Intrigued and Enchanted (27 page)

25

BRANDON

It’s been three and a half days since I last saw Lily and I’m going out of my fucking mind here. I cannot believe that little bitch Victoria got the best of me, again. I had a nagging feeling when she first contacted me that I shouldn’t trust her, but she knew exactly what buttons to press. I couldn’t refuse an abused woman, even Victoria.

I thought
she
ripped my heart out when she left me, but that was a fucking scratch compared to how I feel right now. I’ve sent Lily letters the past three days, hoping that she would get in touch and let me explain myself face to face. I’m trying to give her space, but if I don’t hear from her by tomorrow I need to go and see her before I fucking implode.

I feel like I can’t fucking breathe without her. I poured my heart out in those letters like a fucking pussy whipped loser, but I don’t give a fuck. If it’s her pussy whipping me, I’ll take it any day of the week…for the rest of my life. I can’t believe the hole in my chest after three days of not hearing her voice, her laugh, or seeing her sexy little smile.

She slays me every time I look at her. She is everything I never realised I was missing. I just shut down after what Victoria did to me, and I thought I was fine until that day at Columbia when we crashed into each other’s lives. The minute I touched her, my body came to life again, and when I looked into those massive Disney character emerald green eyes it was like a defibrillator to my heart and soul. I knew she was it for me in that moment. I felt like she was looking straight into the very depths of my being.

I couldn’t believe it in London when she whispered in my ear in bed that she was in love with me. It took everything in me to pretend I was sleeping. I had been planning the way I would tell her for a week but all I wanted to do in that moment was conquer her body, and her heart, claiming them as mine.

On the flight home, all I could think about was our future together, the life that we would build together. I still can’t believe how quickly that was shattered. If I could go back, I never would have taken that phone call in the Hamptons.

I answer the phone to Angus knowing that something is wrong at the penthouse or the office. Angus isn’t just my driver, he’s my right hand man; if I need something he makes it happen. I knew he wouldn’t call unless it was important.

“Sorry to bother you Mr Redgrave but Ms Mason has turned up at the penthouse and is causing quite a scene. She’s insisting that she speak with you. The lobby security called me and I came straight over and explained to Ms Mason that you aren’t in the city this weekend.” I can’t believe it. The first time I go on a meaningful date since she tore my fucking heart out and she manages to fuck it up. I listen as Angus relays his conversations with the building security and Victoria in great detail, until I can't bear to hear another word.

“What the fuck is she playing at? Find out what she wants Angus.”

“I’m doing my best sir, but she’s not very forthcoming.”

“I get that.” She’s a colossal bitch.

“She insists she speaks with you.” Of course she does. Victoria gets what Victoria wants.

“I don’t care…fuck…just ask her what it will take to get rid of her and make it happen. I’ll be back tonight. We’ll talk then.”

That was my first mistake. When I got back to the city I spoke with Angus and then contacted Victoria to ask her what the hell she wanted. That’s when she spun her web of deceit.

After a phenomenal weekend with Lily, I can’t believe I’m ending my weekend with Victoria sitting crying on my sofa.

“You’re the only one that can help me Brandon. Please. Tim has been...he’s been hitting me for months.” I hate Victoria, but the thought of any man, even the man she left me for, hitting a woman, makes my blood fucking boil.

“I’ve tried to leave him, but he won’t let me Brandon, I’m trapped and scared, and I don’t know what to do. Will you help me?”

“What do you want me to do Victoria?” I can hear the resignation in my voice. I’m going to help her, even though I don’t want anything to do with her. I don’t even want to be in the same room as her.

“Can you get your investigator to try and dig up something on Tim? Maybe there is something I can use as leverage to get him to let me go.” I can do that.

“Okay Victoria, I’ll help you. This doesn’t make us friends though. I still want nothing to do with you after this.”

“Thank you so much Brandon. I knew I could count on you. I know I hurt you, and trust me, I know what a big mistake I made.”

“I don’t want to hear it Victoria. I’ll contact you when I have any information.”

