by H. Q. Frost
"What are you doing here? How'd you find me?" I slowly let go and quickly put my eyes on my daughter again, fearing the worst.
"Callum sent me."
I glance at him to see his eyes are on Poppy.
"Why?" I blurt, ready to make a run for my daughter.
"I wish I knew, Mag." The sadness on his face when he looks at me makes me want to hug twisty teeth.
"Lol, why are you here? You're scaring me."
"Don't be alarmed." A gentle hand lands on my arm. "He wants to see you." He looks at Poppy again.
"Then why didn't he come?" I glance around, wondering if I'm being ambushed.
"He couldn't." Slipping an envelope into my bag he says, "Information is there."
"What's going on, Lol? Be honest."
"I can only tell you what I know and all I know is he wants to see you but Germaine Carbon doesn't want you two around each other."
"Why?"
"That's all I know, Mag. I'm sorry."
"Mommy." Poppy's standing in front of me and I quickly look at her, grabbing her hands. Her eyes are on Lol.
"Honey, this is Lol. Say hi."
"Nice to meet you," Lol says with his hand out.
Her eyes go from his face to his hand, then flit to me.
"Say hi. Don't be rude." I smile at her.
"Hi." She touches his hand and he chuckles.
"That is a lovely coat," he compliments and she looks down.
"Grandma gave it to me."
"Very nice grandmother."
"Mommy, I'm thirsty." She looks at me and I quickly grab her sippy cup from my bag, the envelope sliding down my knuckles.
"Poppy," I say before she runs off. "Only ten more minutes." When she skips away I look toward Lol. "So you came all this way to drop off an envelope?"
"Actually yes." He chuckles and looks at me. "But it's good to see you, Mag." With a smile he rubs my arm.
"When's your flight out of here?"
"Morning."
"So you can stay for dinner? We've got years to catch up on." I try to keep a smile on my face but I’m sad I lost a friend in Lol.
The last I saw him I told him I'd love him forever. He'd always be one of my favorite people, yet I let him slip away so easily. I hate the Carbons, almost as much as I love what Callum gave me.
"I can if you'll have me."
"I'd be more than happy. I…" I look at my phone to see my therapy session is in thirty minutes. "I have an appointment in thirty minutes. You can come and hang out or we can meet at my place."
"To be honest, I don't have much else to do while I'm here. Can I tag along?"
"Yeah." I grin and look at my daughter.
I should be wary, but I've never been uncomfortable around Lol. Circumstances have changed completely but I can't help feeling a certain calmness around him. Trust.
After gathering Poppy, we head to the office and she keeps trying to show off for him.
"You're quite the dancer," he tells her while she twirls in front of us.
I hesitantly stop outside the doctor's office and look at him. "She comes in and plays with the toys in the room."
His eyes read the letters on the door and he drops his head briefly. "I don't suppose there are enough toys for two?"
"No." I chuckle. "Do you…do you want to entertain her for forty minutes?"
A smile lights up his face. If I were still a Carbon, Lol would be Uncle Lol and I think he would wear that badge with pride.
"I'd be honored."
I squat down and grab Poppy's hands to stop her from dancing. "Poppy, you're not going to come into the office with me today. You're going to stay with Lol, okay? Mommy will be fast." Mommy is clearly crazy for trusting Lol…and Callum right now.
Her eyes are on Lol and my little socialite has no problem staying with a complete stranger. I really hope I won't regret this, but Lol saved my life once, I don't think he'd try and ruin it.
"You guys can wait inside or just out here, but don't go far, okay?"
"We won't leave this vicinity."
"She's fast and she talks to everyone. She'll walk away with a stranger in a heartbeat. You have to keep your eyes on her."
"You can count on me. I'm a pro with kids." He smiles and I stare into his face. He is Uncle Lol. To my son.
With a nod I look down and run my finger over Poppy's cheek. "I love you. Behave."
