A/N: When I get hounded for updates I literally walk away from writing for a few days it makes me so crazy.
Chapter 26 – Double Trouble?
We are on my plane headed back to Seattle. Lainey is asleep on the couch across from me and Vivi fell asleep in the bedroom watching Cinderella. I just confirmed that the movers are on their way to Seattle with Lainey's packed up apartment and thankfully she agreed to load her car on the truck so we won't be driving it to Seattle. I am just too behind at work to take any more days away right now.
I need to hire a new person to replace Cecila, and I need to hire a nanny for Vivi. I have multiple projects where I need to do some site inspections and I have to have my quarterly meeting with my uncles. In addition, I have quite a few plans that need my attention and I have a meeting with the review board for the Presidential Library that I have been commissioned to build. It is an honor but I really don't have time for this.
We had a great weekend. Better than great. Saturday morning after we had breakfast that Hattie made for us, Vivi and I kicked Lainey out of the kitchen. I ordered up a masseuse to come to the house and pamper her while Vivi and I managed to make an awesome cake.
Making the actual cake was the hard part. I don't really bake, so it threw me and Vivi was elbow deep in batter half the time. But we finally got it in the oven and she made me laugh as she sat on the counter top for 45 minutes watching the oven until the cake was done. Frosting and decorating the cake was actually quite fun. My mom suggested I order up cake fondant which I had delivered. For me it was like working with clay. I sculpted perfect images of Vivi, Bo-Henry, Pepito, me and Lainey, and put them on her cake. While I was sculpting and painting letters in calligraphy on the cake, I realized Lainey and I really don't have any unique memories as of yet. By the end of the weekend, we had created some, but I couldn't think of what to put on her cake besides replicas of us. I didn't want to put ice skates on her cake, as the one she had at the club had skates on top along with the Olympic rings.
Lainey told me the other night, that she wished people saw her as more than just a skater. So I asked her to tell me five words that defined who she was and she came up with: dedicated, orphan, shy, happy and fortunate. She loved the cake. I put the three of us in the middle holding hands walking on a long path with those words along the side. I told her I did that because I don't know where we are headed or what path we will take, but I wanted us all to do it together and she threw her arms around me telling me I always know what to say. I hid my laugh, because she had no idea how hard I struggled to decorate the cake from a creative point of view. We are a blank slate and I am trying to create our path together.
I spent the weekend taking a lot of selfies of the two of us and three of us because I want to create our own moments and memories. Phoebe and Jax board horses on their property so we went over there and I put Vivi on my horse and the three of us took the horses up to a beautiful location and we had a great picnic around a fire pit. Thankfully the weather was decent if just a bit chilly and we had a relaxing afternoon with a lot of laughs and quick kisses. Lainey and Vivi took a nap on the blanket while I drew them sleeping together and took pictures. I breathed in the clean air and felt so relaxed. I couldn't stop smiling. I was glad Vivi was with us as she loved riding the horse and seeing the mountains in their glory, but I couldn't stop wishing and thinking that I would have liked to have made love to Lainey up there all alone with just nature to contend with.
When we returned, Vivi sent Lainey on a scavenger hunt throughout the house for her presents from her and my mom. Vivi made her a cute card with glitter and hearts on the outside. I almost spit my water out when Lainey opened the card and there was a four year old rendition of the three of us, with a huge baby bump in Lainey's replica. My daughter has my artistic talent and while the drawings were clearly done by a small child it was more than clear that she had Lainey as pregnant in her card. Neither Lainey nor I said anything. Lainey hugged her and told her it was the prettiest card she ever received and she would put it in a special place. I made a mental note to have a little chat with my mom about letting Vivi draw pictures of a pregnant Lainey. I don't want to get Vivi's hope up just yet. Vivi must have told my mom that Lainey liked Vivi's American Girl doll and wished she had one. So…that is what Vivi got her…her very own American Girl doll just like the one Lainey liked. They played dolls on the floor for the next hour.
When Lainey gave Vivi her matching skating outfit she was so excited I thought she was going to lose her little mind. She stripped right there and then and put the outfit on and proceeded to twirl around and jump for an hour straight.
We made chili and cornbread and had fun cooking in the kitchen. Vivi was watching a movie while we made dinner and we were able to get some great kisses in and have some alone time. After dinner we gave Vivi her bath and played with her before putting her to bed. It was funny that she didn't milk going to bed like the night before. She was very compliant and went right to bed. It was like she wanted Lainey and I to have some alone time. So after, we read to her and kissed her good night we cuddled by the fireplace. Neither of us wanted to go out. We talked and talked all night getting to know each other better. She told me how much she missed Seattle when she was on the road and I learned her favorite candy is frozen Milky Way bars. I told her just go to my dad's freezer and she would be hooked up for life. She got me to admit that I do like sweets but I just have great will power. She seemed to enjoy hearing about all of our trips when we were kids and I loved hearing about her life once her uncle rescued her. I couldn't get her to talk about her parents though. She tried but she would water up and so I just let it go.
We played scrabble because we both thought we would kicked each other's ass and she ended up beating me by nine points which pissed me off so I tried to get her to play another round but she wouldn't do it. So I threw her over my shoulder and took her to bed where we made love several times. It was a great night.