I got rid of her as quickly as I could that night, but I still felt dirty, like I had cheated on Lily somehow. I took a long shower, concentrating on my amazing weekend with Lilly. Looking back now, I can’t believe I was so fucking gullible.

She contacted me a few times over the next couple of weeks to give me information that she thought might help the investigator dig up some dirt on Tim. That was fine, until she started showing up at my work, then I started bumping into her when I was at the gym or out getting a coffee with Simon. I tried to ignore it, hoping she would get the message but when she turned up at Cube I knew I had to set her straight.

“Brandon. Man, we have a problem. Put it back in your pants and get out here.” What the fuck man. I’m going to give him no end of shit for this. I make sure that Lily is presentable and I also make sure to pick up her torn panties as I head to the door. I don’t need to look at her to know that she’ll be mortified. She’s so fucking lovely.

“This better be fucking important Si.” I guide him away from Lily, letting her exit without having to face him.

“Brandon…Victoria is here. She knows you’re here man. I told her to wait downstairs, but you better go deal with her before she ruins your girl’s night.” What the fuck is she playing at?

“Thanks man. I’ll deal with it.” He comes downstairs with me. I think he’s worried I’m going to cause a scene in here. When he realises that I’m not going to explode, he leaves me to get rid of her.

“What are you doing here Victoria?” She’s looking at me as if she’s surprised that I’m not happy to see her. This girl is fucking delusional.

“I wanted to see you.” If she doesn’t stop running her hands up and down my arms I’m going to turn into the fucking Hulk in a minute. I’ve had enough of this.

“Victoria. I said I’d help you with Tim. That does not mean I want to spend any time with you, or that I remotely like you, or that I’ve forgiven you for fucking me over last year.” Her face drops.

“You need to stay the fuck away from me, do you understand? I’ll stop helping you if you start interfering in my life. I’ve moved on Victoria and I’m actually happy, I’m fucking ecstatic, so do yourself a favour and go…NOW.” She turns on her heels and makes a quick exit with her tail between her legs, and her pitchfork up her ass.

When I went back to find Lily that night she had disappeared into the toilets and we had a massive fight because of Victoria, and I still didn’t fess up.

The day before London I took a call from Victoria in hysterics while I was at my parents’ house with Lily. She told me Tim had been violent and she had evidence to prove it. I agreed to meet her later that night hoping that it would put an end to my dealings with her for good. Of course, it was a set up.

“Thank God you’re here Brandon.” Tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I was so frightened. I thought he was going to kill me.” We’re standing outside her building, her shaking in my arms.

“It’s okay Vic, I’m here; I won’t let him hurt you anymore. That son of a bitch is going to jail.” She calms in my arms as I try to soothe her with words of comfort. When she stops crying, I pull her from my body to look at her and see if she needs medical attention after that bastard hit her. Who does that? Hitting a fucking woman – what a dick.

As I look her up and down I see no visible evidence of any injuries, and while I’m checking her I don’t realise what she’s doing. Before I know it her lips are on mine, her hands fisting in my hair.

“I’ve missed you so much Brandon. I knew you still loved me.” I instantly push her away. All of the pieces fall into place and I realise just what a fool I’ve been.

“You fucking bitch. It’s all lies isn’t it? Tim never fucking touched you, DID HE?” The rage I feel right now is sending vibrations through my body. I'm trying to calm myself, but it's pretty fucking difficult.

“This was all just another one of your sick fucked up games. I almost lost Lily because of you. Don’t ever contact me again Victoria or I will
make you regret it. Do you understand?” She just stands there in silence.

“DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND ME?” She nods, but the look on her face is spiteful, and evil, and just fucking twisted. I can’t believe I ever had feelings for her.

That was the end of it. I stormed off and went to my offices for a couple of hours to get my anger under control. I didn’t want to go home to Lily with all that shit going on in my brain. I needed a bit of time to clear my head and calm down before I went back to Lily. I felt fucking dirty after her lips were on me.

