Chapter 22
Leo cursed. Knox had files on all three of his brothers. Detailed files, like he’d set a private investigator on them.
Molly tapped her finger on the second page. It says here you visit your old flat every day after work. And that you’ve purchased it.
Fuck that man. Does it say anything about you? Leo tried to pry the file from her hands.
She swatted him away and flipped through the rest of it. It details your schedule. Shit, Leo, you must’ve been burned out by all this work. How the hell did you find the time to babysit Rose and still get all this done?
I told you, Rose and you take priority.
Molly turned to look at him, their argument from earlier and what he’d told her on her mind. What happens when you find someone to start your own family with?
This was not the time to bring it up, she knew, but she couldn’t help herself.
Leo ran a hand through his hair. You know what you and Rose mean to me. I don’t need someone else. I just want you to be safe.
Right. She placed the files inside the way she’d found them. You’re surprising, Leo.
She gestured for him to stand back as she set about opening up the rest of the drawers.
Leo took the opportunity to speak. I’m sorry, I really am, if I came off as dictating terms. But I don’t want to repeat past mistakes and lose the two of you.
Opening the rest of the drawers went quicker, her oxidised skills finally dusting off the rust. It also gave her time to really digest what Leo had inadvertently confessed. We’ll talk about it later.
The top drawer on the left side revealed some interesting contents, so Molly focused her attention on the job. Where it should have been, instead of airing their personal laundry. Does Knox smoke?
No. Leo reached inside and plucked the lighter. I’ve never seen this one. It’s embossed too.
And metallic. If you’re sweating, you’ll leave fingerprints on it.
Molly snatched the lighter in her gloved hands, swiped it, and replaced it in the drawer.
He’s got a few USBs, and… In the back, plastered to the top of the drawer, she found a very thin disk.
Talk about analogue. Who even used CDs anymore?
She peeled it off the drawer and placed it in her pocket.
What are you doing? Leo shook his head. He’s going to figure out a CD is missing.
People didn’t tape old CDs to their top drawers for fun. This had to be important. She was about to roast Leo for being too cautious when a noise outside the door had them startling.
Leo wrapped his hands around Molly and pulled her to the floor just as the door opened. The visitor couldn’t see them hidden behind the desk. She prayed the person didn’t walk farther inside to check.
Who could it be? It was far too early for Leo’s assistant to return.
The room stood silent for the longest time, Molly holding her breath. The slightest sound could be heard in the room. Fuck, if her heart strummed any louder, it would be heard loud and clear in the space outside.
Sir, may I help you? That was Craig calling from what had to be his desk. What the hell was he doing back so soon? And if it wasn’t him, who had just stepped inside Knox’s office?
The person who’d nearly caught them stepped outside and shut the door. When they answered Craig, their voice was muffled.
Leo placed a finger over his lips. Let me see what’s going on.
Molly wasn’t going to be left behind. She tiptoed behind Leo, even if he glared at her, gesturing for her to get behind the desk.
He pulled the door open a smidge to hear Craig say, Mr Buchanan was here with a client. I only just returned because I forgot the company card.
It was the answering voice that sent goosebumps racing along Molly’s arm. He was with a woman, was he? Apparently, the man has a penis he needs to use. Guess even rats have needs. And beautiful women gravitate towards money more than the real person. You need to learn that.
Er, sure, sir? Craig cleared his throat. You wanted to see Knox Buchanan? I can leave a note with his assistant to phone you back.
A long pause awaited Johnny’s answer. I’ll call him. He and I are good buddies.
Another pause, then Craig said something about heading out to get coffee.
Footsteps retreated, leaving Leo and Molly in heart-pounding silence.
Had Johnny just confirmed Knox was somehow behind what had happened to Molly and Rose the other day?
Leo turned around, his face contorted into a scowl. Let’s go. He reached for her hand, before tugging Molly out of the office.
They hurried through the empty space, almost forgetting Molly’s fur coat.
Leo huffed. I’ll get the lift. You get the coat.
She raced towards his office and plucked it from the visitor’s chair.
