Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
S teph was shaking all over in the back of the ambulance. The paramedics were speaking to her in reassuring tones but she couldn’t focus on anything aside from her baby who still hadn’t moved.
With tears running down her face, rapid breathing and sobs catching in her throat she was desperately trying to speak. “Jelly–Bean–she–I–can’t–feel–”
The sound of steps rushing towards her had Steph panicking until she looked up and saw her frantic and dishevelled looking husband running up the ramp at the back of the ambulance before coming to a dead stop as he took in her distressed and bloodied appearance.
Time stopped. The whole world stopped at that second as Jon cautiously looked at his wife whose sobs were becoming louder while her breaths became more laboured as she waited for him to move again. He had no idea what to do next or how to respond because as relieved as he was to have his wife here and alive, she was struggling to cope.
“Darling.”
One word uttered and that was all it took for Steph to completely fall apart and as she flailed and cried like an injured and frightened animal, Jon closed the distance and scooped her up, not stopping until she was pulled in against him, her head to his chest, his hand stroking down her hair while he whispered against her head, soothing words that calmed and quieted her.
Jason and Charlie both stood in the road, watching the moment of tenderness, exchanging a concerned glance when Steph finally responded.
“I think Jelly Bean is hurt,” she said and began to cry again.
By the time they reached the hospital, Steph was calmer. The police met them there and took a statement from her and assured her that they’d be in touch soon. Charlie and Jay had met them there too but the former didn’t stay for long as he received a call from Lindsay whose waters had broken. As excited as Steph was for her friends she was equally as concerned for her own baby who still hadn’t moved. They were waiting for a doctor to come when Jason offered to go and let the rest of the family know what was happening, leaving Jon and Steph alone.
“I’m sorry,” Steph began but Jon was shaking his head at her.
“No. Look, I understand that you acted in what you believed was in Penny’s best interests but I am telling you now, you are fucking grounded, Mrs Brooker; grounded, on maternity leave and not leaving my sight.”
Steph considered objecting, but the truth was that all she wanted was to be with her husband, to be safe and for her baby to be okay. She nodded. “I wish the doctor would hurry. I fell really hard and she hadn’t moved before then.”
Jon was already scooting onto the trolley she occupied and sitting behind her slightly, allowing his arms to wrap around her until his hands rested on her belly. He left them there, gently pausing and then he stroked across it, the gentlest of strokes and like that Jelly Bean was doing her usual somersaults.
“Hey baby,” he whispered. “Were you missing Daddy?”
With her unborn daughter going absolutely crazy now, Steph began to cry, relieved that the baby was still alive and then smiled as she realised that all either of them needed to be well and secure was the presence of the man with his arms around her, her husband, her lover, quite possibly her best friend and definitely the one person in the world she’d be lost without.
It was almost a week later before Steph was allowed to leave the house. A week that had seen Jon barely leave the house as he had kept her within his sight almost full time and when he was unable to, Jason or one of her other brother’s had stepped in. She had been allowed to visit Lindsay on her way back from the hospital where they’d been further assured that Jelly Bean was fit and well. Charlie and Lindsay had a beautiful and healthy baby boy who was called George and his parents were possibly the most natural parents in the world. Steph had spoken to her friend each day but hadn’t managed another visit to her yet, but Jon had assured her they’d be visiting that evening, after they’d finalised some business she was unaware of. She was still reeling from the fact that Simon was dead, that he’d taken his own life. Her feelings about it confused her because he had hurt her, often, but she didn’t wish him dead, although the same couldn’t be said of him it transpired when the receipt for her contaminated chocolates was found amongst his things. She wondered if he really did want her dead when he realised she couldn’t or wouldn’t be of use to him and his son’s custody. Maybe he’d done it just to scare her because he knew she always had her epi-pen with her.
Stepping into their office space at Brookers, Steph felt slightly overwhelmed as she recalled her last time being there, before everything with Jonah Mason and Vicky, both of whom had been charged with a number of offences and were still in police custody. She quickly found herself being hugged by Rosie and then Andrea before Jon was intervening.
“We’ll be in the conference room,” he said and led Steph away.
Once sat, alone in the confines of the room, Steph wondered what was happening, what was the business they were going to complete?
Jon passed her a file and waited as she absorbed all of the information at her fingertips.
“So Jack Baker is a complete slime ball and a serial predator . . . I don’t understand.”
“Today, he’s coming here. He has no clue what for but he is getting his, darling.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“Think about it, Steph. What does he hold dearest in the world?”
Steph did think about it for a short time and then responded. “His business, his reputation.”
“Exactly. His reputation is in tatters if the contents of that folder get out. He is dodgy, professionally and personally.”
“So?” Steph asked but had a feeling she knew the answer.
“So, we’re going to take his business.”
“We?”
He nodded. “You and me, darling, you and me.”
“What if he refuses?”
“Then we take his reputation and the business will go anyway.”
“But these women, they deserve to be heard, to file charges and be supported through their experiences.”
Jon reached across and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “They do and the support package is already in place. I also offered them access to legal advice . . .” His voice trailed off. “Not one of them wants to press charges. They’re scared of not being believed or it impacting on their work or home lives, and that is their right and choice, but the help and support, it’s theirs.”