When I finally got home Lily was awake. I had to take a shower before I could touch her. I didn’t want to taint her with anything Victoria. I felt guilty as fuck when I went to bed and Lily asked me to kiss her. I couldn’t help myself, I made love to her with an intensity and passion that consumed me.

Now because of all that shit I might never get to make love to her again. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen.

26

I’m so fucking miserable sitting around this place on my own. Everything reminds me of Lily. I can still smell her on my bedding and I’m on the verge of insanity when my cell phone rings. It’s too late for a work call so I spring to my feet to grab the phone from the coffee table hoping that it’s Lily calling. Surely my letters are getting through to her by now.

It’s Jess.

“Hi Jess. What’s up?” There's an uncomfortable pause before she speaks.

“Is Lily with you?” What?

“No. I haven’t seen her since Friday night when I dropped her off. She won’t talk to me.”

“Shit…” A chill runs through my body at the panic in her voice.

“What’s wrong Jess? Tell me now.”

“The apartment is a mess Brandon. There is blood on the floor, tables broken and knocked over…and there is no sign of Lily.” I can’t fucking breathe right now.

“I called her mom and she hasn’t heard from her since before you went to London. Brandon…did she tell you about Ron Peterson?” Who the fuck is he?

“No. What the hell is going on Jess? Who the fuck is Ron Peterson?”

“Brandon…he’s the man that tried to rape her and killed her dad.” Her voice is frantic, filled with terror as she continues.

“He escaped from prison the day before you guys left for London. They haven’t caught him yet. Oh, God Brandon, what if he’s done something really bad…what if he’s…I’m so scared Brandon. I don’t know what to do. Please help me…we need to help her…we have to find her before…” She breaks down, her words lost in the sobbing I can hear tearing from her chest, ripping her heart out as she contemplates what might have happened to her best friend.

“Holy Fuck Jess. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself thinking she was ignoring me for three days, and all this time she’s needed my help. I’m going to make it right Jess. I’m going to find her and bring her home.” Jess is sobbing uncontrollably into the phone now. I can’t believe this is happening. Why didn’t she tell me? I would have had security posted at her building.

“I need to get off the phone just now Jess. I’ll be in touch. Did she take her phone?” Please God let her have it. I can track her easily to her phone.

“It’s here Brandon. It’s smashed to pieces on the floor. How are we going to find her?”

“Stay there in case he calls wanting money or something. Call the police and let them know what’s going on. I’m going to get my investigator on it immediately and I’m going to find her no matter what. It’s going to be okay Jess. Just try to stay calm so you can give the police as much information as you can. I’ll call as soon as I know anything.” I need for this to be okay, I need for Lily to be okay. I can’t contemplate any other scenario.

I immediately get John, my P.I, checking into Ron Peterson, trying to find something that the police could have missed in their attempts to find him. Angus is by my side organising for us to hit the road as soon as we have a lead. I’m pacing my office like a fucking caged animal. I feel like my guts have been ripped out, like my heart is being destroyed with every moment that passes. I need for the fucking phone to ring. I need to be doing something to get her back.

It’s three hours before John gets in touch. The longest three hours of my life.

“Please tell me you have something to tell me. Anything.”

“Yes sir I believe I do. Mr Peterson was in frequent contact with an ex-cellmate the week leading up to his escape. I believe he helped him to escape the prison and flee undetected.”

“Okay. What else do we know?” Please, something that will lead me to her.

“The cellmate David Walters bought a black Ford Mustang on the black market three days before Peterson escaped. The vehicle in question is no longer in his possession. I called in some favours in Texas and a friend of mine paid a visit to Mr Walters. After applying…pressure, Mr Walters admitted that he gave the vehicle to Peterson. My friend got the license plates and I’ve managed to trace its whereabouts. Dumb fuck didn't know it had a tracker installed - made my job too easy. I have a location for you sir.” Thank fuck.

“Excellent John. Give me the address.”

“It’s an abandoned warehouse in Brooklyn. Do you have a pen?”