We went into town this morning for breakfast and took Vivi into some shops. Lainey and Vivi bought matching Ugg boots and hats. Tongo, Stankey and Woody had their hands full keeping the paps out of our way. The paps were more interested in getting pictures of Vivi then Lainey and me. At one point I saw Tongo get quite angry. He is very protective of my daughter and I saw him shove a pap against a wall and get right in his face. Woody ended up chasing some girl down that took pictures of Lainey helping Vivi in the restaurant bathroom. Who does that…take pictures of a four year old going to the bathroom? Man I was pissed when Lainey came out and told us. Other than that we had a great time. We came back and the three of us got into the Jacuzzi. Lainey bought a swim suit in town and I was shifting my junk constantly trying to hide how excited she made me wearing that suit.
I pull out the resume and portfolio of a woman whose work impressed me when I first looked at it yesterday. She is from Quebec. Her name is Evangeline Lebeau. I laugh as I vowed to myself I would never talk to another woman that had the letters i.n.e on the end. Realizing that isn't real level headed, I review her work again. It is phenomenal. She was trained in Europe and I have been looking for a designer that specializes in renaissance architecture. I am so impressed with her work I stare at it and study it for almost the whole flight. It is the most detailed and imaginative I have ever seen. I have to hire this woman! I send Bryce an email and tell him to see if she is available for an interview next week and if she is, to book her first class.
We have just landed and Lainey convinces me that she really wants to spend the night at her family's house as she hasn't seen them in a few weeks. I was hoping to convince her spend the night with me but she wasn't having it. But I was at least able to convince her to go with me to take Vivi home and let me drive her to her uncle's house after I got Vivi in bed. Vivi was so tired I ended up putting her right to bed. We visited with my parents for about thirty minutes and then I told Tongo to take the rest of the night off as I would take Lainey to her uncle's and be back in an hour. Of course he followed me anyway. How am I supposed to get use to him being out of my life if he won't even let me take my girlfriend home?
We are sitting in front of Lainey's uncle's driveway and I am holding her hand playing with her fingers. "It was a great weekend. Thank you for sharing it with Viviana and me. Will I see you tomorrow?"
"Yes I would like to come use your rink, I promised Vivi another lesson. Maybe I can stay tomorrow night. I thought I would go to your place…well mine now and turn it into a chick pad. I want to change the duvet's, bathroom towels…you know make it a bit more girly. I won't touch the artwork or expensive stuff…but it is currently a total bachelor pad." I thought I did a good job of making it masculine with some gender neutral touches. "The movers will be there with my clothes and the boxes I need on Thursday."
"Do whatever you want to it. You have a storage unit lined up for the rest of your stuff?"
"Yes. Can we go looking for a lot maybe next weekend? I really want to start on my house."
"Umm sure…we can look at some places." Do I just tell her I don't want her to build her own house? No not yet. "You should get inside…I'm sure your family is excited to see you."
"Yes. Oh they want to have you and Vivi over for dinner this week." I nod. We spend a lot of time with my family. It is only fair as I haven't really gotten to know them that well. We also have the charity event this Friday night where she is the honorary chair. I am looking forward to going with her to that. Maybe I will stay at my old penthouse with her that night and see if Vivi can stay with Gail for the night since my parents will be at the event as well.
"Do you really feel like an orphan?" When she told me that it surprised me. She is so close to her uncle and aunt and thinks of her cousins as her siblings. She never talks about her real parents and avoids the topic, but I want to know more about them. "Do you remember your parents?"
"I remember some things. I remember that my dad was very handsome and his eyes always had a glimmer. His name was Jacob and I remember he had the kindest smile. He would throw me up in the air and I remember his hardy laugh." She pauses and I can tell she is recalling that memory as she smiles sadly. "My mom…her name was Lisa and she had a beautiful soft speaking voice. I just remember her voice and her eyes but I don't remember doing anything with her. Isn't that strange? I remember more about my dad but my mom didn't work and was home with me all the time…yet I really have no memory at all of her. I wish I remembered more. It makes me sad and I feel guilty about not having kept her memory more alive." She looks down at her hands and sniffles. I feel bad for asking her about this. I can tell there is a lot of pain there that she hides well.
"You know baby…you were such a small child. Younger than Vivi. You shouldn't feel guilty. I'm sorry that you lost them." She looks up at me strokes my lips.
"What I remember more that anything is being at the neighbor's house and people coming and going and they made me spend the night and I remembered crying and crying. I guess I wanted my mother. And I think I stayed at the neighbor's house for several weeks before I was placed in foster care. Then one day I remember playing in the backyard of my foster parent's house…they were good people…I still stay in touch with them…anyway I was playing and my foster mother came back with this really kind man…who was my Uncle Chad. He picked me up and I remember he was young, handsome and quiet." She is almost whispering now. "He said, 'Lainey I'm your uncle, and I'm sorry I couldn't get you sooner. I was out at sea and had a long job to finish…but I'm here to take you home now.' I didn't really want to go. I didn't know him. And I liked my foster parents. But he smiled and told me we would figure it out together…and we did. He didn't meet my aunt for another year or so, and he was just wonderful with me. I love him a lot."
"I can tell by the way you are together, that you are close."
"I worship him. He always tells me how proud my parents would be of me and that he couldn't be prouder. He has never treated me like a niece. And you know what?" She looks up at me. "There was a large settlement from the airplane manufacturer that was given to me and put in a trust fund and when I turned 18 I tried to give Uncle Chad some money, you know for the thousands and thousands he spent on my skating over the years...coaches, skates, travel to competition, costumes. But he refused to take the money. So I set up a fund for each of my cousins for college. I felt like I wanted to do something. I knew I would get endorsement money and I kept just a little for myself. He has always been so generous with me." Lainey smiles and this time her smile meets her gorgeous eyes.