“You really are a very nice man.” She stretched towards him and kissed his cheek.
“I am, aren’t I?” He grinned while she laughed before they were interrupted.
Andrea appeared with Jack Baker and with a deep breath Steph closed the file.
Jack was nervous, Steph could see it and she knew her husband could sense it. As her former boss made his best attempts at polite conversation she sat back and observed him but was relieved when Jon cut him off having tired of his inane drivel.
“You must be wondering why we invited you here.”
Jack nodded.
“Then let me enlighten you. You disgust me. You are a poor excuse for a boss and a human being.”
Jack looked as though he was going to burst a blood vessel but Jon just continued.
“You attacked my wife, tried to force yourself upon her and then sacked her when she objected and fought back. Somehow you appear to think that not only was that acceptable but that I would allow it to go unchecked. You then tried to tarnish her professional reputation, not only with me directly but subsequently to anyone who would listen, suggesting that the best way to get a good deal with me was via sleeping with my wife. You offend me. Your mere existence offends me but then when I discover that my wife got off lightly compared to others . . .” Jon stopped speaking, allowing his words and those of Steve Cannon about Steph getting off lightly to hang there, and then as Jack began to mutter half excuses, Jon turned to Steph. “Darling, the floor is yours.”
Looking down the table at her husband who sat just two seats away, Steph wondered what he was doing and then realised; he might have facilitated Jack Baker’s downfall but he was going to allow her to deliver it. He’d said we when asked about taking Jack’s business away, you and me .
Steph opened the folder, pulling it closer to her so that it was farther away from Jack who sat opposite her and Jon.
“I liked you, Jack,” she began causing him and her husband to frown at her. “I thought you were a nice man. That you saw my professional skills and potential, but you didn’t, not really. You saw an opportunity to somehow buy my gratitude and leave me indebted to you. My husband is right that you are a poor excuse for, well, everything, and I did get off lightly because here I have dozens, maybe hundreds of accounts of your wrongdoing from people you should have protected but you didn’t, you only took advantage and abused your position.”
“Is there a point to this, Steph?” he asked, anger seeping into his voice while Jon tensed beside her, possibly just because he had called her Steph.
“Of course,” Steph replied.
“Then if we could get to it, Miss Pryor.” His use of her maiden name was clearly deliberate and as much as she thought her husband had enjoyed the dissection of Jack’s wrongdoing she just wanted this over with now.
“My name is Mrs Brooker,” she corrected but didn’t wait for any further contribution from the man opposite her. “We intend to buy your controlling interest in Baker, Ross and Riley. The offer price will be fair, but very conservative and there will be no room for negotiation, you take it or leave it.”
Jack was already on his feet, presumably planning to leave it.
“Or you walk now and we facilitate a support group that offers advice and counselling to all of the people in this file who have been on the receiving end of your attention starting with me. I am sure you can see that once rumours begin to circulate about your conduct and possible prosecution, your position and that of your company could be compromised and your reputation tarnished.”
“You’re blackmailing me,” he accused, slumping back into his chair.
“That’s such an ugly word.” Steph spoke with a flatness, although she was quaking inside. “Your choice Jack.”
“How much?”
Steph reached into the folder and retrieved the contract that was already drawn up.
She slid it across the desk and almost felt sorry for him until he sneered and asked, “Witnesses to signature?”
Jon grabbed the phone and in a matter of seconds the door opened to reveal Charlie and Steve Cannon.
“You two!” Jack was seething. His skin was getting redder and redder until it was almost purple now.
Steph pushed a pen across the table and watched on as he signed and dated the paperwork followed by Charlie and Steve before the paperwork was passed back to her. She signed it next and noticed there was no space for her husband’s signature meaning she was the Brooker doing the buying here.
“Security will be expecting you back at your office to empty your desk.” Jon was already on his feet and offering Steph a hand to get to hers.
Charlie was at the door, holding it open when Steph got there. “You’re on paternity leave.”
“I am and I am going home any second now.”
Turning, Steph expected Jon to be behind her but it was Steve standing there wearing a huge smile.
“And should I expect you back downstairs any time soon?”
“No. I’m taking a bigger chair in your recently acquired major shareholding,” he told her with a wink.
Jack was almost at the door, closely followed by Jon. “It would seem I underestimated you, Miss Pr–Mrs Brooker.”
Steph was unsure whether she should feel offended or complimented at his words.
“You need to leave,” Jon growled from behind him but clearly Jack wanted one last poke at the bear. “I really would have rewarded you professionally and who knows, maybe I could have filled that belly of yours.”
A red mist descended and before he knew what he was doing, Jon had pulled the other man back to face him and with a single swing landed a punch to Jack’s face. He flew past Steph and Steve who were both looking on stunned. Jon was stalking forward, ready to continue but Charlie stood in his way.
“He really isn’t worth it. You got to put him on his arse, settle for that.”
Steph was suddenly aware of something else as Steve and a guy from security who’d appeared were escorting Jack Baker out of the room towards the lift. It took a few seconds for her to figure out the sensations she was feeling and then she was calling to her husband.
“Jon,” she almost whispered, then louder and with a little more concern. “Jon!”
He turned to face her as she felt wetness and warmth that quickly turned cold trickling down her legs.
“I think my waters just broke.”