Henley
"You're spending a lot of money lately."
Brandon's voice scared the crap out of me and I nearly dropped my brand-new iPhone, scrambling to catch it as it almost slid out of my hands and onto the kitchen floor. I turned to look over my shoulder and glare at him from my seat in front of the dining table. His voice was too loud for this early on a Monday morning. I'd woken up a little early to finish setting up my new phone before work. "And that's your business how?"
He shrugged, adjusting the collar of his shirt. "It's not. But it's not like you. I remember when you bought your first phone you said you'd never buy another iPhone because the price was outrageous and you weren't going to fall prey to social influence again."
I grunted. That much was true. "I'm used to it so I don't want to switch to something else. That's the only reason I bought another one of these. They really shouldn't cost this much."
"How come you bought a new one, then?"
"I lost my other one and I had insurance on it and an upgrade so I decided to use the upgrade and get this phone."
Brandon's eyebrows shot up on his forehead. "You lost your phone? You?"
"I'm not happy about it," I muttered.
Brandon slapped his hand to my forehead, startling me. "Are you sick? You sure you should go to work today?"
I shoved his hands away. "I'm not sick."
"First you buy a new car, now a new phone... it's like I don't even know who you are anymore. What's next? A new house?"
I didn't say anything for a moment, then sighed. "Mainly for my safety."
Brandon's expression turned more serious. "What do you mean?"
"I..." I trailed off, my heart rate spiking. My stomach twisted, my shoulders suddenly feeling heavy. Why was this so hard to say? I tried to remember what Tala told meâ I didn't need to be ashamed.
But in the face of Brandon, my brother, I felt ashamed again. Like I couldn't take care of myself. Like a male's attention on me was my own fault. I looked away from Brandon, staring at the floor, surprised to find my throat tightening. Why?
"Hey," Brandon said, crouching down so he was eye-level with me.
"Is this about that guy? That was getting into your office?"
"Yes," I said, my voice coming out small. "The other nightâ he followed me. To the mall. And approached me. That's when I lost my phone, too." Brandon didn't need to know the other details. I didn't want him to know the man touched me. Even though the man only grabbed me, I couldn't say it.
Brandon's jaw clenched, his eyes filling with fury. "What the fuck?"
"Brandonâ"
He rose to his feet, fists clenching at his sides. "Why didn't you say something sooner? Do you remember the number this guy texted you from?"
I shook my head. "Noâ oh, wait. It might be on the iCloud. I'd taken a screenshot of the text."
"Find it and send it to me."
"Brandon, I don't think you should get involved."
"What the hell do you mean I shouldn't get involved? This asshole is going beyond just stalking you. What if he hurts you? What if he kills you, Henley? Don't tell me not to get involved. This is bullshit."
I tried to keep my hands from shaking. "Stop swearing at me."
"I'm not swearing at you. I'm just pissed off," he snapped. "Why are you trying to downplay this situation? You thought about not telling me this happened, didn't you? You weren't going to. You won't even tell your boyfriend. What's wrong with you?"
"Because I'm scared!" I shouted at him, finally snapping. "Because I'm scared this person will retaliate! And not just at me. At you. At anyone close to me. Who the hell knows what this person knows about me? I have no idea. I'm scared something will happen if I react."
Brandon froze, his eyes widening slightly.
"You watch the news, don't you?" I asked him, standing from my chair. "How many women get killed by men they accidentally offend, Brandon? A lot. Even just recently. I looked it up, because I'm scared. I don't want to provoke him. I thought if I didn't react, maybe he would just leave me alone. He hasn't threatened me in any way. What do I tell the police if I go to them? They won't believe me. Did you forget who we are? Two poor, orphan kids. Who knows who this guy is? If it's someone from the office, it's my word against a rich man's word. And you know how that worked out for you last time."
Brandon didn't say anything as I stared at him, taking in shuddered breaths.
"I'm sorry," Brandon said after a moment, running his hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to come off like I'm blaming you. I'm just frustrated with the situation."
"It's so easy to tell me what to do, isn't it? Because this isn't happening to you. You don't understand. You don't have a right to lecture me about this, Brandon."
Brandon let out a short breath. "I know. I'm sorry."
