Page 7

Dana

Q uickly, I left the desk to go to the restroom on a break as Arturo watched the lines for a few moments. We never left the reception empty. I would always be the one to hit the panic button at the sign of trouble, mainly because it was my little realm that invaders would encounter first. Sure, they needed buzzing in, but it would be me who shut the offices down.

The panic button brought down metal shutters in front of the entrance doors and windows. Behind my desk was a panic room where I could safely lock myself in and wait for rescue. And nobody got past me without an appointment. Therefore, on returning to reception, I was horrified to see unwanted guests had snuck in.

Unprepared for this confrontation, I stumbled as they turned towards me. Arturo’s hand shot out and caught me, and he offered a concerned stare as I paled. By the desk were Queen Bitch One and Princess Skank Two. Aka, Mom and Shania. Both were sneering.

“Knew you were lying,” Mom crowed.

Arturo looked between us and quickly moved to my side.

With quiet dignity, I sat down as my brain worked furiously.

“Liar?” Arturo murmured. He sent a quick glance towards the CCTV. No doubt Dylan was being warned that Mom and Shania were here.

“Dana claimed to be working for Dylan Hawthorne as one of his people. She also lied and pretended to wear two-thousand-dollar Louboutins. What else did she lie about, Mama?” Shania asked as she checked Arturo out.

“Excuse me, I do work for Dylan Hawthorne as one of his team,” I murmured.

Inside, a shake began as my gut twisted. They’d clearly come here to create drama, and what would Dylan say? Dylan hated theatrics when his sister caused it. A member of staff? Oh hell, Dylan wouldn’t be amused.

“Go away. I’m at work, and you’ve no right to cause trouble,” I ordered.

Arturo’s head swivelled, and he placed a palm on my shoulder.

“Is that why you bitches are here?” Arturo demanded.

“No, we came to prove Dana a liar and have done so. Stupid Dana thought she’d pull the wool over everyone’s eyes, but now we realise she’s lying,” Shania said, smirking.

My temper rose, and I shrugged off Arturo’s hand. Hell, I was seeing red, and my blood felt like it was boiling. Storming around the desk, I lifted my foot and forced them to look down.

“The purple Louboutins, which I believe were mentioned the other week?”

Shania blanched as I reached for my handbag. “Genuine Gucci.” I made a point of saying.

“They’re fake,” Mom sneered.

“Sure, if you say so,” I jeered.

With purpose, I pulled out my license and then my gun.

“Suppose this is false, too.” I smirked at them.

Mom and Shania both took a step back as I placed the Glock carefully on the table. It wasn’t loaded, which was lucky because I’d want to shoot them.

Then, I held my paperwork up.

“One concealed licence with my name authorising me to carry. What’s the next thing you’ve accused me of lying about?” I demanded.

Mom and Shania opened their mouths, but through the door came Dylan with Davies and Max on his heels.

“What the fuck are you two bitches doing here?” Dylan snarled loudly.

Both Mom and Shania blanched and stepped closer together.

“We realised Dana wasn’t being truthful and wanted to confront her,” Mom said, but she didn’t sound so certain now.

Dylan stomped across the room and grabbed my wrist. Once again, Dylan slid back my sleeve and grunted when he found what he expected. Without permission, Dylan yanked my arm up.

“That’s a five-thousand-dollar Tiffany bracelet. Bought by me as Dana’s Christmas bonus. Those are genuine Louboutins on her feet, and if you haven’t fucking realised, and I doubt you have because you’ve no class, that is an Armani suit Dana’s wearing. Bitches like you think you can come into my business and cause a scene?” Dylan spoke smoothly, but there was an undercurrent in Dylan’s voice, which I took note of.

This was Dylan at his most lethal.

“What you pair of bitches don’t realise is that from the moment Dana came to work for me, I ran her background. Standard practice for anyone who works here. However, on finding out what a shitty family Dana had, I had one of my guys keep an eye on you. That surveillance was increased when you pulled your shit with her ex-fiancé.” Dylan pointed at Shania, who paled.