She twirls around me and Lol turns with her, keeping his eyes on her. I watch them until it's time for me to enter the room. Taking a deep breath, I'm ready to bare it all because I need help with these feelings. As much as I may want to get my son back, being with Callum isn't an option. I can't be in love with him.
"I'm happy you're doing well," Lol says as we sit at my dinner table.
Poppy gave up on dinner and is on the iPad while I'm stuck in my daydreams even though I want to be present with Lol.
"I got the necklace. Thank you. I'm sorry I never thanked you," I explain how I can afford this house on a barista's salary.
"Necklace?" He cocks his head.
"The necklace Callum gave me for our wedding. The diamonds and emeralds. I left it the day I fled." The confusion on his face makes me sit back.
"Mag, I didn't give that to you."
"You didn't send it? After I left. To my mom's?"
"No."
Sadness ping pongs through my body because never once did I think Callum sent it. I didn't think he was capable of being that kind. I had always assumed Lol found it when I left and mailed it to me. The note with it only held three words. Piece it out. It took me a while to realize what that meant, but when I need money, I sell a stone or two at a time. It's worth more that way. The money my mother received was taken back and she never received another dime. I made up for it slowly over time because I didn't want anyone to know I have a multimillion dollar necklace in my possession.
"I…never mind." I smile at him.
"Did you review what's in the envelope?"
Jumping up, I rush to my purse. I wanted to do it at therapy but I was like an addict on speed. I couldn't shut up. The session didn't help. Not one bit and it never does because my therapist doesn't know the true story. I couldn't tell her that or god knows what would happen.
The red envelope holds my attention for a few minutes before I look at Lol. With a soft smile he nods, giving me the courage to open it. The letter slides out along with a ticket. I study the ticket first. It's not like a normal plane ticket.
"What is this?" I look at Lol confused as hell because I don't want to go on a vacation.
"Read the letter. I was not told what it is." He's lying but I don't call him on it.
I think you'd agree we have unfinished business. Anything you want to say to me can be said here without the worry of interruption. I'd be happy if you brought Poppy, but I know you. I know you won't allow me to meet her before you get the answers you want, so I find it only fair to tell you Cole will not be joining me. If I know you, you didn't allow Lol to leave, but you don't have to give him an answer. I'll be waiting for you on the specified day.
Hope to see you there, My Pleasure.
CC
Unfinished business like what? Do I have anything I want to say to him? Absolutely. Does any of it matter? Not likely. It won't change the past, present, or future. The only thing that would change any of this is if he showed up with my son and gave him back to me. Is, perhaps, he suggesting we meet up to explore the lust I know he felt when he broke into my home? I know he felt it. When he was pressed against me his dick told me he felt it. His body temperature told me he felt it. His eyes told me he felt it. What's a weekend of exploring our lust going to do for me except make me want more? Maybe it'll be closure. More than likely not, because the last thing I did with him before I told him to leave me alone forever was have incredible sex in a limo. There was no closure after that. If anything, it started my unhealthy obsession.
When I look at Lol, he makes eye contact but I don't know what to s
ay. I glance toward the living room at Poppy.
Lol looks over his shoulder. "She looks just like him, Mag."
Sliding the note back into the envelope, I place my hand over it. "Do you have pictures of Cole?" I ask carefully, not sure I'm ready to do this to myself.
Without hesitation, he pulls his phone from his pocket and opens his photo album. "Go ahead and scroll. He's just like Poppy; smart and personable."
"Who raises him?" I ask as my eyes land on the screen and my chest tightens at the boy in the picture. He looks just like his dad, and Poppy has so many similarities to Callum.
"Callum," Lol says with assurance.
"And is he." I stop and flip to another picture. I don't mean for it to happen but tears flow down my face. "Is he a good dad?" I sniffle, wiping my cheek.
Lol takes my free hand that's protecting the envelope and gives it a gentle squeeze. "He is. You taught him a lot."
"Who? Callum?" I snort and wipe my face again.
"You taught him to be a better man and an exceptional father."
I whimper at his words and hope he truly means them. Setting his phone down, I wipe both my cheeks.
