Chapter 16 #2
Once my brothers were settled, I pulled out the sheets of paper I had copied and handed them to Hudson. He was probably the smartest of all of us. We filled in the blanks as much as we could.
Hudson wasn’t impressed that he’d been cut out of the action.
“You should have called me. I could have picked that lock in my sleep.” Luckily, he was quick to forgive, explaining how he’d had some bloods rushed through at the clinic.
Having bitten part of a guy's ear off, Hudson had made the wise decision to get checked out.
Around half an hour into our discussion about what we thought was happening with Jasper and his father, Hud received a message to say his results were negative.
Once we had gotten our heads around what we believed Jasper’s intentions were, we started to hatch a plan as to what we would do about it.
We knew we needed to go to Dominic with what we thought we had found out, but he was away at a conference for the next few days. I also knew that I was the one who needed to present what I had found out. If I was wrong, I had to be sure it would not affect Nix and his dad's relationship.
As the girls joined us, we started to fill them in on what we’d found out in Jasper’s office. Of course, Harper knew part of the story. We brought them both up to speed, and they were adamant to help in some way.
And then they dropped another bombshell. The girls confessed that they were the ones who sent me the invitation to Storm’s wedding.
“We knew you’d come back, Reed. Please forgive us. Seeing that must have made you feel like shit.”
It wasn’t a total shock. Nix and I had made that suggestion in The Tavern that first night I was back.
“Not at all. It forced me to get my head out of my ass and fight for what I want.”
“So, you do want her then?” they both echoed with hope on their faces.
Sweeping my gaze across the people I now saw as my family, I confessed. “I love her.”
Their reactions were of a similar vein, following that ‘about fucking time’ theme.
We then began to construct our plan with Nix scrolling through his phone, checking details of his father’s schedule for that week.
I knew I needed to go to Dominic.
“So, my father is back on the afternoon of the wedding rehearsal. You need to have your shit together by that time. I will arrange for you to meet with my father in his suite before he comes down for dinner.”
Sitting back in my chair, I soaked up everyone’s suggestions and offers of how they could help us stop Storm from marrying the biggest douche on the planet.
There was a brief discussion about how much we needed to tell Storm. Both Molly and Harper had confessed that Storm had told them how unhappy she was and that she didn’t want to marry Jasper. And of course, I knew that in my gut anyway, no matter what she said.
With a plan firmly in place, we ended our meeting feeling positive. I then went to find Ma. I had to speak with her about the Palmer case. I had decided to go to the cops, and I didn’t want the woman I saw as my mother to hear about that shit on the news.
Tears were shed as Ma listened to what I had endured before she had reunited Micah and me. After around an hour, I ended the visit on a high note as we spoke about the man she was seeing and my transfer to the Patriots.
As we shared our goodbyes, Ma pulled me in for a hug. “I am so pleased that fame hasn’t spoiled you, Reed. You’re still my boy.”
“Always, Ma,” I replied, taking in her sweet lady scent.
As I walked down the driveway, I checked if Storm had replied to my earlier message asking if she was OK.
Yes. I’m OK. Jasper and I have spoken about our future, and what he said makes perfect sense to me now.
It was never meant to be between us. Whatever you are doing.
Stop. It’s over between us, Reed. Give up on me.
Give up on me? Never.
Gritting my teeth so hard I almost broke my molars.
After a deep breath, I called her cell. The call went to voicemail, and I felt like jumping in my car and driving the fuck over there.
But I knew I needed to bide my time. What the fuck had that chump said to her?
The whole situation was giving me whiplash.
As I sat in the car, I messaged her again. It was the only thing I could do as she wasn’t taking my calls.
Answer your phone, Storm. I messaged and then tried again. Nothing. Fucking stubborn little bitch. You said you trusted me. I pointed out.
Her reply was swift for someone who was ignoring her phone. It’s too late.
Please, Teacup. Wait for me. I have a plan. I messaged, my thumb so forceful I was surprised I didn’t crack the glass. I had to leave it there before I threw my cell through the windshield of my car.
Fuck, what a day. I felt exhausted and emotionally drained.
As I fired the engine, I received another message. Sliding my phone out of my jeans, I prayed that it was from Storm, but it wasn’t.
It was from Mia. I have something you have to see.
What?
It’s from Armitage. Brice Armitage was the PI she had hired for me.
Cut to the chase, Mia, I don’t have time.
Putting the car back into park, my eyes narrowed at the screen as a bundle of images appeared.
Holding it towards my face, I tried to work out what I was looking at. What the actual hell? The shot was dark, showing two people in a compromising position. I looked closer, something indescribable roaring in my chest.
It became much clearer as I recognized who was in the pictures. Fucking Victory.
The widest of smiles spread across my face. I didn’t even care that it caused my busted lip to open again.
I fired off another message to Mia. Do you have more?
Yes. There are loads more. I have the originals.
Keep them safe and to yourself for now. I replied.
Yes boss. Shit, if things did not go to plan with Dominic. I now had a plan B.
Glancing at my reflection in the rearview mirror, I couldn’t stop the words spilling from my mouth.
“Got you, motherfucker!