Caught by Her Page 19

  Shit! - there was no taking this slow anymore. I loved her more than I’d ever thought it was possible to love someone.

  My Gramps’ words from long ago came to the forefront of my mind, making my face break into a grin as I went towards her: “When you find someone who makes your heart swell as much as your dick, marry her. Don’t screw it up, women like that don’t come around very often.”

  Her mother phoned, pouring water over my plans to delay us further, and, laughing, we left her office to go for a meal at her parents’ house.

  I enjoyed spending time with her family: they were always warm and welcoming. Just as I saw Lena starting to fidget, her father called me into his office. I followed him there, knowing Lena was shooting daggers at the pair of us as we walked away.

  I liked Michael, and I really hoped he wasn’t going to try and put me in an awkward position. He sat at his desk and asked that I close the door, signaling me to sit opposite him. I started to see the man that he’d been - commanding, firm and strong. There was no trace left of the man I’d first met - weak, frail and unwell. He was clearly back at his best. He smiled warmly at me and asked if I’d like a drink, motioning to the whiskey on his desk. I declined, keen to get to the reason for his request. He came straight to the point, leaning back in his chair, exuding confidence, looking relaxed but his keen expression told me he was anything but. “What’s going on then, Nate? What was this about someone watching Lena then? It was a mistake? How do you make that sort of mistake?” He looked at me intently and I matched his gaze.

  “I’m sorry, sir. I was sent a photo of Lena, and I thought it might have been from the person sending the letters or from someone else wishing her harm. I just wanted you to be on alert and to ensure that Byron knew.”

  “But the photo wasn’t from such a person?” he asked cynically.

  “No. Someone had taken her photo but it was to try to cause problems between Lena and me; nothing to do with Lena personally, or the company.”

  “Do you need to talk to me about this?” he asked kindly, and I shook my head. “Is it something that is going to impact on Lena?” he probed, understandably looking out for his daughter.

  “It’s already taken care of,” I answered shortly and he nodded, pleased with my response.

  His sharp eyes looked me over again, though, as he asked, “So you think you know who’s writing the letters?”

  I paused for a moment. I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t want to lie to him, certainly not to his face. He took my pause for the confirmation that it was.

  “I need a name”

  “You should really speak to Lena,” I began, but he cut me off.

  “Lena doesn’t want me to know, for whatever reason. I’ve gathered that much. As her father, it hurts that she’s not come to me, but I’m sure she thinks that whatever she’s trying to do is for the best. It’s not her job to worry about me or her mother. But she’s my daughter, Nate. I’ll do everything and anything to protect her and as the other man in her life, I expect nothing less from you. I will not let anyone hurt my girl, Nate. I need to know what you know. I’m not asking you to give me the details. If she wants to hold things back, I’ll respect that, but I need a name. Keeping her safe overrides everything else.” His eyes matched mine, the challenge in them evident.

  I swallowed heavily, feeling uncomfortable. Lena would be furious if I broke her confidence - understandably so. I had no intention of doing that. “I need you to trust me to deal with this.”

  He shook his head, already disagreeing with me before he began to speak, and I held up my hand to stop him.

  “Please, Sir – Mike - you asked me once if I loved your daughter, and I told you at the time that I didn’t. I do now, with every fibre of my being, and I can promise you that I’ll make sure nobody hurts her. I’ll protect her with everything that I have.”

  He scrutinised me for a moment. “I believe that, Nate, truly I do. I still want a name, though”

  We were at a stalemate. I could understand him wanting to protect his daughter, but I didn’t want Lena thinking I’d betrayed her confidence.

  Selfishly, too, she was mine, mine to love, mine to protect.