"I want to meet him, Lol." My throat tightens but I hold back from bawling. Poppy can't see me crying.
"I wish I could help." He stands, coming to my side and hugs me. "I'm sorry."
"Why? Do you know what happened?" If Lol knew and he didn't tell me, I just might get violent.
"I recently learned you've been involved with Callum's brother and Germaine Carbon is trying to erase you as if you were never in the family."
Pushing him back I stand, his words tumbling in my head. "Callum's brother?" I back away, glaring at him with a cocked eyebrow, hoping that was some sort of blunder. "Kip?" I say when he doesn't respond. "Kipper?"
"Mag, I probably shouldn't say anything more. I've over spoke."
"I don't think so." I chuckle incredulous. "Tell me. Now. Kip is Callum's brother? He never told me. That can't be true."
"Kipper is the product of Callum's mother's affair." He looks away from me.
"Hold up." I raise my hand. "Take it nice and slow. Callum's mother had an affair with who?"
"He was a business partner to Callum's father."
"Oh shit…" Oh shit. What the hell did I do? "What happened?"
"She stepped out on Mr. Carbon not long after Callum was born. She became pregnant and instead of trying to convince her husband the baby was his, she told him the truth. She wanted to leave Vic to be with this man."
"So why didn't she? If that's what she really wanted?"
"I can't really say with accuracy but the rumor is Vic killed Kipper's father."
I gasp and cover my mouth while glancing toward Poppy who can't hear us. Apparently all Carbons are murderers. "Who says that? What happened? Did Callum's father go to jail?" No, he didn't, because I know he was in Callum's life up until his death.
A sad smirk lifts Lol's lips. "The Carbons aren't immune from everything, but money can buy treachery." He leaves it at that and I completely understand.
"So is Kip's dad really dead or was it just a rumor?"
"Not a rumor. And I'm sorry, Mag, I wasn't around at this time. I learned it through Callum and only recently. It's also said that's why Callum's mother died. Of a broken heart and the torture she endured from Vic after being unfaithful."
"Physical torture?" I whisper, completely invested in this soap opera.
"Mental. You know how the Carbons can be."
We stare eye to eye for several minutes.
"So Callum had a brother. He never mentioned that." I rub my face feeling betrayed as if Callum ever told me anything about his life.
"Not exactly." Clearing his throat he thinks over his words. "Kip was given to one of the estate maids. Vic wanted the baby within reach to torment Callum's mother. She wasn't allowed contact with him, but he was in the house still, being raised by my mother."
"Your mom was a Carbon Estate maid?" My hand clamps over my mouth after I yell that. My gaze goes to Poppy but thankfully she's too enthralled in the iPad. "Holy shit, Lol. So Kip pretty much was your brother then?"
"No." He chuckles. "My mother wasn't allowed to have me at the estate so she sent me home with my father to Ireland when he returned from active duty. Vic took some pity on my mother when I was around fifteen years of age and brought me onto the estate to work. At that time I was able to finally know my mother. That's how I came to the estate and came to meet Callum. Kip was rarely seen and when he was, he was only known as one of the staff's children. There were rumors he was my mother's but I didn't want to believe she'd do that to my father so I ignored them."
"Holy shit, that place was a hell hole. It still is! And that's where my son's growing up." My face blanches.
"It's much different, Mag. Your son is in good hands with his father. I'm sorry you're not allowed to know him. If there was anything I could do, you know I would do it."
"Jesus, Lol." I sit down before I collapse.
I've been fucking Callum's brother.
"How long has Callum known Kip is his brother?"
"A little while. I think he learned soon after you left. When Kip showed up at the house Callum tried to have him removed and as I understand it, it all came out then. Which is why Kipper is still an active employee of the family business. He has too much dirt that will tarnish the Carbon name that Germaine wants to keep quiet."
"Holy fuck." Kip is blackmailing the Carbons.
"Kip's always been jealous over everything Callum's had. Wanted the same if not more than what Callum possessed. Callum didn't realize it until much later in life. He never really cared until it came to you."