“You did what?” Mom gasped, outraged.

Dylan turned to stare, and Mom flinched.

“Yeah,” Dylan said softly. “I know everything. The affairs you’ve both had, the pool boy you fought over—and who you nearly imploded the life of. Threatening the poor schmuck with deportation because you both wanted to fuck him? The guy was legal and is doing just fine working for my family now. There, nobody sexually harasses him.”

Horrified, I gaped at Mom and Shania. Were they really so disgusting?

“And I know you fucked the best man at your wedding reception.” Dylan pointed back to Shania. “Then we’ve discovered the fraudulent practises you’ve committed on your charity boards, both of you. Think your shit doesn’t stink? Your husband is involved in some pretty illegal stuff. And as for that spineless asshole Patrick, well, he’s done some shit, too. Patrick likes his women to look young and loves taking it up the ass from barely legal men. Now, the mistake you made was to come here with your high and mighty attitude and believe you could grind Dana down.

“Dana isn’t your family. Dana belongs to Hawthorne’s, and we protect our own. You came to gloat and get one over on her. Well, that’s something I won’t stand for. Bitch, I’m going to blow up every fucking aspect of your life, you hear me? Everything will come out. How you paid for that whore daughter to get her degree, a good five figures, wasn’t it? And on your knees, too. Yeah, got images of that!”

Mom blanched in horror.

“Trust me, I’m gonna enjoy tearing your world apart like you’ve tried to tear Dana down. And I even know you blackmailed a friend to seduce your husband so you could have a PI take pictures. That way, if Mr Tyne tries to divorce you, you’ll claim against the prenup with proof of his infidelity,” Dylan hissed.

Mom and Shania were both pale, and they both looked terrified.

“What do you want for your silence?” Mom blurted.

Dylan let out a wicked laugh.

“Yeah, you can’t fucking afford me. Because there ain’t a price you can put on family, and you’re about to discover that. Now I would suggest you get the fuck out of here and start securing what you can. Because by the time I’m done, you’ll both be working on your backs for a crumb of bread!”

I gaped open-mouthed at Dylan as he folded his arms across his chest.

Mom and Shania raced out of the offices, both shaking.

“What do you want me to do?” Dylan asked, turning to me.

Steadily, I held Dylan’s gaze as I settled back in my seat. My hands were trembling from the confrontation, and my head was spinning with Dylan’s revelations.

“Was that all true?” I whispered.

“Yeah, and there’s more, much more,” Dylan replied.

“Dear God, you must wonder what you hired.” I gasped. My chest hurt, and I ground my fist against it.

Dylan walked around the desk. “No, never. Believe me, Dana, I know exactly who and what you are. A genuinely good person who had the bad luck to be born into a shitty family. The fact you remained true to yourself is a damn miracle. And there’s not one of us who wouldn’t throw down for you,” Dylan said.

“Does everyone know about them and the illegal shit?” I gasped as the pain began to lessen.

“No. Davies, London, and Arturo were the ones who collected evidence alongside Leila. And now Max knows. And no one’s a gossip. Dana, I kept a file in my office, and it’s never been shared.”

That was something, I thought. Dylan had gone out of the way to protect me, but even so, being hit with the level of depravity my family clearly had was shocking. The news they were involved in illegal activities was frightening and worrying. Hell, I didn’t want to be connected to them. Who on earth would?

“Dana, you’re in control. Whatever you want me to do, just say the words,” Dylan said as he hitched his pants and squatted down. He held my gaze as a hand reached up and clasped the fist that I kept rubbing my chest with.

“Sweetheart, I didn’t plan for you to find out in that manner, but them coming here? That shit set me off. Perhaps I should have warned you beforehand. I’m sorry,” Dylan said.

“Dana, I won’t say anything,” Max promised, a look of sympathy in his eyes.