Unlike Knox, Leo’s place looked like it belonged to an office worker.
He had files, papers, and office supplies scattered over his desk and the wee coffee table with a sofa and armchair to the side.
Molly went to retrieve the credit card beside the packet of crackers she’d got for Leo earlier and discovered amongst the mess on his desk a small figurine of Peppa Pig.
Her heart performed a jig. This man was an angel.
Before he could moan at her for being late, she hurried back to the bank of elevators, but a voice stopped her cold. Ah, Mr Buchanan.
What the fuck was Johnny still doing here?
She hurried towards the low wall separating the offices from the elevators.
Johnny stood there wearing a white shirt and trousers.
Gold blinged around his neck and on one ear.
The man loved his jewellery for sure. Anything that would flaunt his wealth.
Funny how she’d never asked him where it had all actually come from.
Molly bit her lip, waiting for Leo to lead him out of there.
Johnny shoved his hands into his pockets. Where’s the beautiful woman you were with? Does your mistress know you’re cheating on her? Or was it your lady, the one you’re so keen to hide from us?
Leo didn’t respond for the longest time. When he spoke, his voice sounded strained, as if he was trying hard to calm his ire. What’s it to you?
I heard your lady had a little accident.
The elevators dinged and opened. To his credit, Leo stepped away from the elevator and Johnny. I suggest you leave.
What, and miss having a look at Candace? Isn’t she hiding behind that wall right this second?
Fucker! Molly hesitated. Her first rookie error. It gave Leo time to attack. He flew at Johnny, crashing his fist into the bastard’s face.
Hell. That reaction would tell Johnny exactly what he’d been fishing for. That Candace was indeed someone important to Leo.
Johnny was no eejit. He knew how to fight. His job was all about combat, unlike the HR head’s. Molly almost shut her eyes when Johnny landed a few hard blows to Leo’s torso. He kicked, and Leo failed to deflect. Those fucking office slacks weren’t helping either.
She had to end this.
Molly picked up a stapler from Craig’s desk, shed her coat, and raced out from behind the wall. The online self-defence classes would come in handy.
Molly jumped, landing on Johnny’s back, her arm twisting around his neck. She squeezed it tight, trying to smother him, even as he tried to pry her off him.
Wrestling with what felt like an angry bull, she held on. Molly raised her other arm and smacked her elbow on Johnny’s head. After the way he’d hurt her before, this felt cathartic. But like before, Johnny had a hard head. He flung her to the floor, his face pulled back in rage.
Fuck! he yelled, spittle flying from his mouth. Fuck! It’s you.
With him raging like that above her, Molly’s mind froze. When she should’ve been scrambling away, her mind started flashing images of another time: Johnny beating her, Johnny calling her all sorts of names, Johnny strangling her…
You whore! Of course you want a fucking Buchanan. Johnny raised his leg to stomp on her chest, when a yell had him looking away.
Leo barrelled into him, shoving him against the wall. Molly’s limbs shivered when she pushed up to her knees. Johnny crashed to the floor, Leo straddling him, gripping his collar and punching him. Fuck you, Johnny.
The man laughed, his head turning towards her. Those eyes roved over her, his bloodied lip curling. She spread her legs for you. After all, you’re the one with the money now.
It was never about the money, Molly whispered. You’re a shite father, a horrible human being.
Johnny laughed. You can’t keep Rose from me. I know where you are now. And I’m back in the country for good.
Fuck off, Johnny, Leo roared, but the fucker didn’t care.
You’re mine. Johnny grinned at her. Just like this company’s mine. Without a man to protect you, you’re nothing.
Molly shook her head. I’m not yours. It’s time you fucked off from our lives.
Johnny spat blood. You’ll come back when this fucker has nothing to offer you.
He didn’t say that out of anger. He said it like a statement of fact. In a way that Molly believed him. No matter what she did, where she ran, Johnny would bring her back kicking and screaming. And make her regret it.
Leo had been right. This whole revenge plot. It had been her second rookie mistake.