"Oh please." I start to clean the table off because I need to busy myself.
I don't know what to do with this information but I know I need to let it be. I have nothing to do with that. I may be still lawfully married to Callum, but I'm not a Carbon anymore.
"Mag, may I ask something?" The wary tone makes me turn to face him quickly. "Are you going to marry Kipper?"
"No," I respond resolutely. "Did Callum tell you that?"
"He mentioned the proposal but I didn't see an engagement ring so I hoped he was wrong."
"He wasn't wrong. Kip proposed. I broke up with him…sort of."
"Sort of?"
"I'm not sure I have the option to get rid of him, Lol. Learning all this shit makes me even more worried."
"Worried for what?"
"What he's capable of. What he wants with me."
"Explain." He doesn't understand, it's all over his face, but I thought he knew everything.
"Kip showed up with Germaine a few years ago and he made promises of protecting me from Callum. Callum wanted me dead—"
"What?" He goes stiff.
"That's what Germaine said at least. Callum says it's not true—"
"It's not," he insists.
"I think I believe him," I admit quietly and look away.
"Mag, he loved you."
"Don't." I raise my hand. "Lol, let's not circle down this road, okay?"
"So you didn't have feelings for Kip when you were on the Estate and married to Callum?"
"No. God no. I hated him. He made me uncomfortable but I couldn't pinpoint why until he tried to kiss me that day him and Callum got into the fist fight. But when he showed up with her he was much different. Everything Callum wasn't." I chuckle at my naivety.
"And you fell in love."
"No." I shake my head guiltily. The only thing I'm guilty of is settling. "No, I'm not in love with him. I wanted the protection only he could offer. He had an inside to the Carbon estate so if one day Callum decided to have me killed, more than likely Kip would find out. And I hoped he would protect me." I drop my head in shame. Lol grips my arms before gently rubbing them and I move in for one of his comforting hugs. "I never asked for any of this. I just wanted Callum to love me."
"I know." He holds me tighter. "He has so many regrets."
/>
"Don't try and defend him, Lol. You're only going to piss me off." I wipe at the slipping tears but don't pull away.
"I saw what happened to him after you left. And then I watched him transform into the man you taught him to be when his son arrived."
I clench my jaw so I don't break down in sobs.
"Much too late, I know, and he regrets that."
"Maybe he'll do it right next time." I pull away and sniffle hard, wiping away the tears.
I don't get a response and I don't fish for one. Lol telling me Callum didn't move on won't do anything for me anyway.
Not one ounce of me expects her to show up, I only hope. I'm not sure what more she would want to say, but I have a lot I can say. And to come to terms with my upcoming fate, I have to tell her I'm sorry.
"Carbon."
I turn around and come face to face with one of my grandmother's men.
"She requests your presence," he says before leaving the room.
I look at Cole who's quietly coloring. Reaching out, I touch his hair and he looks at me.
"I'll be right back." Standing I kiss his head and leave the room. On the way to the guest house, I stop into Lol's office. "Please tend to Cole until I return."
"Return from?" He stands.
"My grandmother requests my presence." I try not to huff but it's undeniable because I hate being at her beck and call.
"Your Grace," he says with a nod and I begin my path to the front doors.
When I step outside, three of her men are waiting for me. While that's unusual I don't question it. I quietly take my place on the cart that will take us to the house. She's less than a mile away but daily I can feel her presence in my home as if she's in my space. Looking out in the distance there is a vehicle headed for the house she occupies. The plumes of dust tell me so. The road to the guest house hasn't been paved because it is rarely used.
We arrive before the car does and two of the men step behind me while the other leads the way. Nerves make me glance back at them several times. I wouldn't put it past her to have me shot in the back. He opens the doors to the great room and I scowl at the similarities to my own home. My mother would disappear to this house for weeks at a time when her depression was too much for her to handle a child. I hate this house. It reeks of abandonment and regret. It's like I can still hear my mother's tears with every step I take.