Without Trust, We Have Nothing
30
W hat the hell just happened? She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was red from madly kissing Gage’s whiskery face. It was like they were apart for two weeks, not two days. It was a slight consolation that he appeared to feel the same.
Hunger pains reminded her she hadn’t eaten since noon. She put on her nightie and went in search of sustenance. Gage came into the kitchen a short time later, fresh from a shower. He opened a bottle of red wine and poured them both a glass.
“I’ll get the fire going.”
Brynne put together an antipasto tray and heated some chicken satays. She brought it to the living room, where he had a roaring fire going. “Are you okay with this selection? I didn’t order from the caterer today since you weren’t due until tomorrow.”
“This is perfect. I had a late lunch before I left Edinburgh.”
They sat in silence, nibbling the food and staring into the flames. Brynne felt like she needed to fill the silence. “Did you have a productive trip?”
“Very much so. How about you—did you get a lot of editing done?”
Brynne wanted to ask him about his family but didn’t know where to start. He always turned the conversations back to her, so she learned nothing about him.
“I did a substantial amount of rewriting last night and today. After my doctor appointment, I met with Logan, and we went over the plans for the house. He has done the estimates to update the upstairs bathroom with new fixtures and heated floors. I also asked him about giving the kitchen a little facelift. He will get that to me next week.”
“Good. How are the other repairs coming along?”
“The house looks like a bomb went off in the hall, and the toilet and washer are on the back porch. I’m lucky to have another place to stay. Thank you for that.”
He nodded and took a sip of wine. “My assistant will wire twenty-five thousand to him tomorrow for this project, so send me estimates for the other things when you get a chance.”
Brynne was chewing on a piece of chicken, so she nodded.
“I have opened an account in your name in Portree at the RBS branch. The debit card should arrive in a few days.”
“Thank you.” God, she hated feeling like he was buying her—not just the land, but her body, too. She considered telling him this was about more than the money for her, but his cell phone started ringing and he excused himself to take the call in his office.
When he came back, she saw his creased forehead. He took a big swig of his wine.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“That was Garrick. I have to go to London on Thursday.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Ivanov is demanding to meet with me. He insists we wrongfully terminated him and is claiming that you came on to him, not the other way around. He wants his full membership fees back or he’ll sue us and file assault charges on you for breaking his nose.”
“Oh my god.” Brynne felt sick.
“Don’t worry. I’ll give him his money back and this will all go away.”
“I don’t trust him, and you shouldn’t either.” Brynne told him about the Range Rover.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this before?” His tone was accusing, and she didn’t like it.
“I didn’t think of it since I never saw it again. It was only when Jared told me it followed him to my place that I wondered if someone was trying to track me.”
Gage took out his phone and left a curt message for John on his voicemail.
“Jared has already told him about it. I’m sure he’s looking into it.”
Gage sat back and rubbed his jaw. “I forgot you met him at the club. I gather they’re still seeing each other?”
Brynne paused, not wanting to break a confidence. “I believe they are still in touch.”
Gage looked like he had more to say, but changed his mind. He made a plate of food and stood. “I have to make a few calls, so I’ll see you later.”
Brynne hid her disappointment. “Cool. I’ll finish what I was working on this afternoon before I fell asleep.”
He smirked. “It looked to me like you were looking at graphic massage videos.”
She leveled him with a stare. “Yeah, I was wondering if that was the type of massage Krylie usually gives you.”
“Kylie is a registered massage therapist. Is that why you told me no happy endings?”
“She looked flushed when she came downstairs. I wondered what made her that way.”
“Probably embarrassment. I told her I wasn’t interested in any extra services.”
“For now, I suppose. But when I’m gone, you can get your rocks off with her, right?”
“Why are we talking about this? I told you I am monogamous for the duration of our agreement. This subject is closed.” He stalked to his office and kicked the door shut.
Brynne cursed herself for showing him how jealous she was. It was none of her business what he did before her or after her. It shouldn’t depress her, but it did.
After making a plate of snacks, she gathered her stuff and headed to her bedroom. As she passed the office, she heard Gage’s voice raised in anger. Curiosity got the better of her and she stopped to listen.
“I don’t care who she fucked back in Canada. Did you uncover anything else about her time at the Mirror?”
Brynne froze; her stomach churned. He was having her investigated?! She was living in his house and sleeping in his bed, and he still didn’t trust her! The urge to howl threatened to choke her. The sword had dropped and sliced open her heart, just as she feared it would. She stood frozen, feeling all the joy bleeding out of her.
How could she have been so stupid? She had allowed herself to dream of more, hoping the past was behind them—or that they would conveniently never talk of it again.
She needed to get out of there so she could think. After changing into yoga pants and a warm sweater, she knocked on his office door.
“Come in.”
She poked her head in. “I’m going to pop down to my house for some things. I’ll be back in a while.”
“If you can wait a few minutes, I’ll drive you.”
“No, it’s okay—I need the walk and will drive my car back up and park it here.”
He looked placated. “Okay. Be careful, the sun is setting.”
