by Parks, AL
It was too early to call Colin and ask him to arrange to have her stuff packed and shipped to her. He was still at work, and hated to be interrupted. He typically went from one meeting to another throughout the day, rarely taking a break, so it was difficult to even get him there. She would wait to call, or email him. Later, after she had pulled her computer out and started it up. She didn’t even want to think about all the emails waiting for her.
The bigger issue to deal with was Brandi and her blackmail scheme. As far as Brandi knew, Clarissa had not returned to Newport. She had received a short text from Stepmommy while in Colorado that said, ”I see you have taken the first step, but I need step two to happen soon.”
Clarissa had no idea what to do about the shares in Griff’s business. She had told the key players about the abuse she had suffered as a child. If Brandi was hoping to upend the relationship between Griff and Clarissa by dropping that bit of information on him, she was going to be disappointed.
A hand glided across her shoulder. She looked up into Griff’s scruffy, handsome face.
“Morning,” she said, smiling. He yawned, stretching his arms over his head. She watched as his bare chest flexed. The waistband of his sweatpants dropped a little lower, exposing his firm abs, hips, and a bit of hair just below his navel. God, he was sexy as hell.
Scrubbing his hand across his light beard, he leaned over and kissed her. “Morning. What are you doing in here all alone?”
“Trying to figure out what I need to do next.” She let out a heavy sigh. Griff filled two cups with coffee and joined her at the table.
“So, is this the part where I get to ask what your plans are?”
“Not yet. We have other pressing matters to deal with, and then we can tackle that problem.” She watched as he cringed at her words. Calling the decision to stay with him a “problem” was probably not the best choice of words. She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
He took a drink of his coffee and nodded. “So what other matter do we have to deal with that’s so important?”
“Brandi.”
“She knows.”
“Yes, and wants my shares in East Coast or she will spill the beans to you and my mother.”
“We already know.” He walked to the coffee maker, returning with the pot. Refilling both their cups, he set it on the table.
“Exactly what I plan on telling her.”
He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest and shaking his head, “What a disgusting bitch. Using me to get to you.”
She chuckled as she took a drink and placed the cup back on the table. “Baby, I think she’s using me to get to you. She doesn’t give a rat’s ass about me, obviously. It’s you she wants, and I don’t mean your business. You. In her bed.”
Griff sat quietly for a moment, but his eyes were darkening and his jaw clenched. “Well, that’s not ever going to happen. With or without you and I getting together - I want nothing to do with that whore. But it does solve one of my problems. If I can’t kill your father - I’ll kill her.”
***
Griff stood in his bedroom, drying his hair. He had taken a long, hot shower, letting his mind mull over all the information that Rissa had dumped on him in the last twenty-four hours. It was hard for him to imagine a man doing anything so repulsive to his own daughter. He was amazed at Rissa’s strength. She had saved her sister, shielded her mother, and still managed to be this incredible woman who took control of her life. She hadn’t given in, curled up in a ball and let life pass her by. She had found a way to survive.
He pulled on jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, and ran his hand through his hair. Rissa walked into the room, wrapped her arms around him from behind, and lay her head between his shoulder blades.
“I should probably get this damn phone call to Brandi over with,” she murmured as she lightly kissed him on the back. “But I hate having to waste another breath on her.”
Griff grabbed her hand and pulled her until she was in front of him. He ran his fingers through her hair, holding the back of her head. “You hold the cards, baby. Let her know her threats were useless, and let’s spend the day making up for lost time.” He kissed her. “I really, really missed you.”
She laughed against his lips. “Really? What did you miss most?”
“Uh-uh, I’m not playing that game. If I say your ass, you’ll ask what’s wrong with your breasts.”
“Or you could just say your smile and winning personality.”
“You’re the complete package, Riss. There’s not one part of you I like better than the other.”
“Nice save.”
“Thank you. Now, make your call and let’s move on to more interesting things.”
Rissa sighed, and pushed a button on her phone. He moved his other hand to her head, forcing her to keep her eyes on him. There wasn’t much he could do right now, but he was damn sure going to let her know he fully supported her. She hit the speakerphone button and put her finger to her lips for him to remain silent.
Brandi answered on the fourth ring. “Hello, Clarissa.”
“Brandi.”
“I trust you’re calling to let me know you have initiated the transfer of the shares in East Coast Custom Bikes.”
