Beginnings (Brady Trilogy) (26 page)

“Hello.” he sent Isabel a curt nod before he entered Luke’s office unannounced and shut the door.

What the hell was that about? 
Isabel wondered. She checked Luke’s schedule and didn’t notice any scheduled meetings. Must be an old friend on personal business she mused. No one just walked into Luke’s office unannounced. They always waited to be invited.

As she worked through the hours with the rest of the staff, Luke’s double doors remained closed. She caught herself occasionally glancing towards his doors wondering what could be so important for Luke to be locked up with a corporate attorney for this long. She hoped the company wasn’t in legal trouble, but Luke hadn’t said anything to her.
Then again why would he?
She told herself.
He sleeps with you, he made no declaration of love or commitment.
He had only contacted her once asking her to hold all his calls. When lunch time arrived, Luke had emailed her asking to order them, including her, lunch from one of the deli’s he had a tab with. When the delivery man with their lunch arrived, Isabel took the bags to Luke’s door and knocked.

He opened the doors wide but he somewhat stood in her way. “Hey babe, thanks for ordering lunch.” He leaned in and swiftly kissed her lips as he grabbed the bags from her hand.

Isabel couldn’t help but glance inside his office where she saw Reed sitting at Luke’s wide black leather couches. The wide glass coffee table was covered with scattered paperwork. “Is everything alright?” Isabel met Luke’s gaze and murmured.

“It’s great sweetie. Just a business lunch. Did you order something for yourself?”

Isabel frowned, “No I’ll just go to lunch with Linda.”

Luke hoped the panic wasn’t written all over his face. Just the thought of Isabel walking around outside in public without him to protect her terrorized him. He had achieved to keep her close every minute of the day since they got back. Much to his advantage, the office had been hectically busy and he’d managed to keep Isabel indoors even during lunch hours. “Oh uh, actually sweetheart, I’m waiting for an important call from Rick. You mind if you girls order lunch and eat here? I really can’t miss it.”

“Sure.” Isabel solemnly nods. She’s further confused when she sees the immense amount of relief on Luke’s face.

He cups her face and whispers against her lips, “Thanks baby.” After a brief, yet intense kiss he releases her and gently closes his doors.

The time ticks away as minutes turn into hours. Rick never calls and Luke’s doors don’t open again.

             
Isabel watched the clock as another hour passes by. The floor was empty. Everyone, including those who were usually forced by Luke to leave, had already gone home to start their weekend. Isabel had assumed her and Luke would be leaving together but he had yet to contact her and open his doors. She really hated to disturb him but she didn’t want to leave without letting him know. Just as she was gathering her items, Luke’s door flew open. His eyes immediately went to the purse in her hands.

              “What are you doing?” He asked alarmed. “Were you planning on leaving?” Worry etched across his face.

              “Oh, hi. I was just about to knock on your door but I didn’t want to interrupt. You seem really busy so I’ll just see you tomorrow. I’m sure you have your hands full. My house isn’t that far I’ll just walk home.” She hurried with her words.

              Luke was instantly by her side. He took her purse from her hands and placed it back on her desk.  “Isabel, if you left without me that would really have pissed me off.” He ran his hands up her arms and firmly placed them on her shoulders and squeezed. “You arrive with me and you leave with me. Is that clear?”

              Isabel nodded in misunderstanding. She was going to argue back at his demanding voice, but the fear and worry written across his face stopped her from doing so. Luke sure was acting strange.
What is up with him today?
“Well, uh, are you almost done?” She asked hesitantly.

              “Not quite.” Luke paused. “I was actually coming out here to ask you to join us inside my office. Mr. Travis Reed would like to talk to you.”

              “Me?” Isabel’s eyes widen in surprise.

              Luke pulls her into an embrace and kisses her temple. “Just hear what he has to say sweetheart.”

              Isabel stiffened but was too stunned to speak. Even when Luke pulled her towards his office, she entered wordlessly. Her body switched to complete numb mode. Her back straightened and her fists clenched by her side. Panic was mere seconds away and her mind started to assume what this was about, but she was refusing to believe it. This man couldn’t possibly be here for that reason. Luke wouldn’t do this to her. He wouldn’t put her through this when she had continuously begged him to drop the subject and let her move on. Let her live her life.

