Breathe

  “You broke my heart when you broke our engagement. You don’t get to care about me anymore.” I move to the small couch on the far end of the office, dropping my things on a chair and the stack of messages by the phone on the way.

  “How can you say that? You need me to care about you. Obviously, you’re not taking the break-up well.”

  “How-” I’m interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in,” I shout.

  Ashlyn enters with a mug of coffee and spots me on the couch. “Oh. Good morning Grace. Here’s your coffee Mr. Warren.” She walks over to him and places the mug on the desk giving him a giant, flirty smile while batting her lashes.

  I want to fire her right now.

  “Thanks, sweetheart,” he says with a shit-eating grin.

  She blushes and turns to me. “Would you like anything, Ms. Stratton?”

  “No.” I give her a glare, warning her that I’ll be talking to her later about letting him in here. She quickly turns without another glance at my cheating ex, shutting the door quietly behind her.

  After staring at the closed door for a few moments, I turn my attention back to the man who abandoned me a few days ago.

  “How dare you come here, Patrick. You lost your right to care about me when you chose her.”

  Please, Lord, give me strength.

  “That doesn’t mean I don’t care. You don’t deserve to have hideous things in print about you when you’re clearly trying to get over me.”

  What the hell?

  “Are you fucking serious? You think those pictures printed yesterday were about me trying to get over you?” I stand and raise my voice. “You're an arrogant asshole. I don’t need any help getting over you, Patrick. I’m doing just fine on my own.”

  “I would beg to differ, Bunny.”

  “You know better than almost anyone that pictures are just pictures. Anyone can snap a shot and make it look like something it isn’t.” I take a few steps closer to him with my arms crossed protectively in front of me. “If I recall correctly, we had a few not-so-great pictures taken of us recently.”

  “They were nowhere near as bad as these.” He throws a gossip magazine on the desk in front of me.

  “So, you’re here to throw this in my face?”

  “Of course not. I’m going to fix this. I’m here to help you.”

  “I don’t need your help.” I snap back. “And you don't need to fix this. You know Miles always takes care of

  these situations.”

  “Miles can’t fix everything, Bunny.” He glances down and taps his finger on a picture of Linc. “Who is this guy anyway?”

  “None of your business.” I’m annoyed he even asked. “And stop calling me Bunny.”

  “Are you seeing him?” He pushes the issue forward.

  “Ugh...None of your business.”

  “But it is my business, Bunny. If I drove you to him, and now he’s put you in a bad position, it is my business. I need to know who he is.”

  “No, you don’t, Patrick. He is not your concern. I am not your concern. Let Miles take care of it. And stop calling me Bunny.”

  “I can’t do that.” Patrick moves his eyes from the magazine up to meet mine. He forms a look on his face that I’ve never seen before. His look is a mixture of being pissed and annoyed and...? “Are you fucking him?”

  I gasp.

  “Get out.” I say quietly pointing to the door.

  “No. Are you sleeping with him, Bunny?”

  “Get out of my Goddamn office and stop calling me Bunny!” I scream out loudly.

  My rage is interrupted when the door to my office swings open.

  “What in the hell are you doing here, Patrick?” Daddy’s voice is calm but firm. He comes over to stand by my side.

  “Hello, William. I just came by to see if Grace was okay. I saw the pictures and thought she might need me.”

  “She doesn’t need you. She has me and her brothers to look after her. You should go.” He nods in the direction of the door.

  “Yes sir.” He answers in acceptance as he tears his eyes away from Daddy and locks them on me. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”

  “I’m pretty sure she will not be doing that,” Daddy grunts. He puts his arm around me and I lay my head on his shoulder. “Before this gets worse, you should go.” He squeezes me tighter.

  Patrick understands what that simple statement really means. He steps out from behind the desk and makes a beeline for the door. He stops in the doorway and turns.

  “For what it’s worth, Bunny, I really do still care about you.”

