Chapter Twelve #5
“Please don’t hate me,” Edward said, eventually.
Then he confessed his secret. A few years earlier, Lawrence was representing Edward’s firm in a major deal.
When it closed, they celebrated. There were many people at the party.
It was a normal party at a public venue.
There was nothing sexual going on. Edward wasn’t paying attention to Lawrence that night.
He had no reason to think he needed to. The next day, one of his staff called in sick.
She was a junior trader at Edward’s company for only a few months.
When she called in sick for a whole week, her manager grew suspicious and demanded more details.
She finally confessed what had happened, but only to Edward.
Lawrence had approached her and started to talk with her.
At first, she was flattered that someone that powerful would pay any attention to her.
He convinced her to leave the party on the promise of discussing a career opportunity.
She agreed to go with him. It was just a bar at a nearby restaurant.
She didn’t think much about it. But he continued to buy her drinks until she could barely stand.
Then he took her to a hotel room and assaulted her.
When Edward heard her story, he didn’t believe it, but she could show him the bruises on her arms, from Lawrence holding her down as he forced himself on her.
Edward didn’t know what to do, and she was terrified.
Apparently, Lawrence had threatened her into silence.
Edward paid the girl enough money that she would never have to work again.
Then he told Lawrence about the Night Service.
He thought consent was the only problem that night, but when the girls of the Night Service began sharing stories about the abusive client, Edward knew it was Lawrence.
He figured the Night Service would ban him, but when they didn’t, Edward began to overcompensate for his guilt.
He gave his dates expensive gifts, hoping that just one of them would sell the jewelry and use the money to quit the Service.
Callie looked at him in disbelief. She couldn’t believe what he had just confessed.
“I’m sorry,” he said, looking sadly at his hands. “I regret it every day and have tried to make up for it.”
Her heart raced. She couldn’t believe someone she trusted could be so heartless. She was about to say so when a hand fell on her shoulder. She looked up to see Ryan. He had overheard the conversation and realized she was upset.
“Don’t be mad at Edward,” Ryan said softly. “Remember who the real villain is. Don’t let him take anyone else from you.”
Callie observed Edward, visibly hurt and remorseful, aware that his actions were wrong.
He was trying to make amends in his own misguided way, believing he was doing good.
Perhaps he was now. Edward was right about Annie; she wanted the lifestyle that living with him would provide, allowing her to stop working for the Service.
He looked at Ryan with thanks. Ryan was right—Edward had tried to atone for his mistake, possibly risking his own safety in the process.
While Edward thought he could protect himself and Annie from the Night Service, Callie was unsure whether he truly could.
“Annie and I might be safe, but what about the others?” Callie asked, looking to both Edward and Ryan for answers. She didn’t want anyone else to suffer as she had.
“If we find out that anyone else is being harmed by him or by the Night Service, we’ll make sure they are exposed,” Ryan replied.
It was late at night. Callie was asleep, and Ryan carefully got out of bed, making sure he didn’t wake her. He went to the balcony, where he was certain she wouldn’t hear him, and dialed his father’s number.
“My unsullied son,” Lawrence said as he answered the phone. He was slurring his words, and his voice carried a clear edge of sarcasm.
“Lawrence,” Ryan started. “I sincerely hope you're not too drunk to recall this call because you need to heed my warning. Keep away from Annie, Callie, or anyone associated with the Night Service. If I find out you’ve harmed someone else, I will go to the police.”
“You’re an arrogant little shit,” Lawrence laughed. “If you expose me, you expose yourself and your little whore girlfriend. You’re just like me, except you somehow found a way to get your dinner for free.”
“Fuck you,” Ryan hissed.
“I guess it’s not that free,” Lawrence continued. “I saw the bill for the condo you bought for her. What’s that, an annual payment plan?”
“I’ll make sure you’re behind bars,” Ryan continued.
“You really think there is a judge in this city who would ever consider putting me behind bars?” Lawrence continued to laugh.
“You, drunk fuck,” Ryan replied. “Watch yourself, this is my last warning.”
“Always a pleasure speaking with you, son,” Lawrence replied, then ended the call.
Ryan was furious. His father was so arrogant, but at least the message had been sent.