”
“Like we said, mom,” Corey began, “it’s Red’s friendship with Isaac that’s the only connection.”
“It better be,” she hissed.
“Let’s not forget the deals that were done in Costa Rica,” Jake added.
“Let’s also not forget that all of this damn effort was done so she and her Nemo-loving friends could be released from prison earlier,” Corey spat.
“Yeah, right,” Jake scoffed. “It’s got nothing to do with the fact that we had shares in a company that was acting unlawfully.”
“What company?” Jacqueline asked.
“Please, dear,” Red said, losing his cool, “this is all water under the bridge.”
“What company?” she asked again.
“Neptune Fisheries,” Jake answered, since no one else wanted to.
“We sold our share,” Red swiftly said. “End of story.”
A hissing sound came from Sophia. Jake did that as well, when he was mulling over something. I could see he shared physical features with his mother and sister, more so than his brothers and father.
Jake let out a soft, impatient growl. “Are we done here?”
“Wait,” Jacqueline said, and everyone froze. “Brydie, I would like to thank you personally for helping steer Jake in a better direction. I can see for myself that he is happier…”
“He doesn’t look happy right now,” Corey mumbled out of earshot of his mother.
“…healthier and has matured somewhat.” Tears came into her eyes.
“I can’t take responsibility for any of that,” I said. “He’s his own man.”
“With your influence,” she added. “I am also very sorry that your time here in Chicago with my son was less than pleasant.” Her jaw clenched and her nostrils flared. I felt she was holding back from saying what she really wanted to say. “I’m sorry you were assaulted, Brydie. I wished it never happened.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I wished it never happened as well.”
“Secondly,” Red continued.
“Here we go,” Jake scoffed under his breath.
“We need you to sign some confidentiality agreements, Brydie. As you can understand due to sensitive incidences that have occurred, we’d prefer the public and media were not privy to this information.”
“Like Brydie getting beaten up?” Jake hissed.
“Well…yes.” Red signaled to the two non-Austins to speak. They introduced themselves as the Austins’ lawyers and then slid two contracts across the table, both of which Jake snatched up.
“This is shit, Red,” Jake spat. “You should’ve warned her there would be contracts so she could bring her own council.”
“It sounds like you’re her council,” Corey said.
“She is welcome to take the contract away to let her own lawyers sign them. But we’d like them returned by the end of today.”
“So, you’re basically forcing her to sign them. This is below the belt even for you, Red.”
“Jake!” Jacqueline snapped. “When did you get so discourteous towards your father? It’s so unbecoming of you.”
The two older brothers sniggered together, like it’s a little game they’re playing against their younger brother. Farrah’s words echoed in my mind of Jake playing alone with his Lego when he was a little boy. It’s been Jake battling against those two all his life. Fuck ‘em! I longed to leap across the table to slap their damn faces. Instead, I shot them my blackest glare, Malone style.
“Are we done here?” Jake asked gruffly, still holding the contracts in his hand. I still hadn’t looked at them yet.
“Yes, son,” Red said, “we’re done.” Then he turned to me. “If you could get those contracts signed and back on my or Trent’s desk by this evening, that would be great.”
“Okay.”
Chapter Thirty Two
Jake
“So, this is you? This is where you spend your days?” She sat behind my desk examining my office as I went through the contracts. I had to use every ounce of strength not to jump over my desk and rip her clothes off her. Unfortunately I’d have an audience of secretaries, most of which want to date me. But then, life’s short and she’s leaving sooner than I hoped. Why not create one more lasting memory.
“Sounds like you’re eager to get out of here,” I snipped. “I thought you’d be on your phone booking a flight.”
“I’ll miss you.”
I shrugged.
“You’re
still going to cold turkey me?”
“Yep.”
“So, if I contact you, you’ll ignore it?”
“Yep.”
“What can I do to change your mind?”
“Stay,” I said, throwing the contracts down on my desk and leaning back in my chair to look at her gorgeous face.
“You’re only twenty one. You don’t want to be stuck with me.”
“Don’t tell me what I do and don’t want.”
“You can come and visit me.”
“I already said no.”
“Wouldn’t you like to relax on the beach and get a tan?”
“I don’t want sand in my shoes.”
She laughed. “You said once that you’d travel the world for me. Buy me the sun, the moon and the stars.”
I laced my fingers behind my head. “Yeah, but I can’t buy you the fucking ocean and that’s the one thing that you want. And when I said I’d travel the corners of the earth for you, that’s to throw you over my shoulder and bring you back here to Chicago.”
“Kidnapping?”
“Yes.” I wanted her to stay so bad it ached. “You’ll be hard to get over.”
“So will you be for me.”
“Then, don’t get over me. Get under me.”
I watched her gaze out the glass wall to the secretaries, her mind traveling a million miles away from me.
“What are you thinking about?”
“My little apartment back home. My surfboard leaning against my bedroom wall, abandoned. My bed currently slept in by someone else. The white froth on the breakers, the warm breeze, the rock pools filled with life. Maybe I’ll get another tattoo to remind me of you.”
I didn’t want to hear that. In her mind she was leaving me already and she only found out five minutes ago. “How much time have I got with you?”
“I don’t know. It’s still sinking in. It doesn’t quite feel real yet, like someone is going to pull a string to retract it all, then laugh in my face.”