"Didn't you have any other relatives? Grandparents…Aunts…anyone?" I am getting her to finally talk about this and it helps me to understand her more.
"My mom had a sister but she was financially unable to take me at the time. She was young and in college. We are in touch occasionally. My dad's parents were living in Japan. My grandfather was in the military and close to retiring. My grandfather is in a nursing home in Anchorage now. I try to go see him several times a year. But anyway…don't know how we started on this." I can tell she is done talking about it. I lean in and kiss her cheek.
"I love you Lainey." She turns her face and kisses my lips softly.
"I love you too Caleb." She pauses. "Caleb…I want to rent the building for the skating rink from you. I need to do this myself. I love that you have done so much for me…and that you are excited to help me build my dream. But I really want to prove to myself as much as anyone that I can do this. I want to pay you rent on the space."
"It was a gift Lainey."
"I know…and a very generous gift. But please…do you not think I am capable of doing this on my own?"
"Of course I believe in you. I just was trying to help you out and I selfishly want you to be here in Seattle as much as you can be." I rub my face. "Look Lainey…I have a lot of money. This was nothing for me to do for you. I love you. I can afford it and I can never spend my money in ten lifetimes. I wanted to buy the building for you. If you are insulted or feel like I took an opportunity away from you…then fine…lease it from me. I will have my attorney draft a rental agreement and your attorney can review it."
She licks her lips and thinks for a few seconds. "Okay. I don't really have an attorney other than an entertainment lawyer that reviews my endorsements and contracts. Just draft something and I will trust you."
"No. If you want to do it this way…and I wish you wouldn't…then get an attorney to review it. This way everything is on the up and up." I understand why she wants to do this…but it still pisses me off a bit.
"Are you mad at me. "
"No…not mad…disappointed…but I get it. Why don't we go look at the building tomorrow or Tuesday to make sure you like it."
"Okay. Let me sleep on it, maybe I will talk to Uncle Chad and get his opinion. I just worry. What if you dump me…will you take your building back?" I sigh and pull her over close, cupping my hand on her face.
"First of all. I don't plan on dumping you. I am in love with you. But it was a gift. I wouldn't ask you to return a gift."
"I love you Caleb. I love my gifts and I loved the weekend." She leans in and kisses me and I hold her neck and kiss her hard. Before too long I have my hands up her shirt and we are going at it like two teenagers. I mumble against her lips and moan when she places her hands on my dick which is screaming to get out of my pants.
"Lainey…baby…you are killing me here." She snickers and bites my lip, looks down at my dick which she can't see in the dark car, but she sure can feel it.
"Unzip your pants Caleb."
"Here? In front of your house? No baby…what if your uncle comes out?" We both start giggling as I unzip my pants anyway. "I feel like I am 16 again…seriously what if he…oh fuck baby like that…that feels so good." She has her sweet lips wrapped around my dick and I scoot down a bit looking around to see if anyone is looking out the window. Our view is blocked thank god and I decide what the hell and lean back and enjoy the moment. She gives amazing head and I slam my foot against the brakes of the car repeatedly as I come hard in her mouth. Good thing I turned the car off. Mother of god that was fast and fantastic. I zip up and kiss her hard. "What about you?"
"I'm good…you can owe me tomorrow night." She starts to open the door. "God Caleb…I am going to miss you so much this summer." She leans her head on my shoulder. "How are we going to get through two months?"
"Lainey…you know how I feel about this. But we agreed not to talk about it and just enjoy the next two months. Then when you do have to leave I will make sure I am there at least two or three times for visits. It will fly by."
"But Caleb…you need a lot of sex. How will you cope?" I smile and hold up my hand making her giggle.
"Hey wait…did you just get me off because you worry I need it all the time or did you want to do that."
"I would have jumped on you if there was room in this tiny car…I always want to have sex with you Caleb. You make me feel amazing and when we aren't together I think about you being inside of me all the time." Oh god yes…
"Well that just got me hard again. Come on before I throw you on the roof of the car. I will walk you to the door. God damn Lainey that was unexpected and you are amazing!" I go around and get her door and walk her to the side entrance of her house waiting for her to get her keys out, then pull her close. "I can't wait to spend regular time with you. Hey I almost forgot. Ted is having a sibling barbeque at his house Saturday. My parents are taking all the kids. So make sure you leave Saturday open. We will probably crash at his house. Sound fun?"
"Very." We kiss a few more minutes and I can tell she is as reluctant to end our great weekend as I am.
I get in the car and find myself smiling. I look in the rearview mirror and Tongo nods and then I receive a text from him. 'Looks like your brakes were a bit jumpy. Ha ha…or was that the head lights?' I chuckle and text back. 'Life is good Uso.'
I am happy. I scroll through my tunes and stop, feeling a shiver when I press Chris Isaak's, Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing. I haven't listened to it in months. I find myself thinking about Augustine…no matter how hard I try to erase her from my mind I see her as clearly as if she were sitting next to me. I played this song for four years reprimanding her an ocean apart and now I am playing it and I feel nothing but joy. Yes Augustine wherever you are…you gave me my greatest joy in life…Vivi…but you also brought be four years of hell. I am so over you. I growl and practically beat my chest as I head home.