“About that, I’m not going got be able to accommodate your request.”
“I beg your pardon? You know the consequences of not giving me those shares, Clarissa. Do not test me on this. I will tell Griff all about the little sex romps with your father. And won’t your mommy be surprised to learn that I wasn’t the first woman he had an affair with - that it was you?”
“Go right ahead. They both know, so you can say whatever you would like to them. Although, I wouldn’t talk to my mom right now, if I were you. She’s pretty pissed that you didn’t alert her or the authorities when you learned about what my father did. And Griff - well, he thinks you’re a piece of shit for trying to use this information against me.”
There was a long pause. The bitch was stumped, but only momentarily. “I don’t give a shit what they know. Transfers the shares or I’ll leak to the press just how much of a daddy’s girl you really were.”
Griff watched as Rissa’s face paled. Her eyes dulled. He knew that look, but never believed he would see it on her. Defeat. It ripped at his heart. She looked so lost.
But Brandi kept blabbering on. “The whole world will know your deep, dark secret - and not one will think you were the victim. I’ll make sure you’re viewed as wanting it as much as he did. Enjoying every orgasm he got out of you. Everyone will think you’re a disgusting slut.”
Cold prickled over his skin, passing through him like a wave. Right behind it, though, was a heat so intense, it left a scorching residue as it coursed through his veins, exploding in his chest.
Rissa’s eyes widened as she continued to stare at him. She took the phone off speaker mode, and put it to her ear. “I’ll have to get back to you.”
Griff could still hear the conversation from the other side. “Don’t take too long, Clarissa. I think I’ve been pretty patient, but I want those shares transferred immediately.”
Rissa ended the call. Tears appeared on her lower lids, threatening to spill over and run down her face. Griff leaned his forehead against hers.
“Give her the shares, Riss.”
“No!”
“Baby, we’ll figure something out. Okay? Just give her what she wants - keep her happy for the moment until we can figure out how to stop this constant threat in the future.”
The tears finally made a trail down her face. She lowered her eyes from his, leaving him feeling empty. He hated not being able to look into her eyes. They were a direct line to her heart and soul. He needed that connection with her now. She couldn’t recede back into her dark place, he wouldn’t let her.
“I’m sorry you’ve been pulled into this family, Griff,” she whispered.
He lifted her head, and gazed into her eyes, s
till so dull and filled with pain. “Don’t ever say that, Riss. I hate what your father did to you - what Brandi is doing to you now. I hate that they are using my business to force you to do something you’re not ready to do. But don’t think for one minute that I ever regret becoming partners with your father, because it brought you into my life. And for that, I will be forever grateful.”
She looked away from him, and shook her head.
“Look at me, baby. Can’t you see what you mean to me? I’m so in love with you, Rissa. None of this other shit matters because I. Love. You.”
Light finally returned to her eyes, brightening the space between them, and sending a rush of warmth to his heart. She was so damn beautiful. Every single part of her - the good, the bad, the ugly. Everything.
“I love you so much, Griff. I never believed I could ever fall in love, never open up enough to love and be loved. You don’t know what it means to me to have you in my life. To love you.” She choked on a sob, forcing her to stop speaking. Tears continued to stream down her cheeks, but now a smile graced her face.
“Give her the shares and let’s get on with our lives. I’ll sell my part of the business. Hell, I might just give it away. It doesn’t matter to me. All that matters - the only thing that matters - is keeping you safe from ever getting hurt again.”
He pulled her tightly against his chest. His emotions were ping-ponging through his body at high speed. He hadn’t planned to tell her he loved her. Hadn’t even known it until the words flowed from his mouth. But he was sure. He knew she was the one. He just hoped he could live up to his end of the deal and protect her from Brandi.
He had to keep her safe. And he planned to do whatever he had to make sure that happened.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Clarissa sat on a stool in the bike shop watching Griff and Neal work on an order. It took both of them to get the handle bars attached and on straight. It was interesting seeing how all the parts were coming together to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind motorcycle. She may have been able to enjoy herself, if her mind wasn’t on a constant loop of Brandi telling her that her biggest fear was about to come true. She’d been able to keep the secret of her father’s abuse hidden for so many years, and just when it should have been buried along with him, it was about to be exposed to the world.
