Page 10
brEN
The night that one of Alec’s past fucks appeared at the café was the night that changed things between us.
Was I still hurt… damn right I was. Was I still angry… you better fucking believe it. But after that night and what I’d overheard, I started to soften.
And I had to admit that a part of me was a little bit smug at overhearing that his one night with me had ruined other women for him. It did wonders for my self-confidence.
Also, I couldn’t deny that since he’d found out about Lexi, he’d stepped up big time. When it came to her, we were a partnership, and I think most were surprised at how quickly he fell into being a daddy. He didn’t balk at anything, and those first few weeks I’d made him change every shitty nappy that I could. Also, I couldn’t deny it was nice to have someone there to help out.
It’s not like I didn’t have help before he arrived because I did; both Mum and Bev had been godsends, but knowing that Alec was just down the hall meant that I relaxed my constant vigilance and actually started to sleep better. It also meant that it was easier for me to get back to work because Alec was happy for Lexi to spend time at the garage with him when Bev was there to help out.
And Bev was always happy to help out and spend time with her granddaughter. That was where Lexi was today because I had a meeting with potential investors, or at least that’s what I’d allowed them to think.
Ellie and I were on the road driving to the factory where we seemed to be spending most of our time. I have to say that out of all my work babies, this was one that I loved being at. Crow Beauty and Spa was well run by Lana O’Shea and had been for a long time; I never had to worry about it. I’d offered to let her buy shares in the business years ago, but she said she was happy managing it, and we’d left it at that. That didn’t mean I didn’t show my appreciation by ensuring that she got a great bonus every year. I’d be lost without her.
I’m brought out of my reverie by Ellie asking curiously, “So what did you overhear?”
“Huh, when?”
Ellie snorts, “Don’t play that game with me, Bren. I’m not Ben or Sam. I won’t let you get away with it. You know when.”
Laughing because I know she’s right, Ellie isn’t one to let things go. Everyone thinks she’s away with the fairies when in fact she’s sharp as a tack and pays more attention than anyone realises. Does she have certain abilities that the rest of us mere mortals don’t? Yep, she does. It makes her special to me, and it used to piss me off when people treated her differently. Over the years, she’s become better at judging who would be receptive to her gift and who wouldn’t. She was my little sister, though, and could still be a pain in the arse when she wanted. Out of all the family, she’s been the one pushing me to forgive Alec; it made me wonder what she knew that I didn’t, but I also knew she wouldn’t say anything unless she had to, preferring to let situations play out naturally.
Before answering her, I think back to what I’d overheard Alec telling Sam, and I knew I had Ellie to thank for pushing me. She’d insisted that I go and check on them. I’d cracked the door and been about to call out to them when I’d overheard Sam say, “Nobody since Bren, huh?”
My whole body had frozen as I waited to hear what Alec’s reply would be.
Not wanting to take my eyes off the road, I look at Ellie from the corner of my eye and see that she is turned slightly towards me, waiting expectantly for my reply. Knowing I wasn’t going to get out of it, I turn the music down and tell her what I’d overheard, “He told Sam that he’s not been with anyone else since that night with me, that I’m all he’s thought about since then. He has the earring I thought I’d lost, and he uses it like a security blanket. Well, his exact words were ‘like a fucking security blanket,’ ” I laugh slightly as I think back to the frustration in his voice when he told Sam that.
“And,” Ellie motions with her hands for me to carry on.
Rolling my eyes at her, I grumble, “You’re a pain in the arse, Ellie.”
She sniggers, “Oh, I know, but I’m your pain in the arse. Stop stalling.”
“Fine, ugh. What else? Oh, that he said he didn’t want children because of who his father is.”
“Well, that’s bloody stupid, what an idiot. And here I thought he was smarter than that,” Ellie mutters. “If we all felt like that, then none of us would have babies.”