Just as I am pulling down my street my cell vibrates and I am more than surprised, but pick it up.
"Hey…how's it going?" It is silent.
"Not so good. Can you meet me for lunch tomorrow? I need to talk to someone? Please?"
"Are you crying Ivy? What's wrong?"
"I just need a friend Caleb. Please can we meet tomorrow for lunch?"
"Are you okay? Do you want me to come over tonight?" I realize as soon as I offer I shouldn't probably be going to visit my former fuck buddy late at night, but she is my friend and I care for her and she is crying.
"No…it can wait."
"Okay, come to my office around 11:30 tomorrow and I will order up lunch for us." I hang up and wonder if I should just go over there now. No that could be asking for trouble. But what has her crying?
Reid Sawyer leaned against his SUV waiting with his long legs crossed. Wearing his dark gray suit pants, fitted white shirt and suit coat, women going to the gym did double takes at the model like gorgeous male. They all were wishing he was waiting for them. It was 6:30 in the morning and he had a 7:30 meeting with Mike and Henry at GEH to review all the current security issues on the docket. He would work out at noon at GEH with Mike, but he was at the gym on another mission. He looked at his watch. He wasn't a patient man. He knew that Isabella Davoli was inside the gym working out, so he decided to wait outside for her and see if she was interested in having dinner that evening. He didn't know why he was chasing after her. It wasn't as though he was hard up. He got laid the night before by a woman that he met through his PA. He had dated her a few times and he met up with her last night for drinks at a bar and he went home with her. But he woke up thinking about the ice queen, A.K.A the assistant principal, AKA…one Isabella Davoli. He was pretty sure his interest was mostly because she hadn't fallen all over him. But that made this a true challenge. She wasn't even all that pleasant. Hot as hell…but not exactly the warm and welcoming kind of chick he liked to be around. This was her last chance. If she gave him the cold shoulder…he wouldn't bother with her again.
A few minutes later the front door opened and a freshly showered Isabella Davoli sauntered out of the gym wearing a tight peach colored pencil skirt, nude pumps and a coral colored top. She looked amazing to Reid, but he stayed planted to his car, leaning with his legs and arms crossed against his muscular chest. She was looking at her cell phone but suddenly stopped and looked up. She tilted her head and took three steps forward and stopped about ten feet away.
"You know Mr. Sawyer…one would think you were stalking me if they didn't know better."
"Stalking?" Reid smirked. "Don't flatter yourself. Just here to see if you would like to join me for dinner tonight. You haven't returned my calls."
Isabella looked Reid up and down. God he was a fine specimen. Tall, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, cocky smile, built like Hercules…but…he was an arrogant ass and she had already had her share of those. "You. Are. A. Player. I know your type. You will try to have me in your bed after one dinner. You might call me back one more time and see if I was as good as you remembered…then be bored with me. I neither have the patience or inclination to be toyed with in that way at my age. So…just admit you want a good fuck and then I will tell you to fuck yourself."
Reid laughed. He liked her attitude and she had his number. "Well I would deny it but we both know that has been my mode of operation. So…for the most part you may be correct. However, I promised my mom I would try to reign it in a bit and try settling down and you know you never lie to your mother. Especially when they are Italian and will box your ears in if you don't."
Isabella was surprised. She expected Mr. Gorgeous to deny it and there he was flat out admitting it. She shook her head. "Well your mommy issues are your problem so I guess I will have to tell you no…I don't think I am interested in dinner with you because I won't be another notch on your bed post." Reid smirked again and shoved himself off the car and walked up to Isabella.
"Look…I am not a kid. I am not trying to play games here. I am a grown man on the other side of 35 now and the one thing you will discover about me is I don't bullshit." Reid leaned in very close to Isabella and whispered in her ear making her shiver with the closeness. "So here is the truth of the matter. You are smokin hot with a killer body and every man's fantasy that that they are fucking you into oblivion. I am no different than any other man." He leaned back leaving Isabella's space. "But…I am just asking you for dinner right now…not for a fuck. If I wanted just a fuck…I would skip the dinner request and go right to the let's fuck part. So you can either trust my intentions are sincere…a nice dinner where we get to know each other and see what happens from there…or you can tell me again to go fuck myself and I promise you Ms. Ice Queen…you won't hear from me again." Reid stared right through Isabella. He was quite intimidating and she stared at him trying to see if he was sincere. He appeared to be.
"I hope I don't regret this. You aren't going to stand me up again are you?"
"I didn't stand you up. I called you from Brazil and told you I had a work emergency. But no…I will be there…so…will you?"
"Yes. Fine tell me where and I will meet you there." Reid smiled. He figured she wouldn't want him to pick her up. "And…don't call me Ice Queen…you don't know me."
"I apologize but try to thaw out a bit before dinner or this won't work sweetheart. Meet me at The Pacific Grill on 9th at 7:00." Reid turned around and got in his car without looking back. He left a somewhat stunned Isabella Davoli standing in the parking lot with her mouth hanging open. What an arrogant, gorgeous prick this man was. And god she wanted him.
