22
Barrett
She pulled back and took me in. I barely kissed her back and with none of the same intensity we normally shared. I’d ignored her calls all day. I couldn’t face the embarrassment I’d caused her—the humiliation I had brought upon her perfect family name. But typical Lourde, she just wanted to be there for me, and I pushed her away.
It didn’t matter what Jessica said was utter bullshit. My name was smeared. They had syndicated her report throughout North America, and my company was in disarray. Sure, that fucking bugged me, but I was a phoenix. I’d risen from the ashes before, and I could do it again and again.
Any day now, my team was going to uncover who was behind this clusterfuck, but that didn’t matter right now. My name was mud, and anyone associated with me had been dragged into this mess too. That brings us to here and now, and I wondered if Lourde had any idea why we were here because I sure as fuck knew.
I just didn’t know if I could go through with it. I think death would be worse than what was coming.
“Should we sit?” I offered.
She looked at me warily. “Can we talk?” she whispered.
I looked down at her and smiled, knowing it would put her at ease. “Later, okay?”
“Barrett, thanks for coming,” Alfred said. “We know you are busy, so we will keep it brief.”
“Are you hungry?” Elizabeth asked.
“No,” I said, wanting to get this over and done with.
“How you doing, bud?” Connor asked. I hadn’t taken his calls either, nor Magnus and Ari’s calls.
“Been better.”
“Unfortunately, we are here under terrible circumstances,” Alfred offered. “I know you have the best team around you, but I would like to offer you our support. If there is anything you need from us, we are here for you.”
I looked at him. What?
“Privately,” Elizabeth added. “We are here for you privately.”
Connor shook his head.
“What’s going on?” Lourde looked at her brother, then Elizabeth.
“Lourde, you can’t see Barrett anymore,” Alfred said.
“What are you talking about?” She almost laughed at the ludicrousy of it. Perhaps she had no idea it was coming.
Fuck.
Connor turned to me. “And Barrett, you’re a smart guy. You would have seen this coming,” he said, his tone serious.
I nodded. I saw it coming all right. As soon as that bitch Jessica opened her mouth and ruined my own happily ever after.
“Barrett?” Lourde turned to face me. Her wavering voice shot me in the chest.
I stared back but couldn’t form any words for a response. Sadness changed to anger as Lourde averted her gaze to her parents. “This is bullshit.”
“Lourde, language.” Elizabeth looked down at her nails, then took a deep, loud inhalation, catching everyone’s attention. “Lourde, you know as well as anyone, our name is like a religion, held in the highest regard since Grandpa Alfie built the empire. You must know there is no way I can associate us with this mess,” Elizabeth said.
“Well, I don’t care. I love Barrett. He loves me. We stand by each other in times of crisis.”
“No darling, I’m sorry. We forbid it.”
“I’m twenty-three years old. You can’t forbid it!” She got up and screamed at them. “Barrett, come on.”
I remained seated with Alfred staring at me. His eyes held a warning behind them I fully understood. But I just couldn’t do it to her. I didn’t have the courage. I needed her more than anything. Slowly, I quietly stood.
“Barrett, do what’s right.” Connor’s voice held a warning.
I ignored him and went to her. Her face was plastered in anger and hurt, her eyes glossy, threatening to spill over with unshed tears.
* * *