“She’s with Lucas,” I say automatically. “They have some paperwork to deal with. I’ll tell him to keep an eye on her. Thank you for telling me, Elise.”
Elise bites her lower lip before hesitantly saying, “Lana’s really great, you know.”
My lips curve. “I know.”
“She’s wonderful and kind to everyone, even the ones who talk crap about her.” She appears to be she’s leading up to something, so I wait. “You’re not going to hurt her, right?”
“That’s hardly any of your business, Elise,” I say stiffly. Her face turns red, but she stands her ground.
“Friends look out for each other, and I like to think Lana is my friend.”
It takes a lot of courage to do what she’s doing, and I relent. “I would never hurt Lana. I respect her far too much.”
When Elise crinkles her nose, I fight the urge to laugh. “And I care about her.”
When she relaxes, I ask, “How are you feeling, though? Lucas mentioned that you were a little under the weather.”
Elise smiles wanly. “I’ve been throwing up a lot. Lucas is wonderful about it, though. He knows how scary this is for me, and he went to all but two of my doctor appointments with me. I told him he didn’t have to, but he insisted. He’s so sweet.”
“Right,” I drawl. “Sweet. He is that.”
She gives me a strange look as I shake my head, knowing the lawyer’s fumbling attempts might very well land him in the friend-zone.
“What about the father?” I’m pushing it, and my suspicions about it being someone from the office is confirmed when Elise turns pale.
“He was—I can’t tell him.”
I press my lips together, but I don’t want to upset her. “All right. You let me or Lana know if you need anything. And, of course, Lucas.”
As I make my way to my office, my mind is on the stranger who was searching for Lana.
I send her a quick message to tell her to call me.
These past few weeks have been blissful in a way. My nights are spent with the woman I’m falling in love with. Days are spent facing her in the office as she squares off against me, battling any decisions I make regarding her employees.
I never knew I hadn’t completely healed from Nyla’s actions until Lana. There was an emptiness there that she’s filling piece by piece, and this contentment is making me think about the future.
When my contract here ends, will I return to England? And if I choose to do so, will Lana come with me?
What should I do if she decides to stay here?
These are the questions that haunt me. As I tell Val to call up Mr. Warte, I push these thoughts aside.
When the door opens and a familiar figure walks in, I give a predatory smile. “Sit down, Mr. Warte. You and I have a lot to talk about.”
* * *
Firing Siemens Warte is the best decision I’ve made since joining this company. The man is sleazy, underhanded, and a complete misogynist. I go in search of Lana afterward, but Hanna tells me she’s asked not to be disturbed.
In all the time I’ve known her, she’s never asked to not be disturbed by me, so I obviously ignore Hanna’s exclamation and barge in.
Lana sits at her desk, her face drawn, shadows under her eyes. When she looks up, I see the troubled expression on her face before she schools her features. “I thought I told Hanna not to let anyone in.”
I close the door behind me. “Good thing I’m not just anyone then.”
She appears vaguely annoyed. “Go away.”
Sprawling gracefully in her visitor’s chair, I smile. “I don’t think I will.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Go away, Oliver. I’m not in the mood to talk to you or anybody for that matter.”
“Try.”
She gives me a fierce scowl that would have made a lesser man quiver, but I just shrug it off. “Elise said someone came looking for you.”
“Elise talks too much,” Lana mutters. There’s a flash of unhappiness on her face, making me want to hold her in my arms. But right now, any attempt to approach her will result in getting my head bitten off. Lana likes to work through her problems herself before approaching anybody. While I respect that about her, it’s the reasoning behind it that bothers me. I want her to be able to lean on me, to want to lean on me.
“Who was it?” I ask.
She doesn’t respond, not meeting my gaze.
“Lana,” I say quietly, a sharp tinge of authority in my voice. She glances at me uneasily. I soften my tone. “Who was it, love?”
The term of endearment slips naturally from my tongue, taking us both by surprise. Her eyes widen and a gentle blush creeps up on her cheeks, which she tries to fight off but fails.
I keep looking at her, pleased by her reaction, and she finally relents. “It was my dad.”
My lips press together in a disapproving line. “What did he want from you?”
Lana presses the heels of her hands into her eyes, leaning back into her chair. “He said Fred was upset by my behavior, and he tried to convince me to leave my job. Well…” Her tone turns a tinge sour. “He ordered me to, actually. And then he went on to say he had met Matt, and he was a well-established man who could fulfil all my needs and I should give him a chance.”
Were these men dense?
“He knows what Matt did to you?” I ask slowly, and Lana’s jaw tenses. “I made that clear to him, and he said it was a mistake and I shouldn’t judge Matt on it. I—” She takes a deep breath as if to calm herself down, then says, “I don’t understand them. It’s bad enough they’re trying to force a man on me, but to defend his actions? I’m his daughter!”
Her last sentence is a half shout, and my own temper stirs at the callous way her family is treating her. “What did you say?”
“I told him to leave me alone. I said if Matt comes anywhere near me, I’ll file a harassment suit against him and take out a restraining order.” Lana quivers with rage. “I’m done with this. They’re not even treating me like a human!”