Ivy Sawyer pulled in the parking lot of Grey House Designs shaking. She hadn't slept in two nights since it happened. She was terrified and was afraid to leave the house but she believed if anyone could help her it would be Caleb. She couldn't call her dad…he would kill Craig…literally. She didn't want that and it would destroy him if he saw her right now. Her mother would be devastated and remind her that she consistently made bad choices in men. She couldn't call Jax…like her dad, his hot head would take over and he would want to go after Craig and ruin any hopes of public office. Then there was Reid. She had no doubt he would kill Craig with his bare hands before even thinking it through. She thought of calling him, but just couldn't. If there was any way to keep this from her family…she had to find it. But since Craig had threatened to expose Caleb and his lover in Brazil, her suicide and all the dirty details, she decided to come to him. She wasn't thinking clearly, she needed someone to talk to. She almost called Uncle T but she was afraid he would go after Craig as well and she didn't want anyone she loved to get in trouble over this jerk.
Ivy felt she brought this on. It was her fault. She knew Craig was a hot head. He had pushed her and threatened her before. So when he came over two nights ago, furious that her brother had changed the locks on her apartment making him look "incapable" she had enough and told him it was over. He wouldn't take no for an answer and beat her unmercifully. It was only when she had her finger on the dial to call the police that he threatened her with exposing Caleb in a murder plot.
"You think the cops will do anything to me? We stick together. I will tell them I found you this way and your lying because I told you that I know your good buddy Caleb Grey and your brother were in Brazil to end the terror of Caleb's ex-girlfriend. Isn't that right Ivy?"
"I don't know anything Craig. Honestly. Please stop…just leave." Ivy was huddled in a corner. Her lip was bleeding and she could feel her eye swelling shut. She had never been hit in her life and she oddly wondered how anyone could take the pain of such beatings. Her head throbbed and her ribs hurt where he punched her in the side.
"You best keep this between us or I will ruin the Grey's. I made some calls. I know a woman named Augustine de Costa killed herself while your brother and Grey were there and the local police said it was all more than unusual. Reid Sawyer called in the 911. So…don't think I can't make trouble for them Ivy. I have connections too." Ivy was more worried about what Reid would do to Craig if he found out…worried that her brother would get in trouble for taking revenge on a cop. Oh god…why did she end up with such horrible men?
Ivy sat in the car too afraid to go up to Grey house and have anyone see her…but afraid if she didn't get help…Craig would end up killing her. He had text her hundreds of times since the beating begging for forgiveness and reassurance that she had told no one. She assured him she hadn't. But what would he do if he found out she was about to tell Caleb. He told her he loved her and wanted to marry her and that he would never touch her again. Out of fear she told him she needed time to think and he promised her he would give her time. He left a message crying telling her if she couldn't forgive him his life wasn't worth living. Her first thought was 'good' but she played along so he would leave her alone. She saw him drive by her house multiple times and when she verified he was at work by calling the station, she made her escape out of the house.
Ivy looked in the mirror. Her eye was so swollen she could barely drive. Her ribs hurt and she could barely breathe. Her lip was swollen and cut. She would heal…but she would never get over it. She put on her sunglasses and jumped when she heard a knock on the door. It was Tongo. She opened the door and looked down. She didn't want Tongo to see her lip.
"Hey Ivy. Caleb asked me where you were. He is expecting you, so I looked out the window and…Ivy…look at me." Ivy slowly looked up. "Take off your glasses." Ivy shook her head no. "For fuck sake Ivy who did this to you?" Tongo gently reached over and removed Ivy's glasses and ushered her over to the side of the building. "Oh my god Ivy…come here sweetheart." Ivy's lip began to quiver and the tears fell rapidly. She fell into Tongo's big arms and as he was the first person she had talked to since Craig walked out her door, she fell apart in his embrace.
Tongo carried Ivy up the back stairway avoiding any stares and confusion by the large staff working on the design floor. He was a big man and Ivy was as light as a feather. He stopped on the third floor and placed her down gently. "Ivy I don't want you to have any undue attention. Can you walk into Caleb's office?"
"Of course. I just have been so upset and can't believe this happened to me Tongo." Ivy looked up at Tongo and noticed for the first time how kind he was and oddly she had never noticed what a gorgeous man he was. He was big and muscular in stature, with beautiful sun kissed bronze skin. He shaved his head but his eyes were rich brown with long eye lashes and he had a fine nose and rich full lips. He could be intimidating but gentle at the same time. He held her close and stroked her hair.
"I am very angry lalalei. I want to go find him and beat his ass…but that privilege belongs to your brothers and father."
"No…Tongo they can't know. What does lalalei mean?" Tongo pushed Ivy's long dark hair back. Her face was still moist with her tears and she not only looked battered but she looked so sad.
"Ivy…I won't hide this from Reid. He is a good friend. He has a right to know. He loves you very much. If you get angry with me for not keeping your secret…I am truly sorry." Tongo placed his hand on his heart. "But…I can't let this go." Tongo paused and wiped more tears from Ivy's face. "It means beautiful. You are a very beautiful, gentle woman. I have always thought that. I feel deep sadness that anyone would do this to you. Come…let's go see Caleb. You know…he won't let this go either. I can't let him handle this Ivy. He has been through too much but he will want to go after this heinous man that did this to you. I can't let him…he is happy, in love and at peace. You understand this right?"
"Then maybe I shouldn't go see him. I made a mistake. I was being selfish."
"No…you need his friendship…I will handle him and call Reid right now." He took her hand and led her down the hallway into Caleb's office.