“He also said he’s always known how I felt for him and that he knows he fucked up, but that he’d work at getting me to forgive him and that he’d make me his no matter what or something to that effect. When he first got back, he said something that finally makes sense now.”
We’re silent for a bit, then Ellie huffs out a breath, “Are you going to tell me or not? And you say I’m irritating.”
I can’t help but laugh at her disgruntlement and then laugh harder when she slaps my shoulder, “Tell me already.”
“Okay, okay, keep your knickers on. Give me a minute,” I tell her, indicating to turn into the factory car park and parking in my dedicated parking spot before continuing, “When he first got back and moved into my wing, he told me it wasn’t that he didn’t feel the same as me all those years, just that he didn’t think he was good enough for me.”
Ellie is silent for a minute, then pretends to swoon, breathing out, “Oh, Alec.”
Laughing at her dramatics, I start to gather all my stuff.
I’m opening my car door when Ellie says, “You’re going to have to forgive him, Bren. He made a stupid and hurtful mistake, but he paid for it by not knowing about Lexi until she was born. He’s been doing the utmost to make up for it since then.
“With all our backgrounds, you of all people should know where we come from screws with your head. It’s why you kept the news of Lexi from him in the first place. There’s been enough hurt all round, don’t you think? We know how life can change in the blink of an eye. Don’t let being scared make you lose out on the man that’s meant to be yours.” Ellie reaches over and squeezes my arm. “And, Bren, he’s yours. I’ve always known he was yours. It’s time, big sister, to have a little faith.”
Leave it to my little sister to cut out all the bullshit and give it to me straight. My throat tightens with emotion at her words, but I can’t help the scared feeling that runs through me when I ask, “What if he hurts me again? My heart can’t take another hit like that, Ellie.”
Ellie grins at me and shrugs, saying casually, “Then I know where we can bury him.”
I stare at her for a beat and see she’s perfectly serious before I let out a belly laugh, “Thanks, Ellie, love you, little sister.”
Ellie returns my smile, “Love you too, Bren, and I promise, you won’t be sorry if you give him a chance.”
“Okay,” I agree, “I’ll think about it. Now, let’s get in there and kick some butt. This bunch think we’re just two little girls playing at business.”
Ellie snorts, “They obviously haven’t done any research then.”
“Nope, they haven’t, but you have,” I agree. Getting out of the car, I straighten my form-fitting skirt and button up my jacket. There’s nothing like a power suit and a good pair of heels to make a woman feel confident. Similarly dressed, except she’s wearing a trouser suit, Ellie strolls around the back of the car to meet me.
Wrapping my arm through hers, I say, “Let’s go, little sister. Use those gifts of yours today. I need to know I’m not imagining the sliminess.”
“I got you. And I can tell you before we even get in there that you aren’t. You got my report on what I found out about them,” Ellie assures me as we walk into our building and towards the conference room.
“I did. And I didn’t like any of what you found. We’ll have to take it to Church because if they don’t get our land, then they’ll try others, and people need to be made aware,” I end my sentence abruptly because we are about to get to my personal assistant’s desk.
“Hi, Deb,” I greet as we stop at her desk. Deb used to live in the flats on the estate we grew up on. She’d been kind and helped us when she could but had her own family to worry about. When I’d known I’d need a PA, I’d reached out to her, remembering her saying that she’d worked in a corporate office before she’d got married. She’d ended up at our flats when her husband had died in a car accident, leaving her with two little kids and unable to make the rent on the house they’d been in.
We’d always tried to give back where we could, Ben, Ellie, and I. Deb was one of the best hiring decisions I’d made. She took no shit from anyone and was a dragon of a gatekeeper who didn’t stand for anyone wasting my time. I loved having her at my back.
“Boss,” Debbie acknowledges me and hands me a stack of messages, a cup of coffee in a to-go mug, and a cup of tea to Ellie. “They’re in there,” she nods towards the conference room and wrinkles her nose slightly, making me laugh softly.
“That bad, huh?”