“I will.” She shut the door and bit her lip to stop the words from tumbling out.
The urge to run was strong. The sky was a fiery combination of red and orange swirls tonight. It made her think of Aunt Josie and the last sunset they watched together on the porch. Josie would sip Drambuie and impart kernels of wisdom. What she wouldn’t give for a visit with Josie right now.
The main floor of her house was chaotic, and Brynne wondered if it would ever be the safe haven it used to be. Would she want to stay after their agreement ended? It was impossible to say. She could ignore him and get on with her life, maybe date Logan. But running? No. Fuck no. Not anymore.
She went upstairs and dialed Jared, praying that he picked up.
“Bree! How are you, doll?!”
Her breath caught on a sob. “I’m a mess, J. I’m a bloody idiot who is falling for a man I can never have.”
“What’s happened? I thought things were going fabulously?”
“They were. Until I overheard him tonight on the phone. He has someone investigating me. They are digging into my background because he’s still convinced that I wrote the article. I have been a fool. For him, it’s just sex and nothing else. Great sex, mind you, but that’s it.”
“Oh, babe, that’s awful.”
“I don’t think I can stay here under the circumstances.”
“What the hell are you going to do—is your house livable?”
“No. It’s impossible to be here during the construction. I was thinking of coming back to London.”
“Ooh shit, I don’t like that idea. John has got people tracing the SUV. I gave him most of the license plate. I think you should stay in Skye for now.”
“Gage is going to London on Thursday. Dimitri demanded to meet him. He threatened to sue him and said he might press charges on me for assault! Can you fucking believe that?!”
“That’s insane—and more reason for you to stay away. When Gage leaves, you’ll have the place to yourself. Tell him you’re getting your period and you don’t feel well.”
“Oh my god, you’re a genius! I’ll do that. It’s a good reason for being cranky, too. In fact, it should arrive any day.” She forced herself to take a deep breath. With a little time and space, she’d figure out what to do next.
“Perfect. I’ll ask John what he’s found out when I see him later.”
“I’m so glad you have him in your life. You deserve to be happy, Jared.”
“So do you, Bree. Could you have misheard Gage? Maybe he’s trying to find out who really wrote the article?”
“No, I heard it clearly—the investigator is digging into my life in Canada. It’s him trying to prove I did it so he can toss me out. Anyway, I’ll stall the other renovations on the house and ask Logan to just finish the downstairs. I need to conserve the cash Gage is giving me in case I need to get away.”
“That’s a good plan. Hang in there, babe, and you know you can call me anytime. I’m here for you.”
“I know, I will. You are my best friend and I love you.”
“I love you too!”
Brynne felt marginally better as she picked out a few clothes. She grabbed her aunt’s day timer and a box of tampons.
The MGB took two tries before it started. Tomorrow, she would take it for a long drive. It was time to see Declan about a few shifts at the restaurant.
Gage’s office door was open when she got back. She peered in. “I’m not feeling well. I’m going to have a bath and go to bed early.”
He looked overly long at her. Brynne feared he would push for an explanation, and she would shatter into a million pieces. She was turning away when he said, “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, fine. I’m just getting my period, so I’m a little tired.” She forced a smile. “Good night, Gage.”
“Good night, Brynne.”
Wednesday morning, she woke up late and found a note in the kitchen. Gage left for London early so he could meet with his lawyers before Thursday’s showdown with Dimitri. His parting line was Look after yourself and edit without distraction. M.
Brynne’s emotions were churning like the angry waves of the North Atlantic. Waves of regret, sadness, and anger crashed into each other. Part of her wanted to confront him about his misguided beliefs, the other wanted to crawl into his arms one more time and forget what she’d heard. Stupid, stupid girl. She got dressed and headed into Portree for lunch. Declan wasn’t around, so she visited the bank and saw that Gage put fifty thousand pounds into her account. All her excitement about fixing the house was gone. She had to consider what her future looked like. Her home, her career, and her love life were in shambles.
Brynne woke early Thursday after a night of tossing and turning. She was making herself a second cup of coffee when she heard the helicopter overhead. Gage wasn’t due back today. If she had known, she would have made herself scarce.
She considered going to hide in her bedroom, but that was childish. When the doorbell rang, she hesitated. Why would he ring the bell unless he forgot his keys? She opened the front door and immediately threw herself against the wood to close it on the intruder.
Her strength was no match for Dimitri’s. He forced it open and sent her flying backward, landing on her butt. She tried to scramble away but wasn’t quick enough. His big, meaty hand grasped her upper arm and yanked her to her feet. Another giant of a man filled the doorway. He lumbered in and closed off her means of escape.
“Ow, you’re hurting me. What do you want? Gage isn’t here.”
“I know. We have a meeting this afternoon in London. We are here for you, my elusive little pet. Now listen carefully, we don’t have much time. I need you to pack a bag. We are taking a trip.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
His eyes narrowed and his lip curled. “If you don’t cooperate, I’ll have no choice but to have my people burn down Club Dominus, with your boyfriend Gage inside. Or should I call him Magnus?”