45. Marcus
45
Marcus
I don’t know how long I’ve been standing here with my eyes locked on the elevator door, a tight pain filling my chest. Wishing for a time machine is futile but I’m longing for one, anyway. In this moment, there are plenty things in my past that I’d love to erase.
Starting with my dad’s illness. If only he hadn’t made that dying wish…
Behind me, Harper scoffs, and I turn to see her re-adjusting her coat. “I heard you became quite a dog, but I didn’t know you were that despicable. Sleeping with your best friend’s sister, Marcus? Seriously?”
Without replying, I walk past her. I’m sick to my stomach at the memory of Lauren’s stricken expression. My brain can’t process anything more at this point.
“So, you’re just going to walk away,” Harper says to my back.
“I don’t need to explain anything to you, Harper. You know the way out,” I reply wearily. I have some damage control to do.
“The hell I do.” Her footsteps thud on the carpet as she dashes past me, blocking my way up the stairs. “You do not get to walk away from me, Marcus Brady.” Her arms spread wide. “How long as this been going on? ”
“Harper, I’m seriously not in the mood for this,” I reply.
“Oh, but you were clearly in the mood for something else. Is that why you were so cold with me earlier? You knew she was on her way up—with the fucking code to your private lift while I’m forced to take the regular entrance like a commoner—”
“For fuck’s sake, Harper, get out of my way.” I can already feel the tension from an incoming headache.
“We should be rekindling our relationship, Marcus. I’m going to be your wife someday. Is this how you want to begin, with cheating and lies—?”
“Cheating?” I laugh. “Lies? When have I ever done that to you?”
Harper’s finger swings toward the elevator door. “Literally five minutes ago, you were about to sleep with another woman when you and I should be getting back together. If that’s not cheating, I don’t know what is.”
“Do you know what’s cheating, Harper?” I fold my arms on my chest, peering down at her. “Standing me up on your twentieth birthday to get flown out to Paris by that asshole who only wanted a one-and-done. It’s spending an entire week at a luxury resort in Miami with a ball player who wanted nothing more than temporary eye-candy. It’s getting my hopes up for a future with you while spreading your legs for wealthy men.”
Her head jerks back as she blinks furiously. “Are you going to keep beating that dead horse? How are we going to move forward if you can’t let that go?”
I stare at her for long, painful time. We can’t. I might forgive her someday, but I’ll never forget. I can’t spend the rest of my life with someone who reminds me of one of the worst periods in my life. Seeing her will always remind me of what I’m about to lose.
“We’re even, Marcus.” Harper throws up her hands. “I fucked up, you fucked up, and now we can start fresh.”
“Start fresh…” I smile.
She smiles back. “Yes. Let’s wipe the slate clean. Armand is no longer a part of my life. Get rid of Lauren so we can finally move on.”
My smile fades.
After tonight, I’m not sure I’ll have a choice in the matter, but Harper’s order for me to walk away from Lauren pisses me the fuck off. I point to the front door. “Get out.”
“What?” She frowns. “Why?”
“We’re never going to work,” I reply, turning up the stairs.
I hear her footsteps behind me. “You can’t be fucking serious.”
“As a heart attack.”
She runs past me and spreads her arms wide. “You owe me.”
“You’re a little confused, sweetheart. It’s the other way around.”
“What, that measly twenty grand? That’s a drop in the bucket compared to what I’m used to, sweetheart ,” she mocks.
“Good for you.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “The front door’s back there.”
My tone is calm, but it still pisses her off. Her cheeks are flushed red, eyes wide with fury. “Fuck you, Marcus. You should be lucky I’m giving you a chance when Armand has been begging—”
Her face gets even redder as she catches herself.
“Armand has been begging you take him back,” I finish. “So why don’t you?”
The violent flames simmer, her expression going blank. She stares at me in silence, and I smile again as my memories connect the dots.
“He doesn’t want to commit, does he?”
Harper folds her lips, a sign that she won’t utter a word. There’s no need for her to say anything anyway .
“That’s what you want; a commitment. You won’t settle with just anyone, either.” I scoff. “Twenty grand is a drop in the bucket for someone looking for a wealthy husband.”
Yes, it’s finally making sense.
“Being Armand’s girlfriend didn’t pay off the way you wanted, was that it? No access to his accounts, no assets in your name, no solid foundation. You found out I was doing well and decided to sink your claws in. Probably mentioned your intention to your dad, right? You both knew guilt-tripping my dad would work.” She startles as I suddenly lean in. “You have no fucking conscience. Using my dad in his time of weakness; how fucking dare you ?”
Harper swallows. “I wasn’t using anyone. I genuinely wanted to be with you because I love you—”
“Love?” I draw back, laughing harshly. “You don’t know the meaning of that word. Love is pure and honest and real. You’re none of the above.”
Not like Lauren.
The unprovoked thought leaves me lightheaded for an instant. I lean against the wall, staring at the elevator downstairs. Again, I wish for that time machine. There are so many things I’d want to do differently.
Like tell Lauren how much I love her.
Not as my best friend’s little sister. Not as the kid I pranked and protected. I love her for the woman she has become. She’s mild-tempered but passionate. She knows exactly what she wants and is not afraid to go for it. Her patience is remarkable. Our connection is nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life, and I doubt I ever will again.
Harper will never be half the woman Lauren is, not even on her best day.
“I’m done, Harper,” I mutter wearily. “Tell your dad to name a figure for the kidney he gave my dad.” To hell if I’ll let them have anything over him. “Get out of my house. Now. ”
Without even waiting for her to comply, I head to my home office, dropping my ass in the high-back chair with a deep exhale. Yes, I can admit I love Lauren, but unfortunately, the sins of my wild past has made her off limits to me.
She can never be my woman, but I’m hoping that, somehow, we can put the fragments of our friendship back together.
My cell phone vibrates in my pocket, and I quickly slip my hand inside for it. My heart slams painfully against my chest as I stare at the screen.
Trouble.
“Gabriel.” The greeting comes out in a croak.
I clear my throat as Gabriel replies in a frantic voice, “Someone took Lauren, Marcus!”
Flying up from the chair, I almost trip. A grip on the edge of the desk helps regain my balance. “What?”
“They knocked out Andrew and took her.” From his jumbled tone, it sounds like he’s running. “Fucking hell, Marcus. I don’t know where to start—”
I’m already out the door of my office and making a beeline for the laptop downstairs. “I’m on way.”