“Absolute wankers,” Deb replies, making Ellie and me snigger. “They’ve already used the excuse of needing the loo to try and get into the offices,” she points at the next to her computer screen that shows our security cameras.
“We know; we got a notification, and you’re right, they are worse than wankers,” Ellie informs her. “We need information, though, and this was the easiest way to get it.”
“Ugh, well, if you need me to get you out of there, hit the red button and I’ll come running,” Deb orders, talking about a button I’d had installed under the conference table when I’d had enough of a meeting and the person I was meeting with wasn’t taking a hint. I pressed it, and Deb would appear to let me know that I had another appointment waiting. So far, it had worked just fine.
“Will do, Deb. And thanks,” I held up my cup of coffee to her. “Come on, El, let’s go do our thing.” Pivoting on my heel, I continued to the conference room, waiting for Ellie to catch up before abruptly opening the doors, catching the two men by surprise. One of them was straightening from a dresser that we had in the corner; it held spare stationery. I’m not sure what they thought they’d find by snooping around the conference room.
“Gentlemen,” I say, walking towards my seat and putting my coffee down. “Can I help you find something? Do you need some additional stationery to what my assistant laid out for you?” I query with a raised brow.
“Just a pen,” the culprit answers a little smugly, holding up a pen. My eyebrows raise, and I pointedly look at the pen holder with at least ten pens in it that Deb had put out with the pads and Post-it notes.
“Well then,” I say a little sarcastically, “if you’ve found the pen that you want, would you like to take a seat, and we can get this meeting started? I see you’ve helped yourself to beverages, so there’s no need to delay.” Turning towards the older man, I say, “I’m assuming you are Mr. Helmsworth? Would you like to introduce us to your colleague?”
“Ah yes, of course,” he blusters slightly at having been caught on the back foot. “This is my son, Christian Helmsworth, and the young lady with you?”
Nodding in acknowledgement at Christian Helmsworth as he takes a seat next to his father, I introduce Ellie, “This is my business partner, Ellie. I’d have thought you’d know that, though, considering you are here to offer to buy our company.”
Immediately, I can see that we’ve surprised them; I’m sure they thought we were empty-headed bimbos. How wrong they were. I didn’t have time for bullshit, so I continue, “I’m sorry you’ve wasted your time, Mr. Helmsworth. As I informed you in my email, we have no intention of selling our company.”
“Now, hang on, you don’t even know what we’re offering,” Christian remarks.
“Exactly,” his father nods his head. “I’m sure when you see what we’re offering you’ll see that it’s best for you both. I mean, you could spend it on whatever your heart desires. I’m sure the two of you have things you want to do, like travel, buy shoes, and bags.”
Biting my lip to stop laughing, especially when Ellie starts to cough next to me. They don’t seem to realise that I’m a millionaire. I hit my first million at twenty, thanks to Bella, and Ellie isn’t far behind me. I’d worked my butt off to make sure that we never did without. None of us flaunted it, though. It wasn’t who we were.
I sit back in my chair. “Why don’t you lay it all out for me, Mr. Helmsworth,” I invite casually, crossing my legs and wanting to roll my eyes when Christian’s gaze fixes on the bit of thigh I am showing when my skirt rides up my legs at the movement. ‘What an arsehat.’
Ellie snickers quietly next to me as if she knows exactly what I’m thinking.
Taking me at my word, Mr. Helmsworth starts his sales pitch, telling me all the things he would do to improve profitability. I’m bored three minutes in; none of what he’s saying would work, or it would but only if he cut staff wages in half or fired staff and worked those left to the bone. He’d also add chemicals to our beauty products. He should have stopped there, especially when I protested that the licence would need to be changed if they did that.
Waving his hand, “Oh, I don’t bother with that; there are ways around the licence.” My eyebrows rise; we’d known he paid people off, but he’d literally just admitted it to us with those words. I tried to keep my face neutral, but Christian must have seen something on it because he interrupts his father to say, “Of course we’ll reapply for the correct licence. Don’t worry.”