  I bury my face further into Daddy’s shoulder as he leaves the room. I may have thought I missed him for the last few days, but after that heinous display he just put on, I could care less if I ever see him again.

  Stupid Patrick.

  Tears are forming behind my eyes as I stand in silence with Daddy. Patrick doesn’t deserve my tears, so I take deep breaths while he holds me tight for a few more minutes. Leading me to the couch, we sit.

  “Are you okay, Gracie?”

  Just breathe.

  “I think so,” I sniffle.

  Daddy looks up at the ceiling, his jaw tight with tension, holding in obvious anger. “I’ll take care of him. He won’t be coming around here anymore.”

  “No, Daddy. Just leave it be. He knows better,” I say in return rubbing his arm.

  “He clearly doesn’t know better.” He looks down at me with sympathetic eyes. “He came here unannounced. That twit you have as an assistant let him in your office without your knowledge.” He takes in a heavy breath. “I’m going to have him fired and banned from the building.”

  “Daddy, don’t you think that’s a little extreme?”

  “Nothing is too extreme when it comes to my Gracie.” He smiles and grabs me in a bear hug. After a few moments, he pulls back. “I’m glad I came down here when I did, but the real reason I’m here is Linc.”

  My face drops in confusion. “What about him?”

  “He called my office this morning to talk to me.”

  “He did? Did you talk to him? What did he say? What did you say?”

  “Easy, Gracie.” He raises my chin with his index finger. “He is a very, shall we say, persistent and persuasive man and seems to be concerned a great deal about you. He sounded like Miles, going on about wanting to protect you and how he can go about doing that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He has resources that we don’t have. And he’s going to, well, let’s just say he is willing to share them with the family.” Daddy’s lips turn up and he lets out a small, but quick, laugh. He’s clearly happy that his pool of resources is growing with Linc as an ally.

  “I don’t think I’m comfortable with this.”

  “He gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse, Gracie. He’s offered me your complete safety for a few things in return.”

  “What things?”

  “Nothing for you to be concerned about. Between me, your brothers and now Linc, you will be well taken care of.” He kisses my nose. “I trust him, Gracie. And you know better than anyone, that when it comes to you, I don’t trust many.” He stands and walks to the door with a heavy gait. “I have meetings all afternoon. Maybe you should go home and work from there today. Oh, and you owe your old man a dinner soon.”

  With a loving smile, he leaves my office without shutting the door. I hear him mumble and Ashlyn respond in a nervous, hushed voice.

  Stupid twit.

  I’VE BEEN SITTING IN the same spot on my small office couch for an hour or so. I can’t seem to focus on anything. Ashlyn has been in a few times to check on me and bring me some tea. I’m deep in thought when the chime of an incoming text interrupts me.

  Linc: Coming to get you. Ready in 15.

  I don’t have the strength to give him a witty response or even fight with him.

  Me: I’ll be in the lobby.

  He texts back immediately.

  Li
nc: NO! Coming up.

  Whatever. I drop the phone on the couch beside me. I’m emotionally drained and wouldn’t be much good today anyway.

  “Ashlyn,” I yell.

  She appears in the doorway. “Yes, what can I get you?”

  I don’t look at her when I speak. “I’ll be leaving in a few minutes and working from home today. Please let Lincoln Prescott in when he gets here.” I pause and look at her. “No need to announce him.” I glare at her and she scampers off like a wounded animal.

  Minutes later I hear talking outside the door and Linc appears in the doorway, leaning on one side of the frame. His massive body fills the whole opening. Even in my dreary state, he’s gorgeous. He changed out of the clothes I last saw him in. The long-sleeved grey tee clings just so to his muscular arms. His chest and stomach are covered by a navy down vest. Stupid vest. His jeans are faded in the right spots and fit him like a glove. He's wearing the Yankee's ball cap again, but his best accessory is that sexy smile.

  Stupid sexy smile.

  “Hi.”

  I still haven’t moved from the couch. “Hi,” I say sounding a bit pathetic.

  Pushing off the frame he walks towards me. “Are you ready to go?”