I didn’t like that. Nobody wanted to be a pity object. I’d earned the guy’s respect, and now my family had turned me into someone to be pitied.

“No!” Dylan bellowed forcefully, as if he’d read my mind. “No one here would judge you by them. Who the fuck wants people like that?”

“Not me.”

“Go ahead, put a stop to the illegal activities. That poor pool boy, is he okay?” I asked, feeling sick. What a bunch of assholes my relatives were!

All sweet and innocent with their public persona, all generous and caregiving, but underneath were hearts full of darkness and hate. I could well imagine Mom and Shania trying to force the pool boy to sleep with them. It wouldn’t be the first time. I’d seen them harass other young men who’d worked for the family, but to go as far as threatening someone with deportation when they were legal? Vile indeed.

“Honey, go home. Take a day to get shit straight,” Dylan said.

“No, I want to see the file.”

Dylan held my gaze and slowly shook his head.

“Sweetheart, you don’t wanna do that,” he demurred.

“Yes, I do. Dylan, I have the right. And I’m stronger than you think.”

Dylan swapped glances with Davies, who shrugged.

“Dana, what you’ll read will scar the gentle person you are. This concerns blood family. Do you really have to know? Can’t you accept that what Dylan has said is the tip of the iceberg and leave shit alone? We’ll deal with the situation, Hawthorne’s always do, and you know that,” Davies asked.

“No. Davies, I need the information,” I replied after a few moments.

It wasn’t that I wanted to know, it was I needed to. I came from these vile people. I may not be like them, but even so, my blood committed the wrongdoings. To understand the pain, I had to read that file.

“They’re not real family, Davies. You guys are. But I’m blood-tied to them and have to acknowledge the crimes. I might be able to help some of their victims,” I replied.

“Hawthorne’s have already helped them.” He looked at me once more. “Okay, you can read it, but I want a promise. As soon as you’ve finished, you let Dylan call Ezra to take you home. Trust me, Dana, you will want to rest after you learn what they’ve done.”

Without a choice, I nodded. I’d probably have agreed to anything to get my itchy fingers on the investigation.

“Place everything into away mode and come to my office in ten minutes,” Dylan said, resigned.

It was comforting than Dylan worried so much about me. But I had to know. Otherwise, the maybes and possibilities would always haunt me. Puffing out my cheeks with a sigh, I watched as Dylan nodded and walked off. Arturo and Davies crowded the desk.

“Are you sure?” Davies asked.

“Yeah, Davies. I don’t want to be the person everyone has to protect. Being the victim doesn’t sit well.”

“No, Dana, you’re not as obviously strong and in your face as the Hawthorne females, but deep down, there’s a quiet strength to you. And you’re a Hawthorne; that’s all that matters,” Max replied as he, too, moved closer.

“Do you really believe I’m all that?” I asked in wonderment.

“Yes. Why do you think Dylan went off the rails when you chased after Irish? You frightened the shit out of everyone that day. Dylan nearly broke his neck, trying to reach you. You don’t understand how much the team worries about you,” Arturo replied.

“I know you care,” I murmured, attempting to avoid their gazes, which were drilling into me right now.

“No, Dana, caring is something we do about people who ain’t one of us. Honey, we love you like one of the Hawthorne Females, but you’re a nicer version. You’re a sister to most of us, and you always make time when we want to complain about anything,” Davies stated.

“I don’t moan. I’m a man’s man,” Max denied instantly, and I giggled.

“You whine most,” Davies shot back.

“Do not,” Max argued.

“Yeah, you do. Bitch this, bitch that, your woman troubles are legendary in this office,” Arturo said.

That was true. Poor Max always picked the wrong woman. They either turned stalkers or went psycho on his ass. Max had no luck whatsoever.

“Shut up. You came crawling to Dana when that twin you were dating was playing mind games,” Max accused Arturo.

