Reed's Reckoning

His eyes grow wide and even though he hates me, he loves the idea of making that kind of money.

“While I love my job, your business has also put me at risk in my career. Your daughter falsely led you here and I suspect it was to ruin my reputation. Sarah was never climbing the financial ladder you believed. She was being blackmailed by Alex to alter my reports. Eventually, I would have been fired.”

“How dare you accuse Alex of anything? Haven’t you done enough damage?” he hisses as his face turns red.

“Mr. Moore—”

“No! You listen to me. We have known the Matthews family a long time. Alex and Cara were always close. When Reed and Alex started seeing each other, she had never been happier. I know they were only friends in college but after all these years, when their relationship finally blossomed into something real and lifelong, you show up with a kid conveniently. We all know Reed Matthews is a stand-up guy. He would never shy away from his responsibilities as a father. But for you to threaten to take his child away is despicable. How could you make him choose between her and his own flesh and blood? She is so depressed, she left town to hide from the humiliation.”

Whoa! What the fuck?

“Is that what she told you? Is that what you believe?” I look at Phillip who has opened his mouth to interrupt but give him a glare to shut up.

“Mr. Moore, with all due respect, you need to get Alex some help. Not one word of what just came out of your mouth is true except Alex and Cara being close. There has never been a relationship between Alex and Reed Matthews. Haven’t you ever wondered why you never saw him? As your daughter’s boyfriend, weren’t you at least curious about him?”

“She explained how busy he is but we’ve seen tons of pictures of them together at events. Reed got us a box for the upcoming season.”

This man is as delusional as his daughter. “No, he didn’t. Alex has made this up in her mind. Reed and I are engaged.” I wave my hand at him and he pales. “And we are not getting married out of obligation. We are getting married because we fell in love years ago in college. And just a heads up, Alex knew Reed had a son before he did. She has been lying to you and herself for years.”

I get up to leave and squeeze Phillips shoulder. Every man in the room has their eyes on me.

“Goodbye and good luck to you all. And Mr. Moore, we are putting a restraining order on Alex for our entire family. Let’s pray she stays away or you’ll be using some of that money I made you to bail her out of jail.”

I leave the room without another word and go to my office. There’s a pang in my stomach when I pass Sarah’s now empty desk. Phillip and I did some research and discovered she was the one who changed the numbers on my client reports earlier this summer. He fired her this morning.

Since I can’t take any of my equipment or files, my only box is a few personal belongings. I grab it and turn off the light to my office. In my mind, I know I will never come back here. I’m briefly overwhelmed with sadness, but it passes. I’m starting a new chapter in my life today.

“Dari—do it again!” Davis yells.

Our bodyguard’s name is Darius but Davis nicknamed him. He’s not aware of why this man is always with us but he has taken a liking to him. Currently Darius is throwing him in the pool from the side as he splashes around in his floatties.

We’ve been living with Reed for two weeks and it has been interesting. After I left my job and packed a few suitcases, Davis and I followed Reed home. We met our new bodyguard, as well as Katy’s that evening. I requested to meet him first because I wanted to go over her medical history and need for independence with him.

Surprisingly, Katy didn’t argue when she met him the next day. His name is Grange, which strikes me as odd, but he fits the name. He is a gorgeously built man that is ex-army and seems to have the patience of a saint. Since I’m living here, he took my house and can watch out for Katy all of the time. He has called numerous times complaining of her social life and grabby friends but laughs through the conversation. I enjoy hearing from him because I miss her like crazy.

Our bodyguard however, never complains. He and Davis are thick as thieves and when Reed gets home at night after practicing, watching tapes, and working out, Darius sticks around for dinner. I would think he would be tired of us, but he seems to enjoy our company.