The One

The ringing comes through on speaker.

“Hey there, big man.” A woman’s voice answers and I feel like I’m going to be sick. “You get to Issi okay? She surprised?”

Van raises his eyebrows as he looks at me. “Yep. I’m here right now. Seems there’s been a misunderstanding. I want you to answer me, okay? Don’t ask questions, just answer when I ask you…”

The woman’s voice sounds confused when she replies. “Sure…”

“Who is Issi?”

“Who is Issi?” She repeats, laughing, and I see frustration on Van’s face, but she quickly counters. “I mean, Issi is the woman you’re seeing. The only thing you ever talk about anymore. She’s the woman you are in love with.” The words are slurred, like she’s teasing.

Van nods toward me, and I feel numb.

He continues. “Damn right she is. And who are you to me?”

“Uhhhh.” She stumbles before going on. “I’m your sister. Step-sister. You lose a brain cell or two on the flight, Van? I take care of your house, too. You let me live here in the guesthouse with my daughter, and I take care of George. I’m like a personal assistant, housekeeper, and all-around goddess.”

“And are we in a relationship?”

“Are you kidding me? You mean besides the one where your father married my mother for a month?”

Van looks at me, and I press my hands over my mouth, unsure what to say.

“Thank you, Kara. I’ll call you later, everything is fine, just needed you to help me clear that up.”

“Okay. Tell Issi I can’t wait to meet her. Bye.”

Van comes around the table.

“I should have told you about Kara, I know that. It just didn’t come up. But the truth is, this is who I’ve been for so long that it’s difficult to change. I’m trying, I’ve just never shared much about anything. My life. My day to day shit. Work. There are guys I’ve worked with for years who don’t even know my last name. But Issi, if there’s ever a question about anything, just ask me, please. I would never hurt you. I would never look at anyone else. I’m me. I’m not my Dad.”

“But, your life. The way you guys live. I’ve read so many stories, about guys in your business, it’s like they all have other women. They get lonely or whatever. I can’t be with someone I have to constantly worry about, especially like us. With our work, we will be apart more than we are together. It can’t work. I can’t live wondering when the shoe will drop. And, that’s not all, I can’t be with you and keep my job. Everything I’ve tried to achieve will be gone. They will win. They will ruin me.”

“Look, I don’t know for sure what’s going on yet, but I suspect the threat to your job is the same as the threat to my livelihood. But as long as you’re mine, which you are forever, no one will win but us. No one will ruin you. I’ll give my last breath to protect you, Issi, and everything that’s important to you.”

“Not this time, Van. There are some forces more powerful than us. Some things just are what they are, and unless you’re part of their group, you’ll always be on the outside. I’m tired of being on the outside.”

Van’s text tone goes off. It’s still in his hand, and he looks at the screen, then back at me.

“Issi, trust me. Okay? I think I’ve got just what we need to fix this.” He turns the phone screen to me, and I read. My eyes going wide and the room disappears around me. “Give me a minute. I’ve got a call to make.”

Nineteen

Issi

“SOUNDS GOOD.” VAN nods and winks at me as he rubs my belly, leaning on his elbow in the bed as he talks on his phone.

A few more pleasantries and he hangs up, leaning down to take my mouth and his warm tongue sweeps inside, making me moan.

There’s a crackling fire going in the bedroom fireplace, and it’s nearly two A.M.

We are not good sleepers.

“Well, baby, you get to choose. You can stay working with Synergy, or you can tender your resignation. They will pay you an exit package and give you a glowing recommendation to whomever you wish to court next.”

I cover my eyes with my hands, still trying to put together everything that’s happened in the span of a few hours.

Van’s investigators turned up the connections between both the sudden and unnecessary scrutiny of his company by the EPA as well as the threat to me by my company that if I didn’t sever ties with Van, it would impact their upcoming deal with Goshen Drilling and TransGen.

Turns out, the connection had a different name.

Ruby Thorne Ashby and her father, Congressman Ashby.

Seems he will do just about anything to keep his bratty daughter happy, including turn the EPA’s eyes toward Van and let my CEO know if I wasn’t out, the upcoming merger deal would have a very difficult time.