Redemption (Book 3) The Fixer Series (14 page)

I know this is all so hard to hear, but in my heart, I needed to tell you.  I know how your crime scene was cleaned up, and it will all be revealed soon in the upcoming weeks.  I can't give you any details, my dear husband, but you're not the only one with connections.  All I ask is that you keep an open mind and accept the gift that I am about to give you, because I love you more than life itself. 

In closing, I understand that you and Tristan have been searching for Thomas and at this point, I assume that's the special project you have Alexi working on, as well.  My love, I know where he is.  I have known for quite some time, and I can assure you, he is going to get what he deserves very soon.  Please don't worry about me, I'll be back, but I have two things I need to do before I can return to you a completely healed woman. 

I love you,

Brooke

CHAPTER 14

Brooke

I folded the letter and placed
it in an envelope addressed to Dylan.  I put it in the only place I knew he'd read it without me present: his briefcase.  It wasn't fair to leave him to read such awful things at work, but I had no choice.  I needed to be able to break away the moment I had the chance, without his team following me. 

I went back to bed as the s
un was beginning  rise.  I was feeling better than I had in my entire life.  I no longer felt weighted down with the events of the past and now that everything was out in the open, I could move forward.  After today, my life would be what it should have been all along...happy.  I placed my hand over my belly, remembering the loss I had suffered and hoped for a new beginning.  Yes, I wanted a baby.  A family, one that Dylan and I had created with love.  It was the one thing that mattered most to me. 

I felt him stir next to me,
and place his arm around me, snuggling next to me, as he took in the scent of my hair.  His touch was warm as his hand came down to meet mine, resting on my belly. 

"I love you," he whispered, while feathering kisses down my neck. 

"I love you, too," I said as a tear escaped my eye.  My heart was breaking for what he was about to read, but it was time that he knew the truth.  I hadn't told him that I'd been in contact with Stefan over the last couple of days, because I knew how he felt about him.  I wasn't crazy about him either, but I understood what his mission was.  Those eleven years that I'd spent with him had turned out to be a total lie, but I vowed to never be a victim again and had to rectify the situation with him, first.

I was surprised to learn that once this case was closed, he'd be returning home to his family that he'd been away from for many years. 
Yes, Stefan had a family.  A wife, children and he missed them very much.  So much of his life had been consumed by living a lie, sleeping with a woman he didn't love and pretending to love a man that he had absolutely no respect for.  Eleven, long years he had spent with me, only being able to see his family when he was on a business trip
.
  I don't know how he did it or why, and I still wasn't convinced that I liked him, especially after what he'd done to me in that hotel room.  Then again, if that hadn't happened, I would never have been with Dylan.        

Dylan
gave me a soft kiss and headed to the shower.  I waited, giving him privacy, because I didn't need to be distracted with all I had to do for the day.  His shower was quick and I looked at the clock, realizing that he'd overslept.  I hopped out of bed and went to the closet, choosing his navy blue suit with a white tie.  It was my second favorite suit, as it brought out the blue in his eyes.  I helped him with his tie, then pulled him down for a deep kiss, sending him on his way. 

I felt a tinge of sadness as he walked away, but I
had business to take care of, and today had to be the day.  I showered, dressed in a business suit and took extra care in my appearance.  Over the last couple of days, I had enlisted the help of Tristan, and was ready to take care of the issue, once and for all. 

I met T
ristan in the foyer of the penthouse, where he was dressed in a suit and tie.  I had to take a step back and remember that he was Dylan's best friend, because he looked fucking hot when he wasn't dressed like a killing machine.  Not that he looked bad dressed that way either, but in a suit, Tristan was an orgasm waiting to happen.  It didn't seem right looking at my husband's best friend that way, and I hoped I'd be able to concentrate on my task at hand, instead of him. 

We headed down the elevator and into the garage.  I looked over at my car, ensuring that there was nothing that'd be blocking my escape later in the afternoon.   That part of my plan
, I hadn't shared with Tristan. 

I dug my sunglasses out of my bag as the we veered onto the street.  We drove north on I-25 until we were greeted with a sea of houses, located in the suburbs of Denver. 
We took the 144th Avenue exit and headed east until we arrived at our destination. 

I waited f
or Tristan to open my door, then stepped out.  I stood in front of a two-story house, painted brown with white trim.  From the outside, everything looked pristine and perfect, but on the inside was where an evil, clueless bitch resided. 

"You ready, Brooke?"

"As ready as I'll ever be.  Let's do this," I said, taking a deep breath and walking up to the door as I placed my bag on my shoulder. 

I rang the door bell three times, before Misty answered. 

"Brooke?  What are you doing here?"

"Good morning, Misty," I said in a serious tone.  "Can we come in?  We have some business to discuss."   

"Sure, come on in.  Is everything okay with Dylan?"

I blew out an angry breath
, "Yes, everything is fine with him."

"Oh good, because I was really worried about him yesterday.  He just seemed...off."

I was fucking pissed now, but I reassured her, once again.  "Dylan is fine.  I'm actually here to discuss you, Misty."

"Oh?  What about me?  Are you here to give me a promotion?"

I laughed
, "Is there somewhere that we can sit and talk?"

"Sure," she said, trying to read my mood.  "We can sit in the kitchen."

Tristan and I followed her.  Her home was lovely.

"Misty, the reason for my visit today is to discuss your future with Prescott Oil and Gas International." 