I didn't say anything. I didn't mean to yell at him. I didn't mean to snap at him. But I refused to be told this was my fault or take any blame for not saying anything. "If you're going to be mad, be mad at him. I'm the victim here."
"I'm not mad at you," Brandon told me, putting his hand on my shoulder and squeezing it. "I'm worried about you. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"I know you're worried," I responded as he let his arm drop from my shoulder back to his side. "I'd be worried about you, too, if our situation was reversed. But this situation isn't easily solvable. You can't just find this guy and attack him. That's how you end up in jail."
"I've been there before. I'd be fine."
"Brandon."
"If it meant keeping you safe, I'd do it."
I knew he would, too. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "I don't want you to do that. You have a clean record now. Let's keep it that way."
Brandon pursed his lips. "We have to do something, Henley."
"I did. I got a new phone and a new car."
"That's not enough."
"Then what should I do? I don't want you going after this guy, so don't even think about it."
Brandon frowned, folding his arms over his chest, thinking. "If you don't want to go to the police, then would you be willing to talk to a friend of mine?"
"A gangster...?"
"No," Brandon said, giving me a flat look. "A prison officer I befriended while in jail. She might have some advice for you."
I raised my eyebrows. "You made friends with a guard?"
"I told you I made a lot of friends there."
"I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to her," I said.
"I'll text her," Brandon said, immediately pulling out his phone. "Are you sure you don't want to go to the police? Totally your choice. I'm not going to force you," he continued, his eyes focused on his phone screen.
"Even if I went to the police right now, what would I say? I have no idea what this person looks like. I have no proof he did anything. They'll just tell me to be careful."
Brandon glanced up at me. "You're probably right. Give me your phone, then."
I handed it over. "Why?"
"Let's share our locations for now. That will at least give me some peace of mind. And ask Lee and Henry and Sebastian and Ariana and Bennett to as well. The more eyes on your location the better. I'd follow you around as a bodyguard if I could, but it's not like I can quit McKellan's after I just started."
"Okay, I'll do that. I'll feel safer, too."
"You are going to tell Bennett, right?" Brandon asked hesitantly. "I mean, again, your choice. Do what you want."
I smiled a little, glad my words got through to him. "Yes, I'll tell him. When he gets back from his work trip."
"Then until he gets back, don't go anywhere alone."
"I won't. I'm just going to go to work and right home."
"See if you can share Lee's office with him at work today."
I shook my head. "I can't. He won't be there. His last day before his leave was Friday. Bennett was supposed to be back today."
"Well, when is Bennett coming back now?"
"Tomorrow."
Brandon pressed his lips together. "Then use Bennett's office for today and keep the door locked. I'll check in on you periodically. I'm also going to buy you pepper spray after work. Show me how you form a fist."
I held up my hand, curling my fingers into a fist.
Brandon took it in his hand, flipping my hand over. "Hmm. Looks good. Don't be afraid to go for the nuts if this guy approaches you again."
I nodded.
"And his throat. And eyes."
I nodded again. "Right."
"And I still want that screenshot of the phone number. Maybe we can figure out this guy's identity. And I won't do anything other than that," he said firmly as I opened my mouth to protest. "I promise."
"As long as you're only doing that..."
Brandon pulled out his phone, checking the time. "Let's go to work together, too. I want to check out your new car."
"It's not better than yours."
"My car isn't anything special."
I held up my still formed fist. "I dare you to say that again."
He rolled his eyes. "If you like it so much, want to trade?"
"No. Lee bought that for you."
"As a bribe."
"Still. You should appreciate it."
He gently smacked my shoulder. "I do appreciate it. But you know I'm always worried for the day it needs to be repaired and I won't be able to afford it."
I grabbed my purse off the table and together we walked to the front door. "I'll help you pay for it."
"I'm not depending on you for anything else, remember?"
"Yeah, yeah. But you still can, you know?"
"We'll see."
I made sure to triple lock the door behind us and Brandon reached over me to check it once more. We went to my car and he got into the passenger's side, complimenting the red seats. Other than that, the ride was unusually quiet, Brandon staring out the window. I wanted to know what he was thinking about. His lips were morphed into a frown, his eyebrows slanted down.