Reid, Mike and Henry sat around the conference table eating their lunches while reviewing all the various security threats. They had spent two hours reviewing any remaining security threats from the Brazilian fallout. Mike had returned the night before and brought Augustine's ashes with him into the office. Henry made him remove them and take them back out to his car. He didn't want them anywhere near him. After reviewing all the whereabouts of everyone of Augustine's security team and the status of the detective which was still unknown, they moved on to other domestic threats. There were several fired employees that were under surveillance, an author from Grey Publishing that had followed Gen home from the office last week, several threats against both Henry and Ted and five threats against Christian Grey. All in all it was a mild week. Next they reviewed new employee background checks and a potential embezzlement problem they might be having in in their Taiwan office.
"You seem a bit distracted today Sawyer." Henry looked up at Reid.
"Yea… I am. It's the fucker Ivy is dating. He is a cop…so he has everyone snowed but I don't like the guy. He is arrogant, controlling and my gut says he is a prick. But I called my contacts at the precinct and the only thing they told me is he is a hot head and works homicide out of the 27th precinct."
The three men worked another fifteen minutes while eating their lunch that Darby, Henry's PA had ordered in. Mike tried to ignore his cell phone that was vibrating incessantly. Henry went ballistic when they checked their phones while they were in meetings so Mike refrained from taking his phone out of his pocket. A few seconds later there was a knock on the door and Darby entered.
"Excuse me Henry. Tongo has been trying to reach Mike, he said it was urgent." Mike reached into his phone and Henry jumped up thinking that something had happened to Caleb. Mike read his email and shook his head rubbing his long beard.
"Come on Reid we need to go." Reid looked up at him not really questioning so he stood up.
"Why what's up?"
Mike sighed and looked at Henry and then closed his eyes a bit. Reid was his best friend next to Henry. He knew Reid would go out of his mind. "Look…you can't lose your shit. We will get the details when we get to Caleb's office okay…but that cop boyfriend of Ivy's…well he beat the shit out of her and she is with Caleb and Tongo right now." Reid's face said it all and he was running out of the office before Henry or Mike could even move. Mike chased after him.
"Reid she needs you…let me drive and let's see how bad it is. If the cop needs to be dealt with we will do it but Tongo said Ivy is hysterical and she doesn't want you to tell anyone else until you get there." They were riding down in the elevator and while Henry wasn't planning on joining them he rode down with them.
"Reid…get the information. Don't do anything stupid…he's a cop. You can't lose your shit until we think this through." Henry grabbed his arm. "How did Caleb get involved in this?" Henry was confused. Mike and Reid looked at each other neither saying anything. "What…why are you two looking at each other?"
Mike shook his head. "Fuck me little Grey is going to be the life of me. Okay…Caleb and Ivy were fuck buddies for several years…you know before they each got involved with someone else. It ended around Christmas. They are still good friends. She must have called him worried her brothers would go nuts."
"What? Ivy and Cal?" Henry was more than surprised. "You sure? Jesus Reid…how come you didn't knock the shit out of him?" Reid shook his head. "You knew?" The elevator stopped and all three men got out. Henry walked with them to the parking lot.
"Yes I knew and never said anything. My dad and Jax don't know but you know why I never said anything? Because I knew it was just a good friendship and Caleb would never hurt her like this prick. Fuck…I wish they were still doing their thing. When that was going on at least she was safe. Now what? I will kill that mother fucker cop. Henry do me a favor. Don't say anything to anyone about this until I find out what happened. Jax will lose his shit and he has kids and can't risk getting into trouble over this. I don't much care at this point…I just want to find him and…"
"Man…you have to keep your cool…we will come up with a plan. I get it Reid. If that was my sister I would feel just like you. But…this is a cop. Promise me you won't do anything until we all talk. Just go take care of your sister first." Reid didn't say anything as he was anxious to leave. "Reid…promise me."
"I promise to count to 100 Henry…that is all I can do." Reid jumped in the passenger seat of Mike's SUV and they stormed out of the GEH parking garage leaving Henry to absorb everything. Caleb had fucked Ivy? Christ…who hadn't he fucked? He went back into his building worried for the Sawyer family and sick to his stomach that someone would hurt Ivy. He felt like going after the asshole himself.
"Jesus Ivy…what the hell happened?" I take one look at Ivy and feel like I am going to be sick. "Who did this to you?" Ivy has just walked into my office and she is holding Tongo's arm. Her lip is cut, her cheek looks swollen and when she removes her glasses I rush over to her. Her beautiful face. Her eye is swollen shut. "Who did this? Are you okay?" I have no idea who would do this to her.
She sits on my couch and I sit next to her. Tongo shuts the blinds so no one can look into my office and tells Bryce to hold my calls. I put my arm around Ivy and pull her close and she starts to cry. God damn she is hurt and I want to kill whoever did this to her. "Caleb…don't' do anything promise me. I just didn't know where to go. I am scared and I don't want my dad or Jax to find out because my dad will kill him…literally and Jax…he can't afford to get involved. He has kids and you know he has his heart set on running for office."
"Ivy…who the hell did this to you?" I am trying to be gentle but I am furious.
"Craig." She whispers in my ear.
"Craig? Craig the cop you've been dating?" I look up and Tongo nods. "What the fuck? Where is he now?"
"Caleb…you aren't going anywhere Uso. I sent Mike a message and he is driving Reid over now." Ivy starts sobbing harder and I pull her close rubbing her arm and letting her cry on my shoulder.
"No…Tongo…please don't let Reid see me. He will go after Craig and I don't want my family getting in trouble."