  Michael leaned forward in his chair. “You might love her now, Nate, but I’ve loved her always. I understand where you’re coming from, truly I do. But you’re not leaving this office without letting me know who is trying to hurt Lena. I don’t give a shit about the reason. If she wants to keep that from me, that’s fine. The reason is irrelevant. Someone wants to hurt my girl, and it’s not going to happen. It’s not that I don’t have faith in you. I just want this dealt with. You’re a good guy, but you’re a police officer. Your hands are tied, and I certainly don’t want them getting dirty. Leave this with me. Just give me a name, and Byron will handle the rest.”

  “If someone is coming after Lena, they’ll need to get past me and that’s not going to happen, badge or no badge. I’ll check with Lena, If she’s happy to confirm everything with Byron, then I’ll provide all the details to him.”

  He stared at me for a moment before breaking into a grin. “Damn, boy, you really don’t want to tell me, do you? I don’t know if I’m more irritated or impressed by you. Fine! Speak to Byron - but I want this dealt with as soon as possible. I’m not having this hanging over her any longer.” I grinned back at him and we both stood.

  Lena

  I downed my third cup of coffee in forty minutes, cursing myself for staying up so late the previous night. The office was slowly coming to life around me, and I was working my way through numerous invoices and emails.

  The knock on the door distracted me, and I glanced up to see Anna. She informed me that my conference call was due in five minutes. Her look of amusement told me that she’d heard how the last one had ended, and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.

  I thanked her and checked my appearance in the mirror before opening up the application, ready to connect. I remembered to switch my phone to silent this time, just as the screen flickered to life and I got caught up making introductions and pleasantries.

  I tried to keep my blushes at bay and focus on this call, not the last one that had ended with my senior management team fighting for composure as “Freak me” blasted out of my phone. Thankfully, it had been at the end of the meeting. I’d ended the conference call quickly, cheeks flaming and cursing Nate, before yelling out something indecipherable as I called him in temper, humiliated and embarrassed, but he’d laughed so hard that I’d soon found myself laughing along with him, the memory of my colleagues’ stunned faces reinforcing the humour of the situation.

  If I weren’t careful, I’d be losing my ball-breaker name tag.

  I pursed my lips to stop my smile breaking through, the lyrics running through my mind and making me purse my lips so that I could keep my look of concentration. I forced myself to listen to what was going on.

  The call was lengthy. Anna kept me topped up with caffeine, but my stomach was starting to grumble. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost 2.30pm. I indicated that we needed to wrap things up and that anything that needed to be discussed further could be carried over to the next meeting.

  I got up from my seat and stretched, impatient for the day to be over so that I could catch up with Nate, even feeling slightly resentful of the fact we’d agreed to go to my parents’ house for an evening meal.

  I knew that I could have just made arrangements to stay at his and gone to work from there, but I’d resisted. He’d asked me to stay the night on Sunday, but I’d said I was too busy.

  I’d ignored the ache inside of me to see him, the need to feel his arms around me, the emptiness that seemed to be filled only by his presence – that wasn’t me, I wasn’t this girl. I refused to allow myself to be like that. I ignored my body’s craving. It had been only a few days. I was acting like a ridiculous schoolgirl. I needed to hold onto my independence and my strength, they were what made me me.

  It had been a lon
g, arduous journey to get myself to where I was now. I knew that I didn’t want to be without Nate, but I needed to hold onto who I was too. I wouldn’t allow anyone to let me risk losing that.

  I was so engrossed in my paperwork that I jumped at the knock on my door. It swung open to show Nate standing there in a pair of worn, low-slung jeans and a tee shirt. He tapped his wristwatch at me and I turned to look at the computer to check the time, surprised as I saw it was gone 6pm. It was family dinner night and at this rate I was going to be late.

  I’d left the car at home, and got a taxi into work, knowing that Nate would collect me and that I’d stay at his tonight.

  I quickly shuffled my papers together, saved my documents and closed down the computer as he stood watching me in the doorway, a predatory look in his eyes. I cocked my eyebrow at him, frowning as he watched me.

  A lazy grin spread over his face. “You look hot as hell, Ms. Nicholls. I like seeing you at work, all aloof and professional - gives me thoughts on how I’d love to break through that tough business woman exterior.”