“Travis Reed, it’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Stamos.” Reed extends his hand and Isabel hesitantly accepts his greeting.

“I know who you are.” Isabel speaks with a shaky voice. “And I can already assume what this is about.” She shoots Luke an accusing glance and he immediately winces when he sees the pain of betrayal in her eyes.
She must hate me already,
he thought.

Reed clears his throat.
“Alright. Well then, we will skip the formalities and get straight to business. If you will please have a seat Ms. Stamos so we can discuss this more comfortably.”

“Call me Isabel.” Against her better judgment she joins them and sits.  “And forgive me for correcting you Mr. Reed, but this subject has no means of being discussed comfortably.” She hopes her voice is as cold as she intended it to be. A nervous shift of stance from Luke let’s her know she’s made a clear message of how much she dislikes this.

“No forgiveness needed since I agree with you.” Travis Reed continued. “There’s no other way of saying this Isabel other than we have decided to reopen the case versus a Mr. Dean Scotts.  We’ve already contacted Marcy Brooks. She’s agreed to cooperate and testify.”

Isabel let out a cynical laugh. “She’s not going to do it. She said the same thing last time to my mother’s attorney but the minute the cops became involved she became very elusive.”

              “I have reason to believe I’ve gained her full cooperation this time. Quite some time has passed, a great deal has changed and...”

“With all due respect Mr. Reed, but what are you going to do that already wasn’t attempted a year ago?”

“Isabel we have new evidence that will…” Reed controls his frustration when she interrupts him again.

“Did you think I did not try to fight then?” This time she aims the question to Luke. Her eyes become cold and aloof, radiating the dark bitterness that was forming inside. “You picture me as this helpless girl who was harassed and did not attempt to fight it? That I wallowed in self-pity until the pain disappeared? Well news flash, it didn’t disappear. It didn’t vanish into thin air. It’s still there. It’s still very real and very deep.” She hadn’t meant to tremble but sheer panic weakened her. Her body shook as unwanted memories began flooding her mind once more. This is exactly what she didn’t want. To relive every moment and pain and Luke was forcing her to do so.

Luke remained silent with clenched fists. Of course he knew the pain was still there. He’d witnessed her in pain one too many times, but for her to admit it, it did something to his heart he was unable to explain. He didn’t want her to hurt any more.

“Ms. Stamos.”  Reed tried again. “I know what you are going through. Believe me you’re not my first client to live through this. I assure you I’ll do everything in my power to put this to an end.”

“What are you even doing here Mr. Reed? You’re a defense attorney for major corporations. Your job is to defend corrupt tycoons from ending up in jail. Your business does not involve sexually harassed victims. Why would you want to represent us?”

Travis shot a brief look towards Luke then turned his gaze back to Isabel. “You want the truth?” He waited until Isabel firmly nodded. 
“Just calling in an honest favor for a close friend. One who cares a great deal about you. Mr. Callaghan and I have immense connections, especially in the court of law, along with law enforcement departments. This can easily work in our favor.”

              “Jake?” Isabel’s brows furrowed from misunderstanding. “What does Jake have to do with this?”

              Luke cleared his throat. “He knows all about this.”

              “What?” her voice rises with alarm. “Why? Why would you tell him?”

              “I didn’t. He figured most of it out on his own.” Luke admitted with clenched teeth.

              “That doesn’t make any sense.” Isabel shook her head refusing to make eye contact with either man in the room.

              “Isabel please…” Luke begged.

She squeezes her eyes shut as tight as possible willing the tears to not come. “I’m sorry Mr. Reed, but you have no idea what this is like. I’ve put this all behind me. You can’t rely on Ms. Brooks because she is not a dependable witness. And I refuse to live through this again. I apologize, Mr. Brady and Mr. Callaghan have both wasted your time. Though I appreciate your commitment to an old friend, I can assure you there is no case here. I’ve seen what Scotts can do.”

“Ms. Stamos with all due respect…”

“Please Mr. Reed. I can’t do this. Please understand.” Her voice had minimized to a whisper.