"We won't let Reid do anything stupid Ivy. But he has a right to know and he will want to approach that asshole. It has to be dealt with. Whether we report his assault to the police or Reid shows him what it feels like to get your ass kicked…but we won't let him go alone. I promise Ivy." Ivy looks up at Tongo and nods. He hands her his handkerchief and I continue to hold her.
"Ivy…that prick deserves whatever Reid, me or any of us dish out to him…but first off I think you need to go to the hospital. Have you seen anyone?" I am holding her gently but I can tell she is in pain. She tells me she just slept yesterday and that she was worried she might have had a concussion. Tongo brings her a bottle of water with a straw. I didn't know we had straws around the office but she seems to appreciate it as her lip is so swollen. We sit in silence for about fifteen minutes until the door barges open with both Reid and Mike almost running through the door. Reid squats on the floor and takes Ivy's hand. She is burrowed into my shoulder still and he gently pulls her away tipping her face up so he can look at her. He grimaces and I can see he is ready to explode when he sees the damage on his sister's face.
"That mother fucker. Where are you hurt besides your eye, cheek and mouth?" Ivy points to her ribs and Reid gently lifts her sweatshirt up. I don't look but I see Mike shake his head and Reid swears to himself. "Did he hit you here too? Ivy why the fuck didn't you call me? Come on sweetheart I am taking you to the hospital. We have to call mom and dad…they have a right to know this."
"No Reid….please no. Daddy will kill him. I don't want daddy to go to jail and he threatened to expose all of you for what happened in Brazil." We all look at each other. How could he know what happened in Brazil? "He tried to get me to tell him stuff but I honestly don't even know myself what you were doing there. He got mad Reid that you changed my locks."
"When did this happen?"
"Two nights ago. Well about four in the morning Sunday after his shift. I tried to end it with him…he was scaring me a lot…he never hit me before but I was worried about his temper and when I ended it he went crazy. Reid…please don't call dad."
"Where is your phone Ivy?"
"Why?"
"Where is your god damn phone Ivy? Just give it to me." Reid had rage in his eyes. I looked at Mike and silently let him know we need to keep Reid calm.
"Reid…we can look at her phone later. Ivy honey…has Craig tried to reach you since this happened?" Mike leaned over talking softly to Ivy who glances into her purse. I can tell Reid's patience have worn thin and he reaches over into Ivy's purse ignoring Mike but giving him a really dirty look. He scrounges in Ivy's purse which is huge and keeps digging through it mumbling.
"For fuck sake Ivy what the fuck is all this shit in here?" He pulls out make-up, wallet, about seven pens, pair of tiny shorts, flip flops, some spritzer… Jesus it is non-stop. He throws tampons like they are poisonous making me almost smile and holds what looks like a bra up and shakes his head. "Why do you carry a bra in your purse?"
"It's a sports bra jeez Reid. What are you doing?" Ivy looks up at him.
"Looking for your damn phone." He dumps the bag over and even more stuff comes out and finally he grabs her phone.
"Reid don't." He holds his finger up.
"Don't Ivy. I am barely keeping it together here. I want to know if it is even safe to take you home tonight and you won't level with me so please…I need to know what he has been saying to you." Reid taps in her security code…I'm not surprised he knows it but Ivy is.
"Really Reid…you know my pass code?" She leans back on the couch looking up at the ceiling then closes her eyes. Mike walks around and helps himself to some water in my refrigerator and then leans against my desk. We watch Reid scroll through the text messages shaking his head.
"Yea sure…he is sorry now. Why did you tell him you wouldn't tell anyone and you forgave him?"
"Because I am scared for you, Jax and Dad and afraid if I made him mad again he would come back. He is giving me a few days but I am afraid he will come back tonight and try to get me to take him back. That is why I came here. Tongo and Caleb are my friends and I thought they would help me. I didn't want them to call you."
"I'm your brother. This is my problem not theirs Ivy. But at least you came for help. God look at you sweetheart." Reid shakes his head and then takes a pen out of his pocket and writes what I assume is Craig's phone number. He hands the number to Mike. "Track this will you. Let's know where he is every minute until I can figure out what to do. Come on Ivy. We are going to the hospital to get you checked." Reid stands up and puts his hand out for Ivy. She hesitates. "This isn't up for discussion. Is your car here?" She nods. "Mike can you take Ivy's car, she can ride with me."
"Where do you want me to take her car?" Reid thinks it over for a few seconds. "Take it to her house and while you are there can you change the locks again?" Mike looks a bit frazzled.
"Reid…I have that security meeting with Henry and Christian at two. I am presenting some findings on you know that other matter." He doesn't want to say…it must be something about Brazil as they continue to keep me in the dark and I don't much give a fuck at this point. Tongo steps forward.
"Reid…let me take the car back and change the locks. I can get it done all before Caleb leaves for work." Tongo looks like he is frustrated and upset, which we all are. But he seems even more upset than he usually conveys.
"Who will pick you up from Ivy's if you leave the car there?" Mike is looking at his watch, I can tell he is getting stressed.
"I can pick him up. I'm capable of driving for Christ sake." I roll my eyes. Christ I am sick of all the hand holding they do around me.
"No Caleb your still on Code Red…we are still missing three of Augustine's men. Until we find them you don't go anywhere alone or without a CPO." Mike says this firmly, so I don't bother arguing.