  I tried to look unaffected and continued to clear my desk.

  “I’d sweep all that paperwork off the desk, bend you over…”

  I scoffed at him before he could continue. “Seriously! Do you have any idea how much work that would create for me? How many hours it would take to sort it all back out again? That might work in romantic films, but in reality - that would be a major headache!” I shook my head in exasperation despite the wetness that was beginning to pool between my legs.

  He laughed, and pushed off from the doorframe to walk towards me, “Are you saying you don’t believe it would be worth it?” He arched his eyebrow at me, arrogance on every feature as he made his way closer to me.

  I swallowed, torn between my need to get to my parents and my desire to make him prove to me just how worth it it would be.

  He walked around my desk to stand beside me, pulling me up and turning me, pushing me back so that my arse sat perched on the edge of the desk. Moving so that he stood between my thighs, he looked at me, his face smug and amused. Just as he lowered his face down to mine, the phone rang, dragging us out of the trance he’d drawn us into.

  I reached across and answered it, cringing at my mother’s voice on the line, “I know, I know….sorry, Mum. We’re on our way now. I was caught up in something and didn’t notice the time. We’re leaving now.” I hung up and looked at Nate.

  He laughed and holding out his hand, he pulled me down from the desk. “Another time, Princess, I promise.” He winked at me, “Let’s go and have food with your parents so I can get you home.”

  I had to quash the warm feeling in my chest whenever he referred to his place as “home.” I felt like I was fighting a losing battle; trying to swim against the tide was exhausting and futile. I was trying to hold onto my independence, telling myself I could keep a piece of myself back so that, no matter what happened, I wouldn’t shatter completely; trying to hold onto a last piece of armour, a last defense against him and any possible hurt, but I knew in my heart that this man owned me.

  No matter what roof I slept under or what false illusions I held onto, he had me, totally, wholly and completely.

  We had a wonderful evening. The food was edible, which was a great achievement for my mother. She was an ambitious cook; sadly, her skill was considerably less than her enthusiasm and effort. My father had improved dramatically, and, now that his chemo sessions were over, he was getting stronger all the time. He was looking more like the man that he’d always been, and it warmed my heart to see it.

  There was an awkward moment at the start of the evening when my mother asked after Nate’s brother. Nate looked taken aback for a moment before smiling stiffly and confirming that Jonathan was fine, whilst thanking her for her concern. I’d need to check with Nate if he’d heard anymore from Clarissa or Jonathan. I could understand Nate’s anger, but it made me feel kind of sad that they felt they needed to go to those lengths to get his attention.

  It was obvious that Clarissa was doing everything to try and salvage a relationship between them. I might not like the girl, and I certainly didn’t like her way of going about things, but maybe Jonathan really did want a relationship with his brother. I couldn’t help but hope that maybe there would be a way to help fix things.

  Bianca and I had fallen out a few times over the years, mostly when we were young, but I remembered how miserable it had made me. I hoped there was some way that I could help smooth things over for them. I’d tried to let Nate know that I was relieved that the matter of the photos wasn’t anything more sinister. I knew Nate had reacted so badly because he’d been furious and worried about me but I’d tried to tell him that I wasn’t holding a grudge, hoping it would help lessen his anger.

  The last thing I wanted was to be the final nail in the coffin between their relationship.

  Just as I was about to try and make our excuses, my father got up from the table and asked Nate to join him in his office for a few moments. When I stood to join them, my mother glanced at me, reaching out and placing her hand on my arm. “Lena, could you help me with the table?”

  I glared at her. I was obviously being kept away from whatever my father wanted to discuss with Nate and I wasn’t happy about it. Nate had already stood up and was walking away. He turned back and winked at me but it didn’t help my mood. I faced my mother, my expression severe, and she looked at me in reproach.