  “No,” I mumble. “I haven’t moved from this spot in over an hour. Pretty sure my legs don't work.”

  He reaches out, grabs my hands and pulls me to a standing position. I stumble a bit, so he puts one of his hands on my back to steady me.

  “Let’s get you home.”

  “Did Daddy call you to come get me?” I ask quietly.

  “What does it matter?”

  “It just does. Did he?”

  He breaks our gaze and leads me over to the chair in front of my desk where my belongings sit. “Let’s talk about this after I get you home.”

  “I would like to talk about it now.” I shuffle to the door and shut it silently. Turning to him, I lean back against it. “So, did he?”

  Knowing that I can be persistent, he caves and leans his ass against the front of my desk, half sitting and half standing. He crosses his arms over his chest. “He did. Called a short time ago and said you may need to take a day at home. Why? Is that bad?”

  “I’m not sure yet. He told me you called his office this morning. Why?” I move to the chair in front of the desk that doesn’t have my crap filling it and sit; his eyes following me the whole time.

  “Why not?” He shrugs. I give him no indication of a response so he continues. “I needed to know you would be okay here today. I needed peace of mind. So, I thought I would call to check in with him.”

  “Check in? I don’t understand. I told you I was perfectly fine being here. My whole family is in this building. Don’t you trust me?”

  “Grace, you I trust. It’s everyone else that I don’t.” He leans down to me, clasping his hands on either side of the chair’s arms and gets in my face. He’s so close I can taste the tobacco on his breath and mint from gum. I kind of want to make out with him right now.

  Ugh.

  “Can I take you home now?”

  Knowing I’m not going to get much further with this, I digress and nod in acceptance. He grabs my jacket from the back of the chair. After helping me into it, he picks up my briefcase and handbag. Handing me the smaller of the two bags, he leads me to the door and opens to usher me out first.

  The elevator glides all the way to the basement and I look up at Linc in confusion. I feel I look at him this way a lot.

  He shrugs.

  “I have a pass.”

  Of course, he does.

  I should have known when Daddy eluded to their new partnership that he would give him a few perks around the building. We walk to his Range Rover resting two spaces away from Thomas’. It happens to be right next to Miles’ white BMW coupe.

  Of course, it is.

  Looks like Daddy has pulled out all the stops for his new friend.

  Of course, he has.

  Stupid Daddy.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I’ve been at home all day. I worked a bit in my home office, but my mind kept drifting off to thoughts of this morning: waking up with Linc, Patrick in my office, Linc's new alliance with Daddy. This is so confusing, wrong and annoying.

  Linc dropped me off and headed back to wherever he was working today. He’s sent several texts and called twice to check up on me. I feel like I’m barricaded into this apartment. I need to break free from here. I need to break free from this reality for a bit.

  Me: Meet for drinks?

  Seconds later, a response.

  Rafe: Hell yeah!

  Me: Liars Den in 20.

  Grabbing my handbag and jacket, I rush by Amy, who’s in the kitchen.

  “I’m stepping out for a bit. I’ll be back later.” I'm not sure if the warden has given her instructions to keep me locked in here all day. I don't want to take my chances so I high tail it out the door before she can respond.

  I should feel guilty about this, but I don't.

  I’m a rebel, like that.

  By the time the cab drops me off in front of the bar, Rafe is already standing there with Olive at his side. I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen him. In actuality, it was just yesterday. Before I reach him, I get a slight chill up my spine. I stall and look around to see what or who could be causing this feeling. I don't see anything weird, so I proceed to my friends, armed with hugs.

  “Hey Girlie!” Olive squeals as her long brown hair bounces with her.

  “Hi!” I squeal as I hug her first and then Rafe as tight as I can. We walk in, holding hands, and park ourselves at a high-top table near the back.

  “Thanks for meeting me. I had to get out of the apartment.”

  “Working from home today?” Olive asks.