His father, realising his blunder, immediately blusters, “Of course we will, that’s what I meant. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. This is how much we’d like to offer you for your company,” scribbling something on a piece of paper, he pushes it towards me. Uncrossing my legs, I sit forward in my seat, reaching for the paper and pull it towards me to have a look. I want to laugh because our company will be worth double that in six months’ time when our production is at full capacity. Showing it to Ellie, who looks at me with wide bulging eyes, “Seriously,” she whispers in disgust at the offer.
Picking up a pen, I write, ‘No thank you,’ fold the paper in half and push it back towards them. They obviously thought we were in a negotiation because they eagerly pulled the folded paper to them, opening it up, both their eyes widening when they read what we’ve written.
“Seriously,” Christian demands in an aggravated tone. “There are a lot of zeros in our offer. You won’t get another offer like this one.”
“Oh, I know,” I reply. “It’s a lot less than my company is worth, so no, I won’t get another offer like that. I’ve told you several times that we’re not interested in selling. I’ll not be saying it again. If we need to, we can get the lawyers involved to get you to understand what the words NOT INTERESTED mean.” Pushing my chair back, I stand and lean forward, my palms planted firmly on the table so I’m looming slightly over them. “Let’s be honest, shall we? We know you don’t want the company; you want the land it sits on.” Standing back up, I wave at Ellie, “You see, we’ve done our homework on you, and this is what you do. You buy up companies on prime land, run the companies you buy into the ground, then you turn around and get planning for that land and put up hundreds of houses.”
The shock on their faces is laughable. Ellie pulls our paperwork from the investigation on them out of her bag and tosses it down the table to them. Standing next to me, she speaks for the first time, “Now, as my business partner has stated several times, we’re not interested in selling. And that land you tried to buy next door isn’t for sale any longer. I think it’s best you gentlemen left, don’t you?”
They’re angry, but the father can’t keep his mouth shut. He doesn’t like that we’ve got the best of him. It’s not him I’m worried about, though; it’s his son. The old man is all bluster, but the son has a whole other vibe about him. He reminds me of a snake, lying in wait to strike at the right moment.
“You’ll be sorry you didn’t take my offer,” Mr. Helmsworth grinds out angrily, slamming his briefcase shut.
“That sounds suspiciously like a threat, Mr. Helmsworth,” I rejoin. “You don’t want to be threatening us, that I can promise you.”
“It’s not a threat, it’s a promise, Ms. Crow. You’ll be sorry. I’ll have this property if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Come on, Dad, it’s time to go,” Christian takes hold of his father’s arm, pulling him towards the door and pushing him out. Turning towards us, he smiles a cold smile, eyes filled with rage, “Ladies, you should have taken the offer.”
I can’t help but shiver at the quiet venom in his voice, glad to see the back of him as he leaves the conference room.
“He’s evil, Bren,” Ellie says shakily from next to me.
“I know,” I agree. “Make sure you wear your tracker at all times, El. I have a feeling that’s not the last we’ll see of them. We’ll have to let Dad know.”
“I’ve always got it on,” Ellie says, fingering her silver chain with the small crow. “Have you got yours?” she asks.
Pulling my chain from my blouse, I show her, “Always, little sister. Come on, let’s get to my office and call Dad.”
“Dad’s going to hit the roof,” Ellie states as we walk out of the conference room.
“I know,” I sigh. She’s right; he does hit the roof and immediately calls Church for that evening. When Ellie and I finish for the day, we walk out to find our dad, Navy, Dragon, and Onyx waiting for us. I can’t lie; I feel much safer being surrounded by my dad and uncles on our drive home. Today had shaken me more than usual. It wasn’t the first time I’d been threatened, but I was very aware, especially after what happened with Kaleb, that they could hurt me in a way I’d never recover from if they hurt Lexi in any way because she was mine.