When we arrived at the hotel, he followed me through the lobby, into the elevator, and all the way to Bennett's office. Once there, he surveyed the room, checking the closet, and under the desk. I watched, slightly amused, slightly embarrassed. When he was satisfied he returned to my side. "All clear. Let me know if anything suspicious happens."
"I will."
He looked reluctant to leave.
"Thanks, Brandon," I said, biting my lip.
He mussed with my hair. "Sure thing. See you later."
I locked the door as he left and saw it jiggle as he tried to open it again. When I heard his footsteps walking away, I went to Bennett's desk and pulled my work laptop out of his desk drawer, logging in. I never had much work on Mondays. And without Lee here, I would have to ask one of the other managers what to do if I wanted to do extra work. And I didn't want to talk to any of the other managers.
Instead, I worked at a slug's pace. I figured it was okay to take one day easy. Even though I thought everyone else must have been scrambling to cover for Lee's abrupt departure. Everyone was under the influence it was just a small break, but I really thought Lee wouldn't be coming back.
I'd just work twice as hard to help Bennett until he could figure out how to replace Lee. Which was a bit contradictory to my low workload for the day, but...
I shook my head, ridding myself of those thoughts. That was something to figure out later.
At lunchtime, Brandon sent me a text, saying he'd pick up food and bring it to me. When three rapid knocks came on the door, I opened the door up for him, not prepared for who was standing on the other side of it.
I jerked back, not immediately recognizing that it was Eli Calloway.
He also jumped in surprise. "Oh! Henley. I wasn't expecting you."
"W-what are you doing here?" I asked, my hand on my heart.
"Looking for Bennett. Is he here?" Eli responded, glancing behind me and into the room.
"No. He's on a business trip."
Eli deflated a bit. "Oh."
Again, the resemblance Eli shared with his son struck me. Bennett had that same disappointed-puppy mannerism. It was amazing that Eli could be out of Bennett's life for so long, yet they still had things that tied them together.
"I know I said I'd wait for Bennett to approach me, but I'm starting to worry that will be never," Eli said, shoving his hands in his pockets. Then he seemed to realize he was talking out loud, his cheeks reddening. "Oh. Sorry. I know it's uncomfortable to talk to me about this."
I didn't know why, maybe it was because he was so like Bennett, but I felt my guard drop. "It's okay. Bennett told me he didn't mind if we talked."
"He did?"
"I still don't really have anything to say to you, though," I said. "I'm not going to speak on Bennett's behalf or tell you anything about him that he wouldn't want you knowing."
Eli waved his hands in front of him. "Oh, no. I wouldn't ask you anything like that. Although... I do have something I'd like for you to hear. Do you mind?"
I only hesitated a moment before moving aside to let him in the office. Brandon had said not to be alone. Eli being here might be more of a good thing than a bad one. "Yeah, come on in."
Eli smiled as he walked by me, smelling faintly of cologne. He was as tall as Bennett, but a little slimmer, a little more haggard looking. How had Eli been living when Ms. Calloway had made him disappear from their lives?
We sat on opposites of the meeting table tucked into the corner of Bennett's office. Eli still had a faint smile on his face as he looked around Bennett's office. But it faded as his gaze landed on me again. "Henley, you already know that Dolores sees Bennett as the only way her company will continue to be successful and carry on, right?"
"Yeah," I said, because that much had been obvious since the very beginning.
"I believe she still sees you as a threat. I believe Bennett thinks everyone will be okay as long as she's behind bars, but I don't believe that. I think she still wants to break you two up. And I think she'll also try to turn Bennett and Lee against each other."
My muscles tensed. I already figured that. That she wouldn't give up. But why was Eli saying this when he had no idea what was going on in Bennett and Lee's life until recently?
Eli noticed my apprehension. "I know you're wondering why I think that. But I was married to her, Henley. I know her better than you do. Maybe even better than Bennett and Lee do."
"What can she even do from her jail cell?"
Eli leaned back in his seat. "The real question is what can she not do? I'm sure it's not hard for her to find someone to do her bidding."
I couldn't believe this. I mean, I could. But would she really try to break Bennett and me up again? Why? She would never be able to enter this company again, would she? Not with her felonies. What was the point then? Did she not think Bennett and Lee were doing a good job here?
"She'll never accept Lee as her successor. I know that," Eli said, his hands resting on the table. "Not even jail will keep her from wanting to protect this company."