Davies grinned. “That was a shit storm. Who the fuck gets their identical twin to date the man you are with because you wanted to get your hair and nails done? They were totally whacked in the head,” Davies said.

I couldn’t disagree. The idiot would send her twin out because she wished to watch TV or get her legs waxed or whatever. Arturo only found out when he mentioned something to the twin, and she had no idea of what he was talking about. It had been a real storm in a teacup. The bitch even sent the sister here to try to talk Arturo round, which didn’t happen because I refused to allow her past reception. Vile woman.

“Okay, back off. I’m going to put everything on automated, including the phone line. Let me go and meet with Dylan,” I said, interrupting the war on women the guys were having.

◆◆◆

An hour later, I sat at Dylan’s desk, horrified and shamed. My family was far worse than I’d thought, and the shame of their actions hit hard. Dylan had only skimmed the surface when he’d confronted Mom and Shania. How the hell could I be related to such vicious and nasty scumbags? What they’d done to me had been low, but they’d gone a lot lower over the years. Especially mother dearest. The file on each person was thick. I believed there’d be one file for everyone, but no, they were that evil; they each owned their own folder.

I gazed at Dylan, trying to find words.

“They ain’t you, Dana. We know that,” Dylan said soothingly.

“I’d never do any of that!”

My blood was racing through my body, making me lightheaded. There was no doubt in my mind that Mom, Dad, and Shania needed to be stopped. Tears were clogging my throat as I tried to stay in control. But what I’d read clearly showed I came from a family of criminals and people with a highly developed sense of self-entitlement.

“You don’t have to tell me that, Dana. I’m well aware of who you are, and that’s not them.”

“They’re awful.” The words burst from my lips as two fat tears fell down my cheeks.

I was totally devastated by what I had read. My family had always treated me terribly, but I managed to grow strong without any support. What Patrick and Shania had done was the lowest of the low, or so I’d thought. Those two getting married had done me a huge favour.

I could just about wrap my head around what a lucky escape I’d had. My hands were shaking so badly that I tucked them under my thighs and sat on them. Desperation hit me out of nowhere, and I stared at Dylan.

“You have to stop them. Their evil must be ended. Make sure they face consequences for this.”

“If you are okay with Leila and Davies proceeding, they’ll expose all of this. However, you may attract unwanted attention. But the good thing is, you’re under Hawthorne’s protection. The Tyne’s taint might reach out to touch you, but we’ll be here to clean it away,” Dylan said, looking sad.

That rankled a little, and Dylan, being Dylan, picked up on it.

“Not pitying you. You’ll get swept up in this mess once your parents hit the news. Hawthorne’s can protect you and will, but it’s a fact your name shall be linked with theirs. I can have Phoe’s publicity person come up with some shit to help. The media will chase you for a while,” Dylan warned.

“I don’t care. Do whatever you need to. Make that evil stop!” I insisted.

“Okay. Leila will make a start. But, once this hits, you don’t go anywhere alone. And that includes going home. You won’t pop down to The Reading Nook for lunches or anything else by yourself. One of us will be with you constantly.”

I wasn’t in the correct frame of mind to argue. Dylan meant what he said. He’d take down my family while protecting me at the same time.

“Could you ring Ezra?” I asked.

“Sure, wanna wait for Ezra here?” Dylan inquired.

“No, I’ll go sit in reception, but thank you, Dylan, for everything,” I replied, getting up.

Dylan waved me off, and I exited the office, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I sat heavily down in my chair and left the phone on divert to the messages as I thought about what I’d read. Events kept swirling around my head. There was literally no escaping them. Max and Davies both popped by, but I offered a fake smile and informed them I was okay but overwhelmed.

The sickness in my gut told me I was more than overburdened. I was disgusted, infuriated, and ashamed to be related to those people. How the hell did I share blood with them?

Dad visited whores every Thursday night, and not just any whore, ones who specialised in domination. There’d been pictures, but Dylan had whipped them away, thank God. I didn’t want to view some prostitute screwing Dad up the ass.

