Beautifully Broken (14 page)

I call my pilot and make sure everything is as planned for Saturday. 
A knock on the door interrupts my conversation. Nobody has access to my
hallway. I pull the door open thinking Ella forgot her key only to find Anna
standing on the other side which is a complete shock. I mumble an excuse into
the phone hanging it up, my eyes never leaving her face.

“How’d you get up here?”

“Isabella let me in. Don’t be mad at her, she warned me not to
upset you.” She blabbers. I stand there staring at her not sure what to do or
say next.

“Can I come in?” she asks shyly. I step back and let her in. She
still smells like a summer breeze.  She stands in the middle of the living room
not sure if she’s welcome to sit. I extend my hand and nod towards the sofa. I
sit in the chair farthest from her.

“I just wanted a chance to explain to you why I did what I did.”
She says breaking the tense silence.

“You had years to do that.” I snarl, “Why now”

“Your father made me promise to stay away from you.” She’s
nervously wringing her hands. “After seeing you last night I couldn’t stay away
any longer.”

“This will be your last chance, so talk.” My voice sounding
crueler than I meant it to be.

“Liam,” she sighs. “I left your dad because he beat me. I
couldn’t take anymore so I decided to leave.”

I stare at her trying to grasp the words she just said. “If
you’re going to lie to me than you can get the fuck out.” I rise from the couch
ready to kick her lying ass out.

“I know this is hard to take in but it started when you were a
little boy.” She continues, ignoring my defensive stance. “Back then it was
very rare that he got mad enough to hit me. As the years progress so did the
abuse. He was always angry. He was angry at me, Mitchell and Cindy.”

I don’t know why I’m standing here listening to this. I
should’ve dragged her out of here already. She’d say anything now to right her
wrongs. “Why would he be angry at Lucas’ mom? Everyone loved Cindy.”

“Including your father, she was the women he really wanted to
marry. She was too lost in Mitchell to see any other man and it infuriated your
father that he was stuck with me. After she passed away the abuse became worst.
He blamed me for never having a chance with Cindy. I began to escape to Mitchell’s
house. When Mitchell found out about the abuse he confronted your dad. It
became unbearable after that day. Mitchell begged me to leave him for years but
I couldn’t leave you. I wanted to wait until you were eighteen.”

She gets up and walks over towards me placing a hand on my face.
I flinch at her touch but don’t make any move to break contact. “I never saw
any bruises or heard any fights, you guys always seemed happy.”

“He never hit me in the face, he was too smart for that. He
never wanted you to know what he was doing. You hero worshipped him and he fed
off of that. He never touched me unless you were out of the house with Lucas.
Liam, believe me I’m not trying to turn you from your dad but I need you to
know that I never meant to leave you.”

She grabs one of my hands and rubs it between both her small
hands. “I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. I’ve watched from a distance and
admired your drive. The only thing that’s been missing is the warmth that
always radiated off you as a boy. You always took care of everyone, even Lucas.
You’ve been so cold all these years and I know I broke you and I’m sorry.” A
sole tear drip’s out of her eye and rolls down her face.

“I saw it in your eyes the other night when you were with
Isabella. You love her and she’s bringing my Lee back. I know this will hurt
Lucas but I’m happy you found each other. I’ve never seen her as happy as she
was a moment ago, bouncing out of here. Just know if I never see you again that
I always loved you…you’re my Lee.” Tears are flowing down her cheeks as she
goes up on the tips of her toe to place a kiss on my cheek.

I don’t turn around to watch her leave. I’m more confused now
than I’ve been in years I stand in the same place for an eternity contemplating
her words. I know my hands tremble as I reach for my phone thinking my whole
life might have been a lie.

Isabella

I
run down the stairs giggling like a sixteen year old with her first crush. Liam
is extraordinary and a little bit overwhelming but I love that about him. After
an awful ending to our night out, I’m amazed that I’m feeling so happy. Liam
pulled me off the floor of that restaurant and did exactly what I needed. He
held me silently without all the pressure of talking because that’s the last
thing I wanted to do.

I
push open the door and am not surprised to see Anna standing there. She smiles
at me, her wavy blonde hair blowing in the breeze. Her eyes, Liam’s eyes stare
into mine happily. “Hey Isabella, you’re absolutely glowing this morning.”

“Thanks
Anna, you’re here to talk to Liam.” I say already knowing what she needs from
here. Closure.

“Do
you think he’ll talk to me?” her nervous behavior is new to me. Anna always
exudes confidence.

“Make
him talk to you, he needs it as much as you do.” I pull her into my arms
offering her some much needed courage. This woman has been the only mother I’ve
had for many years but she’s also the women that gave me Liam and I love her
for it.

Once
I release her I open the door with my key letting her into the stairwell. I
watch her going up the stairs worried about Liam being ready for this. “Anna,”
I call to her and she pauses on the stairwell.

 “Please
don’t hurt him.” she nods as I close the door making my way to Liam’s car.

The
flashy sports car is really enjoyable to drive. It’s like having total control
over a powerful man. If I could only manipulate Liam the way I do this car I
would be a lucky girl. But with Liam I don’t even have the desire to be
manipulative. I love that he sees through my hidden ploys and loves me.

He
really loves
me
.

That
sexy ass man that deserves a women ten times better loves
me
.

A
few people are loitering outside of Maddox-Fields when I pull up. They gape at
me as I make my way in the building, probably more surprised by my provocative
outfit than the flashy car. The short blazer I’m wearing opens at the navel
showing off my piercing. Usually I’m prim in proper Isabella when I step into
this building.

The
men I pass on my way to Lucas’ office visibly appreciate the change. No one dares
to comment or make a pass at me thinking I’m the boss’s girl which in a way I
am. Lucas’ secretary does a double take as I stroll through the reception area
but refrains from commenting.