"Is the company really that important?"
"To her? Yes."
"That's so..."
Eli smiled sadly. "That's what money does to some people. But it's not only greed. She has a stigma against mental health, but she suffers from her own, too. That's why I find it so hard to hate her."
"It's not that hard," I said. "Don't you know what she did to Lee?"
"She doesn't want him to take over because he's not her sonâ"
"Not that. She tried to kill him."
Eli's entire body jerked in surprise. "What did you just say?"
"There was no proof there was intent to kill, but she purposefully struck Lee with her car to silence him after Lee's accident. I don't care what her excuse is. She tried to kill someone."
Eli stood from the table. "There's no way."
"It's true," I said. "Her company means more than your son. Both your sons."
"She would never do that."
"Well, she did. Didn't you see assault with a deadly weapon as a charge? That weapon was a car. Aimed at your son."
Eli marched up to me, towering over me, and for a moment, I couldn't move, fear seizing me. "No one told me this," he said roughly.
"I..." My voice caught in my throat, my back pressed against the chair.
Eli took a step back, face pale. "This... is hard to hear. I'm sorry. I need to leave. I need to have a conversation with Dolores."
"Huh?"
Eli left without another word and I gaped after him. I'd assumed Eli knew everything that happened. Had Lee kept this information from him? And Bennett? Was I not supposed to tell him? I gripped the fabric of my skirt, wondering if I'd done something wrong. What would Eli do now?
The door opened again and Brandon came barging in, a bag of take-out in his hands. "Henley, who was that guy? Was itâ"
"No," I said quickly. "It was Bennett's and Lee's dad."
"What? What did he want?"
"I'm not really sure, but..." I gasped. "Wait."
Brandon glanced behind him. "What is it?"
"Was he trying to warn me?" I asked out loud, rising from my chair. "That Ms. Calloway would try something again?"
"I'd love to see her try," Brandon said with a scowl.
I turned to him. "Maybe she already has."
"What do you mean?"
"The stalker," I said, realization hitting me. "She might have sent him. Why didn't I think of this sooner?"
Brandon nearly dropped the bag of take-out. "What?"
"Why else would someone choose me to stalk? Me. I'm nothing special. Why out of everyone here did this person choose me?"
"I don't really think people like that discriminate."
"But still. It's weird. Soon after I start working here, this starts happening? I don't know. I think she might have something to do with it."
Brandon placed the bag down on the table. "Even more reason to tell Bennett, then. That bitch can't let you two live in peace, can she?"
"It's just a theory," I said, holding tightly onto the back of my chair. "But if she's doing this to me, then I wonder what she said to Lee to make him want to leave the company..."
"Lee wants to leave the company?"
I didn't answer Brandon, a sinking feeling spreading through my stomach. What was Ms. Calloway's plan this time? Why did she have to do this? Bennett already had so much going on. Why did she have to add to it? What did she say to Lee? Was she doing this to me to threaten Bennett again?
My hands clenched into fists. I wasn't about to let this happen again. She wouldn't get away with hurting Bennett and Lee again. I wasn't the same as I was before. I would fight back.
"Brandon, I changed my mind," I said.
"About what?"
"I want you to find this guy."
Brandon's pupils grew round. "Really?"
"Yes. And I'm going to go to the police. Even if they don't believe me, I think I need to get a report started. Maybe your friend from the jail could help me. If Ms. Calloway really has something to do with this, I think we can keep her behind bars longer."
"Are you sure, Henley? You were so against it earlier," Brandon said, looking unsure. "Are you saying this because of whatever Bennett's father said? Or because you want to do this?"
"I was scared earlier," I admitted. "And I'm still a little scared. But I'm also angry. And my anger is stronger than my fear. I promised myself I would never falter to her again. And I won't. Not now, or ever. Not when she threatens my family."
My family. Bennett and Lee were my family now. And I wouldn't let anything or anyone get between the three of us. I refused to be part of Ms. Calloway's plan.
"We have to move carefully, though," I said, fully facing Brandon. "I don't want anyone getting hurt. And if it gets too intense, we all back out, okay? Hopefully, this is just some loser who is doing this for a few bucks."
Brandon met my gaze, his shoulders pushed back in determination. "Got it. Let's do this."