Everything fades as Vincent and I observe each other in silence. Did he follow me? Why is he smiling so much like he won a lottery? That same sickening smile that was on his face that day in the elevator is present. I flex my fingers to remind him what can happen if he makes the wrong move and he arches a brow as if telling me to try. He tips the bottle of wine to empty the content into his glass and takes a long sip.
After another sip, I throw caution to the wind and ask, “What do you know about Sofie?”
Vincent spits out his drink, leaving a red stain on the tablecloth. He recovers quickly and lowers his glass. A smirk curves his lips, chills race down my back and my spine stiffens. My hand tightens around the handle of my briefcase sitting at my feet, I force my breathing under control and level him a stern look.
He can’t do shit. I beat him once, I will do it again.
“If I were you, I would be more worried about the things I,” he says with his finger pointing to his chest, “could do and less about what I know about Sofie.” His voice is so cool it almost washes over me and my fingers curl in trepidation. I don’t like his tone. “What I know about Sofie is the least of your problems.”
Through gritted teeth, I spit out, “You are in no position to tell me what my problems are.” He snorts. I close my eyes to picture the girls and the tightness in my shoulders rolls out. “Vincent, what do you know?”
Pulling out his phone, he slides it across me. My brow raises, I pretend to be uninterested in whatever he wants me to look at. “I thought we had a deal, Brandon,” he replies. We didn’t have any fucking deal. I sacked Danielle and he had no more leverage against me, forcing his shit show to an end. “Stay out of my way and I’ll stay the fuck out of yours. Wasn’t that it? No meddling. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.”
An emotion rolls through me. My blood boils. I clench my fists on my legs. I dislike this guy so much that sharing the same air with him feels like a punishment. How can this man be related to my Brianna? God forbid I reveal that to him. He grins and the vein in my forehead protrudes from trying so hard to keep my anger in check. I have Sofie and he doesn’t know that. Otherwise, he won’t be grinning like a fucking buffoon.
“What were you thinking sending Sophia to my hotel?” Vincent dabs the corner of his lips and folds his napkin into a triangle. Years of acting cool come into play, I don’t flinch at the mention of my friend but the wheels in my head start spinning. She hasn’t been on another date with him, that’s what she said and she had better be right. “That I wouldn’t know?” He scoffs. “I like blondes. She’s pretty but really?”
His finger raps on the table. Curiosity gets the best of me and I hit the play button on his phone.
Blood drains from my face, my thoughts grind to a stop and the next minute they are pounding against my skull. How did he get this? Endless possibilities push to the surface of my mind, Vincent’s smile is glorious as he picks his phone. I am ramrod straight, back stiff as a pencil with a riot going on inside me.
Fuck.
“Nothing to say for yourself?” he jokes.
A thin line of sweat trickles down my temple and a wave of helplessness crashes over me. In business, you do not give your opponent the winning card or the impression you are losing because anything can happen in a split second. But if that video gets out, my girls will not recover from it. El won’t forgive me.
“What do you want?” The question falls out of my lips in a tone heavy with despair. “What?”
Perspiration forms in my armpits, I am reminded of the hot seat I put Jei in a few minutes ago. It doesn’t feel so good. I push my hands to the table, chin up in a faux attempt to save face. He wants something.
Leaning forward so whatever he says stays between only both of us, Vincent whispers, “How does it feel knowing the person you love doesn’t want you back? Does it ring a bell?” He relaxes back in his seat, a pleased smile stretching his lips. The pieces of the puzzle begin falling in place. “Remind you of anyone?”
Nicole. His goddamn sister. Words hitch in my throat, I flatten my hands on my legs and he giggles like a little girl. He swipes across his screen for a few seconds to show me the same picture of him and El that’s on her Instaagram. My heart slows to a painful stop, I lose my ability to speak. “You have a pretty wife.”
His malicious tone snaps me out of my pathetic trance. I grip the table. “Stay away from my wife.”
“Like you both stayed away?”
My heart drops to my stomach. I have a sinking feeling he is talking about Nicole and Brendan but I don’t give him the satisfaction of confirming or denying it. How did I fucking miss this? The attacks were too personal, more than a business rivalry. It has always been about hurting me where it mattered the most.
About revenge.
Nicole chose her path. I was under no obligation to return her feelings and I made that clear. My chair squeaks as I jump to my feet. An overwhelming riptide of anger crashes over me and I have to close my eyes to let it pass. If he so much as touches the hair on my girls heads, I will kill him. I grab my briefcase.
“We are done here.”
Matching my gaze with equal ferocity, eyes dark and burning with pure anger, he smiles. “Not until I say we are, Brandon.” Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why don’t I ever catch a break? “You became desperate and it cost you.” I am already taking steps away from the idiot when he mutters, “You started this but I will end it.”
I don’t stop until I walk past the door. I punch the wall and wince but the pain that shoots up my hand is nothing compared to the ache in my heart. Shit. The receptionist glares at me, I show her the peace sign.
Sophia. I need to call Sophia. I send Enzo a text, he pulls up outside and I jump in the backseat. My priority changes as Vincent’s words reverberate in my head. I dial El’s number, she picks on the first ring.
“Hello?” Her voice is like a rush of fresh air, I take a calming breath without saying a word. “Brandon?”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t comment on my choice of words. “Is everything okay?”
The weight of Vincent’s words sinks in and a heaviness builds in my chest. I shake my head. “Yes.” She gives a noncommittal reply, I fight the tears stinging my closed eyelids. “I miss you, El.” And I’m scared all the shits I did in the past will come back to haunt you. I don’t want to lose you—us. “Where are you?”
“Home.”
If she’s with her parents, she’s fairly safe but I will still have someone watch them. “You sure?”
“Sure. I’m at home.” A pause from the other end and she sighs heavily. “You are acting strange.”
Because I am freaking out. I sigh. “Just want to be sure you are at home. That’s all. You’re home, right?”
That bastard. There is so much at stake for me to lose. Where do I start from? What does the law say about sharing videos without permission from the owner? Maybe I should have studied law instead.
“I am at home,” she snaps and I flinch at her tone. “Ma is here in case you want to confirm.”
My eyes jerk open. “Of course not, baby.” She tsks, I picture her rolling her eyes. “I believe you.”
“Then why do you keep asking? We spoke an hour ago. I’m at home. Pa is sick and I’m here with him.”
The hand around my heart squeezes, I rub my palm against my forehead and stare at the ceiling of the car. She is on the verge of a breakdown and my questions are not helping.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. She takes deep breaths, I wait for her to start breathing regularly. “I just miss you, baby. I miss you, Wifey.”
Another sigh. I press my legs together. Enzo spares me a look through the rearview mirror and I offer him a tight smile. “I miss you too. We will talk about everything once I get back. You will be the first to know.”
“Okay.” The call ends with a click and I scan my contact list. She is stressed enough as it is. I can’t bother her with Vincent and his empty threats. Head bowed, I fold my hands behind my neck and let out a sigh.
Sophia and I need to talk. How did he get that video? I dial her number but it goes straight to voicemail. A few more times yields the same result. I drum my feet into the car floor. I am so close to tipping over.
“Enzo.” The car slows to a trot. “Take me to the hospital.”