23. Aaron
Aaron
FEB. 17TH - MONDAY
I don't know what to expect as I take the endless stairs up to my office. My refusal to use the elevators where my woman was held against her will, not once but twice, is doing a number on my glutes. There's no fucking way I'll ever step foot in one of those again.
I'm not quite sure why I'm here. Part of me hopes Brett will be in his office so I can beat him until he stops breathing, but it's highly unlikely.
The other part of me, that makes me feel utterly terrible, is in mourning for the job I thought would change my professional life for the better. Where I go from here, I don't fucking know, but it's Monday, and I need some damn answers, which means returning to the scene of the crime.
My heart is thundering from the exertion of climbing most of a skyscraper. Adrenaline and rage fuel my trek through the office, not allowing me to stop until I figure out what's going to happen.
Yellow catches my attention from down the hall, and it takes me a second to realize my office is taped off for evidence. Coiling tight, my muscles spasm and prepare to fight. I turn on my heel, refusing to see the state of my office where Brett attacked Lilly.
I find myself outside of the bastard's office once some of the red haze fades from my eyesight. When the rage clears, I'm confused. Not because Brett's office is also taped off, but because the conference room beside it has a line of at least eight women outside of the door. The blinds are drawn closed, making me frown.
Is Brett in there?!
It's on the tip of my tongue to bark my questions at these women, but my name being called from behind me snaps me out of it. Mr. Norris, Brett's boss and the firm's executive director, nods his head for me to follow him into his office.
I bite my tongue as I enter. My anger extends to him. He runs this place. He's supposed to protect the people who work for him. What he's done and hasn't done has harmed the woman I love irrevocably.
"Aaron—"
Nope, I can't do it. "If I may, Mr. Norris?" I don't allow him the chance to speak as I continue. "I want to know what's going on in the conference room before you try to placate me with your apologies."
He pales slightly, and as an older man, I worry about how he's handling the stress and the FBI agents picking apart his business. "Officers are taking statements. More women are coming forward with their own evidence and stories about Brett."
"What?" I breathe, my eyes widening. Why didn't I think of that? Of course, with the ease with which he harmed Lilly, he has absolutely done this to others. My realization warps into horrified bafflement. "How the hell could you let this happen?!"
To hell with him being my boss. He's failed everyone here, and he deserves nothing from me.
The lines in his weathered face flatten into cold disapproval. "Watch how you speak to me, Mr. Walker. I am still your superior, and I'm on your side here."
"On my side? My partner is at home with a bruised cheekbone and purple and blue hip bones while fighting the trauma of being kidnapped, sexually assaulted, harassed, and held at gunpoint . There are no sides. It's me and my family."
Norris nods once, firm and controlled, but I see the fissure in his eyes. "I am truly sorry for what your family has endured, Aaron. Too much slipped past me, and that's something I can't take back but can only rectify."
My glare settles fractionally. I've known from the beginning that he's a family man. During many of my conversations with him during the interview process and my first week here, I've learned so much about his children.
It doesn't change his negligence. "I can appreciate your love for your family. But your position requires devotion to your teams, Mr. Norris. I was hired into an unsafe environment, thus dragging my family right into danger without even knowing it."
Mr. Norris leans forward, looking tired as all hell. "I will have more information on Brett's case this afternoon. I want you to go home, spend time with your family, and I'll call you when I know more."
I stand, not caring that I'm being dismissed. Our line of conversation wouldn't have gotten us anywhere productive or professional. Truth is, I’m not interested in staying here anymore.
"And Aaron," he calls out roughly as I grab the door handle. "I truly am sorry."
I offer him a small nod and a glance over my shoulder but my focus isn't behind me, it's straight ahead on what matters most; Lilly, Caleb, and Dean.
Closing his office door behind me feels like ending a chapter in my life. In one week, one man's deception broke something in all of us.