Travis looks helplessly at Luke. Luke briefly closes his eyes, shutting them tightly then nods to him to let it be.

Travis frowns, “Well if you change your mind. Just let Luke know.” He released an exhausted sigh and gets up to leave. “Brady,” Travis nods farewell to Luke.

“We’ll keep in touch.” He nods back.

Isabel remains rigidly seated on Luke’s black leather couch with her back defiantly straight until she hears the elevator doors close behind Travis.  

“You had no right to do this Luke, I told you to let it be.” She jumps to her feet and lashes out on him the second they are alone. “Why are you trying to drag me back into this?”

Luke shoves his hands through his hair. “This needs to be done and we need Reed’s help. It’s more serious than you’re willing to admit.”

“No it isn’t. You’re trying to dig up my past and bring it to surface when I asked you not to. What is it? Do you like seeing me helpless and vulnerable? Does it feed your ego to constantly save me and play hero?” She yells at him letting
the words slap him hard across his face.

Luke’s lips thin into a straight line. “That’s enough Isabel. Now I understand you’re upset…”

“Upset?” she shouts. “Of course I’m upset Luke this is none of your business.”

“And I suppose falling in love with you is?” he yelled back. “I suppose watching the woman I’ve fallen crazy in love with suffer through this is none my business?” His loud voice echoes across the large room. Her stunned, baffled face was all the satisfaction he needed. His words had really shut her up. “That’s right. I’m in love with you. And it’s killing me to see you this way. Do you understand that? I can’t see you this way Isabel.” He reaches for her but she takes a step back. The rejection feels like a knife through the heart.

Isabel takes a few steps back, maintaining a safe distance. “You’re not in love with me. You see me as helpless and want to save me.” She cried out. “You pity me.”

“For fuck’s sake Isabel, you can’t be that insecure.” Luke scrubbed his face with both hands.

“Well what the hell are you doing with an insecure woman Luke? What is a big time corporate hot shot like you doing with a woman who can’t keep her emotions and panic on check?” She had turned her weakness into anger out of defense. She would not allow his confession of love to give her false hope. Luke didn’t understand what he was saying. He saw her weak and wanted to protect her because that’s the type of man Luke was. He didn’t love her.

His face heated with fury. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t care what you meant. I’m sick of reliving this memory with you. It’s like a never-ending nightmare.” She shook her head.

“It’s a never-ending nightmare because you still have the fucking bad dreams every damn night.” Luke barked with rage.

“Well it will no longer be your problem.”

Luke raised his brows. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means you don’t have to witness what I’m going through so you no longer feel responsible to help me.” She grabbed her purse and jolted towards the elevators.

Her words sent a scorching, hot terror to cut through his senses. “Isabel.”

That one word and the saddened tone in his voice was enough to stop her dead in her tracks. Her back towards him, she clutched her purse as tears began spilling down her cheeks.

She could feel the anger, mixed with panic, radiating from Luke’s body a few steps behind her. “You’re running away again sweetheart.” He spoke in a struggled gruff voice.

Isabel shut her eyes tight urging the pain to go away. “It’s the only thing I know how to do.” She whispered. “Please let me go. Please don’t come after me.” She hurried through the elevator doors.

Luke watched the doors close and take away the woman he loves. He shook himself to wake up and ran after her.

“Luke.”

Linda’s call had him spinning towards her. He thought they had been alone all this time. Linda must have come into the office and heard them. He watched her pale worried face as she held folders in a tight grip. “Shit.” He cursed. “I can’t right now. I need to go after her.”

“Luke let her go.”

“I can’t.”  He roared and made Linda flinch.

“Give her some time. She’s just scared. You and I will never fully understand what she is going through. It frightens her.”

Luke gave Linda a long hard look. He shook his head in disbelief. “She told you.” It wasn’t a question.

Linda nodded. “Give her some time.” She repeated. “I’ll see to it she gets home safely.”

Luke hesitated but eventually caved. He blew out a struggled breath and nodded. “Please text me when you’re both securely home.”

Linda didn’t question Luke’s odd need to be informed of Isabel’s safety so she agreed and hurried after her.