The only way to avoid that was to force the man who had brought her heart and soul back to life, and given her hope and love, to give up the business that he’d built on his own. It wasn’t just a business to Griff. It was affirmation that he could get away from his own hellish past, from the legacy his mother had left him, and make something of himself. And he had. The success of the shop was all due to his perseverance, his ability to create something that was a status symbol to the rich and powerful men Clarissa had grown up around.
Now, because of her, he was about to lose it all. But he was saving her by sacrificing his business, and it was a gift she was not going to take for granted. He and convinced her that it was what he wanted. Had told her that if she didn’t tell Brandi that the shares were being transferred, that he would. According to Griff, it was already a done deal, not exceptions, no further discussion.
She pulled out her cell phone, and typed a message to the evil step-bitch.
**My attorney is drawing up the paperwork to transfer the shares to you**
Sighing heavily, she pressed the send button. Griff was looking at her when she finally lifted her head. She wagged the phone at him and forced a small smile across her face. He winked and went back to work on the bike. He even laughed with Neal about something. He seemed…relieved.
Clarissa, on the other hand, felt like shit. A large hole was burning through the center of her chest. It hurt like hell, and she had no idea how to put out the fire.
***
“Come on, Rissa. Let’s go home. It’s been a long a day, I’ve worked my ass off, and I’m beat. You, woman, will be in charge of making me dinner, massaging my aching muscles,” he wagged his eyebrows at her, “and supplying me with beer all night long.”
Rissa finally broke a genuine smile and let out a little laugh. “What the hell makes you think I know how to cook? If it’s not microwaveable, I don’t make it.”
“Okay, so we order pizza, but the rest of its still a go.” He placed his arm lazily around her shoulder.
“Get your own beer, lazy ass.” She smacked him on the ass before wrapping her arm around his waist as they walked across the shop area to the door.
Griff pushed it open and stood back to let her go through first. A flurry of activity caused Rissa to stop just outside the door, and he nearly ran into the back of her. A news camera was pointed at them. Some tall blonde had a microphone shoved in Riss’s face, firing off questions.
“Are you Clarissa Beckett? Would you like to comment on the report that your father molested you from a very young age? Is this true? Why did you never report it?”
“What the fuck?” He grabbed Rissa by the shoulders and turned her away from the reporter. She was quiet, and still. He nudged her to get her to get back inside the building so he could close the door.
“You get the hell off my property before I call the police and have you charged with trespassing.”
“We just want a statement,” the blonde stated, thrusting the microphone towards him.
“No comment. Leave. Now!” He slammed the door nearly catching the woman’s arm in the process. She pulled it out just in time, but she continued to yell at Rissa.
“This is your opportunity to set the record straight, Ms. Beckett. Tell your side of the story.”
“I’m dialing 9-1-1!” Griff hollered. He glanced around the shop for Rissa. Her steps were wobbly, as if she were drunk off her ass. She stopped, and Griff watched what felt like a slow motion film of her knees buckling, her body slumping to the floor. He darted across the space to where she sat, kneeling in front of her.
Her eyes were vacant and lost. She was starring straight ahead. She wasn’t crying but her body was shaking.
“She did it anyway.” Her voice was so small and meek. “She told them. I gave her what she wanted, and she told them anyway.” Her eyes swung up to meet his. “Why would she do that?”
He grabbed her hands in his and brought them to his lips. They were ice cold. “I don’t know, baby.” His mind was racing. He had to get them out of the shop. He had to get her somewhere safe. His grandmother would be worried about both of them when the story hit the news. He needed to let her know they were okay. He wondered if he should take Riss to Gram’s house. He needed to protect her from the press while he came up with a plan.
It was time to deal with Brandi Beckett once and for all.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Clarissa had no idea how long she sat on the cold floor with Griff blowing warm air on her hands in between telling her everything would be okay. Would it? Would life ever be okay for her? She couldn’t depend on Griff or anyone else to make everything okay. She knew what had to be done, and it was about damn time she did it.
“I have to go out to the house,” she said. Griff stopped mid-blow and looked at her, his eyebrows knit tightly together.
“Are you sure that’s such a good idea, right now? Why don’t I take you over to Gram’s and we can come up with a plan on what to do?”
“No, I need to do this now, Griff. I need answers and that bitch is going to supply them. She’s not going to get away with this. I’m done being a pawn in her fucking game. Done.”