  “You can wipe that scowl off your face when you like, young lady”

  “What’s going on? Why have they excluded me? We said no more secrets!” I felt like a sulky child but I was really annoyed that, after everything we’d been through, my father would cut me out of discussions again with no explanation.

  My mother looked at me, exasperated. “Not everything has to be a conspiracy, Lena. Maybe your father just wants to check Nate’s intentions with you. He’s feeling much better now; maybe he’s there giving him fair warning!” She grinned at me and I felt myself relax a little.

  It had been one disaster after another lately; maybe it was time to just relax. We cleared the plates away, and I waited for Nate to come back down. When they arrived, laughing and joking, both looking happy and carefree, I pushed my suspicions to the back of my mind. We made our excuses and left to go home, back to Nate’s place.

  It had been nearly three weeks since I’d caught up with Maddie, and I couldn’t wait to see her. We’d never gone this long without meeting up. I’d tried and failed to make plans to meet her. She told me that she was swamped with work but would catch up with me as soon as she could. We’d texted back and forth every day, but I’d really missed her. I’d reluctantly accepted her excuses, wondering if Christian had something to do with her lack of time. I hoped that she was happy; more than anyone I knew she deserved to be.

  As soon as I heard her car pull up outside, I leapt up, opened the door and stood beaming at her, arms wide open as she got out of the car.

  “Gotta love the welcoming committee, baby girl!” she laughed, hugging me back.

  We went into the house, and I poured us both a drink. She sat at the breakfast bar as I threw questions at her. “Woah, slow down! What’s with the inquisition?”

  “You’ve been MIA for 3 weeks, Mads! I know you’re busy with work, but really - is that all it is? I thought maybe Christian had something to do with it? I’m not having a go at you. I didn’t mean that in a nasty way. I’m not cross or upset. Hey! If you’re happy, then I’m happy! I’m just teasing. I thought maybe he’s been keeping you busy.” I winked at her and she laughed, her eyes darting away as if she was embarrassed.

  Maddie wasn’t one to be shy; Christian was obviously having quite an effect. “I’ve spoken to you every day…”

  “Texting is not the same as speaking! It’s fine. Honestly, I’m only teasing you – just get out of the honeymoon phase, so I can have my friend back!” I knocked knees with her and added, “Although Nate does tend to keep me pretty busy
myself!”

  She turned back to me with a genuine smile, “Fill me in then!”

  I brought her up to date on everything that had happened recently. She knew about his brother’s overdose and the money, but we’d not had a chance to speak in any real detail. She listened intently, her face serious and concerned. I laughed at how her face scrunched up as I spoke about Clarissa; her facial expressions alone could cheer me up.

  It was so good to catch up with her. I really missed her when she wasn’t around. I knew that she was busy, but I resolved to make sure that we never went as long without seeing each other again. Just because things were going well with Nate now, I wasn’t going to neglect my best friend, even if she was all loved up.

  I reached over and pulled her into a hug, she hesitated for a second before wrapping her arms around me and hugging me back with a fierceness that surprised me.

  “I missed you,” I said into her hair.

  She didn’t respond with words: She just held onto me and gave an extra squeeze. I pulled back and looked at her. Her eyes glistened.

  “Are you ok?” I asked, and she smiled, nodding, not looking as if she trusted herself to speak. “See! This is what happens when we go 3 bloody weeks - we turn into emotional wrecks! I love you, girlie. It’s not happening again, do you hear? Work or not – I’ll call you in sick and hold you hostage in the house!”

  She started to laugh then, a real belly laugh that had tears spilling over her cheeks. “I think we need wine! Is it too early for alcohol?”

  I knew she was teasing, she had work in a couple of hours, but I glanced around for my phone to check the time. Picking it up, I heard Maddie joke about it being 5pm somewhere as she wiped her eyes, but my attention was on my phone.

  I’d left it on silent and faced six missed calls!

  Shit!

  Maddie fell silent as she looked at me. “What’s wrong?” I stared at it in my hand, watching as the screen lit up again. Something felt wrong.