Protect Me Not ((Un)Professionally Yours 2)

“Hardly teeming. We’re talking about six off-duty men and women. And the porters.”

“The porters?”

“Aah, you don’t know about the porters?”

“Wait, so Simon and Carter work for Brand too? And I suppose the valet and uniformed guards work for him as well?”

“It is partly his building. He can secure it in any manner he sees fit.”

“But you didn’t have to buy an apartment here.”

“Well, the building security is very good.”

God, he was infuriating.

“Why are you so pissed off about living in one of the most secure buildings in London?” he asked.

“I feel like I’m constantly being watched, like my every move is reported back to you. I’m not a child. I don’t need you to spy on me.”

“Nobody reports your movements back to me. I’m not spying on you, for fuck’s sake. Why would you think that? You’re being paranoid. I just found the added security appealing. I want you and Hughie to be as safe as possible.”

“Miles, I understand, I truly do. But safety aside, you know that I’ve never felt comfortable living in a penthouse apartment that I couldn’t realistically afford on my salary. That’s not how life works.”

“Your life is different, Vicki. I’m sorry…but it is. That apartment is in your and Hugh’s name. You own it. End of story.”

“Yes, but…I don’t have to live here.” That statement was met with a long, heavy silence that was broken by an equally long, heavy sigh.

“I’ve worked my butt off so that you could have these things. Why can’t you just enjoy it?”

“Because you worked for it. I didn’t. And sometimes I feel like it comes with all of these…strings.”

“There aren’t any strings.” He ran a hand through his hair, agitating the already messy strands further. He was frustrated, and she could see that he was hurt. It hadn’t been her intention to hurt his feelings. “I don’t want to spy on you or interfere in your life. I just want you to be safe. Are you truly unhappy living there?”

Chapter Eleven

Vicki considered her brother’s question, and now it was her turn to sigh. He deserved her honesty, not stubbornness for the sake of being stubborn.

“No. I’m not unhappy living here. Quite the contrary, actually. Hugh and I get along, we’re not in each other’s business, and we respect each other’s space…for the most part,” she added, thinking of her awful pink room. “But it feels like I should want more than to live with my older brother in an expensive apartment gifted to us by my other brother. Know what I mean? I feel like a spoilt brat.”

“No-one can ever accuse you of being a spoilt brat, Vic. I would love to give you so much more. I’d love to buy you a bigger store, with an army of assistants, source the best products, anything…everything, but I know how it feels to build something from nothing. I understand why you don’t want my interference in your business. But when we were kids—” His voice roughened, and he made a self-conscious noise and shook his head impatiently.

Her oldest brother had always been uncomfortable showing them any emotion. It was as if he never wanted them to see him as anything other than a strong, dependable provider. “When we were kids, and we didn’t have much, I used to fantasize about all the stuff I would give you and Hughie when I had money. Back then it was simple things, the new doll that all your friends had but we couldn’t afford. Clothing that we didn’t have to buy from the charity shop. But now…you won’t even let me buy you a car.

“I’m so damned proud of you for making your own mark on the world, and I understand how important your independence is to you… But if you’re happy living there, then that’s all that really matters, isn’t it? You have nothing to prove to anyone, Swish.”

She pondered those words but before she could respond, he continued. “Look, Brand’s people have lived in that building for years. They’re not there to watch you. The porter and uniformed guards are there to safeguard all tenants and owners in the building. The only thing that sets you apart from anyone else is Chambers. But after Mum’s wedding, he’ll be reassigned, and you’ll go back to your previous normal.”

“Ty’s being reassigned?” Three months ago, a month ago even, that news would have been met with celebration, but now all Vicki felt was a hollow pit in her stomach at the thought of never seeing him again after November. “Does he know?”

“I’m not sure. I imagine Brand must have told him by now. I thought you’d be happy to hear this news,” Miles looked confused and concerned, her subdued reaction obviously not what he’d expected. Vicki forced herself to smile.

“I am, of course I am. I suppose I’m just used to him hovering everywhere. It’s weird to think of life without him around.” She forced a laugh. “Probably Stockholm Syndrome…how will I cope without some big, beefy guy constantly shepherding me around?”