  “Not by choice.” Rafe gives me a look and I start telling them the story, beginning with last night after everyone left, as we sip our drinks. Just as I thought it might, my phone chimed.

  Linc: Where are you?

  I blow a puff of air from my lips. Amy must have let him know I went out.

  Traitor.

  Me: With Rafe & Olive. Home later.

  His response comes quickly.

  Linc: GO HOME NOW!

  “Shit. He’s mad. He's using all shouty caps,” I say in annoyance, but with a half laugh.

  “Who? Your dad or Miles?” Rafe sounds just as annoyed as I feel.

  “Neither.” They both shoot me quizzical looks. “Linc.”

  “Oh.” He leans back in his seat and crosses his arms.

  “Damn,” Olive chimes in.

  I text back.

  Me: LATER!

  Ha! Two can play the text shouting game.

  I shove my phone in my jacket pocket and continue telling the story to my friends. I’m rudely interrupted by my cell ringing. Thinking its Linc, I let it ring out. Three calls later I get annoyed and answer.

  “Gracie! Where in the hell are you?” It’s not Linc. It’s Miles.

  “I’m out with Rafe and Olive. What’s up?” I ask nonchalantly.

  “Linc called me saying you just up and left your apartment without letting anyone know where you were going. And now you're not answering your phone.”

  “I answered you,” I say exasperated. “I had to get out. I was going crazy. I’m at Liars Den” I make a face, immediately regretting letting him know where I am.

  “Go home, Grace.”

  “No.”

  “Then I’m coming to you. I’ll see you in a few.” He hangs up before I can respond.

  Damn it.

  “Miles is coming. Should we go somewhere else?”

  “I don’t think that’s wise, sweetie. You know you can't run from him. Let’s just enjoy our next fifteen minutes together,” Rafe advises.

  I quickly finish the story that transpired this morning with Patrick. Rafe stares at me slack-jawed and Olive looks at me with a blank face. I think I stunned them both.

  “Can you believe that happened?�
�

  “No. I mean that's not like him to act that way. Who knew Patrick could act so...so... possessive. He's gone all cave man. How do you feel about that?” Olive has known Patrick as long as I have. We all went to the same high school.

  “I don’t really know. I mean Linc is possessive, but on Patrick it just looks disgusting. I thought I would still have the same feelings for him the next time I saw him. It’s only been, like, six days.” I shrug. “But when I looked at him sitting at my desk, I felt nothing.”

  “Nothing at all?” Rafe asks.

  “Yeah. Well, except annoyance that he was sitting in my chair.”

  “Do you think that has to do with Lincoln? The non-feelings?”

  “Maybe? Things have been moving so quickly with him that I-” I’m cut off by a pair of hands on my shoulders.

  “Are you talking about me?” Miles gives me a peck on the cheek.

  “Hi. And no.” I turn to him and see that he’s brought Briar with him. I scowl at him and smile at her. “What are you guys doing here?”

  “Well,” he takes a seat and Briar sits beside him, “I had to come. I got a rather stern phone call from a certain fella who said you were not where you were supposed to be.” He gives me a tense stare. “He's in Jersey so he sent me to collect you.”

  “I’m not a child, Miles. I can do as I please.”

  “Grace, you know that’s not entirely true.” Briar looks towards Rafe and Olive and they leave the table and head to the bar. “You can’t just leave and not tell anyone, especially after yesterday. And let's not forget about this morning.”

  “Fine.” I stare down at the moisture ring from my drink on the tabletop. “I’m tired of this, you know.”

  “I know. But until things calm down, you need to listen to us. I've almost got that dick photographer. Then we can concentrate on getting the smile back on your face.” He reaches his hand over the table and puts it on top of mine. His face goes serious. “Linc wants in. And I suggest you let him in.” His eyes are pleading with me.

  “Do you know he and Daddy have an agreement?”

  “I do. I was part of it.”

  “You had a hand in this?”

  “Of course, I did, Gracie. That’s what I do, remember? I fix things. And with Linc’s help I can maybe fix things more efficiently.”