Chapter 26: Now You’re Mine: Chapter 26

“Please take me to Hayden’s office.”

Sebastian turns around in the driver’s seat. His expression is conflicted, but at the fresh tears streaming down my cheeks, he nods slowly. “Okay, Miss Calista. But first, you have to give me your word on two things.”

I bite my lip. “What are they?”

“First off, you have to tell Mr. Bennett this was your idea and that I had nothing to do with it. Also, add in that I tried to talk you out of it.”

Sebastian’s potent unease when it comes to Hayden still amuses me, but I keep my face blank, not wanting to embarrass him. “I promise. What’s the second thing?”

“I don’t want you to cry anymore.” The giant man blows out a breath and rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve never been good at handling a woman’s tears. It’s hard for me to see you upset.”

My heart melts. “I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

He turns back around and shifts the car into drive before pulling out onto the street. I remove the letter opener from my pocket and run my fingernail over the engraving on the blade. This was a gift from my father to Robert, thanking him for his hard work during the first campaign. I wonder if he kept it because it’s a useful tool, or if Robert still has it because it reminds him of my father and the friendship they shared.

I fiddle with the item until the vehicle comes to a stop. After putting it in my coat pocket, I open the car door and step outside. Sebastian is there with a frown of disapproval on his face.

“How many times do I have to tell you that I’ll get the door for you?”

“I might’ve grown up as a senator’s daughter, but I’m perfectly capable of opening a car door.”

Sebastian scans the area—like he’s been doing since we parked—his gaze briefly settling on mine. “It’s a sign of respect, Miss Calista.”

I reach out and pat his arm. “I appreciate that.”

His frown deepens, and the skin of his neck flushes with color. After clearing his throat, he says, “Let’s get you inside. Every second you’re not indoors makes you susceptible to danger.”

He motions for me to walk, and I take off at a rapid pace, not wanting to linger. It’s not as though I’ve forgotten my situation, but sometimes I block it from my mind in favor of a peaceful existence. One that’s recently been decimated by my father’s past dealings.

Once inside, I walk up to Josephine. The moment she sees me, the woman sits up in her chair and adjusts her glasses. “Good morning, Mrs. Bennett. Are you here to see your husband today?”

I paste a smile on my face, pointedly ignoring the chuckle coming from Sebastian. At least the man has the decency to smother his laughter with a cough. Looking at the secretary, I nod.

“Is Hayden available?”

“Even if he wasn’t, he gave me strict instructions to interrupt him, no matter what he’s doing.” She winks at me. “My boss doesn’t have any restrictions when it comes to you.”

You have no idea. “Thank you.”

“Would you like me to escort you?” The hopeful gleam in her eyes has me shaking my head. “Very well,” she says. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Mrs. Bennett.”

After giving her a small wave, I spin on my heel and head toward Hayden’s office. Sebastian is by my side in an instant, his long stride easily overtaking my small one.

“So, Mrs. Bennett…”

I glare up at him, but it lacks heat. “Don’t start with me.”

“Callie.”

At the sound of Hayden’s voice, both Sebastian and I jerk our heads in his direction. The attorney stands just outside his office, looking so gorgeous that any annoyance I had toward Sebastian fades.

Hayden holds out a hand, and my steps quicken. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?” He snaps his gaze to Sebastian, the inquiry directed at him.

“She wanted to see you, sir. I couldn’t talk her out of it, no matter how much I argued with her.”

Hayden’s gaze softens the instant it lands on me. I refrain from throwing myself into his embrace. Instead, I take his offered hand, taking comfort in the strength of his grip.

With his free hand, Hayden clasps the side of my neck, gently pulling me in for a kiss. It’s quick but passionate, causing me to stare up at him in a daze, my lips tingling.

“Sebastian’s right,” I say, my voice breathless. “I wouldn’t listen to him.”

Hayden’s gaze darts to the other man. “Wait outside.”

My bodyguard gives his employer a curt nod. I follow Hayden into his office, and once we’re inside with the door shut and locked, I open my mouth to tell him all about my father.

I don’t get the chance.

Hayden is on me in the blink of an eye. He slams his mouth to mine and spears my lips with his tongue, dominating my senses. I sag in his embrace, clutching the material of his dress shirt to keep from plummeting to the floor. When he finally breaks the kiss, my breaths are short little pants, and my chest heaves with every inhalation.