"Well, I figured as much.  I took today off and well...here you are.  So what is my future with the company, Brooke?"

"For starters, Misty, I don't appreciate you addressing me as Brooke."

"Excuse me, but that's your name, isn't it?"

"It is.  But since
I
am married to Dylan, you may refer to me as, Mrs. Prescott."

"You're kidding
, right?"

"No.  I'm not."

"Alright,
Mrs. Prescott
, or whatever your name is, what the fuck are you doing at my house this early in the morning?"

"I'm glad you asked," I said, smiling.

"You see, Misty, the company is eliminating your position."

"What?"
she yelled.

"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but due to budget cuts, we no longer have a position open for you with the company."

"You fucking bitch!  This is all you!   You just don't want me around your precious, Dylan."

"Well, that's not entirely true.  I did a little digging into the financial records and noticed that you've been making outside purchases and charging them to the company.  So
, the way I see it, you've been stealing from us, and I don't take kindly to stealing.  Not of company assets or husbands."

"You can't prove that."

"I can, actually."

"You just don't want me around, Dylan.  That's what all of this is about.  I know it is."

"I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that this gives me great pleasure.  After all of the crap that you have pulled, and the little stunt in his office yesterday, yes, I am glad to see you go."

"You've had it out for me since day one.  You took him from me."

"No, Misty.  You pushed him away because you were smothering him, then wouldn't get a clue when he told you to fuck off.  I honestly don't know how many times a guy has to tell you that before you finally get a clue.  Even after we married, you continued to pursue him.  The way I see it, you are nothing but a gold-digging whore."

"How dare you come into my home and make these accusations against me.  Go to hell, Brooke," she said, standing.

"Sit down, Misty.  I think you want to hear what I have to say.  We no longer have an open position here for you any longer, but the company is willing to relocate you.  We'll help you get your house sold, pay all of your moving expenses and give you a nice sum of money until you get settled in at the new location."

"And
, what if I don't take your shitty offer?"

"Well, that's up to you, but...you'll get the compan
y's regular compensation package, which would include your rate of pay for three months.  You walk away, find a new job and never, ever come back to Prescott Oil and Gas, because I will make sure that your ass will never step foot in that building again.  Do we have an understanding?"

"You're a bitch!"

I smiled at her, "I can be when you mess with what belongs to me."

"I want to speak with Dylan, now!"

Tristan cleared his throat, "Excuse me, Ms. Adams."

"Yes
," she said, twirling her hair in her fingers.

"Mr. Prescott has made it very clear that he wishes to no longer speak with you, and that Mrs. Prescott has the authority to act on his behalf, since she owns the other half of the company.  Therefore, she can do as she pleases."

"This is bullshit, and you both know it."

"No, Misty.  What is bullshit, is the fact that you don't know when to stop or how to let go.  So
, I'm going to help you do both."

"Where the hell are you trying to transfer me to?"

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked.  We are excited to offer you a job at our Williston, North Dakota location."

"Are you fucking kidding me?  That's out in the middle of fucking nowhere!"

"Exactly.  It's the perfect place for you to start a new life."

"You can forget it
.  Take your offer and shove it up your ass!  I'm not moving, anywhere."

"I'm very sorry to hear that.  Here is your severance package," I said, pulling the envelope out of my bag.  Your security clearance has already been revoked
, and Mishka from Human Resources will be packing up your personal belongings this afternoon, and will have them sent over via courier by the end of the day.  I wish you the best, Misty," I said, standing and pushing the chair in.  "You have a wonderful day.  Oh...and one more thing, if you ever try to contact my husband again, I will see to it that you are dealt with in a much less civil manner."

"Is that a threat, Brooke?"

"No, Misty.  That is a promise."

I
grabbed my bag, turned and walked out the door that Tristan was holding open for me. 
One problem down, one more to go.

I was proud of myself.  Misty was finally out of the picture for good and we could move on as a couple without the worry of her hanging over our heads.  I wasn't sure how Dylan was going to react to the news of me letting her go, but that would be an argument for another day.  That's if he was even upset.  I felt bad for dragging Tristan into my little plan, but when I had mentioned it to him, he was more than willing to help, since he had witnessed her crazy behavior firsthand while she was dating Dylan.     

"Thanks for your help today, T.  I really appreciate it."

"No problem, B.  You're like a sister to me, I'd do anything for you."

"What if Dylan's pissed at you for helping me?"

"Please.  He can't stand that bitch
, either.  He'd probably laugh if he knew what we just did."

"I don't know about that.  I could have put the company in jeopardy.  I really hope she doesn't try and sue us."

"Don't worry about her.  She didn't care about her job, anyway.  She just wanted to be close to D.  Besides, you have record of her stealing and you gave her a severance package.  Sounds like she got a pretty banging deal to me.  No lawyer in their right mind would take her case.  Plus, the legal team at Prescott, would eat her alive.  You have nothing to worry about, boss lady."

"You're right, thanks.  I guess I'm just over thinking it."

"Yep.  But you're good, don't worry about her stupid ass, anymore.  Where to, now?"

"Home.  I need to change
as I'm meeting Mandy for lunch and Alexi is supposed to drive me.  Ugh, Tristan.  Will it always be this way?  You know, you and Dylan's team driving me everywhere?"

He chuckled
, "It will be for a while, Brooke.  He's still concerned about you, but he'll let up, eventually."

"Perfect," I sighed.