"Jesus Christ…whatever. Okay Stankey is taking Lainey over to my parent's house this afternoon and she is going to hang out with Vivi. Stankey can come back here and follow me to pick up Tongo because you have Carlson and Boris at the house." Mike must agree to this as he text a message to whom I assume is Stankey.
"I'm sorry." Ivy pulls my hand and says this so quietly I can barely hear her. I look down to see she is crying again and I squat down and pull her in close for a hug.
"Ivy…don't apologize. Let us help you. Just feel better and I will call you later after you have been checked out." I continue to hold her and she whispers in my ear.
"I didn't mean to bring you in on this. I just didn't know where to go. You're my comfort zone." She hugs me tight. I don't know if Reid or anyone else heard her but I don't care. She is important to me and I am so angry right now I feel like finding this fucker myself. But I won't deny Reid the opportunity. I kiss her on the cheek.
"I'm glad you came over and you are letting your brother help you. Don't forgive that asshole Ivy. You're too beautiful and sweet for that prick." I stand up looking at Reid who isn't glaring at me or anything.
"I know about you two so relax." I am stunned but don't say anything else. I watch as Reid pulls Ivy up and places his arm over Ivy's shoulder and walks out. When my office is quiet I go to my desk and wish I had Craig's last name so I could look him up. But I don't have any information on him. I lean back in my chair and try to reign in my anger. How could he do that to her? I don't know what more I can do. I find myself thinking of Lainey. I shouldn't feel guilty about helping Ivy out but I don't want to keep secrets from her, so I pick up my cell and call her to fill her in.
"Hey…what are you doing?" I get up and take my uneaten lunch and throw it in the trash.
"I am just leaving the mall. I am helping Lark pick out a prom dress then I am going to drop her off at home and head over to your parent's house. You okay?"
"Yes…fine. Since you're busy it can wait. I just have something to tell you tonight."
"Well that sound ominous. Everything okay?"
"Yes…it's just important that we talk. I will see you around 6:00 then."
"Caleb…are you sure you're okay?" I don't want to get into it right now if she isn't alone.
"Yes…love you…got to go." I hang up and work for about ten minutes at my drafting table and my cell rings. It is Lainey. "Hey…what's up? You okay?"
"Yes…you just had me worried so I told Lark to go look for shoes and I came outside to call you. And yes Stankey is with me. What is wrong? You have me worried."
I get up and shut my door and then proceed to tell her everything…how Ivy was my fuck buddy…how we are good friends and what happened with her boyfriend. She is quiet for a second. "You there Lainey?"
"Yes. I guess I sensed that you and Ivy were more than friends at one point. But that doesn't matter. Is she okay?"
"No…I don't think so. Emotionally…definitely no. Physically…she is on the way to the hospital so we will see what they say. But I am telling you this because I don't want secrets between us and I want to check on her. I promise she is just my friend but a friend that I care about a great deal. There is nothing else there. I promise you."
"Okay…I believe you. I do… and thank you for telling me. If she came to you instead of her family you need to support her. I get it. I mean…does it make me feel a bit jealous and uncomfortable…yes…but I totally understand."
"Thank you. You are amazingly supportive and understanding. Are you staying tonight? I would love to show my appreciation." I smile trying to get myself back on track. "Gotta run baby…lots of work to do. I love you."
Thank god she isn't one of those chicks that gets her panties in a twist over this type of shit. I feel down about Ivy…but still can't help but feel great about where Lainey and I are headed. Being truthful and upfront sure feels better than keeping secrets. Hell…I am even relieved that Reid knew about Ivy and me. Maybe my luck is turning. Please god…no more distractions or issues.
Bryce walks in and hands me the packet for Evangeline LeBeau. She will be arriving on Wednesday for an interview. He stares at me. "What? Is something wrong?"
"No. But Caleb, have you ever considered just hiring a normal looking woman. Why do you always gravitate towards the drop dead gorgeous women?" I grab the file.
"I only saw her portfolio I don't even know what she looks like. Is her picture in here?" He leans over and flips the file folder over and there staring at me is Evangeline LeBeau…Augustine de Costa's god damn doppelganger. She looks exactly like Augustine and I swear silently under my breath. "Cancel her interview."
"What? Seriously?"
"Yes tell her I am leaving on a sudden business trip or something. But cancel it." Bryce looks surprised. "She could be Vivi's mother's twin. I can't have her around me."
"Caleb…she is already in the states…she was interviewing with Clark Design in Chicago today. You really want to lose another good candidate to them?" Shit. Bryce is right. I lost one of my designers last month to go work for Clark and they are my biggest competition. I've seen Evangeline's work. It is amazing.
"Shit shit shit. Fine…bring her in. Send her details to Reid and tell him to do the biggest background check he has ever done." I laugh. "Make sure she wasn't born in Colombia and isn't a twin. God damn its earie how much she looks like she who shall go unnamed! And Bryce see if my uncles are available for the interview too. I don't even want to be alone in the same room with her it creeps me out so much." Bryce leaves. Oh this is just great…I hope I hate her and have a good excuse not to hire her. I look at her picture again. Fuck me…why do I already know this will bring me nothing but trouble.
You saw it coming with Ivy and her boyfriend. I am sorry in advance for bringing this sensitive subject into play- physical abuse…but it plays into a story line I have planned. Also…before someone suggest it…I have nothing against the police force…even though in my story that may come across. It just happened to play well.