I unfold myself from the chair, then walk over to her until I’m leaning against her desk in front of her. “You don’t think it’s odd they’re trying to force this on you, despite your protests?”
Lana removes her hands from her eyes, blinking curiously. “What do you mean?”
I raise a brow. “Think about it. You could not be clearer on how you don’t want to pursue a relationship with this man, yet they’re trying to force this. Have they ever been adamant like this with any other suitor they’ve sent your way?”
She shakes her head. “They’ve been disappointed, but they usually give up. They’re being oddly persistent this time. Anyway, I told my father I don’t want to see him anymore for the time being.” Her expression is bitter with hints of misery she so desperately tries to hide. It tugs at my heartstrings, and I reach out to take off her glasses. She doesn’t protest.
“I told him if they kept pushing me, I’d pack up my bags and get a job so far away they would never be able to find me.”
I grab one errant curl that is straying away from her face in rebellion. “And where exactly is this new job going to take you?”
When she glances at me suspiciously, I smile innocently. “You could always come to London.”
“Isn’t it wet, cold, and dreary there?”
“What’s your point?” I deadpan, and her lips twitch. “I’ll consider it.”
“Come on.” I pull her to her feet. “I’ll buy you one of those crumpets.”
Lana lets me drag her out of her office. She’s so distracted she doesn’t remember her glasses, which I’ve deliberately left behind on her desk.
I take her to the small bakery, which sells good imitations of snacks from my home country. We then walk over to the park, sitting together on the bench as she chews thoughtfully on the unsweetened cake.
“It’s not bad. I was expecting something fancier.”
My lips curve. “It’s nice with afternoon tea.”
Lana’s eyes widen at that. “Oh, I nearly forgot!” She clenches the crumpet between her teeth and opens her bag, digging in it.
“What’re you looking for?” I ask curiously, seeing the barely concealed excitement on her face.
She draws out a small gift bag, then hands it to me, smiling broadly. “A friend of mine was in Manchester this week. She returned yesterday.” I open the bag, blinking at the contents as she continues, a little nervous now. “I remember you said you ran out of the Jasmine Earl Gray, so I asked her to bring two packets.”
I’m so taken aback by the gesture I don’t say anything, and Lana fidgets in her seat. “It’s the same brand you like. Is there—”
I grasp her hand, feeling a little overwhelmed. I’ve never received a gift like this—one with no intention behind it. I had mentioned this tea in passing, as a vague annoyance. This particular brand and type are only available back home. Ordering it online would be a drawn-out process I simply don’t want to undertake.
“Thank you,” I say, stunned.
She studies me. “You really like it?”
“Yes.” I shift toward her, gently kissing her cheek. She turns red as a tomato, the gesture making her fumble. “It was no big deal. I’m glad you like it.”
I wrap my arm around her. She leans against me without protest, eating her snack. As we return after our little rendezvous, we’re crossing the street when I feel someone watching us. I turn my head to the right, but I don’t see anyone.
That doesn’t stop me from protectively stepping closer to Lana, unease lingering in my heart.
14
Lana
Caleb does not look happy. Lucas even less so.
“Are you sure about this, Lana?”
I nod.
Lucas is frowning. “Think it over. This isn’t like you.”
I’m not surprised they’re trying to fight my decision. “Look, I’ve done all I can for this company. I want to start over now.”
Caleb raises a brow. “‘Now’ being when Oliver’s contract is over.”
I don’t flinch under his gaze, saying coolly, “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes.”
“You’re such a pain, Lana.” When he scowls, I glare.
“I’m here as long as you need me, but I refuse to put in notice.”
“Do you want a promotion? Is that it?” Caleb straightens.
I narrow my eyes in annoyance. “Don’t insult my intelligence. I know you know.”
He gives me an unpleasant look. “Yeah. Your little boyfriend called asking for relationship advice.”
Offended, I say, “First of all, he’s not little.”
Lucas chokes at my double meaning, but I ignore him. “And second, you’re hardly the relationship guru.”
“Ouch.” Caleb doesn’t appear insulted. Sighing, he stares down at the paper in front of him. “I’ll think about it.”
“This isn’t a request, Caleb. I’m telling you.”
“Pain in the ass,” Caleb says loudly, and I give him a dark look. “I can write you up for that.”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine. I’ll consider it.”
Lucas mournfully says, “The foreign kid is breaking up the gang. I never liked him to begin with.”
“You keep trying to get him to have drinks with us.” Caleb is mastering the art of rolling his eyes. Twice in one day.
“There is no gang.” I reach for my coffee. “And stop being dramatic.”
“How’s the new apartment?” Caleb finally asks, and I give a small smile.
“I love it. You guys should come over for dinner someday. I’ll cook.”
Lucas stares. “We don’t like your new boyfriend, so you’re going to punish us? Geez.”
Caleb makes a sound of agreement. “Hostile much?”
“Assholes,” I mutter under my breath. “For your information, Oliver loves my cooking.”
Caleb and Lucas exchange a look. “Yeah. It’s called acting, Lana.”
“Oh, this is ridiculous.” I scowl. “I’m not that bad of a cook.”