“Not that I mind, but what was that greeting for?” I ask.

“I needed it. One taste wasn’t enough. Now why are you here, disobeying my orders as usual?”

I drop my gaze as shame washes over me. “I learned something about my father today. It gutted me, Hayden. I had to see you because I’m falling apart.”

Hayden leads me over to the chair behind his desk and sits, pulling me onto his lap. He wraps his arms around me, resting his chin on the top of my head after placing a kiss on my temple.

“Tell me everything,” he whispers.

So I do. By the time I’m done, I’m crying again. I retrieve the handkerchief that Sebastian gave me, already damp with my tears from earlier, and wipe my face.

“The man I idolized is a stranger to me,” I say. “It’s like I’ve lost him all over again. Now I have to bury the idea of him, the one I grew up loving.”

“I understand. Although I cared for my mother, it was difficult reconciling her with the woman who was a drug addict. People are complicated.”

“I know.” I sigh and grip the handkerchief tighter. “But that doesn’t make this any less painful for me to swallow.”

Hayden goes silent for a moment, but when he speaks again, his body tenses against mine. “Did you find out the name of the pharmaceutical company he was in bed with?”

“Oh, right. AstraRx. It’s owned by Thomas Russell, who was my father’s point of contact. You know, it’s crazy, but that’s the same company Harper’s mother works for.”

“She does?” he asks, his voice deceptively soft.

“Yes. When I visited Harper in the hospital, her mother stopped by as well. That’s where I saw her work badge.” I reach out and take a notepad and pen, drawing the symbol from memory. “This is the logo. Do you know it?”

If I thought Hayden was stiff before, now he’s like stone. “Are you certain that’s the company’s logo?”

“Yes, why? Do you know them?” I swallow as a thought surfaces. “You don’t think Harper’s mom was another one of my father’s contacts, do you?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”

I lean back so I can see his face. “Please don’t do anything crazy. Harper would never forgive me if something happened to her mother. Promise me, Hayden.”

He clenches his jaw, his gaze churning with his thoughts. And his rage. “I promise I won’t hurt her. That’s the best I can do.”

“That’s not very reassuring,” I mumble. At a normal volume, I say, “Better than nothing. Thank you.” I throw my arms around his neck and give him a quick kiss. “Hopefully, this new information will lead us to whoever sent me that box, and possibly identify my father’s killer. Mr. Davis, my father’s campaign manager, said that my father did everything he could to make things right. If he refused to work with AstraRx, then maybe that’s what led to his murder. I have to believe that he was a good man when he died, or nothing in my life will make sense.”

“Shhh. Don’t worry about your father. What’s most important is you and keeping you safe.”

“But if they killed my father because of his involvement, then why are they coming after me? I had nothing to do with any of that. It’s not like I knew before today.”

“I don’t have an answer for you. Regardless, you need to go home and stay there.”

I sigh. “Fine. What time will you be off work?”

“Same as usual.”

“Okay.”

Hayden assists me to my feet and leads me to the door. After opening it, he looks at Sebastian. “Take Callie home.”

“Yes, sir.” The bodyguard looks at me. “Right this way, Mrs. Bennett.”

I make a face at Hayden. He winks at me. I can’t help but smile before allowing Sebastian to escort me through the building. Once I’m settled in the backseat, I go limp, letting my head fall back against the plush seating. Telling Hayden about my father’s unscrupulous actions was difficult. Not that Hayden has any room to talk after stalking me, but I didn’t want to taint his view of the man who raised me. I can’t stand the idea of Hayden seeing me in the same light.

Thankfully, Sebastian maintains his professional demeanor on the way home, leaving us to sit in silence. Although, I do catch his eyes darting to me in the rearview mirror on occasion. I smile at him once to reassure him that I’m fine before staring blankly out the window. The day’s revelations have left me emotionally drained, and for once, I’m ready to listen to Hayden and stay home to recoup.

The vehicle slows to a stop at a red light when a flash of color catches my eye. It’s a magenta jacket, bright and familiar. The tiny owner of the coat races down the sidewalk.

Completely alone.