Mom was as disgusting, the things she’d done, even seducing a friend’s teenage daughter for a revenge kick. Those were the least evil deeds they committed. As for Shania, well, nothing in her file surprised me. I knew what a warped, spiteful individual Shania was. Patrick’s proclivities towards young men and women had been a horrible surprise. The relief I’d felt at not marrying him had soon faded when I realised Patrick was a sexual predator. He and Shania were perfectly matched.

A knock made me glance up, and I spied Ezra standing there. I flew around my table after buzzing him in and into his arms. Ezra didn’t hesitate and wrapped me firmly in his embrace.

“Hawthorne said you needed me,” Ezra murmured.

“I do,” I replied, on a half sob.

“Talk, Dana?”

“Not here. Dylan gave me the day off. Can we go somewhere?” I asked as a tear streaked down my face.

“Anywhere you want, baby,” Ezra promised.

I nodded and sniffed and went to pick up my handbag. Davies came into the office as I was about to call Dylan and waved me off.

“Take care of her. Dana needs a lot of attention and love right now,” Davies said.

Ezra’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded, wrapped an arm around my waist, and led me out of the offices. We walked down the stairs to my car.

“I’ll follow you home and then get changed. Jeans and a tee, baby, we’ll go for a ride,” Ezra promised.

“Okay.”

“You able to drive?”

“Yeah, I had a shock, several shocks, but I’ll be fine. It will distract me from what I’ve just read,” I replied.

“You feel dizzy or faint at any time. Pull over, and I’ll drive. I’m gonna be right behind you, babe,” Ezra stated.

“Thank you.”

As I got into the car and backed out, Ezra was already astride his bike, waiting. When I pulled out of the car park, Ezra was behind, keeping me close and safe with his presence.

Shit. Would I have to tell Ezra what I’ve learned today? How would Ezra view me then? Like them? Could Ezra see me separately from them? On top of the shock and horror I’d suffered, my self-doubts rose and began playing up. Usually, I could push them away, easy enough when it was Mom’s voice raising them, but today, they nearly crucified me. Mom’s arrogant tones, like a drill sergeant, ran through my head and wouldn’t stop.

I was shaking like a leaf when I arrived home, and Ezra had to come and open the car door.

“Christ, baby,” Ezra murmured as he helped me out. He didn’t say a word as he swung me into his arms and carried me inside.

No sooner had the front door shut than words fell from my lips. I told Ezra everything I’d read as he took me to my bedroom and sat on the bed, holding me close.

My self-doubts even spoke for themselves, making Ezra squeeze me tighter. By the time I’d run out of words, tears were streaming down my face, and I’d twisted his tee up in my hands.

Ezra held me tightly with his left arm while his right hand made soothing circles on my back.

“Can you see you’re not like them?” Ezra asked.

“Their blood runs through my veins.” I sobbed, burying my head in his shoulder.

“Doesn’t make you one of them, baby. Hell, everyone knows how good you are. It shines from you, Dana. They’re just pure evil, who somehow gave birth to an angel,” Ezra said.

I dug my head deeper into his chest. Ezra’s voice rumbled against my ear, and I loved that feeling.

“What if I turn bad?” I whispered, sniffing.

Ezra’s burst of laughter took me by surprise and also struck me as out of place.

“That will never happen. You don’t have an evil bone in your body,” Ezra said when he realised I was offended.

“How can you be certain?” I demanded.

“Because I wouldn’t give a shit about you if that was possible. You’re special, Dana, and everyone can see it. Don’t beat yourself up because of those assholes. You were born into that family; you didn’t ask to be. Nothing they do is your fault. Dana, you are not responsible for them; you never were,” Ezra replied.

“What if people judge me by them?”

“Then they’ll meet me, Rage, Hawthorne’s, and everyone else who gives a shit about you,” Ezra stated.

And as far as I could tell, that was that!