Caleb blinks. “You once set your kitchen on fire because you tried to boil an egg.”
“Oh, shut up, Caleb. Not like you’re any better.” I glower.
He shrugs. “At least I accept my shortcomings and don’t go around threatening to poison my friends.”
“Ugh.” I stand. “As much as I’d love to listen to you two insult my cooking, I have work to do.”
I glance at my phone, annoyed when I realize the battery is drained. “You go on ahead of me, Lucas. I have to swing by the apartment to pick up my charger.”
“I can drive you,” Lucas offers.
“I’ll take a cab.” I stuff the phone in my bag.
“Don’t cook anything while you’re there,” Caleb maliciously calls after me. I give him the finger before slamming the door behind me.
Grumbling about my charger, I hail a cab from outside Caleb’s apartment.
So lost in my thoughts am I that I don’t see the person waiting in the lobby of my new building until I hear the voice.
My hackles rise. I whirl around to see the last man I had expected to lay my eyes upon.
“How the hell did you get in?” I hiss at Matt, who just smiles. It’s a cruel gesture on his perfect lips. The man is handsome, that much I’ll give him, but something about him deeply unsettles me.
“I have my ways.” When he saunters toward me, my hand immediately goes to my coat pocket. I curve it around the bottle of pepper spray I’ve taken to carrying.
“I’d stay away from me if I were you,” I warn.
He has the audacity to smirk. “Why should I?” He takes another step toward me, his voice soft. “I don’t think you seem to understand the position you’re in, Lana.”
I don’t like his tone. “And what position would that be?”
“You really shouldn’t have disrespected me the way you did,” he continues in that relaxed tone, which is making me feel more and more on edge as he takes another step toward me. “Your brother paid the price for it.”
“Fred? Why would Fred—” I blink in puzzlement. “What the hell are you babbling about?”
When he keeps taking small steps toward me, I glance around urgently, but there’s no one in the lobby aside from us.
“Your brother took out a loan from me last year.” Matt smiles pleasantly. “Half-a-million dollars. He couldn’t pay it back.”
My fingers tighten around the small can in my pocket. “That’s got nothing to do with me.”
“I disagree. It’s got everything to do with you. When he told me he couldn’t pay it back, I gave him an option. If I get you, he doesn’t have to repay the loan.”
My fingers go lax around the can as shock permeates my body.
“You’re lying.”
He’s lying!
My heart beats wildly in my chest, betrayal a cold feeling coursing through my veins. Because I know he’s not lying. Fred’s actions, the way he so casually dismissed this man’s attempts to harm me, could only be because he gave him permission or encouraged it.
Matt must have seen the realization in my eyes because he looks smug. His expression makes me see red, and I bare my teeth. “Even if that is the case, I am not Fred’s to give away. I am not his possession. If he promised me to you, you need to take it up with him.”
Matt raises a brow. “I told you that he paid the price for your behavior. I broke his right arm.”
My breath catches in my throat. “You did what?”
He shrugs. “Each time you refuse me, he’ll pay.”
“You’re blackmailing me?” I breathe out, horrified.
He tucks his hands in his pockets. “You can call it whatever you like.”
Outraged, I hiss, “I’m not some prostitute you can just—”
I can barely finish the sentence, my breathing harsh. The bastard had the gall to look amused. “If you’re quite done with you little temper tantrum, I suggest we move this t
o your apartment. I believe you owe me an apology and dinner. You can apologize on your knees.”
The double meaning in his statement isn’t lost on me. I gnash my teeth, trying to calm myself down and think through the situation. Finally, I say, “How much money does Fred owe you?”
That takes Matt by surprise. He snorts. “You think you can pay me back? That’s cute. Even for you.”
I don’t falter. “How much?”
He studies me, smirking, then quotes a sum that has my knees turning weak. That’s three times what is in my bank account from all my savings over the years. But I don’t lose my composure. Instead, I release the can and take out my phone.
Maintaining eye contact with the bastard in front of me, I dial Caleb’s number, putting him on speaker.
He picks up on the second ring. “Lana?”
“How long would it take you to come up with a million in cash?”
Caleb pauses before he calmly replies. “Two days, minimum. When do you need it by?”
Matt’s face darkens, and now it’s my turn to smirk. “I’ll let you know in a few minutes.”
I’m about to cut the call when he suddenly says, “Are you home?”
I can hear something in the background, indicating he’s not alone. “Yeah.”
“All right.”
He cuts the call, and I smile at the man before me. “Don’t underestimate me. I have connection in places you couldn’t dream of.”
Maybe that’s not entirely true, but what does he know?
Matt watches me carefully before his lips curve. He murmurs, “Well, well. Aren’t you interesting?”
“I’ll repay Fred’s loan. You stay away from him and my family.”
There’s a hint of anger in Matt’s eyes, but he smiles, nonetheless. “I see.” He steps past me, then says, “This isn’t the first or the only loan your family has taken from me, Lana.” He shifts to see me, a cruel glint in his eyes. “How many millions do you think your friends will cough up for you?”
My mouth turns dry at his words.
Millions?
Why has my family borrowed millions from him?
Resisting the Brit Page 13