I
walk in after gently knocking at the door. He waves me in as he finishes his
phone call. Once he hangs up the phone he gets up and approaches me. He walks a
full circle around me taking in my outfit. His glares into my eyes, his lips
thin line expressing his disapproval.

“Is
this how your
boyfriend
likes you to dress?” The mocking way he says
boyfriend grating my nerves, his repulsion of me shining brightly in his eyes.

“This
is how
I
like to dress.” I say pointing to myself and putting emphasis
on the word I.

“Just
because you’re fucking Liam doesn’t mean you can do what you want. For one
thing you’re late and you’re inappropriately dressed for work. I’d fire you
right now if I didn’t think Liam would try to use it against me in some way.”
The venom laced words burn my insides. He absolutely hates me and there’s no band
aid that will fix us.

I
reach inside my handbag and hand him an envelope. “You don’t have to worry
about firing me, that’s my resignation.”

He
looks at the envelope than back at me. After several silent minutes I turn to
leave not able to take the awkwardness that’s hanging between us. I hear him
sigh before I feel his hand grasp my arm.

“You
don’t have to quit because of me. If you want to be with that asshole I won’t
comment on it. Just stay.” He begs. Maybe he doesn’t hate me as much as he’s
pretending to. Maybe it’s just my relationship with Liam that disgusts him.

“I
can’t stay, I’m leaving for Palm Beach on Saturday.” His eyes widen and he lets
go of my arm like he’s been burned. Then he begins his typical pacing.

“You’re
moving with him?” he squints, eyeing me with disbelief. “You don’t even know
that man Izzy!” he screams. “Please don’t do this, He’s as violent as his
father is and he will hurt you.” He rants. I grab hold of his arm halting his
erratic movements.

“I’m
sorry that this is hurting you but I need to leave. The separation will be good
for both of us. I can’t keep impeding on your life this way. I need to let you
go find happiness.”

“And
have you found yours?” he ask warily.

“I
hope so.” I answer honestly. I wrap him in my arms, running my hand over his
fuzzy hair. I pull away when he sighs resigning himself to the lost of me.

“You
told me you’d never leave.” he says, his spirit broken from my lies.

‘I’m
sorry Lucas” I kiss him on his cheek before turning to leave. Not looking back was
the hardest part of this whole encounter. I know in this moment that I may
never be over Lucas. We’ve bonded on a different level, beyond sexual.

 I
walk into my office ignoring Alice’s curious gaze when she notices the
distraught look on my face. I walk into my bathroom closing the door behind me.
I sit on the cold tile floor in a haze of memories.

Memories
of the man who saved me at the loneliest point in my life.

********

I
go into my office and begin to pack my personal items. It takes less than
fifteen minutes to gather anything I really need to take with me. I buzz for
Alice to come in so I could say my good-byes to her.

She
strolls in, looks at my packed box and is truly shocked.

 “You’re
leaving?” her face scrunches up in confusion.

“Yeah,
I’m leaving. I just wanted to let you know you were a very entertaining
secretary and I hope your next boss appreciates your superior knowledge in
gossip.” I smile at her as I grab my box.

“I’ll
miss you,” she pouts.

“Yeah,
I’ll miss you too,” I say nudging her with my elbow as I walk past her. An
unexpected feeling of sorrow overcomes me as I walk out the door. I’m really
going to miss this place, even Alice, I mean I won’t miss the part where she
got a taste of my man but she’s a genuinely cool chick.

Next
I stop at my condo. I pack all of my clothes and necessities into four huge
suitcases. I clean out the fridge, dumping all my perishable items out. Once
I’m done, I leave my bag there knowing we could pick them up on the way to the
airport.

I
walk back into Liam’s place excited to see him. He’s walking around the kitchen
with his phone attached to his ear while he’s mixing something in a pot .Wearing
only a loose pair of stone washed jeans that hang low enough for me to see the
dimples in his back right above his butt.

A
shot of lust races through me wetting my panties instantly. My body is
constantly aware of Liam's presence. I walk up behind him a run my hands over
his hard abdomen. He smirks over his shoulder at me, knowing how horny I must
be after a few hours without him.

My
hands delve into his pants wrapping around his hard length. The fact that he’s
already hard speaking to me in volumes. As I begin to gently stroke him he
stutters in his conversation. His eyes close and he leans his arm against the
counter top in front of him. I unbutton the pants with my other hand not
wanting to release his steely length from my hand, gently sliding the zipper
down then I let them pool at his feet.

He
shakes his head at me pointing to the phone. Making him lose that business tone
becoming my primary goal, I drop to my knees crawling in front of him. He
stares down at me perched in front of his throbbing penis and scowls at me. I
leer up to him as my tongue gently grazes the crown of his penis. I run my
tongue along the underside of his cock, watching his eye lids droop. He’s
currently resorting to mumbling positive and negative grunts into the phone. I
deep throat as much of him as possible and he sucks in a sharp breath. The
suction I add in breaks his control.

“Fuck,”
he roars tapping end on the phone and throwing it on the counter. His hand
tangles in my hair as he guides my head. His hip buck driving him deeper into
my throat. My tongue wraps around the underside of his cock, loving the feel of
his swollen veins against it.

I
reach for his balls, massaging them in my hand, they tighten up and I know he’s
close. His thrusts into my mouth become more sporadic as his climax threatens
to overtake him. The grip on my hair tightens, thick veins bulging out of his neck
as he throws back his head and chants my name. His hot liquids squirt down my
throat as he continues to fuck my mouth, riding out his orgasm.

When
I release him from my mouth he looks down at me with a wide grin on his face.
“God I missed you.” He says pulling me up into his arms. He kisses me, plunging
into my mouth, our tongue battling for control.